Studies have shown the importance of early learning and understanding for children surrounding their conception. Here is a guide of Infertility Children’s Books, categorized by:
- General Infertility
- IVF
- Egg Donation
- Single Parent by Choice
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General Infertility Children’s Books
Miracle
Written by Jason Pinter (Author) and Cheryl Crouthamel (Illustrator)
An inspiring, funny, and heartwarming story for everyone who has dreamed of having their own Miracle child. 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.
From The Start: A Book About Love and Making Families
Written by Stephanie Levich, Alana Weiss
An inclusive and heartfelt love letter to adopted children and children born through the help of fertility treatments such as IVF, sperm and egg donation, or surrogacy. Through age-appropriate language and sweet rhyming prose, authors Stephanie Levich and Alana Weiss weave together themes of hope and gratitude to highlight the special roles fertility doctors, donors, surrogates, and adoption play in helping hopeful parents start or grow their families.
You Were Worth the Wait
Written by Stephanie Booe (Author), Alex Booe (Author), Aleksandra Szmidt (Illustrator)
We wanted nothing more than to have a child of our own, but becoming pregnant took longer than we expected! Now, as we welcome you into the world, our sweet child, we realize why we needed to wait. We had so many lessons to learn so we could welcome you into this world and be prepared for what you’d teach us. This is an ode to you, our sweet babe, and the incredible person you will become.
To the Moon and Back for You
Written by Emilia Bechrakis Serhant
In this picture book, illustrated by the #1 New York Times best selling artist of A Day in the Life of Marlon Bundo, families of different shapes, colors, and sizes must cross deserts, navigate rough seasons, and climb mountains–all to find their miracle babies. Emilia’s story reminds us that, despite the challenges and complications often thrown our way, hope will always prevail.
We Waited for You: Now We’re A Family
Written by Cindy Chupack (Author), Emily Hamilton (Illustrator)
A perfect gift for any parent celebrating the arrival of a child. With breathtaking illustrations and a sweet rhyming text, Golden Globe and Emmy-winning screenwriter and director Cindy Chupack’s debut picture book celebrates the moment a child and parent form a family.
Hattie Peck
Written by Emma Levey
Poor Hattie Peck simply loves eggs, but she has only ever laid one eggand it never hatched. Eggs are all she thinks about, all she dreams about. No egg is too big; no egg is too small. So if she can’t lay another egg, she’s going to have to go out into the world to find one.
Wish
Written by Matthew Cordell
As an elephant couple embarks on their life together, thoughts of children are 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. This “deceptively simple” story celebrates the profound joy of becoming a parent.
You Were Meant For Me: Mom · Dad Donor
Written by Sheri Sturniolo (Author), Hannah Pak (Illustrator)
Growing a family isn’t always easy and sometimes mommies and daddies need a little help. See how the love and generosity of others can grow into the most wonderful gift. You Were Meant For Me is a look into the unique ways that some families are grown and the journey of love that brings them together.
You Began as a Wish
Written by Kim Bergman PhD, Irit Pollak
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.
IVF Children’s Books
We Waited for You: Now We’re A Family
Written by Cindy Chupack (Author), Emily Hamilton (Illustrator)
A perfect gift for any parent celebrating the arrival of a child. With breathtaking illustrations and a sweet rhyming text, Golden Globe and Emmy-winning screenwriter and director Cindy Chupack’s debut picture book celebrates the moment a child and parent form a family.
From The Start: A Book About Love and Making Families
Written by Stephanie Levich, Alana Weiss
From the Start: A Book About Love and Making Families is an inclusive and heartfelt love letter to adopted children and children born through the help of fertility treatments such as IVF, sperm and egg donation, or surrogacy. Through age-appropriate language and sweet rhyming prose, authors Stephanie Levich and Alana Weiss weave together themes of hope and gratitude to highlight the special roles fertility doctors, donors, surrogates, and adoption play in helping hopeful parents start or grow their families.
Wish
Written by Matthew Cordell
As an elephant couple embarks on their life together, thoughts of children are 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. This “deceptively simple” story celebrates the profound joy of becoming a parent.
You Were Meant For Me: Mom · Dad Donor
Written by Sheri Sturniolo (Author), Hannah Pak (Illustrator)
Growing a family isn’t always easy and sometimes mommies and daddies need a little help. See how the love and generosity of others can grow into the most wonderful gift. You Were Meant For Me is a look into the unique ways that some families are grown and the journey of love that brings them together.
