All families are in Guess How I Was Born? Nuclear, gay, multiple backgrounds, adopted, step, multi generational, single parents, IVF ... because the children are OURS.
With Australia's birth rate lower than the replacement rate and an aging population, adoption rates falling, divorce at nearly 50%, gay relationships facing separation, there are many factors working against a replacement birth rate.
The key agenda is inclusion, support and celebration of all families.
Parents want a go-to-book to make kids feel safe and accepted. Susanne Gervay OAM is a specialist in child growth and development and advises, 'Keep it early. Keep it simple. Keep it direct. Keep it honest. Keep it diverse. Whatever way families are formed, they are our families.'
As children get older, their questions become more sophisticated. However, at the beginning a picture book Guess How I Was Born puts away fears and doubts. It allows the exploration of diversity, acceptance and inclusivity, cross-cultural perspectives, LGBTQ, community, science, IVF relationships with family and friends. However, the key is happiness,
One in 20 children are born through IVF. Carolyn Daly says 'the dream of a new baby seemed almost impossible. It's been special in so many ways - and now we have our miracle Alice to celebrate along with a glorious book!' Susanne Gervay says 'My miracle is always Violet Rose, although I have two other wonderful grandchildren.'
The impact of many years of IVF has been enormous for these families. The physical, mental and financial impact cannot be overstated. Now the grandmothers sit and watch Alice and Violet Rose with love and amazement. They join the many other diverse families with their love and amazement.
The last lines of Guess How I Was Born? are:-
A baby arrives and everything changes.
Our World gets bigger, heart grows fuller,
and life becomes more meaningful.
Bio – Susanne Gervay
Planting mangroves in Kiribati, speaking to audiences in Istanbul, reaching indigenous children in the Outback, addressing the International Burn Congress in New York, Susanne Gervay OAM is fearless as she goes into new territories. Her new territory is the loved Guess How I Was Born? Awarded the Lifetime Social Justice Literature Award for her body of work by the International Literacy Association http://sgervay.com
A visual storyteller, writer and illustrator, Caroly creates in her studio in Tasmania, getting lost in imaginary worlds of story, illustration and children's Books. Guess How I Was Born?is her most heartfelt book.
June release Larrikin House
ISBN 9781923345102
Launches: The Book Cow Canberra – 2 pm 14th June Contact 02 5100 2730
Gleebooks Glebe Point Rd Sydney 2 pm June 14th Contact 02 9660 2333
Key Facts:
Children and adults need to address how their kids are born.
IVF is hard, and a last choice.
Two grandmums celebrate Diversity, Equality, Inclusion! So they created Guess How I Was Born.
About us:
