Picture Book Banned: Guess How I Was Born?

'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,' writes Jackie French AM.

It is time to a stand up for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. Australia voted for same-sex marriage December 2017 and funds IVF since the 1980's. We are embracing Families Week, yet Guess How I Was Born? is banned in many places.

'I thought everyone would celebrate Guess How I Was Born. Such a joyful, funny, inclusive picture book. I was crushed by it being banned in schools,' Susanne Gervay OAM reveals. Receiving emails from Susanne's speakers agencies, she was told she was banned from presenting on Guess How I Was Born?

Titles like Guess How I Was Born? are being removed from some libraries, schools and bookshops, due to race, sexuality and social justice.

But every child and parent needs to acknowledge their family - adopted, step, nuclear, sole parent, LGBTQ, blended families, multi generational, IVF and all their variations. Children and parents seek to identify who they are and be accepted and celebrated.

Banned picture books by schools and libraries include:-

And Tango Makes Three by Justin Richardson and Peter Parnell

Two male penguins, desperate to start a family of their own, adopt an egg to hatch. Challenged and banned because it features a same-gender relationship.

Susanne wanted Guess How I Was Born? To sit alongside and tango make three and picture books open to all families.

The story behind Guess How I Was Born? came out of Susanne's daughter journey to have a baby. Her daughter Tory had kidney disease since 19 and could not carry a baby without life-threatening challenges. Her eventual decision was for IVF and surrogacy. It was complex with 6 failed IVF's. The USA provided them with hope. Tory, her mother Susanne and baby Violet Rose love their multi-generational family with IVF assistance. There is no secrecy and Violet Rose loves that she is wanted so much.

Australia holds National Families Week in May to coincide with the United Nations International Day of Families on 15 May. It marks the importance of family in what ever way it is formed.

Guess How I Was Born, offers childhood educators and families a resource to support age-appropriate conversations about the diversity of families in Australia. Written by child development specialist and children's author Susanne Gervay and illustrated by Carolyn Daly, this picture book celebrates the ways children arrive with laughter and love.

Susanne Gervay and illustrator Carolyn Daly, are both grandparents of IVF babies. Written for children aged four to eight and their parents. Published by LarrikinHouse.

Guess How I Was Born? Published by LarrikinHouse.

Release date 2025. ISBN 9781923345102