8 Children’s Books That Help Explain Surrogacy
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- The Very Kind Koala: A Surrogacy Story for Children
- Sophia’s Broken Crayons: A Story of Surrogacy from a Young Child’s Perspective
- Penny’s Pocket: A Tale of a Sibling Brought Home Through a Gestational Carrier
- Why I’m So Special: A Book About Surrogacy with Two Daddies
- Daddy Dog and Papi Panda’s Rainbow Family: It Takes Love to Make a Family
- You Began as a Wish
- Wanted: A Journey to Surrogacy / Un Viaje Hacia la Subrogación
- My Mom Is a Surrogate
Deciding when to have the talk about where babies come from can prove to be tricky — for oh so many reasons.
Adding the conversation of surrogacy as one of the different routes to parenthood can pose an additional challenge for parents who aren’t sure what their child is ready for when it comes to learning about pregnancy and childbirth.
“Many parents wait until their kids start asking questions before they start talking about surrogates, because there isn’t a hard-and-fast rule on when you should start.”
But many psychologists recommend being open and honest about the surrogacy process from the get-go, whether that includes explaining it to a child who arrived via surrogacy, or if your child is watching you serve as a surrogate.
“Having a baby is an exciting time for any parent-to-be. There are many ways to have a baby today, including more families using a surrogate to achieve parenthood,” says Roseann Capanna-Hodge, EdD, a licensed professional counselor and certified school psychologist in Ridgefield, Connecticut.
She says that parents should always consider the age of their children when making decisions.
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A new baby in the house can bring a range of emotions, including excitement and jealousy, according to Capanna-Hodge. Finding ways to connect with a new baby888-607-888-607-3166888-607-888-607-888-607-888-607-888-607-3166 is critical in building great communication and establishing a bond as well as helping the other children feel secure.
There are a number of resources that can help kids understand the subject of surrogates.
The child will gain an understanding of the baby coming when they are helped to grow in their belly by someone else.
She says that when you feel good about what you are saying to your child, they will accept it.
There are eight books that will help you do that.
We chose these books based on reviews. We focused on a variety of storylines, such as dealing with infertility and same-sex couples wanting to grow their families. We were aware of cultural diversity.
Pricing guide
$ = under $10
$$ = $10–$15
$$$ = over $15
The Very Kind Koala: A Surrogacy Story for Children
- Price: $$
- Length: 24 pages
The book explains how a koala bear and her husband use another koala to carry their child in her pouch, and how they were aided by another koala.
“Reviewers appreciated that the book doesn’t overcomplicate things. They said it’s great for small children as young as 3 years old.”
Sophia’s Broken Crayons: A Story of Surrogacy from a Young Child’s Perspective
- Price: $$
- Length: 36 pages
The book is written by a child. Sophia is sad that her crayons are broken in the beginning of the story. When her friends step up to share theirs with her, the tone is set for her experience watching her parents help their friends with surrogates.
The narrative addresses what leads the surrogate to choose to help other families by carrying their child, so kids can understand more about the process.
The book is best for kids around 5 or 6 years old.
“Reviewers on Amazon have criticized the plot and the mother as broken. These vary depending on the reader’s perspective, but could be a problem for some parents.”
Penny’s Pocket: A Tale of a Sibling Brought Home Through a Gestational Carrier
- Price: $$
- Length: 30 pages
The story of a family of possums turning to surrogates for their second child is an animal analogy that helps explain infertility to children.
One reviewer said that it was a great discussion tool for explaining to her kids that they are infertile. They knew a family was going through the same thing. It is recommended for children under 8 years old.
Why I’m So Special: A Book About Surrogacy with Two Daddies
- Price: $$$
- Length: 44 pages
The book is a great resource for same-sex couples who want to start a positive conversation about surrogate parenting with their child.
Reviewers say “Why I’m So Special” does a good job of explaining that it’s possible to maintain a lasting relationship with your surrogate after a child is born. However, some say the details were too specific and difficult to apply to their own lives.
The book is a great choice for children under the age of 8, but it may be a bit long for little ones.
Daddy Dog and Papi Panda’s Rainbow Family: It Takes Love to Make a Family
- Price: $$
- Length: 34 pages
The book highlights several variations on a modern family, including children conceived via surrogate and children brought home through adoption.
The storyline can educate children about cultural diversity in a family structure, because it features a same-sex couple. It is a good choice for children between the ages of 4 and 8.
You Began as a Wish
- Price: $$
- Length: 35 pages
Kim Bergman\’s book “You Began as a Wish” is a great resource for kids interested in learning the science behind where they came from.
“It is great for parents to share their infertility journey with their children. The book’s illustrations do a good job of incorporating inclusivity in terms of cultural diversity and the LGBTQIA community, according to one reviewer. This book is great for all ages.”
Wanted: A Journey to Surrogacy / Un Viaje Hacia la Subrogación
- Price: $$$
- Length: 42 pages
This is a bilingual book that can be a great resource for Spanish-speaking families wanting to explain surrogacy to their children. Written by Carolina Robbiano, the book tells the story of two parents doing everything they can to have a child they desperately want.
The graphics of the book are praised by reviewers and they say that the narrative does a good job of showing the journey of the surrogate in a way that parents can relate to. It is best for children over the age of 5.
My Mom Is a Surrogate
- Price: $$$
- Length: 36 pages
The author takes kids through the journey of surrogate parenting through the eyes of their mothers, as she serves as a surrogate for another family.
“Reviewers say this book is a great resource for families. It explains that a new sibling won’t be a positive thing for the mom and her baby. The book is suitable for children.”
A book about surrogacy is a great way to introduce your child to the topic. It can help them understand what a surrogate is and what it entails.
The most important thing to consider when choosing a book for your child is their personality. What will make them want to stay and also provide entertainment?
Pick a book that your child is excited to read and enjoy, because it will always be a winner in their eyes.
If your child likes books with human characters, you can narrow your choices when it comes to surrogacy books. The same idea applies if they prefer books with human characteristics.
It is important to keep in mind the age of the book. This is true when you are looking for a book on surrogacy, which is a more advanced topic.
Some books are geared toward kids who are 5 to 8 years old. It is important to read reviews to see if a book is too advanced for your child.
It is a wonderful idea to introduce your child to the topic of surrogacy through a book.
If your child is interested in reading, they can learn more about it if they read.
Even if it is now or years down the line, it is still a great idea to educate your child about concepts that may come across in life.
