Children's Books About Surrogacy
Children’s books can be a beautiful way to help young minds understand the story of surrogacy — whether they are the children of intended parents, surrogates, or family members with questions of their own. At Bright Futures Families, we believe that openness fosters pride, understanding, and connection. For families whose children were conceived through surrogacy, sharing their story early and often can help normalize it and strengthen family bonds. While every parent’s choice to share is deeply personal, we’ve found that many families appreciate resources that make these conversations easier and more natural.
Books can also be incredibly helpful for surrogates and their families — especially their own children — who may be curious about the baby growing in Mom’s tummy and what it means for their family. The right stories can help children understand that this is a special journey of helping another family grow, and that the baby is not their sibling but a precious gift for someone else.
Below are some of our favorite children’s books about surrogacy — perfect for intended parents, surrogates, and the children who make this journey so meaningful. These stories open the door to honest, age-appropriate conversations about how families are built through love, teamwork, and generosity. Whether you’re helping your child understand their own surrogacy story or explaining your role in helping another family grow, these books can make those moments feel natural, special, and full of pride.
🌱 For Children Conceived Through Surrogacy
When children learn about their beginnings through surrogacy, it can build pride and confidence in their unique story. These books help intended parents share how love, teamwork, and science helped bring their family together — in a way that feels magical and easy to understand.
You Began as a Wish by Kim Bergman
Written by a psychologist and parent through surrogacy, this heartfelt story reminds children that they were deeply wanted and loved from the very beginning. It helps normalize the surrogacy journey in a warm, affirming way.
The Pea That Was Me by Kim Kluger-Bell
A simple and charming book that uses the metaphor of a pea to explain how a baby can grow with help from others. Perfect for young children conceived through surrogacy, it celebrates the teamwork and love that made them possible.
Wanted: A Journey to Surrogacy by Carolina Robbiano
Told from a parent’s perspective, this story beautifully portrays the emotional journey toward having a baby through surrogacy. It reassures children that they were always wanted and cherished.
Happy Together, a Surrogacy Story by Julie Marie
This sweet, rhyming book helps intended parents explain that their family was created through love and the help of a kind surrogate. Ideal for young readers just beginning to learn their family’s story.
Why I'm So Special: A Book About Surrogacy by Carla Lewis-Long
Playful and colorful, this book walks children through the story of how they were born through surrogacy, highlighting the love and planning behind their arrival.
From the Start: A Book About Love and Making Families by Stephanie Levich
A modern, inclusive story about the many ways families are built, from surrogacy to adoption and beyond. It’s great for reinforcing that all families begin with love.
Hope & Will Have a Baby: The Gift of Surrogacy by Irene Celcer
Hope and Will’s story helps children understand surrogacy through an engaging tale of two parents who need help to have a baby. It explains complex ideas in a hopeful, kid-friendly way.
Making a Baby by Rachel Greener
With diverse illustrations and simple language, this inclusive book explains all the ways babies can be made — including IVF, donation, and surrogacy — making it perfect for families with any story.
You Were Meant For Me: Mom Dad Surrogacy by Sheri Sturniolo
This story helps parents explain to their child that their birth was part of a loving, intentional plan made with the help of others.
More Than Four by Kate Carone
A modern take on family building that celebrates the love and science behind surrogacy. Great for explaining nontraditional families in a joyful way.
Before You Were Born... My Wish for a Baby – Single Dad Donor Egg/Gestational Carrier by Janice Grimes
Written specifically for single fathers, this story lovingly explains how surrogacy and egg donation helped make their family possible.
Happy Together: A Two-Dad Egg Donation and Surrogacy Story by Julie Marie
This version of Happy Together focuses on two dads who grow their family through surrogacy and egg donation. It beautifully explains LGBTQ+ family building.
The Twin Kangaroo Treasure Hunt: A Gay Parenting Story by Carmen Martinez Jover
Told through a playful treasure hunt, this story celebrates two dads welcoming twins through surrogacy.
