Best Children's Books on Infertility, Egg Donation, Embryo Donation, and Surrogacy

As families are built in different ways, it's essential to have age-appropriate books to help children understand the processes and the love that forms families. Below are children’s books that tackle infertility, egg donation, embryo donation, and surrogacy in ways that children can understand.

Best children’s books about infertility

"Wish" by Matthew Cordell

The book: Wish is about an elephant couple that embarks on a life together, with thoughts of children far away—at first. But as the desire for a child grows, so do unexpected challenges. And it's only after thwarted plans and bitter disappointment that their deepest wish miraculously comes true.

The author: Matthew Cordell is the acclaimed author and illustrator of the 2018 Caldecott winner Wolf in the Snow. He is also the author and illustrator of Trouble Gum and the illustrator of If the S in Moose Comes Loose, Toot Toot Zoom!, Mighty Casey, Righty and Lefty, and Toby and the Snowflakes, which was written by his wife.

Why we love it: Although this book does not specifically discuss egg donation, it beautifully illustrates the angst of waiting for a child, the fear that it may not happen, and the joy when the wish finally comes true. It will make any parent who struggled with infertility tear up!

"To the Moon and Back for You" by Emilia Bechrakis Serhant

The book: "To the Moon and Back for You" is a beautifully written and illustrated children's book that tells the story of a mother's journey through infertility, surrogacy, and the ultimate joy of becoming a parent.

The author: Emilia Bechrakis Serhant is a lawyer, philanthropist, and television personality, best known for her appearances on the Bravo reality television series "Million Dollar Listing New York." She wrote "To the Moon and Back for You" based on her own experiences with infertility and surrogacy, as a way to help other families who are going through similar struggles.

Why we love it: We love how "To the Moon and Back for You" offers a heartfelt and honest portrayal of the emotional journey that many families go through when facing infertility and surrogacy. The book's illustrations are gorgeous, and the message of love and perseverance is both uplifting and inspiring. It's a great resource for families who have gone through infertility and surrogacy or for those who want to teach their children about the many ways that families can be created.

I'm Very Ferris: A Child's Story about In Vitro Fertilization

The book: "I'm Very Ferris" is a heartwarming and informative children's book that follows the story of a little boy named Ferris who was conceived through in vitro fertilization (IVF). It explores the journey of Ferris' parents as they went through the process of IVF and the joy they felt when they finally had their baby boy.

The author: Tess Kossow is a mom who went through the journey of IVF herself. She wrote "I'm Very Ferris" as a way to help families who are going through the same struggles, and to celebrate the love and joy that comes with building a family through IVF.

Why we love it: We love how "I'm Very Ferris" celebrates the beauty of IVF and the strength and resilience of families who go through infertility. The illustrations are bright and colorful, and the writing is heartfelt and relatable, making it a great read for both children and adults. The message of hope and perseverance is both uplifting and inspiring, and the book is a great resource for families who want to teach their children about the many ways that families can be created.

Miracle by Jason Pinter

The book: When rabbits Merle and Pearl meet on one beautiful day, they know that they have found true joy. Yet while they couldn’t be happier with each other, there’s one teeny, tiny thing missing...a child of their own. Merle and Pearl dream of expanding their nest by bringing a baby bunny into the world, but they face unforeseen challenges along the way. Determined to make their dreams come true, Merle and Pearl will do whatever it takes to find their Miracle—even if it means going deep under the sea, trekking across vast desert sands, or rocketing far out into the stars.

The author: Jason Pinter is the bestselling author of the Henry Parker series, which have over one million copies in print worldwide and have been published in over a dozen countries, as well as the Middle Grade adventure novel Zeke Bartholomew: SuperSpy. 

Why we love it: This book is a powerful testament to the power of unwavering love. This touching story is sure to resonate with many readers, making it a must-have and a must-read. After finishing this book, you'll find yourself holding your loved ones just a little tighter and cherishing each moment just a little more.

Best children’s books about egg donation

"A Tiny Itsy Bitsy Gift of Life, an Egg Donor Story" by Carmen Martinez Jover

The book: "A Tiny Itsy Bitsy Gift of Life" tells the story of a couple who are struggling to have a baby. They decide to use an egg donor, and the book explains the process in simple terms that children can understand. The book emphasizes the idea that even though the baby may not have the same genes as the parents, it will still be loved and cherished just as much.

The author: Carmen Martinez Jover is a clinical psychologist who specializes in infertility counseling. She has written several children's books about infertility and ART, including "A Tiny Itsy Bitsy Gift of Life." Jover is also the co-founder of a fertility clinic in Spain.

Why we love it: We love the colorful illustrations in this book, and the way it explains the egg donation process in a way that is easy for children to understand. The book emphasizes the importance of love and family, regardless of genetic relatedness, and it is a great resource for parents who are considering egg donation as a way to build their family.

"The Pea That Was Me: An Egg-Donation Story" by Kim Kluger-Bell

The book: "The Pea That Was Me" is a story about a couple who want to have a baby but cannot do so without the help of an egg donor. The book uses simple language and colorful illustrations to explain the egg donation process. It also emphasizes the importance of love and family, regardless of genetic relatedness.

The author: Kim Kluger-Bell is a clinical social worker who specializes in infertility counseling. She has written several children's books about infertility and ART, including "The Pea That Was Me." Kluger-Bell is also the co-founder of a support group for families who have used egg donation to conceive.

Why we love it: We love how this book explains the egg donation process in simple terms that children can understand. The illustrations are beautiful, and the book emphasizes the idea that love is what makes a family, regardless of genetics. It is a great resource for parents who are considering egg donation as a way to build their family.

"You Were Meant For Me" by Sheri Sturniolo

The book: You Were Meant For Me: Mom*Dad*Donor shows how the love and generosity of others can grow into the most wonderful gift. This book is a kid-friendly look into the unique ways that some families are grown and the journey of love that brings them together.

The author: Sheri Sturniolo is a Pediatric Registered Nurse and mother to a son and daughter—both born through the awesome gift of donors. Through her personal journey and experiences, Sheri hopes to offer a valuable tool to families searching for ways to make sense of their unique creation story. Sheri lives with her husband, son and daughter (both conceived through embryo adoption) in the San Diego area.

Why we love it: Using symbolism and sweet rhyming lyrics, You Were Meant For Me introduces the complicated topic of being born from sperm, egg or embryo donation, to a young child. By giving children the “pieces of the puzzle,” this book sparks their imagination and stimulates them to ask questions.

"Happy Together: an egg donation story" by Julie Marie

The book: Happy Together, an egg donation story uses clear language and cheerful illustrations to join Mommy and Daddy bear on the journey to fulfill their greatest wish of becoming parents. With help from a doctor, an egg from a special lady called a donor and Daddy’s seed, a baby grew in Mommy’s tummy and was welcomed with great joy.

The author: As a mother through egg donation, author Julie Marie found various paths to parenthood were underrepresented in children's literature. Julie wrote Happy Together to help parents share their special family building story with their child.

Why we love it: This tender book is a favorite amongst donor-egg parents, and it’s no surprise. The story is simple enough for even young kids to understand, yet it explains the process of donor eggs well. 

“Daddy, What Is An Embryo?: A Tale of Egg Donation” by J.D. Quarles

The book: When Ruthie discovers frog eggs in their pond, her father finds the perfect moment to tell her the story of how she was conceived with the help of an egg donor, and how this amazing process helped bring her parents' dreams to life. 

The author: After having his daughter at 46 years old, using both a surrogate and egg donor, J.D. Quarles wrote books in an effort to help his daughter understand the amazing process that brought her into this world. While watching his daughter's comprehension of this process develop, he decided to publish the books to help others in similar situations.

Why we love it: We love how "Daddy, What Is An Embryo?" takes a complex medical process and explains it in a way that is easy for young children to understand. The illustrations are beautiful, and the story emphasizes the idea that families come in all shapes and sizes. It's a great resource for families who have used or are considering using egg donation to conceive, as well as for families who want to teach their children about different ways of building a family.

Best children’s books about surrogacy

"The Very Kind Koala: A Surrogacy Story for Children" by Kimberly Kluger-Bell

The book: "The Very Kind Koala" tells the story of a kind koala who agrees to carry a baby for a couple who cannot do so on their own. The book explains the process of surrogacy in a way that is easy for children to understand. It emphasizes the idea that families come in all shapes and sizes and that what

The author: Kimberly Kluger-Bell is a clinical social worker who specializes in infertility counseling. She has written several children's books about infertility and ART, including "The Very Kind Koala." Kluger-Bell is also the co-founder of a support group for families who have used surrogacy to conceive.

Why we love it: We love the cute and colorful illustrations in this book, and the way it explains the surrogacy process in a way that is easy for children to understand. The book emphasizes the idea that love and family come in all shapes and sizes and that what matters most is the love that a family shares.

