Recommended Children’s Books for Children of Assisted Reproductive Technologies

In order of most recent to least recent:

Noah’s Blueprints: A (Sperm) Donor Conception Story for Mom/Dad Families (My Donor Story)

Upon arriving at school, Noah learns that his neighbor, Emmett, has a new baby sister who was created “with lots of love and a little bit of science. “This leads Noah to wonder about how he was created, and he runs home after school to ask his parents. Together, Noah, Mommy and Daddy explore what it means to be donor-conceived and how generosity and genetics combined to create a home built not just by architects, but by love.

This book is for mom & dad families who have conceived using their own egg + a sperm donor via IVF, IUI or ICI.

• By: Sharon Leya
• Publication: 2023 
• Intended for children of various ages 
• Available on Amazon

Two Tiny Itsy Bitsy Gifts of Life, and egg and sperm donor story

A loving children’s story, specially written for children conceived via egg donation and sperm donation. Two monkeys live happily in their tree and want to have their own baby monkey. Time goes by and they aren’t able to conceive. The doctor tells them they need a donated egg and a donated sperm. Both Monkeys received a donated sperm and egg which are fertilized and she becomes pregnant. We accompany them during their journey until they become parents.

• By: Carmen Martinez Jover
• Publication: 2021
• Intended for children aged 9-12
• Available on Amazon

You Began as a Wish

Children conceived using third-party assisted reproduction often have questions and want to know where they came from. As parents we sometimes forget that telling our kids the truth right from the start is always best! This wonderful children’s book written by Dr. Kim Bergman, author of Your Future Family: The Essential Guide to Assisted Reproduction, and beautifully illustrated by Irit Pollack, answers those questions in simple, easy to understand language. Use this book to help your children understand all the parts that came together to make them who they are, beginning with a wish!

• By: Kim Bergman PhD
• Publication: 2019 
• Intended for children of various ages
• Available on Amazon

The Pea That Was Me & Me & Me: How All Kinds of Babies Are Made

The Pea That Was Me & Me & Me (How All Kinds of Babies Are Made) is a kind of Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood of all types of donor conceived (and surrogate carried) kiddos aimed at 5-7 years old, which describes all the wonderful ways that babies come into the world these days. Enlightening and fun for all kids, its especially appropriate for families with children who have come into the world in different ways: some naturally, others through egg, sperm or embryo donation, or gestational surrogacy.

• By: Kim Kluger-Bell
• Publication: 2018 
• Intended for children aged 5-7
• Available on Amazon

A Turtle’s Tale

Mama and Papa Turtle are anxiously awaiting the arrival of their little hatchlings when a violent storm destroys their nest, separating them from their babies. Their dreams of parenthood rest in the jaws of a family of gators who are determined to reunite them. Inspired by the author’s journey through gestational surrogacy, this book serves as a heartwarming tale of family and love as well as a great tool for talking to children about the beautiful gift of surrogacy.

• By: Crystal Henry  
• Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform (January 14, 2016)
• Intended for Children Aged 3-13 years
• Available at Amazon.com

Sophia’s Broken Crayons: A Story of Surrogacy from a Young Child’s Perspective

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?

• By: Crystal Falk   
• Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform (May 2, 2014)
• Intended for Children Aged 2-6 years
• Available at Amazon.com

The Very Kind Koala: A Surrogacy Story for Children

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.

• By: Kimberly Kluger-Bell   
• Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform; Csm edition (July 29, 2013)
• Intended for Children Aged 3+ years
• Available at Barnes & Noble and Amazon.com

The Chicken Who Couldn’t Lay Eggs

This true story based illustrated book explains the path of infertility to motherhood. The book is a fun way to engage adults and children into the discussion of the origin of their lives. Explaining to children and adults who have been adopted or came to this world thanks to fertility treatments (egg donation, surrogacy, IVF) the way their family was built.

• By: Sabine de Brus
• Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform (November 23, 2013)
• Intended for Children Aged 6+ years
• Available at Amazon.com

Why I’m So Special: A Book About Surrogacy With Two Daddies

Why I’m So Special, A Book About Surrogacy With Two Daddies, tackles a very difficult, complicated subject in a sweet, whimsical way. It is a lighthearted picture book on surrogacy with two daddies. The book is a story that all parents who used a surrogate may share with their young children to let them know just how special they are. This story is ultimately about hope, perseverance, and lots of love. 

• By: Carla Lewis Long
• Publisher: AuthorHouse (December 15, 2011)
• Intended for Children Aged 3+ years
• Available at Amazon.com

Birds of a Different Feather

Hen and Gander are ready to start a family and hatch a beautiful baby, Gosling. Soon, Gosling wants siblings. She searches high and low. In the grass and thistles, she finds a baby duckling. She loves the new baby so much that she wants another bird to make the family complete. She soon finds a baby chicken under an oak tree. Come see how these Birds of a Different Feather make their own unique family.

• By: Kelley Wendel
• Publisher: Tate Publishing (May 10, 2011)
• Intended for Children Aged 4-8 years
• Available at Amazon.com

Why I’m So Special: A Book About Surrogacy

This book tackles a very difficult, complicated subject in a sweet, whimisical way. A lighthearted picture book on surrogacy.

