My story

My story
Language: Japanese

Sometimes it takes three to make a baby

Sometimes it takes three to make a baby
by Kate Bourne
Language: Japanese
2013.

The not-so-only child

The not-so-only child 
by Heather Jopling 
illus. by Lauren Page Russell 
Language: English 
[Coburg, Ont.] : Nickname Press, [2006] 
[24] p. : ill. ; 19 cm.
ISBN: 0978073940 ; 9780978073947 
Summary: Larissa is an only child, but she is not alone! See how big this only child's family is! This book shows that an only child can still have a very full family with different lifestyles and ethnicities represented in her world. 
Library of Congress Subject Headings:

• Only child -- Juvenile fiction
• Gay parents -- Family relationships -- Juvenile fiction
• Kinship -- Juvenile fiction

Available: http://www.abebooks.com/book-search/isbn/9780978073947/

Receptenboekje hoe baby's worden gemaakt

Receptenboekje hoe baby's worden gemaakt 
by Carmen Martínez Jover 
illus. by Rosemary Martínez 
Language: Dutch 
Carmen Martínez Jover, 2013. 
31 p. : col. ill. ; 22 cm. 
ISBN: 6070066332 ; 9786070066337 
Summary: Omdat mensen nietzelf kunnen kiezen volgens welk receptzijhun kinderwens vorm geven, is begnip en respect erg belangrijk. Dit boekje is een schitterend instrument om kinderen te introduceren in de complexe wereld van fertiliteitsbehandelingen. Het ontdoet de problematiek van de taboes waarmee fertilieteitsbehandelingen vaak nog zijn omgeven en helpt inzien dat het niet uitmaakt volgens welk recept je op de wereld gekomen bent. Kortom, een aanrader voor groot en klein. 
Annotation: Using the metaphor of cake-making, where milk, flour, eggs, butter and an oven are needed, the author introduces children to the ingredients for making a baby: sperm, an egg, and a tummy. While a cake takes thirty minutes in the oven, a baby takes 9 months in a woman’s tummy. When sperm and egg join, (there is no information on lovemaking), the egg is fertilized and becomes a single cell until it begins to divide to form an embryo and then a fetus, which is carried for nine months. This is the “classical recipe” for making babies. When things don’t work out this way, the book goes on to describe several other methods for making a baby, all of which require a doctor’s help. In vitro is discussed, as well as sperm donation, egg donation, embryo donation, surrogacy, and adoption, and all necessary vocabulary is introduced, “fertilization,” “embryo,” “fetus,” and “pregnancy.” One small critique I have is that for the discussion of in vitro, there is a picture of a test tube instead of a petri dish, which could be confusing to children if their parents combine this book with other books to explain IVF to their children. The description of sperm donation is also combined with the in vitro procedure, “The doctor fertilizes Mummy’s egg in a test tube with the donated sperms,” and “When the embryo starts growing the doctor places it in Mummy’s womb,” which is not always the case with sperm donation. Each procedure for sperm donation, egg donation, etc. is reinforced by accompanying pictures at the bottom of a two-page spread, showing the need for sperm, an egg, a test tube, and a womb. The book ends by reassuring children that no matter how they were conceived, one way is no better than another and that “No matter with which recipe you were born or how you came into Mummy and Daddy’s arms, they love you just the same because they had been longing for you to be part of their family.” Cartoon drawings depict nudity and lovemaking although there is no verbal description of lovemaking. Recommended for children ages 3-5. 
Available: http://www.amazon.com/Receptenboekje-babys-worden-gemaakt-Edition/dp/6070066332

La chase au tresor pour bebe kangourou, comment des parents homosexuels forment

La chase au tresor pour bebe kangourou, comment des parents homosexuels forment 
by Carmen Martínez Jover 
illus. by Rosmary Martínez 
Language: French 
Carmen Martínez Jover, 2013 
1 v. (unpaged) : col. ill. ; 22 cm. 
ISBN: 6070008685 ; 9786070008689 
Summary: A sweet children's story of how two kangaroos: Jack and Sam, a gay couple, have their own baby by means of an egg donor and surrogacy. Using kangaroos in the story enables children to easily understand the methods related to their conception in a simple and loving way.
Available: http://www.amazon.fr/Kangourou-Comment-Parents-Homosexuels-Forment/dp/6070008685

The twin kangaroo treasure hunt : [a gay parenting story]

The twin kangaroo treasure hunt : [a gay parenting story] 
by Carmen Martínez Jover 
illus. by Rosemary Martínez 
Language: English 
Carmen Martínez Jover, 2013. 
24 p. : col. ill. ; 22 x 22 cm. 
ISBN: 607006545X ; 9786070065453 
My annotation: Jack and Sam, a gay kangaroo couple, want very much to have their own twins after seeing little kangaroos all around them at a visit to the fair. They decide to pay Wise William a call to get his advice. Wise William pulls out a scroll from his trunk that lists the three things needed for a “Twin Kangaroo Treasure Hunt:” sperm, eggs, and a womb. They know they already have the sperm, but they will need the eggs and a womb, so they go see Kind Kamila and Sweet Susan who both readily agree to give Jack and Sam what they need. Having obtained the final two ingredients, they visit Wise William once more who tells them to go see Dr. Good Gotunda who knows how to mix the ingredients together in order to make a set of twins. It is not clear here that twins are not guaranteed every time a doctor mixes sperm and egg together in a “test tube” but still, two embryos are fertilized and both are placed in Sweet Susan’s pouch. This book is an introduction for the children created via donor egg and surrogacy and introduces the terms “egg donor” and “surrogate.” The book takes a child-conception approach and employs the “helper” script. Recommended for children ages 3-5.
Library of Congress Subject Headings:

• Kangaroos -- Behavior -- Pictorial works -- Juvenile fiction
• Parental behavior in animals -- Pictorial works -- Juvenile fiction
• Homosexuality -- Juvenile fiction

Available: http://www.amazon.com/Twin-Kangaroo-Treasure-Parenting-Story/dp/607006545X

How we became a family

How we became a family 
written by Teresa and Bernard Villegas 
illus. by Teresa Villegas 
Language: English 
Heart and Mind Press, 2013. 
32 p. : col. ill ; 21 x 21 cm.
ISBN: 0988450119 ; 9780988450110 
My amazon review: A couple falls deeply in love and wants to expand their family very much but they are not successful and they realize they must visit a doctor to see what they need to do in order to start their family. First they need two things: enough love to share with a child and enough trust and respect for each other in order to work together to be the best parents possible. They have both in abundance. The book goes on to explain that three other ingredients are also necessary to make a baby: sperm, an egg, and a uterus. Correct terminology is used throughout this book, also introducing children to the terms zygote and embryo, as well as the term "donor" for the woman who provided the egg the couple needed in order to have their babies. This book is lovingly written in the second person, addressing the child/ren directly: "Not a single moment passed while you were growing inside your mother that your parents didn't long for you to join their family." It is currently available in two versions: for children of sperm donors and for children of egg donors, both for parents of twins, although parents of singletons and triplets could easily apply this book to their family constellation as well. Books for parents who adopted embryos and for parents who used surrogates in order to have their children will be available soon according to the authors' web site. This is a beautiful and loving look at how much donor-conceived children are wanted. The illustrations are professionally rendered by the author who is also a professional children's book illustrator. The binding is excellent and it is a very polished book overall. Recommended. 
Library of Congress Subject Headings:

• Fertilization in vitro, Human -- Juvenile fiction
• Fertilization in vitro, Human

Available: http://howwebecameafamily.com/

Pupujuttu ja muita vauvasatuja

Pupujuttu ja muita vauvasatuja 
by Outi Hovatta 
illus. by Maija Ranta 
Language: Finnish 
Helsinki : Väestöliitto, ©1993. 
35 p. : col. ill. ; 25 cm. 
ISBN: 9529605005; 9789529605002 
Summary: Pupujutun avulla vanhemmat voivat kertoa lapsille siitä, mistä vauvat tulevat. Asiahan kiinnostaa jo useampia alle kouluikäisiä ja alaluokkalaisia. Eläinmaailmaan sijoitetut tarinat kertovat perinteisellä tavalla alkunsa saaneen lapsen syntymästä ja vaihtoehtoisilla tavoilla saaduista lapsista. Sadut lapsettomuushoitojen avulla alkunsa saaneista vauvoista, ottolapsista ja lapsettomista aikuisista avartavat lapsen maailmankuvaa ja auttavat häntä hyväksymään erilaisuutta. Lapsettomuushoitojen avulla lapsensa saaneista vanhemmista useat ovat sitä mieltä, että lapsen on hyvä tietää syntytapansa. Tällainen avoimuus vähentää salattujen asioiden määrää perheissä. Perheet voivat käyttää vauvasatuja itse sopivasti muunnellen apuna lapsen syntytavan kertomisessa. 
Available: http://www.vaestoliitto.fi/nettikauppa/lapsettomuus/?num=187839&upotusURI=/nettikauppa/lapsettomuus/&x198550=Select/Card

So that's where I came from

So that's where I came from 
by Gina Dawson 
illus. by Beth Norling 
Language: English 
Fitzroy, Vic. : Black Dog Books, 2010. 
1 v. : col. ill. ; 23 x 25 cm.
ISBN: 9781742031019; 1742031013 
Annotation: This comprehensive book from Australia about reproduction introduces children to the proper terminology for all terms related to human reproduction. It introduces children to the words, "penis," "vagina," "vulva," "uterus," "womb," "scrotum," "testicles," "sperm," "egg," "vas deferens," "urethra," "sexual intercourse," "ovaries," "fallopian tubes," "fertilisation," "conception," "pregnant," "amniotic fluid," "umbilical cord," "midwife," "breech," "Cesarean Section," "umbilical cord," "breasts," and "pubic hair." One way in which this book aims for comprehensiveness is its brief mention of infertility although surprisingly, given the book's large vocabulary for all things related to reproduction, does not introduce the word "infertility" for the concept of a couple being unable to conceive. "Sometimes a couple wants a baby very much, and although they have sex often, the egg and sperm don't meet." But unfortunately it stops there when it continues, "There are many reasons for this, but we don't have space to explain them all here." However, the book does go on to introduce the concepts of IVF and the use of donor gametes, as well as the need for a couple to visit a doctor in order to receive help in conceiving a baby. But on the next page the author warns children that they should not share this information about how they were conceived with other people: "The way you began and became a part of your family is personal, which means that you don't talk about it with people until you've discussed it with your mum or dad." For children conceived through ART, this could imply that there is something secretive or shameful about how they were conceived. Although the book aims to be comprehensive, and it is quite thorough in anticipating any and every question a child might have, it does not account for those who are gender nonconforming or transgendered in the way that Cory Silverberg's What Makes a Baby aims to do. This is clearly a book for primarily heterosexual parents to use with their children even though the book mentions different types of families which might include two mums or two dads. Cartoon drawings depict mixed race families and include nudity and visual and verbal depictions of lovemaking. Recommended for children ages 5-8.
Library of Congress Subject Headings:

• Sex instruction for children

Available: http://www.angusrobertson.com.au/book/so-thats-where-i-came-from/9341799/ 
Online article about the book: http://www.news.com.au/breaking-news/childrens-sex-education-book-updated-after-more-than-30-years/story-e6frfkp9-1225862260255

Here I am

Here I am 
written and illustrated by Kath D 
2010 
Available online: http://kathd2000.wordpress.com/2010/05/13/here-i-am-comic-book/

The story of Yumi-chan - for loving parents to tell their child about their birth through egg donation

The story of Yumi-chan - for loving parents to tell their child about their birth through egg donation
by Mari Saimura
illus. by Keiko Nakanishi
Language: Japanese
Japan Society for the Promotion of Science : Mari Saimura, 2013.
22 p. : col. ill. ; cm.
Summary: The purpose of this book is to help parents when they tell their child about his or her birth through known donor egg donation.
Available by emailing the author: saimura@tezukayama-u.ac.jp 
Please note: This book is published by JSPS (Japan Society for the Promotion of Science ) KAKENHI(Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research) Grant Number 24530767.

You were meant to be!

You were meant to be! 
by Sherry Keen
illus. by Rosemarie Gillen 
Language: English 
Savannah, GA : Big Tent Books, 2013. 
21 p. : col. ill. ; 27 cm.
ISBN: 1601311400; 9781601311405 
My annotation: Told in the second person, this is not so much a story but introduces the concept of infertility to children. It begins by telling the child how “special and unique” they are, how they got here, and how things don’t always happen as they should between all the working “pieces” needed to make a baby. The book then begins to explain that sperm from a man and an egg from a woman are needed to make a baby. Sometimes however, “for many reasons, a man or a woman cannot have a baby,” that sometimes a “piece” is missing or does not work. The author then goes on to explain to her child that “we wanted you so much that we found a way to replace” those parts and that there are “kind and generous” people called “donors” who “want to help others make a family.” In the end, all that matters is that no matter how you got here, “you were meant to be!” It is a lovely message. This book takes a family-building and a child-conception approach and uses the “spare parts” and “the helper” scripts. The author also introduces the concept of anonymous donation. Full-color professionally rendered drawings depict happy children of all nationalities. Recommended for ages 3-5.  
Library of Congress Subject Headings:

• Fertilization in vitro, Human -- Juvenile literature
• Infertility -- Juvenile literature
• Human reproduction -- Juvenile literature

Available: http://www.amazon.com/You-Were-Meant-To-Be/dp/1601311400/ref=tmm_hrd_title_0?ie=UTF8&qid=1364649106&sr=1-1

Ein Weltwunder (Ma-Ma)

Ein Weltwunder (Ma-Ma) 
by Mireille van Seggelen 
illus. by Anouk Braakhuis; et al 
Language: German
Budel [Netherlands] : MVS Creations, 2013.
34 p. : col. ill. ; 15 x 21 cm.
ISBN: 9789081114950
My annotation: This is one of a handful of books written in the second person. The book begins to explain sperm donation to children as young as three, yet does not use the words “sperm” or “donation.” The book explains how “seeds” from boys and eggs from girls are needed to make a baby. When they meet, “a baby starts to grow in Mummy’s tummy.” Sometimes however, there are no seeds that can meet with Mummy’s egg so a “kind man” is needed to “help” Mummy have a baby. Since this book is about sperm donation in which a woman does not have access to sperm, it is suitable for both single mothers by choice as well as lesbian women. It takes a child-conception approach and employs “the helper” script. Full-color cartoon drawings depict both women with partners and women without partners. Recommended for children ages 3-5. 
Available: http://www.mvscreations.nl/ein-weltwunder.html

