Adventures of Bandit and Pablo: We Made New Friends!

In this second heartwarming installment of The Adventures of Bandit and Pablo, author Katie Kibort-Gibbons continues her beloved children's picture book series. The series explores adoption, family, identity, and belonging through the eyes of two unlikely but inseparable siblings: Bandit the dog and Pablo the cat. Bandit and Pablo are adopted brothers. Though they don't look alike and come from very different backgrounds, their bond is stronger than fur and whiskers. It's built on love, loyalty, and the beautiful truth that family is not about looking the same but being there for one another.

Bandit and Pablo head to the park on a bright, sunny day in "We Made New Friends." However, their fun is interrupted when they meet someone new-a little friend who looks sad and alone. He's just been adopted and feels different from the rest of his family because he doesn't look like them. Bandit, who also doesn't look like Pablo, understands right away. With Pablo's encouragement, the two leap into action to show their new friend what makes a family: connection, kindness, and unconditional love. Through gentle, accessible language, this story guides children through the big feelings many adopted kids experience: feeling out of place, wondering if they truly belong, and noticing differences between themselves and their adoptive families. Through the playful lens of Bandit and Pablo's adventures, young readers learn that what matters most isn't appearance-it is the shared experiences, the safety of being understood, and the joy of being accepted just as you are.

Katie Kibort-Gibbons is not only a children's book author-she's also an adoptee, an adoptive parent, and a licensed clinical professional counselor specializing in adoption and attachment. Her work bridges the worlds of storytelling, advocacy, and healing, making her books beloved by families, teachers, and mental health professionals alike. Katie's mission is to help children feel understood, seen, and supported-especially those navigating the adoption journey. Through the characters of Bandit and Pablo, she gives voice to feelings children may struggle to express and reassures them that they are never alone.