Saturday, March 28, 2015

Deseos, hadas, magos y semillas: cuentos para comunicar los orígenes en familias que han acudido a la donación reproductiva

Deseos, hada, magos y semillas: Cuentos para comunicar los orígenes en familias que han acudido a la donación reproductiva
compiled by David Poveda, María Isabel Jociles y Javier González-Patño 
Language: Spanish 
Departamento de Antropología Social of the Universidad Complutense de Madrid, (España), 2015.
Available for free: http://www.infanciacontemporanea.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/papers_infancia_c_vvaa_relatos2015.pdf

Sunday, March 22, 2015

All our wishes: Daddy and Papa have a child

All our wishes: Daddy and Papa have a child
written and illustrated by Charles Danziger
Language: English
Available online: http://boysinburbs.com/book/
Article about the book here: http://www.buzzfeed.com/alisoncaporimo/a-beautiful-family

Saturday, March 7, 2015

Families come in many forms

Families come in many forms
by Bella Mei Wong
illus. by Yoko Matsuoka
Language: English
Euclid Press, 2015.
Summary: Alex goes on a journey to find the perfect pet. He visits his friends and plays with a singing pig, a curious panda, and many other wonderful animals – depicted throughout by rhythmic text and charming illustrations. Along the way Alex meets his friends’ families – traditional, adopted, divorced, blended, IVF, same sex and others. These family forms are not presented as “different”, but are treated as a normal part of today’s world. 
Available: http://www.amazon.com/Families-Come-Many-Forms-Bella-ebook/dp/B00UAPZXJ8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1425730848&sr=8-1&keywords=families+come+in+many+forms+wong

Saturday, February 14, 2015

United by love : a happy adopted child

United by love : a happy adopted child 
written and illus. by Victoria Rikede 
Language: English 
Trafford, 2014. 
24 p. : col. ill. ; cm. 
ISBN: 9781490738949 
Summary: This is dedicated to all the families that have either adopted their children/child or have children through surrogate mothers. The book is meant to be a guideline to the parents when they are informing their children on how they were conceived. It’s also meant as an awakening in the societies to get rid of the prejudices on adoption and surrogacy. 
Available: http://bookstore.trafford.com/Products/SKU-000626507/United-by-Love.aspx

Friday, February 13, 2015

Tell Your Story, Tell A Dream Birthday Cake: Princeliscious Reinvention

Tell Your Story, Tell A Dream Birthday Cake: Princeliscious Reinvention 
written and illus. by Angela Bermudez 
Language: English 
CreateSpace, 2014. 
26 p. : coll. ; cm. 
ISBN: 1502907585 ; 9781502907585 
Summary: The protagonists are an adopted princess from Sierra Leone, a princess who is a daughter of a single mother by choice, a princess whose lesbian mothers come from Iran and Mexico, and a transgender prince. Angela Bermudez, a 6 year old Latina New Yorker, self-published a radically different book to help other children like her see themselves in children's books. With her mom's help, Angela wrote this book, mostly during cross town bus and subway rides to and from school or to theater rehearsals. Angela combined phonetically complicated names, true and imaginary facts, with stories from her own life. She also borrowed stories from close friends and chosen family, who are mostly people of color, LGBT and undocumented immigrants living in New York City. Angela also drew all the illustrations in the book. 
Library of Congress Subject Headings: 
  • Immigration -- Juvenile fiction
  • Gender identity -- Juvenile fiction
  • Transgenderism -- Juvenile fiction
    Available: http://www.amazon.com/Tell-Your-Story-Dream-Birthday/dp/1502907585/ref=lh_ni_t?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER

    Sunday, February 8, 2015

    21st Century guide to the birds and the bees

    21st Century guide to the birds and the bees
    written by Belinda Messer and Rosie Luik 
    illus. by Jessica Smith 
    Summary: This book was carefully written to be suitable for all families to read with their children. We covered natural conception, IVF, surrogacy and donor's, fulfilling the space in the 'how a baby is made' book market and going that step further into the 21st century of how babies are conceived. Through beautiful illustrations and engaging content your children will be entrusted with the knowledge of how all the different types of conception occur. They will have a basic understanding of pregnancy and the birth of a baby. There are no surprising words and it is definitely not a 'too much information' book. We aim this book at children aged 7 and upwards. Or whenever your child is ready to start the conversation. 
    Available: http://store.iamextraspecial.com/product/i-am-extra-special-how-a-baby-is-made

    Saturday, January 24, 2015

    My Little Dish: The Story of Your Creation Through In Vitro Fertilization

    My Little Dish: The Story of Your Creation Through In Vitro Fertilization 
    by Sari Dennis 
    illus. by Linda Giacomazzo 
    Language: English 
    unpaged : col. ill. ; cm. 
    CreateSpace, 2014. 
    ISBN: 1502320479 ; 9781502320476 
    Summary: For every parent who has experienced that emotional roller coaster called infertility, this book has been written to provide you with a point at which you may begin to discuss your child's conception. Each of us has had a very different experience, very personal in nature from one another. With this is mind, the book has been authored in a generic fashion. This is a gentle yet descriptive starting point to have a conversation with your child, and to let them know about their conception. As your children grow older, you may want to provide more details and take them deeper into your experiences and the experience of infertility. You will also find special pages set aside for each parent. I encourage you to record your own thoughts and circumstances here, to specify them for your child so that they can relate to this information on a personal level. 
    Available: https://www.createspace.com/4991613