Gal and Noa’s Daddies by Shosh Pinkas
Inspired by real families, this story explains surrogacy in a tender, relatable way for children with two dads. It highlights kindness, generosity, and belonging.
💕 For Children of Gestational Carriers (Surrogates)
When a mother becomes a gestational carrier, it’s natural for her own children to have questions. These books help explain surrogacy in language they can understand — showing that Mom is helping another family and that love makes the journey special for everyone.
My Mom is a Surrogate by Abigail Glass
Told from a child’s point of view, this story explains what it means when a mom carries a baby for someone else. It helps children feel proud of their family’s kindness and generosity. (Former surrogate here – my children LOVED this book! It was our favorite.)
The Kangaroo Pouch by Sarah Phillips Pellet
Using animal characters, this book follows a mother kangaroo who carries a baby for another family. It reassures young readers that their family is still the same and celebrates the act of helping others.
My Momma Helps Build Families: Teaching Kids About Being a Gestational Carrier by Felicia Anderson
A thoughtful resource that breaks down surrogacy for young children, explaining how their mom is helping another family have a baby in a way that feels proud and positive.
Mommy, Who is Ms. Becky? by JD Quarles
This book helps children understand their mom’s relationship with the intended parents and the baby she’s carrying. It’s perfect for explaining the emotional connections that form during a surrogacy journey.
Harry the Helper: A Family Uses a Gestational Carrier to Have Another Baby! by Linda Stamm
Told through the eyes of a young boy, this story shows how surrogacy can help families grow. It’s great for siblings or children of surrogates alike.
Brothers Born a Month Apart: A Surrogacy Story by Lisa Pontzious
Based on a true story, this heartwarming book shows how a surrogate carried a baby while having one of her own soon after — helping children understand timing, connection, and compassion.
A Turtle’s Tale by Crystal Henry
A simple and touching story about kindness and helping others, told through a turtle family’s surrogacy journey. It helps kids see surrogacy as an act of love and friendship.
🌈 For Both — Families Wanting to Explain Surrogacy to Children
Whether you’re an intended parent or a surrogate, these stories can help children understand the beauty of surrogacy — that it’s about love, generosity, and the joy of helping another family grow.
Surrogacy Helps Make a Family Grow by Sharon LaMothe & Tina Rella
A cheerful, easy-to-understand story about how surrogacy helps create families. It’s versatile for any age and family type.
Sophia’s Broken Crayons by Crystal Falk
This story uses the metaphor of broken crayons to explain helping others. It’s ideal for children learning about surrogacy, empathy, and teamwork.
My Tummy is Broken: A Special Book About Surrogacy by Johanna Gunning
Told with honesty and care, this book helps children understand why some parents need a surrogate to help carry their baby.
Grown in Another Garden by Crystal Falk
Through a garden metaphor, this poetic story explains that while a seed may grow elsewhere, it still belongs to the family meant for it. It’s a beautiful way to explain surrogacy to any child.
The Very Kind Koala by Kim Kluger-Bell
A beloved classic in surrogacy stories, this book uses animal characters to explain gestational surrogacy in a friendly, age-appropriate way.
Penny’s Pocket: A Tale of a Sibling Brought Home Through a Gestational Carrier by Elizabeth K. Hebl, MD
Told from a sibling’s perspective, this story helps children understand that a gestational carrier helped bring their baby brother or sister home.
Ice Ice Baby: An IVF Book for Kids by Lauren Soto
Playful and informative, this story explains IVF and how embryos are made — making it a great companion for explaining the science behind surrogacy.
Whether you’re an intended parent introducing your child to their surrogacy story, or a surrogate helping your own children understand your role, these books can open hearts and spark meaningful conversations. Surrogacy is a story of love, generosity, and family — and when shared through the eyes of a child, it becomes even more magical.
If you’re ready to start your own surrogacy journey — as a surrogate or as intended parents — we’re here to guide you with compassion and care every step of the way.