Snuggled In: A Children’s Story About In Vitro Fertilization
Written by Liz Kirks, Jasmine Alvarado
When a little girl asked her parents how she was made, she was completely surprised by what they said. Her parents told her she was created through a process called in vitro fertilization (IVF). This story breaks down the complexities of IVF in a way children can understand.
To the Moon and Back for You
Written by Emilia Bechrakis Serhant
In this picture book, illustrated by the #1 New York Times best selling artist of A Day in the Life of Marlon Bundo, families of different shapes, colors, and sizes must cross deserts, navigate rough seasons, and climb mountains–all to find their miracle babies. Emilia’s story reminds us that, despite the challenges and complications often thrown our way, hope will always prevail.
The Little Embryo That Could: An Introduction to IVF for Children
Written by Megan Pounders
You did the work, you and your wife created the most beautiful child in the world by IVF. Now what? As you enter the next stage of your life you may begin to struggle finding the words to explain IVF to your child. The little embryo that could is a colorful children’s book that explains the basic process of IVF. This book will open the doors to have a positive communication regarding conception, delivery and birth by means of IVF.
Happy Together, An IVF Story
Written by Julie Marie, Ashley Lucas
Happy Together is a heartwarming book to help introduce young children to the concept of in vitro fertilization. A story told through clear, age appropriate language and cheerful watercolor illustrations, readers will join Mommy and Daddy bear on the journey to fulfill their greatest wish of becoming parents! With help from a doctor, Daddy’s seed and Mommy’s egg, a baby grew in Mommy’s tummy and was welcomed with great joy!
You Began as a Wish
Written by Kim Bergman PhD, Irit Pollak
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.
Creating Me! Conception through IVF
Written by Lynn Polin
Creating Me! is a customizable, interactive children’s book series for parents to explain conception through assisted reproductive technology (ART). With a balance of scientific and kid-friendly language, this personalized text is a beautiful way for any family to be able to share their conception story with their child(ren).
Egg Donation Children’s Books
A Special Egg
Written by Sally Baldwin
Daniel and Daisy see all of their dinosaur friends with their eggs and long for one of their own. A short story to help families talk about the concept of egg donation in a friendly and fun manner. Deliberately, there is no scientific language, just the use of the terms donor and donate. The characters all have names beginning with D, so no names such as Mum, Mom, etc, as Sally wanted to allow the book to be used by as many cultures / countries as possible.
Hattie Peck
Written by Emma Levey
Poor Hattie Peck simply loves eggs, but she has only ever laid one eggand it never hatched. Eggs are all she thinks about, all she dreams about. No egg is too big; no egg is too small. So if she can’t lay another egg, she’s going to have to go out into the world to find one.
A Very Special Lady: A Story About IVF, an Egg Donor, and a Little Girl
Written by Nell Carswell, Pauline Haas
A delightfully simple story about ivf, an egg donor and the arrival of a baby girl. Fabulous pictures make it ideal for very young children and a simple story makes it perfect for older children to read. Without forgetting “the Very Special Lady” that made it possible. There is also an identical story about the arrival of a baby boy.
The Pea That Was Me: An Egg Donation Story
Written by Kimberly Kluger-Bell
This acclaimed children’s picture book (3-5 years old) makes it incredibly easy to start talking with your child about the special way they came into the world. Your child will want to hear about “the very kind egg donor” over and over again! Written by a well-known psychotherapist who uses age-appropriate language and simple but clear concepts about the three things it takes to make a baby (eggs, sperm and a tummy to grow in).
An Egg-Stra Special Family
Written by Kathryn Dotterweich
An Egg-Stra Special Family is a delightfully simple story about egg donation and the arrival of a baby. Robin and Robert are two birds who have always wanted children. They are unable to conceive with Robin’s eggs so they use eggs from an “egg donor.” This book is intended to explain to young donor-conceived children how egg donation works in a non-scientific, cute, and fun way!
You Were Meant For Me: Mom · Dad Donor
Written by Sheri Sturniolo (Author), Hannah Pak (Illustrator)
Growing a family isn’t always easy and sometimes mommies and daddies need a little help. See how the love and generosity of others can grow into the most wonderful gift. You Were Meant For Me is a look into the unique ways that some families are grown and the journey of love that brings them together.
From The Start: A Book About Love and Making Families
Written by Stephanie Levich, Alana Weiss
From the Start: A Book About Love and Making Families is an inclusive and heartfelt love letter to adopted children and children born through the help of fertility treatments such as IVF, sperm and egg donation, or surrogacy.