    The Dancing Fish and the Clever Crab

    The Dancing Fish and the Clever Crab 
    by Ms. Reen 
    illus. by MikeMotz.com 
    Language: English 
    27 p. : col. ill. ; cm.
    CreateSpace, 2015. 
    ISBN: 0692245367 ; 9780692245361 
    Summary: This book was written as an aid to parents who conceived a child via the use of donor egg or sperm. The target age group is between 2 and 10 years old. The decision whether to disclose the child's genetic origin's to him or her is an important one for parents. For those who choose to disclose, 'The Dancing Fish and the Clever Crab' makes it possible to approach this sensitive topic in an easy to understand way for young children, helping them to positively incorporate this aspect of their identity from an early age. The book was written by a Licensed Professional Counselor, specialized in the field of infertility. 
    Available: https://www.createspace.com/4840939

    Daddy's special gift

    Daddy's special gift 
    by Tracey Sainsbury 
    Language: English 
    London Women's Clinic, 2012. 
    Summary: Part of a series of books for egg sharers, egg donors, and sperm donors to share knowledge of their donation, a very special gift, with their own children. 
    Available online: http://www.bookemon.com/book_read_flip.php?book_id=168804&checke=c5c569db94d18c29328dd90b6da95ab8&inviter_id=169087&email=tracey.sainsbury%40londonwomensclinic.com

    Sunday, January 18, 2015

    Ebbe och ägget

    Ebbe och ägget
    by Petra Nilsson
    illus. by Linn Gustafsson
    Language: Swedish
    Vombat Förlag, 2014
    29 p. : col. ill. ; 22 x 25 cm.
    ISBN: 9789186589424
    Summary: Ebbe is four years old. He wants a snake. Mommy wants a baby. She has told Ebbe how both babies and snakes are made. Mommy has received babyseed from a donor. Could it be that a snake-egg donor has left a snake egg for Ebbe? The book explores what a donor is and how sperm (babyseed) and eggs are donated so that there can be families.
    Summary: Ebbe är fyra år. Han vill ha en orm. Mamma vill ha en bebis. Hon har berättat hur både bebisar och ormar blir till. Mamma har fått bebisfrön av en donator. Kan det vara så att det är en orm-äggdonator som har lämnat ett ormägg till Ebbe? Boken utforskar vad en donator är för något och hur det går till när spermier (bebisfrön) och ägg doneras så att det ska kunna bli familjer.
    Available: https://www.adlibris.com/se/bok/ebbe-och-agget-9789186589424

    Tuesday, November 18, 2014

    Mommy and the Love Child : A Solo Mom - Child Family is Created

    Mommy and the Love Child : A Solo Mom - Child Family is Created 
    by Signe Fjord 
    illustrated by Mikkel Brandt Møller 
    Language: English 
    Inspire & Empower Publishing Ltd., 2014. 
    ISBN: 9788792584441 
    Available as an ebook from: http://www.SoloMomtoaDonorChild.com
    Available in Danish here: http://www.selvvalgtsinglemor.dk/morogkaerlighedsbarnet/

    Friday, November 7, 2014

    Meus pais e eu: a história de Max

    Meus pais e eu: a história de Max 
    by Helena Prado Lopes 
    illus. by Alessandra Tozi 
    Language: Portuguese 
    Helena Prado Lopes, 2014. 
    p. : col. ill. ; cm. 
    Available: helenaprado@globo.com

    Wednesday, November 5, 2014

    Wie Lotta geboren wurde

    Wie Lotta geboren wurde 
    by Ka Schmitz and Cai Schmitz-Weicht 
    Language: German 
    Atelier 9¾, 2013. 
    22. p. : col. ill. ; 14 x 14 cm. 
    Summary: Dieses Buch erzählt, wie Lotta von ihrem Papa geboren wurde. Wie das geht? Ganz einfach: Er hat eben auch eine Babyhöhle im Bauch… Das Buch bietet kindgerechte Worte und Bilder zu Samenspende, Ein-Eltern-Familien und Transgeschlechtlichkeit an. Für Kinder ab etwa zweieinhalb Jahren. 
    Available: http://www.atelier-neundreiviertel.de/bilderbuecher-regenbogenfamilien/wie-lotta-geboren-wurde/

    Sunday, October 26, 2014

    Trip en Tux

    Trip and Tux 
    by Menno Malta 
    Language: Dutch 
    2014
    44 p. : col. ill. cm.
    ISBN: 9087593945 ; 9789087593940  
    Summary: Trip en Tux is vooral een vrolijk kinderboek, maar het is ook geschreven om het onderwerp van eicel/sperma donatie bespreekbaar te maken bij jonge kinderen. All proceeds from the book go to Unicef. 
    Available: http://www.tripentux.nl/

