Key Facts:
Talking to children about 'Guess How I Was Born'
Inclusion with modern families including mixed ethnicities, LGBTQ, single parents, nuclear families, adopted, step ... to IVF
Every Baby is a Miracle. 'Guess How I Was Born? A Break-though Picture Book of the Extraordinary True Story of Modern Family.
One of Australia's most beloved children's authors, Susanne Gervay OAM, has launched a powerful and heart-warming new children's book, Guess How I Was Born? – inspired by an extraordinary journey of her own daughter and granddaughter. Told through eyes of Violet Rose, a young child curious about her beginnings, this colourful and inclusive picture book celebrates the many ways children come into the world – through IVF, surrogacy, adoption, LGBTQ+ families, solo parents, step-parenting and more. What makes this book uniquely touching is its real-life origin. Violet is based on Susanne's granddaughter, born via surrogacy in the United Stated after Susanne's daughter Tory, battled stage 4 kidney failure. Together, Tory and Susanne overcame six failed IVF attempts, two successful IVF trans-Pacific surrogacy processes, and a dual medical crisis – including Susanne's brain tumours – to welcome Violet into their shared life.
Guess How I Was Born? Is about, love, honesty, and family in all its forms," says Gervay. "It's for every child who's ever asked the question. And every parent who's ever tried to answer it with heart."
The book has already garnered praise from early childhood educators and librarians as a valuable classroom and bedtime resource that helps children understand different family dynamics in an age-appropriate and affirming way.
Guess How I Was Born? Is available now, published by Larrikin House distributed through Simon & Schuster, Australia.