Onde está meu papai?: a história de Alice

Onde está meu papai?: a história de Alice
by Helena Pradoo Lopes 
illus. by Alessandra Tozi 
Language: Portuguese 
[Santa Cecilia, SP], Helena Prado Lopes, 2013
14 p. : col. ill. ; 22 x 22 cm.
ISBN: 97885XXXXXXXX
My annotation:Although we do not know her age at the beginning of the story, Alice, the daughter of a single mother, finally reaches the age when she asks her mother, “Where is my father?” At this point her mother begins to explain that sperm from a man and an egg from a woman are needed to make a baby. Her mother also begins to explain to Alice how very much she wanted a child but had no husband to have a child with. So she went to a “laboratory” where men’s sperm is kept so that she could have a child on her own. Her mother goes on to explain to her that this was the happiest day of her life - when she knew that a daughter was growing inside her tummy. After hearing the whole story, a curious Alice continues to ask, “Where is the father? In what part of this enormous world is he?” Her mother does not have an answer for her, but tells her that all you need is love to make a family and also that all families are different. Because Alice’s form of conception is explained to her earlier in the book, the book takes a child-conception approach, but also ends with a family-building approach as her mother explains to her that a family is a family, whether there is a mother and a father, or whether there is just a mother and a daughter. “The helper,” the “labor of love,” and the “families are made differently” scripts are all used. The illustrations are professionally rendered and the book is recommended for children ages 3-5. It has been simultaneously published in Spanish and Portuguese (not in English yet) and is available directly from the author.
Available directly from the author: helenaprado@globo.com

Um bebê para amar: história de um bebê que queria muito nascer...

Um bebê para amar: história de um bebê que queria muito nascer... 
by Helena Prado Lopes 
illus. by Alessandra Tozi 
Language: Portuguese 
Rio de Janeiro : H. Prado Lopes, 2010. 
20 p. : col. illus. ; 22 x 22 cm.
ISBN: 9788591098613
My annotation: This is the story of an infertile couple who very much want to have children. They want to have children to the point that it hurts to go to other people’s children’s birthday parties or even to take a walk in the park for they may see other parents pushing baby carriages. So after some time of trying, they visit a doctor to see what the problem is. The book does not specify what the problem is but after several months of trying and treatment, the couple become pregnant and are very happy. Finally they will be able to give their own parents a grandchild, and finally it will no longer hurt to go to birthday parties or to see parents pushing baby carriages in the park. The book suggests that it was IVF which helped this couple have their child for they wonder at one point whether their child will be “different” because he was conceived in a “laboratory.” When their child turns out to be just “like all the other babies,” they are relieved, and in the end, they are now a “family.” The book takes a family building approach and employs the “labor of love” and “families are made differently” scripts. This, along with one other book written by Kátia Maria Straube in the same year, was the first children’s book about ART published in Brazil in 2010. Currently the book is available only in Portuguese. Recommended for children ages 3-5.
Available directly from the author: helenaprado@globo.com

LAB: o planeta que fabricava bebês

LAB: o planeta que fabricava bebês 
by Kátia Maria Straube 
illus. by Eliane Cássia Ramos 
Language: Portuguese 
Curitiba, Brazil: Expoente, 2010. 
28 p. : col. ill. 
ISBN: 9788598008462
My annotation: Lab: the planet that made babies was written by a psychologist and psychotherapist who works in the field of assisted human reproduction in Brazil. It was one of two children's books on ART published simultaneously in Brazil in 2010 and was one of the first to be published out of that country. It is the story of a planet in the “Test Tube Galaxy” where there are many unhappy couples because they cannot have children and so the population of the planet increases only slightly from year to year. Wondering what the problem is, the scientists on the planet begin to investigate exactly how babies are made and they discover that it is the cells of men and the cells of women that produce babies when they come together. (The way they come together naturally is not discussed). But why does it not work for some couples? The answer is complicated but they discover that they can invent ways for the cells to come together artificially. One way is through artificial insemination and the other is through in vitro fertilization. Thus these two methods are the ones discussed in the book (although egg donation is touched upon slightly later in the book). Because the term family is mentioned so many times, and because the conception of specific children in a specific family is not mentioned, this book takes a family-building approach and employs the “nuts and bolts” script. Even though the "nuts and bolts" of sex are not discussed, the "nuts and bolts" of these two methods of assisted reproduction are. Because this book is slightly less complicated than the second book in the series in that it mentions only two ART techniques, it is recommended for children ages 3-5. This is the first book in the “LAB” series by Kátia Maria Straube. The full-color cartoon illustrations are professionally rendered and it is currently only available in Portuguese.
Available: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Lab-O-Planeta-que-fabricava-beb%C3%AAs/226813834029296

The family troll

NAWRG 
written by Tyler and Jill Kirkham 
illus. by Tyler Kirkam
Language: English 
Available currently through Kickstarter: http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1561924987/the-family-troll-picture-book?fb_action_ids=10151236765632411&fb_action_types=og.likes&fb_source=timeline_og&action_object_map=%7B%2210151236765632411%22%3A470642286332799%7D&action_type_map=%7B%2210151236765632411%22%3A%22og.likes%22%7D&action_ref_map=%5B%5D#

Crime against nature: a more accurate telling of what's natural

Crime against nature: a more accurate telling of what's natural 
written and illus. by Gwenn Seemel 
Language: English
Gwenn Seemel, 2012 
Available: http://www.gwennseemel.com/index.php/paintings/from/category/crime/