    La Búsqueda de Somy, un cuento de madres solteras por elección

    La Búsqueda de Somy, un cuento de madres solteras por elección 
    by Carmen Martínez Jover 
    illus. by Rosemary Martínez 
    Language: Spanish 
    32 p. : col. ill. ; cm. 
    ISBN: 6070084209 ; 9786070084201 
    Summary: Este libro es para ayudar a las madres solteras por elección a compartir con su hijo como fueron concebidos. Es un cuento de una ardilla, Somy y su deseo de ser madre. 
    Available: http://www.amazon.com/B%C3%BAsqueda-cuento-solteras-elecci%C3%B3n-Spanish/dp/6070084209/ref=sr_1_14?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1414317593&sr=1-14

    La Quête de Somy, l'histoire d'un choix de devenir mère célibataire

    La Quête de Somy, l'histoire d'un choix de devenir mère célibataire 
    by Carmen Martínez Jover 
    illus. by Rosemary Martínez 
    Language: French 
    Carmen Martínez Jover, 2014. 
    32. p. : col. ill. ; cm. 
    ISBN: 6070084217 ; 9786070084218 
    Summary: C'est une histoire charmante d'un choix délibéré de devenir mère célibataire, une des nombreuses manières de fonder une famille. 
    Available: http://www.amazon.com/Qu%C3%AAte-lhistoire-devenir-c%C3%A9libataire-French/dp/6070084217/ref=sr_1_11?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1414317217&sr=1-11

    Somy's Search, a single mum by choice story

    Somy's Search, a single mum by choice story 
    by Carmen Martínez Jover 
    illus. by Rosemary Martínez 
    Language: English 
    Carmen Martínez Jover, 2014.
    32 p. : col. ill. ; cm. 
    ISBN: 6070083970 ; 9786070083976 
    Summary: This is a story to help single mothers by choice to share with their child how they were conceived. Its is a story of a squirrel, Somy, and how she become a Mum. 
    Available: http://www.amazon.com/Somys-Search-single-choice-story/dp/6070083970/ref=sr_1_13?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1414316995&sr=1-13

    Sunday, October 19, 2014

    Perché hai due papà?

    Perché hai due papà? 
    by Francesca Pardi 
    illus. by A. Sanmartino and G. Torelli 
    Language: Italian 
    Milano : Lo Stampatello, 2014. 
    32 p. : col. ill. : cm. 
    ISBN: 8898312121 ; 9788898312122 
    Summary: La vera storia di una famiglia nata dall'amore di due uomini, con l'aiuto della gestazione di sostegno. Con parole semplici e lineari si spiega come nascono i bambini quando in famiglia nessuno può avere il pancione. Un racconto che aiuta a chiarirsi le idee, adulti e bambini. Età di lettura: da 6 anni. 
    Subject Headings:


    • Famiglie di fatto - Opere per bambini
    • Omosessualità maschile - Paternità - Opere per bambini 

    Saturday, October 18, 2014

    Piccola storia di una famiglia : perchè hai due mamme?

    Piccola storia di una famiglia : perchè hai due mamme? 
    by Francesca Pardi 
    illus. by BUM 
    Language: Italian 
    [Milano] : Lo stampatello, 2011. 
    [6] c. ill. 15x15 cm. 
    ISBN: 9788890579905 ; 8890579900 
    Summary: Meri e Franci si amavano, proprio come un uomo e una donna, e volevano avere una famiglia... Con parole semplici e chiare si racconta come nasce una famiglia omogenitoriale, cosa significa procreazione assistita e come succede che un bambino abbia due mamme. Età di lettura: da 6 anni. 
    Subject headings:

    • Famiglia di fatto - Opere per bambini
    • Omosessualità femminile - Maternità - Opere per bambini

      Available: http://www.lostampatello.com/catalogo1.html

      Friday, October 17, 2014

      Your story: How some special babies are made

      Your story: How some special babies are made 
      written and illus. by Gina Hashrard 
      Language: English 
      CreateSpace, 2014. 
      24 p. : col. ill. ; cm. 
      ISBN: 150077474X ;9781500774745 
      Summary: This is a book for young children who have been conceived by egg donation. Professional guidance dictates that the parents of egg-donor children may like to raise their child with the knowledge that they are from an egg-donor pregnancy. That way, the children can grow up with the knowledge of where they come from, and the fact will always be there, ready to be processed when they start to understand the facts of life. This book is intended to help parents with this task. It is targeted at very young children (aged 2 to 4 years), with lots of big pictures and few words. It explains how their parents fell in love but did not have a baby, so they went to the hospital and someone special gave them an egg. As with all books in the 'Your Story' series, there is a space for a picture of the child concerned on the last page. 
      Available: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/150077474X/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