A Tiny Itsy Bitsy Gift of Life, An Egg Donor Story
Written by Carmen Martinez Jover
A touching children’s egg donor story about a happy couple of rabbits, Pally and Comet who have everything in life except a baby bunny, you accompany them in their longing for this child, the waiting and the moment the mother is informed she has no eggs to conceive. One day a good lady rabbit brings her a tiny itsy bitsy gift of life, which is the egg, the half, she needs to conceive.
Happy Together: An Egg Donation Story
Written by Julie Marie, Ashley Lucas
Happy Together, an egg donation story, is a heartwarming book to help introduce the concept of egg donation to a young child. A story told through clear language and cheerful illustrations, readers will 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.
Our Story: How We Became a Family
Written by Donor Conception Network
Our Story – A book for donor conceived children under seven years old explaining about their origins. This is one of a series of books and this book is for solo mum families who have used sperm donation. This book is relevant for those who have used known, identifiable and anonymous donors.
You Began as a Wish
Written by Kim Bergman PhD, Irit Pollak
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.
Creating Me!
Our Village
Written by Ann Reddy
There is more than one way to make a family. Sometimes it takes a village, from the specialists and medical teams, to family and friends who are involved every step of the way. This story follows one family on their journey to make a baby. With a long checklist to tick off, can they find everything they need to make their dreams come true?
Single Parent by Choice Children’s Books
You Were Worth the Wait
Written by Stephanie Booe (Author), Alex Booe (Author), Aleksandra Szmidt (Illustrator)
We wanted nothing more than to have a child of our own, but becoming pregnant took longer than we expected! Now, as we welcome you into the world, our sweet child, we realize why we needed to wait. We had so many lessons to learn so we could welcome you into this world and be prepared for what you’d teach us. This is an ode to you, our sweet babe, and the incredible person you will become.
Lilly’s Blueprints: A (IUI) Donor Conception Story for Single Moms By Choice Families (My Donor Story)
Written by Sharon Leya (Author), Janne Maru (Illustrator)
Together, Lilly and Mommy explore what it means to be donor-conceived and how generosity and genetics combined to create a home built not just by an architect, but by love. This book is for single moms by choice who have used their own egg + a sperm donor via IUI.
Lilly’s Blueprints: A (IVF) Donor Conception Story for Single Moms by Choice (My Donor Story)
Written by Sharon Leya
Together, Lilly and Mommy explore what it means to be donor-conceived and how generosity and genetics combined to create a home built not just by an architect, but by love. This book is for single moms by choice who have used their own egg + a sperm donor via IVF.
Mimi, the Solo Magician Mom, and Cameron: A Donor Conception Story
Written by Melissa A. Macdonald (Author), Jupiter’s Muse (Illustrator)
This heart-warming tale is told by a donor-conceived child named Cameron who shares his family’s story with pride and honesty, even when offering a matter-of-fact explanation of conception. Being donor-conceived is just one way Cameron is one-of-a-kind. This is a wonderful resource for friends and classmates of donor-conceived people. It seeks to promote a greater understanding of family diversity and encourage thoughtful discussion.
Why Don’t I Have A Daddy?: A Story of Donor Conception
Written by George Anne Clay (Author)
As the little lion cub notices all different types of families, he starts to question his own family. His family consists of his mother and him. The little cub learns that while there is no “daddy” in his family, there is a donor lion who made his life possible. Through his mother’s love and nurturing, the lion cub understands how special he and his family are. This book presents the basic facts of anonymous donor conception in a simple but loving manner.
Somy’s Search, a Single Mum by Choice Story
Written by Carmen Martinez-Jover (Author)
This is a story to help single mothers by choice to share with their child how they were conceived. It is a story of a squirrel, Somy, and how she became a Mum. After a birthday party she realizes she is growing older and needs to decide if she wants to become a Mum. She tries to meet someone and then decides to go for sperm donation.
Mommy and Me – How I Came to be: A Mommy and Child Family Story
Written by Elizabeth R. Weiss
A sweet and loving story for children about the Mommy & Child family structure, where a woman chooses to have a child on her own. Told by the main character – a young boy around 6 years old – the messages are age-appropriate and positive, delivered in a simple, straightforward fashion, as told from one child to another.
You Began as a Wish
Written by Kim Bergman PhD, Irit Pollak
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.
Compiled by Heather Kramer, Hopeful Mama Foundation Volunteer.
Heather Kramer is a Card Services Specialist at Veridian Credit Union and mama to a precious boy named Leighton. Heather and her husband Paul, experienced a pregnancy loss in February 2023 after suffering with secondary infertility for over two years. Wherever her journey takes her, she’s dedicated to be a beacon of hope for all mamas.
In her free time, Heather likes to spend time with her family, gardening, and crafting.