Your tummy time : a surrogacy story

Your tummy time : a surrogacy story 
by Natalia Padgen 
illus. by Debbie Hester 
Language: English 
Natalia Padgen, 2013 
14 p. : col. ill. 
ISBN: 0646591665; 9780646591667 
Summary: Your Tummy Time - a surrogacy story will nurture your bond with your baby while you teach and share a healthy approach to life after surrogacy. As the world's first ever personalisable children's book on the subject, it allows you to handwrite both your child's and surrogate's name within the story and provides space to include family photos. This special book invites your child to immerse themselves in the story... their story. Creator and writer, Natalia Padgen, created this book while her surrogate was pregnant with her baby to promote positive memories and experiences, and avoid any awkward 'finding out' moment later in life. Natalia conducted research and consulted with an expert Psychologist and Family Therapist to ensure that content and language is relevant and leads to encouraging experiences. The book has been designed to become part of family history, rather than just a story book. 
Available: http://www.amazon.com/Your-Tummy-Time-surrogacy-story/dp/0646591665/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1360669751&sr=8-1&keywords=natalia+padgen+debbie+hester

De cadeaubuik

De cadeaubuik 
by Marlies Slegers 
illus. by Sandra Kelder-Verheem 
Language: Dutch 
[Nijkerk] : Van Brug, cop. 2012. 
41 p. : ill. ; 18 cm. 
ISBN: 9789065232571; 9065232575 
Summary: De Cadeaubuik is gebaseerd op het bijzondere en waargebeurde verhaal van twee zussen, Andra & Marianne. In dit (voor)leesboek over draagmoederschap wordt op een heldere en begrijpbare wijze wordt uitgelegd dat kinderen soms uit een andere buik geboren worden dan die van hun moeder. Het is geschreven door Marlies Slegers en kleurrijk geïllusteerd door Sandra Kelder - Verheem. De cadeaubuik is een bijzonder (voor)leesverhaal voor kinderen over draagmoederschap. Als Belle de hond van Tijn puppies krijgt vraag Tijn zich af waar de puppies heen gaan als ze geboren zijn. Mama vertelt hem dat ze voor de puppies een ander huis gaan zoeken. Het lijkt Tijn afschuwelijk voor Belle als haar kleintjes weggehaald worden. Mama vertelt hem dan het verhaal van twee zussen die allebei graag een baby willen. Alleen kan een van de zussen geen kindjes krijgen. Daarom mag ze de buik van de ander lenen om een baby in te laten groeien- een echte cadeaubuik. Tijn vindt het een prachtig verhaal, maar wat heeft het eigenlijk met hem te maken? De Cadeaubuik is een (voor)leesverhaal voor kinderen over draagmoederschap. Op een heldere en begrijpbare wijze wordt uitgelegd dat kinderen soms uit een andere buik geboren worden dan die van hun moeder. 
Available: http://www.ivfboeken.nl/nl/product/de-cadeaubuik--marlies-slegers--sandra-kelder---verheem/

Ha, die papa! : (een kinderboekje over KID)

Ha, die papa! : (een kinderboekje over KID) 
by Patricia van Amsterdam 
illus. by Wendy de Boer 
Language: Dutch 
[Voorburg, Netherlands] : www.jouwboek.nl, 2009. 
[29] p. : ill. ; 17 cm. 
ISBN: 9789087590703; 9087590709 
Summary: In eenvoudige taal en met paginagrote tekeningen in kleur wordt verteld, hoe het komt dat Tim en zijn zusje Anna geboren zijn, terwijl hun papa zelf geen kinderen kan krijgen. Vanaf ca. 4 t/m 6 jaar. 
Available: http://www.jouwboek.nl/
Author's email: amsterdamned@casema.nl

Een wereldwondertje

Een wereldwondertje 
by Mireille van Seggelen 
illus. by Anouk Braakhuis
Language: Dutch 
Budel [Netherlands] : MVS Creations, 2006. 
34 p. : col. ill. ; 15 x 21 cm. 
ISBN: 9081114913; 9789081114912 
My annotation: This is one of a handful of books written in the second person. The book begins to explain sperm donation to children as young as three, yet does not use the words “sperm” or “donation.” The book explains how “seeds” from boys and eggs from girls are needed to make a baby. When they meet, “a baby starts to grow in Mummy’s tummy.” Sometimes however, there are no seeds that can meet with Mummy’s egg so a “kind man” is needed to “help” Mummy have a baby. Since this book is about sperm donation in which a woman does not have access to sperm, it is suitable for both single mothers by choice as well as lesbian women. It takes a child-conception approach and employs “the helper” script. Full-color cartoon drawings depict both women with partners and women without partners. Recommended for children ages 3-5.
Available: http://www.mvscreations.nl/een-wereldwondertje/boekje-kid.html

Een wereldwondertje

Een wereldwondertje 
by Mireille van Seggelen. 
illus. by Anouk Braakhuis. 
Language: Dutch 
Budel [Netherlands] : MVS Creations , 2006.
34 p. ; ill. ; 15x21 
ISBN: 9789081114929 
Summary: Dit boekje is speciaal voor alle Eiceldonatie-wereldwondertjes. Met veel enthousiasme gemaakt om als hulpmiddel te gebruiken om het Eiceldonatie verhaal uit te leggen. 
Available: http://www.mvscreations.nl/een-wereldwondertje/boekje-eiceldonatie.html