      Ruby's Story: An Embryo Adoption Journey

      Ruby's Story: An Embryo Adoption Journey 
      by W. Kathryn Clark and Joann Curtrara 
      illus. by Steve Kim 
      Language: English 
      40 p : col. ill. ; cm. 
      ISBN: 0990348202 ; 9780990348207 
      Summary: This heartwarming story describes the journey of how one family comes together through the miracle of Embryo Adoption. We join a mother recounting her embryo adoption journey to her daughter, Ruby, who is now around 5 years old. The mother is a single woman who was never able to find her "special someone" to start a family with; she is introduced to the donating family through a friend. The story provides an age-appropriate explanation of IVF, embryo adoption and genetic relationships, and also focuses on the social aspect of adoption. In the US alone there are half-a-million frozen embryos in storage that have been created for IVF. Once family building is complete, many parents struggle with the decision of what the next steps are for their frozen embryos. Embryo Adoption is a unique opportunity for couples and individuals experiencing infertility to build their own family by giving these embryos a home. 
      Available: http://www.amazon.com/Rubys-Story-Embryo-Adoption-Journey/dp/0990348202/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1413548614&sr=8-1&keywords=Ruby%27s+Story%3A+An+Embryo+Adoption+Journey

      Tuesday, October 14, 2014

      Di mamma ce n'è una sola

      Di mamma ce n'è una sola 
      by Isabella Paglia 
      Language: Italian 
      Casalecchio di Reno (BO) : Fatatrac, 2012. 
      1 vol. (non paginato) : ill. 
      ISBN: 9788882222765 ; 8882222764 
      Summary: La parola mamma all'orecchio di ogni bambino suona magica. Ma chi è una mamma? Quante mamme può avere un bambino? Quanti modi esistono per venire al mondo? Una storia tenera, che scalda il cuore e fa sorridere e riflettere sulle diverse maniere che esistono per "arrivare" in una famiglia: il concepimento naturale, quello in provetta e l'adozione. Il tutto spiegato ai piccoli uditori da buffi bambini coloratissimi usciti dall'allegro pennello di Francesca Cavallaro con linguaggio semplice e comprensibile. Un libro divertente per educare ad argomenti importanti e attuali. Età di lettura: da 4 anni. 
      Available: http://www.amazon.it/Di-mamma-n%C3%A8-una-sola/dp/8882222764

      Sunday, October 12, 2014

      The Very Kind Koala: A Surrogacy Story for Children

      The Very Kind Koala: A Surrogacy Story for Children 
      written and illustrated by Kimberly Kluger-Bell 
      Language: English 
      CreateSpace, 2013. 
      24 p. col ill. cm. 
      ISBN: 1482621525 ; 9781482621525
      Summary: The Very Kind Koala is a charming picture book for young children which provides an introduction to surrogacy through the simple story of a koala bear and her husband who needed the help of a very kind koala to carry their baby in her pouch. Parents can begin reading this story to children as young as 3 years of age to begin the dialog about their own helpful surrogate. 
      Library of Congress Subject Headings:

      • Surrogate mothers -- Juvenile fiction
      • Mothers -- Juvenile fiction
      • Infertility -- Juvenile fiction

      Available: https://www.createspace.com/4184368

      The Seed, The Egg, and The Magic Love Tummy

      The Seed, The Egg, and The Magic Love Tummy 
      by Grandpa 
      Language: English 
      CreateSpace, 2014. 
      74 p. cm. 
      ISBN: 1499193696 ; 9781499193695 
      Summary: An illustrated first storybook, for under fives, designed to explain, in simple childlike terms, the process of IVF donor conception to children conceived as the result of sperm or egg donation. Fuzzy Bobbit is an inquisitive little rabbit who wants an answer to the question: "Where do babies come from?" He quizzes his little playmates, Frisky Rufus the red squirrel, Smartypants Slipper the weasel, and Bumble Firkin the shrew, but they are no use. So Fuzzy sets out to question the grown ups. His quest takes him far and wide through the forest. Along the way he meets a host of woodland creatures - Mr and Mrs Burrows, the moles, Colonel Knocker the woodpecker, Mr Skitter the squirrel, Doctor Barcode the badger, Nurse Prickles the hedgehog, and the Right Reverend Dr Plumage the kingfisher Bishop of Ash Grove. After an encounter with the French fox, Monsieur Renard and the Spanish dove, Signora Paloma, Fuzzy finds himself standing in front of his headmaster, Professor Hoot the owl. With the professor's help the little rabbit is finally able to unravel the mystery of The Seed, The Egg, and the Magic Love Tummy. 
      Available: https://www.createspace.com/4767853

      The extra button

      The extra button
      by Jules Blundell 
      illus. by Fefe 
      Language: English 
      Surrey Hills, Vic. : Michael Hanrahan Publishing, 2014.
      44 p. cm. 
      ISBN: 9780992418212 
      Summary: Benny and Rose wanted more than anything to have their own family. This is their journey. In this gorgeous picture book Jules uses a story about a gingerbread couple as a metaphor to explain the difficult concept of donor conception to young children.
      Library of Congress Subject Headings:


      • Parents -- Juvenile fiction
      • Childbirth -- Juvenile fiction
      • Childbirth 
      Available: http://www.amazon.com/The-Extra-Button-Jules-Blundell/dp/0992418208#

