Adoptees Who Changed the World

Well done! Actually I wanted more of this amazing board book!

The book is about popular personalities who were adopted by great people leading to their success and prosperity.

The illustration is really good and the writing perfect for the target audience.

Brings out the good in all of us!

Thank you, Familius, for the ARC.

As someone who was adopted around age 6, this book really hit home. It would have been amazing to have someone to relate to at that age. I’m so excited and happy that children who are adopted can have a book that represents them & they can know that they aren’t alone.

This is a great book for children highlighting a wide range of different historical and impactful figures. I really appreciated the diversity of background, culture and area of impact/expertise. I love the idea of stories focused specifically on kids who were adopted - giving that group of children very tangible examples of people who have a similar starting point as themselves.

The illustrations are excellent - and really help to bring the text of the story to life. The text that the book uses isn't too heavy or too much - but instead succinctly illustrates key points of the characters adoption scenario and also their contributions to their given field. Overall a great children's book!

As a parent who has a child adopted from foster care I was really excited to see this book. When our daughter first came home to us as a toddler, I looked for books that we could read as a family that highlighted adoption, foster care, or even just the different ways a family can look. While I found some gems, there are still very few well written books on the topic.

I appreciated that Ms. Benson highlighted people of a variety of races, genders, and styles of adoption. I also appreciated the inclusion of both historical figures and current figures in media and sports.

I always am mindful of how books on adoption talk about birth families and I was happy to see that in general this book speaks well of them; highlighting age and a lack of readiness for parenting with a compassionate tone.

I think Adoptees Who Changed the World is a book that will fit well in the market and help fill gaps in available resources for adoptive families.

Thank you NetGalley and Families for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

This little book contains eight, very small adoption stories of people who changed the world in different ways. This book is perfect to read to little kids who are adopted.
The stories are very small so it’s just a small snippet of each person’s adoption story. It’s perfect for small children.
I graciously received an advance e-copy via Netgalley to review. All opinions are my own.

I really enjoyed this book and it has a great focus on 8 people who were adopted and the changes/impact that they have had on the world. The book covers Steve Jobs and Simone Biles, who most people know were adopted to others, which were not so well known.

The writing style is perfect for this book and I loved the detail added. It is perfect for the target audience.

The illustrations in the book were great and they bring the different pages to life - each section on them has a quote and it is very well done. The book is a great one to encourage onward learning and for people to want to find out more.

It is 5 stars from me for this one - very highly recommended!

This is a book for everyone but especially for anyone who has been adopted. The illustrations are charming and the text is just enough to keep the attention of a young child. I appreciated the diverse selection of people chosen to highlight their story. Even as an adult, I found it interesting and I learned something new from people I’ve grown up hearing about in school or seeing on tv.

This book may be short, but it's got substance! The topic is quite unusual for the genre, and the execution was great. The choices of people are quite US-centric, with the exception of Nelson Mandela, but it's still interesting to learn about these famous people's journey.

‘Adoptees Who Changed the World’ by Lorri Antosz Benson is an enlightening and educational read that shines a spotlight on individuals whose lives and achievements have had a significant impact on the world. The book provides inspiring stories of adoptees who have made remarkable contributions across various fields, offering readers both historical insights and personal inspiration.

Plot: ★★★★★
The plot of ‘Adoptees Who Changed the World’ is compelling and well-structured, focusing on the lives of notable individuals who were adopted and went on to achieve extraordinary things. Each section is dedicated to a different person, detailing their background, accomplishments, and the impact of their work. The narrative is both informative and engaging, highlighting the often-overlooked stories of these remarkable adoptees.

Character: ★★★★★
The book excels in presenting the characters—historical and contemporary figures who have made significant contributions to society. Learning that some of these influential individuals were adopted adds a new layer of understanding and appreciation. The portrayal of their lives and achievements is respectful and inspiring, making their stories relatable and memorable.

