When you are holding a new baby in your arms, the idea of talking to them about surrogacy seems years away. However, it won’t be long until you can start introducing the topic to your child. Most experts recommend talking about surrogacy (or adoption or sperm/egg donation) with children at a young age. Instead of surprising them with the news when they are older, it is better to slowly introduce the topic with age-appropriate language and build on the information as they grow.
One great way to introduce the topic is through children’s books. Books can help familiarize children with the concept of surrogacy through cute illustrations and engaging stories. Below are some of the many books available for children about gestational surrogacy. In fact, there are so many different books available that many families can even find the ideal story that also incorporates egg donation, multiple births, and/or same sex couples. Add a couple of these books to your bookshelf and include them into your child’s daily story time as often as possible. Soon, these stories, and the idea of surrogacy, will be fun and familiar to your child!
Hope and Will Have a Baby: The Gift of Surrogacy by Irene Celcer
“Follow an inquisitive little boy who learns of his parents’ quest to have children, and the success they ultimately achieve in creating a family. Told in a language a child can understand, read the tale of how mom and dad met, fell in love, and ultimately built a family.This story on the gift of surrogacy is part of a book collection that brings to light the many reproductive options of family building. Come and celebrate the unique gift couples can receive on their way to becoming a family.”
What Makes A Baby by Cory Silverberg
“Geared to readers from preschool to age eight, What Makes a Baby is a book for every kind of family and every kind of kid. It is a twenty-first century children’s picture book about conception, gestation, and birth, which reflects the reality of our modern time by being inclusive of all kinds of kids, adults, and families, regardless of how many people were involved, their orientation, gender and other identity, or family composition. Just as important, the story doesn’t gender people or body parts, so most parents and families will find that it leaves room for them to educate their child without having to erase their own experience.”
The Very Kind Koala: A Surrogacy Story for Children by Kimberly Kluger-Bell
“The Very Kind Koala is a charming picture book for young children which provides an introduction to surrogacy through the simple story of a koala bear and her husband who needed the help of a very kind koala to carry their baby in her pouch. Parents can begin reading this story to children as young as 3 years of age to begin the dialog about their own helpful surrogate.”
The Twin Kangaroo Treasure Hunt: A gay parenting story by Carmen Martinez Jover
“This children’s story is ideal for gay parenting. The story is about two kangaroos: Jack and Sam, a gay couple, who have their own twins by means of an egg donor and surrogacy. Using kangaroos in the story enables children to easily understand the complicated methods related to their conception in a simple and loving way.”
Your Tummy Time: A surrogacy story by Natalia Padgen
“This personalizable children’s book…allows you to handwrite both your child’s and surrogate’s name within the story and provides space to include family photos. Creator and writer, Natalia Padgen, created this book while her surrogate was pregnant with her baby to promote positive memories and experiences, and avoid any awkward ‘finding out’ moment later in life. The book has been designed to become part of family history, rather than just a story book.”
Sophia’s Broken Crayons: A Story of Surrogacy from a Young Child’s Perspective by Crystal Falk
Please note that while we believe this is a great book, its title may be triggering for some. Please exercise caution if considering it as a gift.
“Sophia’s Broken Crayons is a book for young children, recommended for children ages 2 to 6 years old which tells a story of surrogacy from a young child’s perspective in a practical way that children can understand and grasp. A little girl by the name of Sophia is heartbroken after she discovers all of her crayons are broken. Sophia’s friend’s share their crayons with her as she experiences seeing her parents choose to give the gift of surrogacy to their friends. Sophia’s Broken Crayons is a very easy and understanding way to help explain surrogacy to a young child which include questions such as why can’t everyone have a baby? Why would someone choose a surrogate to help grow their family? Why would someone choose to become a surrogate?”
The Kangaroo Pouch by Sarah A. Phillips
“Meet Oliver, a young kangaroo whose mother has decided to help another family to have a child. Go with him as he takes you, step-by-step, through the wonderful journey of surrogacy! Learn why his mother wants to help a childless family realize their dram of having a baby, what it is like for his family as she goes through the pregnancy, and how it all turns out.”
Books can be powerful tools for simplifying and explaining complex topics to kids, including surrogacy. The books we’ve listed here are great for introducing the concept in a sensitive and age-appropriate way. They also highlight the beautiful diversity of family structures.
From the caring Koala to the journey of Hope and Will, these stories simplify surrogacy to a child-friendly level. It’s important to choose books that align well with your family’s experiences and values. And remember, reading these together with your child can be a great opportunity for discussion. It opens up a space to answer any questions they might have and to explore their feelings about the subject.
We hope this roundup of children’s books about surrogacy will be helpful for both parents and children who are beginning or interested in understanding this unique journey. Happy reading!