      Saturday, October 11, 2014

      Zak's safari : a story for donor-conceived kids of two-mom families

      Zak's safari : a story for donor-conceived kids of two-mom families
      by Christy Tyner
      illus. by Ciaee
      Language: English
      CreateSpace, 2014.
      33 p. : col. ill. ; 22 x 22 cm.
      ISBN: 9781502325464 ; 1502325462
      My annotation: Narrated by a young boy, this is the story of how Zak’s family was made with the help of donor sperm. Zak takes the reader on a brief tour of how babies are made with sperm and egg, but explains that his parents didn’t have the sperm required because only men’s bodies have sperm and he has two moms. Zak explains how his parents visited a sperm bank and chose sperm from a catalog, making this the very first children’s book to describe the process of selecting sperm from a catalog. Zak also teaches his readers about “genes,” which carry secret instructions for how babies are to look as well. Zak’s tour of how babies are made is not as detailed as that in It takes love … but this is not a drawback. Zak explains just enough for his young readers to grasp early concepts around sperm donation. The book takes both a family-building approach and a child-conception approach because it explains the most basic details of how babies are made, while at the same time emphasizing that all families are made differently and that this is the way his family was made. The book employs the “helper” and the “nuts & bolts” scripts and is recommended for children ages 3-5.
      Library of Congress Subject Headings: 


      • Sperm banks -- Juvenile fiction
      • Artificial insemination -- Juvenile fiction
      • Lesbian mothers -- Juvenile fiction

      Available: http://www.zaks-safari.com/ 
      Available: https://www.createspace.com/4992334

      Friday, July 25, 2014

      The pea that was me : a two dads' egg donation and surrogacy story

      The pea that was me : a two dads' egg donation and surrogacy story 
      written and illus. by Kimberly Kluger-Bell 
      Language: English 
      CreateSpace, 2014. 
      17 p. : col. ill. ; 22 x 22 cm. 
      ISBN: 1499746695 ; 9781499746693
      My annotation: This book, about egg donation and surrogacy in two-dad families, is part of the Pea that was me series written by licensed marriage and family therapist, Kimberly Kluger-Bell. It is not so much a story as it is a very simple explanation of how “the pea that was me finally came to be!” The child narrator, a green pea, explains to her readers that it takes eggs, sperm, and a tummy in order to make a baby pea. When the egg and sperm are put together inside a “lady’s tummy,” a pea gets “bigger and bigger and bigger” until it grows into a baby. She explains however that her dads did not have any eggs, nor did they have a tummy, so they visit a doctor who knew “a very kind lady” who had eggs, and “another nice lady” who would “be happy to carry their baby pea!” The book introduces very young children to the words, “eggs,” “sperm,” “donor,” and “surrogate,” and would be suitable for children ages 3-5 since it provides the most basic explanation for how babies are made. The book takes a child conception approach and employs both the “helper” and the “nuts & bolts” scripts.
      Available: https://www.createspace.com/4834676

      The pea that was me : a two moms' sperm donation story

      The pea that was me : a two moms' sperm donation story
      written and illus. by Kimberly Kluger-Bell 
      Language: English 
      CreateSpace, 2014 
      23 p. : col. ill. ; 22 x 22 cm. 
      ISBN: 1495290042 ; 9781495290046 
      My annotation: Written by a licensed marriage and family therapist who specializes in fertility counseling, this is a book with a child narrator, represented by a baby pea, who explains how her two moms had her via donor sperm. She begins the story by asking the question, “where did the pea that was me come from?” They tell her that two things are required: eggs and sperm, which must be put together in order to grow a baby inside a mommy’s tummy. The narrator goes on to explain though that her moms didn’t have any sperm, without which you can’t make a baby, so they went to a doctor who told them “there was a very kind man who had lots of extra sperm” and would be happy to share it. So the doctor put the sperm from the man together with one of her mommy’s eggs and a baby pea started to grow. The book introduces several vocabulary words to young children: “sperm,” “egg,” and “donor,” as well as the concept that a doctor’s help was required in order for the baby pea that “finally came to be.” The book takes a child-conception approach and employs the “nuts & bolts” and the “helper” scripts. Recommended for children ages 3-5.
      Available: https://www.createspace.com/4631754

      Monday, July 21, 2014

      It takes love (and some other stuff) to make a baby

      It takes love (and some other stuff) to make a baby 
      by L. L. Bird 
      illus. by Patrick Girouard 
      Language: English 
      Catadon Press, 2014. 
      25 p. : col. ill. ; 21 x 21 cm. 
      ISBN: 9780991522309
      My annotation: This wonderfully illustrated book explains how it takes three things to make a baby: sperm, an egg, and some love, and is a pretty detailed account of how babies are made with the help of donor sperm and a mommy’s egg. The book introduces children to several concepts and vocabulary words such as “ovaries,” “uterus,” “pregnant,” “sperm,” “egg,” “testicles,” “sperm donor,” and “sperm bank” and explains what each term means when it comes up in the context of the description of how babies are made in two-mom families. Children are told that a doctor helps put the sperm inside the mommy’s belly so that it could join with the egg, but also states that parents can sometimes do this on their own. No explanation of how that can happen though is included in the book. The book takes both a family-building approach because of its emphasis on the need for love in order to make a baby, and a child-conception approach because most of the book is about the brass tacks of how babies are made. The book employs the “helper” and “nuts & bolts” scripts and is recommended for children ages 5-8 because of the large vocabulary words introduced.
      Library of Congress Subject Headings: 


