Is Every Child Miracle?

Key Facts:

Inclusion Equality Inclusion -all families are ours.

'Every child is a miracle in Susanne Gervay's truly glorious Guess How I Was Born, a book of joy, wonder and science, and endless love as well.' Jackie French AM.

Through the voice of Violet Rose, Guess How I Was Born is a picture book that explores diverse families and all the conditions that make family from nuclear, step, adoption, sole, LGBTQ, IVF and every way.

The story behind Guess How I Was Born? came from Gervay's daughter's journey to have a baby. Tory has kidney disease since 19 and could not carry a baby without life-threatening challenges. Her eventual decision was for IVF and surrogacy. Gervay supported her. Her duaghter began the difficult process at 30. It was complex with 6 failed IVF's. The USA provided hope. It was here Violet Rose was born. Now she is part of a female, sole parent, multi-generational family. There is no secrecy in how Violet Rose was born. Assisted fertility brought a miracle. Violet Rose believes she is part of her world's family.

Australia advocates for diversity, equality and inclusion, yet some schools and groups have placed a ban on Guess How I Was Born especially rainbow and IVF families. Australia celebrates National Family Week, yet not all children are welcome.

Titles like Guess How I Was Born? and books like And Tango Makes Three by Justin Richardson and Peter Parnell illustrated by Henry Cole have been removed from some libraries, schools and bookshops, due to inappropriate content, related to race, sexuality and social justice. But every child and parent need to acknowledge who they are - adopted, step, nuclear, sole parent, LGBTQ, blended families, multi-generational, IVF and all the variations. Children find themselves in the pages of Guess How I Was Born.

Every family needs to be accepted. On National Families Week, is there exclusion of some children?Australia has legislated for same-sex marriage in 2017. It funds assisted fertility. Are these children supposed to keep their birth a secret?

Southern Natural Parenting Network wrote 'Children will recognise their own family situations brought to life in Guess How I Was Born … creating a fun atmosphere for this tricky concept and will provide a welcome resource for classrooms discussing family.'

ReadPlus wrote that it is invaluable for students and classrooms.

'Many educational institutions have removed the book due to its themes of race, sexuality, and social justice. Guess How I Was Born? aims to reflect the realities of various family structures, including adopted, step, nuclear, LGBTQ, and single-parent families, emphasizing the importance of acceptance and celebration of all family forms.'

Diversity equality inclusion are part of our National School Curriculum to support and develop empathy, tolerance, care, discussion with children. At a time when the elimination of hate speech is so vital, it is time to recognise all children and their unique families.

Action for inclusion of all children