Een wijzer wondertje

Een wijzer wondertje 
by Mireille van Seggelen 
illus. by Mark Baars 
Language: Dutch 
Budel [Netherlands] : MvS Creations, 2012. 
33 p. : ill. ; 22 cm. 
ISBN: 9789081114905; 9081114905 
Summary: Soms ontstaan kinderen op een bijzondere manier. Janneke (7) is geboren met behulp van een zaadje van een donor. Ze vraagt haar moeder om uitleg. Prentvertelling om kunstmatige inseminatie bespreekbaar te maken. Met tekeningen in felle kleuren. Vanaf ca. 7 t/m 9 jaar. 
Available: http://www.mvscreations.nl/een-wijzer-wondertje.html

A little miracle

A little miracle 
by Mireille van Seggelen 
illus. by Anouk Braakhuis 
Language: English 
Budel [Netherlands] : MVS Creations, 2010. 
30 p. : ill. ; 15 x 21 cm. 
ISBN: 9789081114950; 9081114956 
My annotation: This is one of a handful of books written in the second person. The book begins to explain sperm donation to children as young as three, yet does not use the words “sperm” or “donation.”  The book explains how “seeds” from boys and eggs from girls are needed to make a baby. When they meet, “a baby starts to grow in Mummy’s tummy.” Sometimes however, there are no seeds that can meet with Mummy’s egg so a “kind man” is needed to “help” Mummy have a baby. Since this book is about sperm donation in which a woman does not have access to sperm, it is suitable for both single mothers by choice as well as lesbian women. It takes a child-conception approach and employs “the helper” script. Full-color cartoon drawings depict both women with partners and women without partners. Recommended for children ages 3-5.
Available: http://www.mvscreations.nl/a-little-miracle/book-di-mum-mum.html

Een wereldwondertje

A world wonder 
by Mireille van Seggelen 
illus. by Anouk Braakhuis 
Language: English 
Budel [Netherlands]: MVS Creations, 2007. 
34 p. : Ill. , 15x21 cm. 
ISBN: 9789081114936 
Summary: Having children is not always easy. Sometimes children occur in a particular way. Print Narration to make. Ivf negotiable With framed drawings in bright colors. From approximately 4 t / m 8 years. 
Available: http://www.mvscreations.nl/een-wereldwondertje/boekje-ivf.html

The pea that was me: a sperm donation story

The pea that was me: a sperm donation story 
written and illustrated by Kimberly Kluger-Bell 
Language: English 
CreateSpace, 2013 
24 p. : ill. ; 22 x 22 cm.
ISBN: 1481157140 ; 97814811157148
My Amazon review: This book is dedicated to "all the miracle children of the world, their courageous parents, and their gracious donors." With an estimated 1 million children conceived via donor sperm since the last century, not enough books have been written about this topic for children. The Pea That Was Me is one that heterosexual parents can use with their children to help explain their use of donor sperm in order to conceive their child. The author also has an egg donor version and will be coming out with two more versions for embryo donation and donor/donor. The pictures are black and white and hand-drawn, and it is narrated by a little girl who explains: "When you put the sperm (from the man), together with the eggs (from the lady), it grows into a tiny pea, inside the lady's tummy." But when things don't work out the way mom and dad would like them to, some "very kind" men can give some of their sperm so that mommies and daddies can become mommies and daddies. The book does not go into any details about human reproduction making this a good book for parents who don't feel ready to talk about sex with their children yet want to start the talk early about their child's donor origins. Nor does the book use big words like "embryo," "fertilization," or "uterus". In fact, the book hints at the use of in vitro fertilization when the book states that the sperm was put together with the egg and then the "tiny pea that was me" was put into mommy's tummy. The author recommends this book for ages 3 and up and I agree. As a librarian who reads, researches, and collects all children's books on assisted reproductive technology, I can recommend this book as a good starting point for parents of young children to begin the process of sharing their child's donor origins with them. 
Available: http://www.amazon.com/Pea-that-was-Me-Donation/dp/1481157140/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1358338938&sr=1-1

Family gift

Family gift 
by Michal Matalon 
illustrated by Sigal Orgad-Doron
Language: Hebrew
Yehud Monosson [Israel] : Ofir Bikurim, 2012
28 p. ; col. ill.
Available: http://www.steimatzky.co.il/Steimatzky/Pages/Product.aspx?ProductID=10680210&CategoryID=1

Cloe quiere ser mamá

Cloe quiere ser mamá
by Rosa Maestro
illustrated by Bárbara Guillén Feltrer
Language: Spanish
Madrid: Editorial Chocolate, 2012
24 p. ; col. ill.
ISBN: 9788494075605
Summary:Chloe wants to be a mother, but how? She does not have a man in her life. This is the story of a woman lucky enough to be granted a wish by a shooting star and of all the things she could have asked for, her one wish was to become a mother. One day she wakes up to find a box under her pillow containing the seed she would need in order to make a baby. With the box is also a note telling her to go see a doctor who could put the seed in her tummy. As promised by the shooting star, Chloe becomes pregnant and when Chloe’s daughter is born, she begins to tell her the story of the shooting star and how her wish to be a mother was granted. The shooting star makes one more trip back to see Chloe after her daughter is born to tell her that now that she has a family, she is not to forget that it is a “very special family,” and to tell her daughter “that she was born because you wanted her so much.” And so, this is the story that Chloe tells her daughter every night before bed. This book employs the “helper” and “families are made differently” scripts and takes both a child-conception and a family-building approach. The color illustrations are professionally rendered and it is recommended for ages 3-5. Also available in English as Chloe wants to be a mother.
Available: http://www.amazon.es/CLOE-QUIERE-MAMA-ROSA-MAESTRO/dp/B00DHQ009A/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1392586386&sr=1-1&keywords=cloe+quiere+ser+mama

האבאים של גל ונועה / ha-Abaʼim shel Gal ṿe-Noʻah

האבאים של גל ונועה / ha-Abaʼim shel Gal ṿe-Noʻah 
by פנקס, שוש. Shosh Pinḳas
illus. by Julia Filipone-Erez 
Language: Hebrew 
רימונים, Ramat Gan : Rimonim, 2012. 
21 p. : col. ill. ; 23 x 23 cm.
Summary: בּוֹאוּ נְשַׂחֵק בְּ'אַבָּא וְאַבָּא', אָמְרָה גַּל בֶּחָצֵר לְמִרְיָם. "אֵיךְ אֶפְשָׁר? מַה פִּתְאוֹם? מִשְׂחָק כְּזֶה לֹא קַיָּם!" "בֶּטַח שֶׁכֵּן! בֶּטַח שֶׁיֵּשׁ!" נוֹעָה מִיָּד קָפְצָה בְּשִׂמְחָה, "בּוֹא נְשַׂחֵק בְּ'אַבָּא וְאַבָּא', בְּדִיּוּק כְּמוֹ אֶצְלֵנוּ בַּמִּשְׁפָּחָה." "אֵין בָּעוֹלָם דָּבָר כָּזֶה," אָמַר בְּקוֹל זוֹעֵף, נָבוֹת, "אַף פַּעַם לֹא שָׁמַעְתִּי עַל מִשְׁפָּחָה עִם שְׁנֵי אָבוֹת. בָּנִים הֲרֵי לֹא מִתְחַתְּנִים עִם בָּנִים. חֲתֻנּוֹת זֶה תָּמִיד לְכַלּוֹת וּלְחֲתָנִים." לנועה ולגל יש שני אבות. איתי ויואב, שנקראים בשמות החיבה אבאתי ואבאיו. נועה וגל נולדו לזוג הורים גברים, בתהליך שנקרא פונדקאות, בעזרתן של שתי נשים יקרות שאפשרו את הגעתן של התאומות לעולם. בספר ייחודי זה, מביאה שוש פנקס את סיפורן של נועה וגל, סיפור משותף למשפחות רבות, חד מיניות במדינת ישראל ובעולם כולו. ספר אמיץ וחשוב שמקומו בספריות הגן בישראל ובבתים שיש בהם ילדים סקרנים שמחפשים תשובות למשפחות השונות והמגוונות שהם רואים סביבם.
Library of Congress Subject Headings:

• Gay fathers -- Juvenile literature
• Families -- Juvenile literature

Available: http://sifrutgea.wix.com/sifrutgea1#!__childrenbooks/vstc2=abaim

A tiny itsy bitsy gift of life, an egg donor story for boys

A tiny itsy bitsy gift of life, an egg donor story for boys 
by Carmen Martínez Jover 
illus. by Rosemary Martínez 
Language: English 
[Ciudad de México, México] : Carmen Martínez Jover, ©2011. 
30 p. : col. ill. ; 21 cm. 
ISBN: 6070050622; 9786070050626 
Amazon description: Now-a-days many children are born through egg donation. This touching story of how a happy couple of rabbits have their own baby by means of egg donation. Using rabbits in this story enables children to easily understand their conception in a simple and loving way. 
Available: http://www.amazon.com/tiny-itsy-bitsy-donor-story/dp/6070050622/ref=sr_1_10?ie=UTF8&qid=1354961530&sr=8-10&keywords=carmen+martinez+jover

Iris, jolie fleurette

Iris, jolie fleurette 
bySwan-Lee Bligodese 
illus. by Gwenaelle Desbois 
Language: French 
Société des Ecrivains, 2009 
42 pp. 
ISBN: 9782748044768 
Summary: Raconte la merveilleuse histoire d’une petite plante. Comment elle a été créée, comment elle est venue au monde. Mais l’amour ne suffit pas toujours pour se reproduire. Les parents d’Iris n’arrivaient pas à avoir un bébé, et les années passaient. Alors, ils se sont fait aider par la médecine. Et leur rêve a fini par se réaliser: le miracle a pris forme!
Available: http://www.chapitre.com/CHAPITRE/fr/BOOK/desbois-gwenaelle-bligodese-swan-lee/iris-jolie-fleurette,27402435.aspx