      • Artificial insemination, Human -- Juvenile literature
      • Reproduction -- Juvenile literature
      • Lesbian mothers -- Juvenile literature

      Available: http://www.catadonpress.com/ 
      Available: http://www.amazon.com/Takes-Love-some-other-stuff/dp/0991522303

      Saturday, July 19, 2014

      I am extra special: an IVF story

      I am extra special: an IVF story 
      by Belinda Messer and Rosie Luik 
      illus. by Jessica Smith 
      Language: English 
      2014 
      p. : col. ill. ; cm. 
      ISBN: 9780992538705
      Summary: Our first children's book in the "I Am Extra Special" series. An IVF story is aimed at children aged 4-10 years and explains how they were conceived using IVF. It is a beautifully illustrated story book dedicated to all the "Extra Special" babies of IVF. 
      Available: http://www.iamextraspecial.com/

      Tuesday, June 17, 2014

      Nora y Zoe: dos mamás para un bebé

      Nora y Zoe: dos mamás para un bebé 
      by Rosa Maestro 
      illus. by Barbara Guillén Feltrer 
      Language: Spanish 
      Masola.org, 2014. 
      28 p. : col. ill. ; cm. 
      ISBN: 8461693892; 9788461693894 
      Summary: Un cuento infantil, en el que dos mujeres se enamoran y deciden ser mamás. Recurren a las doctora Lola que les regalará una semillita mágica con la que lograr su sueño. Un cuento adaptado a los diferentes modelos de familia y hacer más visible las técnicas de reproducción asistida. 
      Available: http://www.amazon.es/Nora-Zoe-mam%C3%A1s-para-bebe/dp/8461693892/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1403002435&sr=8-1-fkmr0&keywords=nora+ya+zoe+maestro

      Unsere Familie: Ein Buch für Wunschkinder nach Samenspende, die mir ihrer Solomutter aufwachsen

      Unsere Familie: Ein Buch für Wunschkinder nach Samenspende, die mir ihrer Solomutter aufwachsen 
      by Petra Thorn and Margaret Ritter 
      illus. by Tiziana Rinaldi 
      Language: German 
      Mörfelden: Fam-ART-Verlag, 2014. 
      ISBN 9783945275023 
      Summary: Immer mehr alleinstehende Frauen setzen ihren Kinderwunsch mit Hilfe einer Samenspende um. Dieses Aufklärungsbuch ist für ihre Kinder geschrieben. Es beschreibt in einfacher Sprache und mit bezaubernden Bildern, wie Solomütter mit Hilfe einer medizinischen oder persönlichen Samenspende ein Kind bekommen und Familie werden können. 
      Available: http://www.famart.de/kinderbuecher/

      Thursday, May 15, 2014

      כלי נרגש מספור המפגש בין זרעון לבין ביצית : ספור של הפריה חוץ גופית ולדתו של "ילד מבחנה"

      כלי נרגש מספור המפגש בין זרעון לבין ביצית : ספור של הפריה חוץ גופית ולדתו של "ילד מבחנה" 
      by קריגר, אסתר. 
      Language: Hebrew  
      א. קריגר, 
      2013 
      col. ill. ; cm.

      Friday, April 4, 2014

      Welcome to the family

      Welcome to the family
      by Mary Hoffman
      illustrated by Ros Asquith
      Language: English
      London : Frances Lincoln Children's Books, 2014.
      32 p. cm.
      ISBN: 9781847804617; 1847804616
      Summary: This book takes one element of The Great Big Book of Families – the arrival of new members into a family – and explores all the different ways a baby or child can become part of a family. The book includes natural birth within a nuclear family, adoption, fostering, same sex families and many other aspects of bringing babies or children into a family. The approach will follow the Great Big Book series, with twelve double spreads each exploring one theme, and including lots of humour, jokes and fun along the way. This is a unique information book, with an important and positive message – every family is different and every family is equally valid and special, no matter how or when the children arrive.
      Library of Congress Subject Headings:

      • Families -- Juvenile literature
      • Families

      Available: http://www.amazon.com/Welcome-Family-Mary-Hoffman/dp/1847804616

      Sunday, March 9, 2014

      Sophia's broken crayons: a story of surrogacy from a young child's perspective

      Sophia's broken crayons: a story of surrogacy from a young child's perspective
      by Crystal Falk 
      More information: http://www.surrogatemother.com/forum/topics/new-surrogacy-children-s-book-a-story-of-a-journey-of-a-surrogacy
      Library of Congress Subject Headings:

      • Surrogate mothers -- Juvenile fiction
      • Mothers -- Juvenile fiction
      • Infertility -- Juvenile fiction

      Available: http://www.amazon.com/Sophias-Broken-Crayons-Surrogacy-Perspective/dp/1499342721/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1406017779&sr=8-1&keywords=sophia%27s+broken+crayons

      Saturday, February 15, 2014

      Daddy and Papa's Little Angels: Acceptance of All Kinds of People

      Daddy and Papa's Little Angels: Acceptance of All Kinds of People 
      by Mystique Ann U'Nique 
      illus. by Jackie Crofts 
      Language: English 
      Bloomington, IN : AuthorHouse, 2013 
      40 p. : col. ill ; 21.3 x 27.5 cm 
      ISBN: 1491846062; 9781491846063 
      Summary: This children's book was inspired by Elton John's concern over his son Zachary having two homosexual dads. This book was written to promote love and compassion for homosexual families, those living with AIDS, and those who choose to have children via surrogacy. I also wrote to encourage older people who choose to start families. I wrote this book to help take away any related stigmas. 
      Library of Congress Subject Headings:

      • Gay parents -- Juvenile fiction

      Available: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1491846062/ref=ox_sc_act_title_2?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER

      Thursday, February 13, 2014

      Slottet med de mange værelser : hvordan er du blevet til?

      Slottet med de mange værelser : hvordan er du blevet til? 
      by Helene Goldberg and Maruska la Cour Mosegaard 
      illus. by Kirsten Gjerding 
      Language: Danish 
      Århus : Turbine, 2008. 
      [36] sider : alle ill. i farver ; 30 cm. 
      ISBN: 9788792208958; 8792208959 
      Summary: I den tid vi lever i er det ikke alle børn, der er resultatet af en tur i soveværelset. Mange er blevet til på en helt anden måde, og disse børn kar også krav på forklaring på spørgsmålet: Hvor kommer jeg fra? 
      Available: http://www.godeboerneboeger.dk/Slottet-med-de-mange-vaerelser.html

      Karla leger "mor og børn"

      Karla leger "mor og børn" 
      by Pia Olsen og Karla Elena Olsen 
      illus. by Ina Korneliussen 
      Language: Danish 
      [Århus] : Siesta, 2012. 
      [28] sider : alle ill. i farver. 
      ISBN: 9788792893284; 8792893287 
      Summary: Hvordan laver man børn, når mor ikke har fundet en far? Det ved Karla godt, også selvom hun kun er 4 år. Karla er blevet til ved hjælp af en sæddonor. Hendes mor har fortalt, hvordan sædcellen og ægget bliver til en baby. Hun ved også nogenlunde, hvad en sæddonor er, men hun ved ikke så meget om, hvordan det er at have en far. Når Karla leger med sine dukker, leger hun mor og børn. I børnehaven hedder den samme leg far, mor og børn. Det er også en sjov leg, bare Karla ikke skal være faren - hun vil være babyen, eller moren. Karla leger mor og børner en ælle-bælle-bolle-bog for en ny type familie, der er blevet til ved hjælp af en sæddonor. Og så handler den om at vokse op i en familie uden far. Bogen kan læses som en efterfølger til Hvor er Karlas far? Bogen henvender sig til børn i alderen 3-6 år.
      Available: http://www.salling.dk/shop/search-1.html?keyword=pia+olsen

      Hvor er Karlas far?

      Hvor er Karlas far? 
      by Pia Olsen and Karla Elena Olsen 
      illus. by Ina Korneliussen Language: Danish 
      Århus : Siesta, 2011. 
      28 sider : alle ill. 
      ISBN: 9788792539564; 8792539564 
      Summary: Bogen Hvor er Karlas far? handler om to årige Karla, der blevet til ved hjælp af en sæddonor - det har hendes mor forklaret hende. Karla forstår ikke helt, hvad en sæddonor er, men han må være en flink mand, for han har hjulpet mor og Karla, så de kunne få hinanden. Og så morfar og mormor og Karla kunne få hinanden. Men sæddonoren kan ikke hjælpe Karla med at få en far. Karlas ven Ferdinand kan ikke helt forstå, hvorfor Karla ikke har en far. Ferdinand har en far - og det har babyspøgelset inde under sofaen også. Hvor er Karlas far? er den første danske børnebog, der henvender sig til børn, som er blevet til ved hjælp af en kendt eller anonym sæddonor. Et stigende antal danske kvinder vælger at få børn ved hjælp af en sæddonor. Men hvordan fortæller man om det? Eksperter anbefaler at tale med børnene om, hvordan de er blevet til, så tidligt som muligt. Bogen Hvor er Karlas far? henvender sig til børn i 2-5 års alderen. Den leverer enkle forklaringer på naturlige spørgsmål. Bogen er en god anledning til at tage den nødvendige snak med sit barn. Den kan også være et redskab for bedsteforældre, pædagoger og andre, som er usikre på, hvordan de skal tackle det, når barnet spørger til sin ’far’. Men vigtigst af alt er, at bogen ’klæder barnet på’ til at svare, når kammeraterne spørger: Hvor er din far? 
      Available: http://www.salling.dk/shop/search-1.html?keyword=pia+olsen