“The Kangaroo Pouch: A story about surrogacy for young children” by Sarah A. Phillips

The book: Oliver, a young kangaroo whose mother becomes a surrogate for the Bouncing-Hopalots and delivers their baby to them, narrates this heartwarming tale and shows what the gestational surrogacy process is all about from start to finish.

The author: Sarah A. Phillips is an author living in Illinois with her family and dog. She writes for children (and the young at heart) from picture books on up to young adult novels. Her first picture book, "The Kangaroo Pouch," was published in 2007 and due to its popularity worldwide, has gone on to be published in both French and Spanish.

Why we love it: The Kangaroo Pouch" is a beautifully written and illustrated book that celebrates the love and joy that comes with surrogacy. It's a great addition to any family's library and a must-read for anyone who wants to teach their children about surrogacy in a way that is compassionate and easy to understand.

"Sophia's Broken Crayons: A Story of Surrogacy from a Young Child's Perspective" by Crystal A. Falk

The book: "Sophia's Broken Crayons: A Story of Surrogacy from a Young Child's Perspective" 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. 

The author: Crystal A. Falk is an attorney and mother of two children, both of whom were born via surrogacy. She wrote "Sophia's Broken Crayons" to help children understand and normalize the surrogacy process.

Why we love it: We love how "Sophia's Broken Crayons" handles the topic of surrogacy in a gentle and accessible way. The story is relatable and easy to follow, making it a great conversation starter for families who are navigating the complexities of assisted reproduction. The book also includes a helpful Q&A section at the end, which answers common questions that children may have about surrogacy. Overall, "Sophia's Broken Crayons" is a beautiful book that celebrates the love and connection between families, regardless of how they come to be.

Best children’s books about embryo donation

"Hope & Will Have a Baby: The Gift of Embryo Donation" by Irene Celcer

The book: "Hope & Will Have a Baby" is a heartwarming story of a couple named Hope and Will who want to have a baby but are having trouble getting pregnant. The book explains the process of egg donation in simple, child-friendly terms, and emphasizes that all families are different and that love is what makes a family.

The author: Irene Celcer is a clinical psychologist who specializes in infertility counseling. She has written several children's books about infertility and ART, including "Hope & Will Have a Baby." Celcer is also the founder of a support group for families who have used egg donation to conceive.

Why we love it: We love how this book explains the concept of egg donation in a way that is easy for children to understand. The illustrations are beautiful, and the book has a reassuring tone that emphasizes the importance of love and family. It is a great resource for parents who are considering egg donation as a way to build their family.

“Made With Love: The sweetest allegory for embryo donation and adoption” by Whitney Williams

The book: "Made with Love" is a beautiful and heartwarming allegory that explains the concept of embryo donation and adoption through the story of two cookie families as they go through the trials and tribulations of infertility on one side and the decision to donate extra embryos on the other. 

The author: Whitney Williams is a Christian wife and mother to three boys, the youngest two of whom she and her husband adopted as embryos. She works from home for WORLD Magazine. She graduated from Baylor University in 2008 with a bachelor's in journalism. 

Why we love it: We love how "Made with Love" presents the concept of embryo donation and adoption in a way that is easy for children to understand. The illustrations are beautiful, and the story emphasizes the idea that families are built on love and the desire to care for one another. It's a great resource for families who have used or are considering using embryo donation or adoption to build their families, as well as for families who want to teach their children about different ways of building a family.

“Remy's Blueprints: A (Double) Donor Conception Story for Mom/Dad Families” by Sharon Leya 

The book: “Remy's Blueprints” is about an adorable kid named Remy who adores her Mommy and Daddy who are architects. It follows her adventure as she discovers how she was brought into the world. 

The author: Sharon Leya is the author of the My Donor Story series, a series of children's books that lovingly explains donor conception, and uses simple language to illustrate the basic concepts of genetics. 

Why we love it: Sharon Leya's book gently and lyrically explains the complex concepts of donor conception, genetics, and pregnancy in a way that helps children appreciate and love their unique origins. Through metaphors and a message of love, Leya guides young readers through a journey of understanding their conception and family building, offering a valuable resource for families who have used donor conception or for those who want to teach their children about different ways of building a family. Overall, Leya's book is a touching and informative read that helps children embrace the beauty of their own unique story.

‍

Cofertility is a human-first fertility ecosystem rewriting the egg freezing and egg donation experience. Our Family by Co platform serves as a more transparent, ethical egg donor matching platform. We are obsessed with improving the family-building journey — today or in the future — and are in an endless pursuit to make these experiences more positive. 

‍Create a free account today!