Illustrations: ★★★★☆
The illustrations in ‘Adoptees Who Changed the World’ complement the text well, adding visual interest to the profiles of the individuals featured. The artwork is engaging and helps to bring the stories to life, though some illustrations may not be as detailed or dynamic as others. Overall, they enhance the reading experience and provide a visual connection to the subjects of the book.

Engagement: ★★★★☆
The book maintains a high level of engagement through its compelling stories and informative content. The well-crafted profiles of each adoptee are captivating, and the author's ability to convey their achievements and significance keeps readers interested. The engagement is slightly diminished by the factual nature of the content, but the inspiring stories make up for it.

Readability: ★★★★★
‘Adoptees Who Changed the World’ is written in a clear and accessible style, making it easy for readers of all ages to understand and appreciate the content. The language is straightforward, and the structure of the book is well-organized, allowing for a smooth reading experience. The readability ensures that the educational message is effectively communicated.

Enjoyment: ★★★★☆
The enjoyment factor is high due to the inspiring and educational nature of the book. Readers will appreciate learning about the achievements of adopted individuals and how they have shaped the world. The book provides both educational value and personal inspiration, though the enjoyment may vary depending on the reader’s interest in historical and biographical content.


‘Adoptees Who Changed the World’ by Lorri Antosz Benson is a remarkable and educational book that highlights the achievements of notable individuals who were adopted. With its compelling plot, respectful portrayal of characters, and engaging illustrations, the book offers valuable insights into the lives of these influential figures. The clear readability and inspiring content make it a worthwhile read, providing both knowledge and motivation for readers.

I love it when a children’s book can teach adults as well. This book informed me of quite a few famous figures that I did not know where adopted. I think this kind of children’s book is very important, as it shows children from a young age that it does not matter how they start out in life, they are still capable of achieving great things.

First off, I did not know that so many of these amazing human beings were adopted! I absolutely LOVED this book! It was amazing to see the background of each person who is amazing in different ways. Such an inspirational book for all kids, but especially for those who may struggle with the knowledge that they were adopted.

Before my review, I'd like to thank the author, Lorri Antosz Benson, the illustrator, Juanita Londono-Gaviria, the publisher, Familius, and NetGalley for the privilege of being able to read Adoptees Who Changed the World, a children's picture board book focused on more recent well-known world-changers like Simone Biles and Steve Jobs as well as more historical figures like George Washington Carver. I will share my review to Amazon, Goodreads, and Barnes & Noble upon release. The cover has a nice pastel color scheme which is pleasant, and I like the illustration style that draws your eye to the figures themselves, who are the most important part of the story. Each figure takes up a 2-page spread, and the little info included is perfect for ages 0-4. Children who are adopted or have friends/family who are adopted will especially find this book inspiring, as they will feel represented in different careers of importance. I would definitely recommend to those who know children who fall into that category! Very cute book, loved it!

This adorable board book is the perfect addition to the home library of any adoptive family and should also be featured in public and school libraries.

Each person is explained in a way that is appropriate for children but also shows the truth without getting into details.

The illustrations are perfect and will engage children.

Thank you to Familius and Net Galley for the eARC!

A new small board book with big names such as Nelson Mandela, Faith Hill, Steve Jobs, Jamie Foxx, Simone Biles, and Kristen Chenoweth. Each page of this little board book tells a different story about how these real-life characters were adopted at a young age and what they did later in life.

It was the first time my son heard the word 'adoptee,' so I had to explain it to contextualize it. While he is exposed to kids living with their adoptive parents, he doesn't seem to know they were adopted. So, the book helped lay down the concept in short, simple descriptions appropriate for a very young audience.

The storytelling also reflects how this board book presents how adoptees eventually find a family in their newfound parents and pursue their passions. I love that the narrative doesn't say they became successful despite being adopted; instead, they are famous people who also happen to be adopted.

My son is an international adoptee. He enjoyed reading this book with me and learning about adoptees who have made changes for the better in the world.

I love the representation in this book as well - it’s diverse group of adoptees makes the book stand out.