• By: Carla Lewis Long
• Publisher: AuthorHouse (April 8, 2010)
• Intended for Children Aged 3+ years
• Available at Amazon.com 

Hope and Will Have A Baby

This series of books tells birth stories about surrogacy, egg donation, embryo donation, sperm donation, and adoption. The beginning and end of each book is the same, but the middle section is specific to each topic. Contains some religious overtones. 

• By: Irene Celcer
• Publisher: Graphite Press (2007)
• Intended for Children Aged 5-8 
• Available on Amazon.com

Mommy Was Your Tummy Big?

Lovely storybook for younger children. A mother elephant explains the story of her child’s conception through donor egg and IVF. Nice illustrations and simple language will appeal to children.  

• By: Carolina Nadel
• Publisher: Mookind Press; 2nd edition (August 3, 2007)
• Intended for Children Aged 3-5+ years
• Available at Amazon.com

The Kangaroo Pouch

The Kangaroo Pouch introduces young children, ages 2-to-8, to the concept of surrogacy. The story is narrated by a young kangaroo named Oliver whose mother has decided to help another family have a baby. The Kangaroo Pouch gently guides the reader on the surrogacy journey and answers questions they may have such as, why would someone choose to be a surrogate? What will family life be like during the pregnancy?  And most importantly, what happens when the surro-baby is born and given back to their biological parents? 

The Kangaroo Pouch is designed to act not only as a conversation starter but also as a “how-to” manual for children to refer to throughout the surrogacy journey. The book has been reviewed by child specialists to ensure that it conveys age-appropriate messages.

• By: Sarah Phillips Pellet   
• Publisher: Trafford Publishing (January 10, 2007)
• Intended for Children Aged 6-10 years
• Available at Amazon.com

Butterflies and Magical Wings

Written by the mother of two children conceived through donor egg, this story focuses on a butterfly couple who receive help another butterfly with magical spots. Includes very colorful illustrations. 

• By: Amy Margolis
• Publisher: Any Margolis Publishing (2006)
• Intended for Children Aged 4-8 years
• Available at Amazon.com

And Tango Makes Three

Based on the true-life tale of the 2 male penguins in Central Park who “adopted” a baby penguin. This book is a wonderful resource that shows children how families are made in all different ways.

• By: Justin Richardson & Peter Parnell
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers (April 26, 2005)
• Intended for Children Aged 4+ years
• Available at Amazon.com

My Beginnings: A Very Special Story

A book for younger children that can be put together in different ways to cover IVF, IVF with ICSI, IVF with Donor Sperm, IVF with Donor Egg, donor insemination, donor embryos and frozen embryo transfers. Tells the story of a couple who lead unfulfilled lives before the birth of their child through donor conception. The latest edition of the book has a CD with more information for older children, including “I’m a Little Frostie” which refers to frozen embryos. Recommended by Donor Conception Network, especially for children created by embryo donation. 

• By: Tim Appleton
• Publisher: IFC Resource Center (2005)
• Intended for Children Aged 3-6 years
• Available at Mybeginnings.com

Before You Were Born … Our Wish For A Baby

This is a series of books written for preschoolers that explore the different ways babies are conceived, including IVF, single parents, same-sex parents, surrogacy, and donor sperm and egg. The illustrations in each book are the same, but the text changes depending on the subject.

• By: Janice Grime
• Publisher: X, Y, and Me (2004)
• Intended for Children Aged 3+ years
• Available at Amazon.com

It Takes Three to Make A Baby

There are three sections to the book, the first is a story about donor conception to be read to the child; the second is a “My Very Own Book about Me,” which can be used to fill in the child’s personal conception story; and the third section provides advice and reassurance for parents on how to tell children their stories and answer their questions. Highly Recommended by Donor Conception Network in the U.K.

• By: Kate Bourne
• Publisher: Melbourne IVF (2002)
• Intended for Children Aged 3-9 years
• Available at www.mivf.com.au or via Email: wrayjone@watrose.com

Our Story

Three versions of the book include children who were conceived by sperm donation, children conceived through sperm donation to single parent families, children conceived through sperm donation into lesbian families.

• By: Infertility Research Trust
• Publisher: Donor Conception Network (2002)
• Intended for Children Aged 4+ years
• Available at www.donor-conception-network.com

Making Miracles

This story book details the friendship between a frog and a young boy, while referring to the topic of assisted conception, leaving it to parents to fill in the details.

• By: Mal Leicester
• Publisher: AceBabes (2001)
• Intended for Children Aged 6+ years
• Available at Amazon.com

Tell Me Again About the Night I Was Born

Jamie Lee Curtis and Laura Cornell, author and illustrator of the best-selling When I Was Little: A Four-Year Old’s Memoir of Her Youth, have joined together again to create a fresh new picture book for every parent and every child. In asking her parents to tell her again about the night of her birth, a young girl shows that it is a cherished tale she knows by heart.

Tell Me Again About the Night I Was Born is a unique, exuberant story about adoption and about the importance of a loving family.

• By: Jamie Lee Curtis
• Publisher: HarperCollins; Reprint edition (August 29, 2000)
• Intended for Children Aged 4-8 years
• Available at Amazon.com