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The Kangaroo Pouch: A story about surogacy for young children

by Sarah Phillips Pellet; Illustrated by Laurie A. Faust

22 pages; Saddle stitched; contains colour illustrations; catalogue #06-2315; ISBN 1-4251-0557-2; US$14.95, C$17.19, EUR12.28, £8.60

An introduction about gestational surrogacy for young children.

About the Book

The Kangaroo Pouch introduces young children to the concept of surrogacy. Narrated by a young kangaroo character, whose mother has decided to help another family in their efforts to have a child, the story gently guides the reader through the surrogate's decision-making process, the pregnancy, and the resulting baby that is then given back to the biological parents.

The book is designed to act not only as a conversation starter for surrogates with their own families; but also as a "how-to" manual for their children to refer to throughout the process.

The author, Sarah Phillips Pellet, who herself was a surrogate on behalf of a close family member, wrote The Kangaroo Pouch for this purpose with her own children in mind. When asked, "How are you going to tell the kids?" she thought, "I'll write a book, do some stick-figures to illustrate it, and read it to them". She did and discovered that her children would re-read the book throughout the duration of the pregnancy and afterwards. After the encouragement of many friends, relatives, and professionals to produce the book for other surrogates, she decided to have the book professionally illustrated by artist Laurie A. Faust.

The Kangaroo Pouch has been reviewed by both a child psychologist and a behavioral specialist to ensure that the story answers questions that a typical child would have and that it is communicated effectively.

About the Author

Sarah Phillips Pellet, originally from Massachusetts, graduated with a degree in journalism from Rutgers University and has been a business writer throughout her career. When faced with the prospect of informing her own children about her decision to act as a compassionate gestational surrogate on behalf of their aunt and uncle, she decided that the best way to approach this complex subject was through the use of a children's book. The Kangaroo Pouch was designed to address the decision-making process of becoming a surrogate, as well as what to expect during and after the pregnancy. Ms. Phillips Pellet is married and she lives with her family in New Jersey.

Excerpts