      The pea that was me: a single mom's sperm donation children's story

      The pea that was me: a single mom's sperm donation children's story 
      written and illustrated by Kimberly Kluger-Bell 
      Language: English 
      CreateSpace, 2013 
      1 v. (unpaged) : col. ill. ; 22 cm. 
      ISBN: 149357454X; 9781493574544 
      Summary: The Pea That Was Me is a charming introduction to sperm donation for kids of single moms by choice for children ages 3 and up. In a positive and upbeat way, children are told about it takes a sperm and an egg to make "a little pea", that grows into baby, and then becomes a little boy or girl. Emphasis is on how much the child was wanted, and how grateful mommy is to the "very kind donor" who helped make it all possible.
      Available: http://www.amazon.com/The-Pea-That-Was-Volume/dp/149357454X 
      Author's Web site: http://www.booksfordonorkids.com/

      Saturday, February 8, 2014

      Noortje : dochter van een Bewust Alleenstaande Moeder

      Noortje : dochter van een Bewust Alleenstaande Moeder
      by Simone Scholtens
      Language: Dutch
      [Zwolle] : Bergboek, 2013.
      27 p. : ill. ; 16x16 cm.
      ISBN: 9789491186165 9491186167
      My annotation: Noortje: the daughter of a conscious single mother is the beginning of a story of a mom who had her child via a known donor. Noortje lives in a big house with a cat that is currently pregnant with kittens. Because the cat’s belly is getting bigger, Noortje's questions begin. She asks her mom, "Mom, was I in your belly when I was a baby?" Yes her mom tells her. Noortje then asks, "How did I get in your belly?" That’s when her mom begins to tell her how babies are made with the egg of a mommy and the seeds of a daddy. But Noortje is confused at first because she only has a mom and no dad. Noortje has a “donor” though, her mom tells her, who gave his “seeds” to mom so that mom could have the baby she wanted so very much. Noortje’s mom explains to her that when seeds and eggs meet, babies begin to grow. Mom tells Noortje that she knows the donor, but does not explain how, who he is, or why she used a donor, so these details are left out. However, this book is just the beginning of the story and was written specifically for this child by this mother. It is presumed that Noortje is still very young and has only just begun to ask these questions so the story provides just enough information to satisfy her questions at this point. In this story, the donor actually comes to see Noortje after she is born and is “speechless” at what a beautiful baby she is. At the end, "Mama was very happy that the donor had given his seeds because now she had the sweetest baby in the world." Other than “donor,” and "seeds" and "eggs," no other terminology is introduced. The book takes a family-building approach even though the word family is never used. This is because Noortje’s conception is not heavily emphasized in the book but rather, how she came to be a part of this mother-child twosome is what is highlighted. This book employs “the helper” script. Noortje’s mom is the illustrator of the book and her illustrations are well-drawn black and white pencil illustrations against a colored watercolor background. The book is recommended for children ages 3-5 and is only available in Dutch.
      Web site: http://noortje-dochtervaneenbewustalleenstaandemoeder.nl/index.html

      Sunday, January 12, 2014

      Wo der nordwind weht

      Wo der nordwind weht 
      by Margaret P. Ritter 
      illus. by Karina Wacker 
      Language: German
      Vienna : Bright Knight Books, 2013. 
      15 p. : col. ill. ; cm. 
      ISBN: 9783950342017 
      My annotation: This book is the first children’s book published out of Austria about donor conception. It is written as a fairy tale by a single mother for her daughter and is a warm, loving tribute to the miracle of her daughter’s very existence. It begins as her daughter Sunny, an impatient soul waits to be born, dying to be born, so that she may “let her light shine and … set free all her sparkling vitality on earth among the living.” But she must wait until the right person selects her so that she may be born. The book talks about how the souls of all children are meant to be no matter how they get here and that children must wait until they are “struck by … (the) shooting beam of (the) love” of their parents to be born into the “garden of life.” It hints that a man is needed in order to make a baby but also hints at immaculate conception as Sunny was conceived “without a man so much as touching” her mother. She was conceived in Denmark, the land “where the northwind blows” and the country to which her mother traveled from Austria where the use of sperm donation for single mothers and lesbians is rather liberal. It is an entirely personal story, written by this mother for this child and although it never uses the word “donor” or any of the usual terms associated with assisted conception, the book does however use big words like “bagatelle,” “pristine,” and “joi-de-vivre.” The book presents the “labor of love” script and takes both a family-building and a child-conception approach and ultimately counsels to both children and adults that we have the children we are meant to have. Although the concepts presented here are a bit abstract for younger children, the book was inspired by her three-year-old daughter's question, "Mama, where is my father?" For this reason it is recommended both for children ages 3-5 and 5-8. Simultaneously published in both German and English.
      Available: http://www.amazon.de/Wo-Nordwind-weht-M-Ritter/dp/3950342001/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1392557115&sr=1-1&keywords=wo+der+nordwind+weht