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I'm helping update Parenting Kits for the children's room at my library and have been asked to suggest appropriate changes or inclusions. I'm stumped on this one, though:

Are there any movies or tv episodes (available DVD, please) for very young children?

The parenting kit has several picture books in it, but nothing else. Most movies I've looked at seem too old for that age--Heidi, Anne of Green Gables, Annie--or focus on an animal being adopted.

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What exactly is the purpose of these? Who are you aiming at, and for what situations? – Audrey Feb 5 at 23:30
The Parenting Kits are aimed both at parents who want to guide or teach their children about a particular topic, in this case, adoption, and at children probably birth through kindergarten. Typically those who have checked out the Kits in the past have been parents hoping to make a child more comfortable with a particular situation or topic. I'm not sure if the majority of people looking at this kit would be parents & their adopted children or just those hoping to show examples of different families. – Kathy Feb 6 at 18:05

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Not sure of the age range you need, but here are some possibilities:

Arthur: Big Brother Binky, DVD 2007

There are three episodes, title show summary: Binky's family adopts a baby girl from China. Binky is excited about preparing for her arrival and visiting China.

Stuart Little, DVD 2000 (I know he's a mouse but it does show how the older brother feels about having an adopted brother) (or not :o)

Reading Rainbow: Family Matters, DVD 2006

Episode 2, Through Moon and Stars and Night Skies: Stories about adoption from children who were adopted, including a book titled "Through moon and stars and night skys" by Ann Turner, introduced by host LeVar Burton, about a boy from a foreign country who is adopted in America.

Respect for All (media series for kids): That's a Family!, DVD 2000

Shows the many different shapes that families take today. Children describe their own families and explain concepts like "birth mom," "mixed race," "gay and lesbian," and "stepdad."

Bittersweet: Stories of Open Adoption, DVD 2001 (for adults)

Features stories of five women who share their sorrow, strength and hope as they consider and choose open adoption for their children.

I Have Roots & Branches: Personal Reflections on Adoption, DVD 2004

"WINNER: 2004 Film Advisory Board AWARD OF EXCELLENCE!" While the process of adoption has been receiving increasingly greater attention, the feelings of those touched by adoption are often overlooked. Director and executive producer Flory G. Herman, a member of the American Academy of Adoption Attorneys since 1994, takes an intimate look at adoption in this new must-see 47 minute documentary-style film "I Have Roots and Branches"...Personal Reflections on Adoption, a 2004 winner of a prestigious Film Advisory Board Award of Excellence, recognized world-wide for quality family/children's entertainment. The film conveys a positive, encouraging and honest message about adoption, and is most appropriate for children viewers. Viewers will find out first hand how it feels to have been adopted and discover that all kids have common experiences growing up in their homes, surrounded by the families they know and love. Families formed through adoption, prospective adoptive and birth parents and professionals in the adoption community should not miss this wonderful film. The video is appropriate for schools and libraries as a resource for adoption education."

For parents:

both are DVDs, 2007

Adoption Explained: Domestic & Adoption Explained: International

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Thanks for the great suggestions. I wasn't sure on the Arthur DVD since the other episodes are completely unrelated, but the Children's Librarian can make that judgement. The Reading Rainbow DVD looks quite good. I'll pass these along and hopefully be able to beef up the kit! – Kathy Feb 6 at 18:09
Happy to help! This is a tough one... good luck! – Emily J Feb 7 at 0:54
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I am only going from memory, but early Sesame Street episodes are available, and I seem to remember one about a child being adopted by Gordon and Susan. There is a reissued book on Amazon called "Gordon and Susan Adopt A Baby." The adults spend some of the episode explaining to Big Bird (probably, you generally explained things to Big Bird in the 70s) that they were bringing home a baby and it was adopted. I also see on the Muppet Central Forum that maybe in 2004 they had another adult adopt a child. "Gina adopts a baby boy from Guatamala." Didn't see that one, but by the forum it would have been late 2004. this seems to be repeated on many adoption forums on the net.

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Sesame Street sounds like a good place to look, thanks. Unfortunately, I don't need any books at this time. I'll see if I can turn up any videos with the Sesame Street adoption themes. – Kathy Feb 9 at 22:45
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I believe the book "I Love you Like Crazy Cakes" was made into a video. It's about a woman adopting a little girl from Chine

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Good story and suggestion; I'll see if I can find a DVD. – Kathy Feb 13 at 16:47

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