For Surrogate Mothers: Children's Books That Explain Surrogacy | New York, San Francisco Bay Area

Many surrogate mothers from New York, the San Francisco Bay Area, and throughout the country ask us about talking with their children about being a surrogate. There are a handful of books designed to help children understand how one happy family can help to create another.

Book #1 The Kangaroo Pouch

This tale of a family created through surrogacy is a brilliant, clear understanding of what is sometimes a complex conversation for adults to share with a child.

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 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.

[ Buy The Kangaroo Pouch here. ]

Book #2 What Makes a Baby

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 identities, 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.

Written by sexuality educator Cory Silverberg, and illustrated by award-winning Canadian artist Fiona Smyth, What Makes a Baby is as fun to look at as it is useful to read.

[ Buy What Makes a Baby here. ]

Book #3 And Tango Makes Three

This book is a great option for surrogates with intended parents who are gay.

This tale based on a true story about a charming penguin family living in New York City’s Central Park Zoo will capture the hearts of penguin lovers everywhere.

Roy and Silo, two male penguins, are “a little bit different.” They cuddle and share a nest like the other penguin couples, and when all the others start hatching eggs, they want to be parents, too.

Determined and hopeful, they bring an egg-shaped rock back to their nest and proceed to start caring for it. They have little luck until a watchful zookeeper decides they deserve a chance at having their own family and gives them an egg in need of nurturing.

The dedicated and enthusiastic fathers do a great job of hatching their funny and adorable daughter, and the three can still be seen at the zoo today. Done in soft watercolors, the illustrations set the tone for this uplifting story, and readers will find it hard to resist the penguins’ comical expressions.

The well-designed pages perfectly marry words and pictures, allowing readers to savor each illustration. An author’s note provides more information about Roy, Silo, Tango, and other chinstrap penguins. This joyful story about the meaning of family is a must for any library.

[ Buy And Tango Makes Three here. ]

Surrogacy is deeply rewarding in so many ways, and we’re happy to talk with you about the benefits of gestational surrogacy. Many of our team members in New York and around the country are experienced surrogates themselves. If you’re ready to get started now, please complete our application.