Mi pequeño milagro

Mi pequeño milagro 
by Pilar Dolz del Castellar Pareja 
[ilustraciones, Irene, Isabel y Blanca Rincón de Arellano]. 
Language: Spanish 
[Valencia?] P. Dolz [2004] 
12 p. il. col. 20 x 20 cm. 
ISBN: 9788460798811 
Summary: Mi pequeño milagro es un cuento para leer a sus hijos pequeños, formando parte del repertorio de lecturas infantiles. Relata de forma sencilla y breve cómo se conciben los hijos mediante la técnica de reproducción asistida con donación de óvulos, haciendo hincapié en que el proceso de embarazo y nacimiento, no es distinto al de concebidos en forma natural, y que de existir alguna diferencia, es precisamente que los hijos que nacen gracias a esta técnica son “especialmente deseados”. La idea que impulsa la creación de este cuento, nace como respuesta a la inquietud de muchas parejas en tratamiento de reproducción asistida. Parejas que piden consejo para la toma de decisión ante opciones como la donación de óvulos u espermatozoides como única alternativa a su deseo de ser padres. Una vez madurada la decisión es habitual que los potenciales padres se angustien con dudas y preguntas acerca de cómo decirles a sus hijos que la ciencia hizo posible que ellos nacieran. Y aunque los cuentos están destinados a los niños, MI PEQUEÑO MILAGRO es un mensaje y está dirigido también a los mayores para que coprendan que a veces las cosas son más sencillas de explicar cuando llega el momento, de lo que erróneamente anticipamos. Contiene un prólogo con consejos y pautas para ayudar a los padres tomar libremente su decisión sobre decirle o no decirle. Este es un aporte de la Psicóloga Pilar Dolz del Castellar pareja para todas esas parejas que buscan con ilusión formar una familia y no se rinden jamás. El cuento está disponible en UNIFERTES para las pacientes que deseen adquirirlo. 
Available: http://pilardolzdelcastellar.host56.com/comprar/index.html

Y nosotros--¿de dónde venimos?

Y nosotros--¿de dónde venimos? 
by Isabel Carmen Rodríguez García.
illus. by M. Luisa Guerrero 
Language: Spanish 
[Alicante] : ONG por la No Discriminación, 2008. 
[22] p. il. col. 30 cm. 
ISBN: 9788493624408; 8493624403 
Summary: Isabel, junto a su pareja, Elisa, siempre tuvieron claro que un día sería madres. Imaginó cómo le explicaría a sus hijos, cuando llegase el momento, de donde venían... “¡Les contaré un cuento!, que es el mejor medio para llegar a ellos”. 
My annotation: This story begins one night during bedtime story time when the author’s children ask, “Mama, we have two mothers?” “You already know you do,” she responds. “Then where did we come from?” her son follows up. So begins this gentle story of how two women, Elisa and Isabel, loved each other very much, lived together for many years, and wanted to start a family. At first they did not know how they could start a family and after several months they decide to visit their gynecologist. She explains to them that she could give one of them “injections” so that they could become pregnant. They decide Isabel would carry the baby. The couple is very disappointed though that it takes so many tries to have a baby, but after several attempts, Isabel finally becomes pregnant and they just know it is going to be a boy. They are very happy. There is no mention of a donor in this book, nor a description of how babies are made with sperm or eggs, and the vagina is referred to as a “special hole where babies come from their mother’s bellies.” The story ends when her son asks again, “Mom, why hadn’t you told us this story before?” And mom responds, “The truth is, I did not know if you were ready to hear it,” echoing the concerns of many mothers who had their children via ART. The book takes a family-building approach because the author emphasizes wanting to start a family with her partner and employs the labor of love script because in this book, their child was conceived in love. There is no mention of a "helper" or the use of "spare parts." Because of the lack of specific vocabulary in this book, it is not especially recommended for older children but rather young children ages 3-5. It is only available in Spanish.
Available: http://www.buscalibre.com/y-nosotros-de-donde-venimos-isabel-carmen-rodriguez-ong-por-la-no-discriminacion/p/hf48hny
Available: http://www.trabajemosporelmundo.org/ong-nd/editorial_nd_conjunto.html

Así fue como llegaste : un libro para hablar con niños por donación de espermatozoides

Así fue como llegaste : un libro para hablar con niños  por donación de espermatozoides
by Silvia Jadur and Constanza Duhalde
illus. by Claudia Degliuomini 
Language: Spanish
Buenos Aires : Ediciones Agua va, 2010 
32 pp. : col. ill. ; 18 x 18 cm.
ISBN: 9789872605216; 9872605211 
Summary: Agua va... se ocupa de historias que deben fluir entre los grandes y los chicos; páginas que despejan dudas y buscan las respuestas con claridad y ternura. Hay un momento en que los niños preguntan cómo llegaron al mundo. De qué modo y por qué fueron concebidos. Aveces; en esta historia de amor; fue necesaria la ayuda médica para hacer posible el embarazo. Este es un libro que permite poner imágenes y apoyar las palabras con que los padres pueden dar respuesta a esas preguntas. 
My annotation: Written in Spanish and from Argentina, this is the simple story of a couple who met, fell in love, and wanted to have children. When much time passed and they could not get pregnant, they went to see a doctor who performed much research and determined that the dad’s sperm could not make a baby. The couple was very sad, but the doctor told them about sperm donors and how these are men who think all people should be able to have a baby if they want one. So the couple decided to use a donor’s sperm. It was placed in a dish with the woman’s egg and when an embryo formed, it was carefully placed inside the woman’s belly. (Although this is a description of IVF, the term is not introduced). Mom’s tummy got bigger and bigger and then the long-awaited baby was born and everyone was so happy. The words, “sperm,” “egg,” “uterus,” and “embryo” are introduced. The book takes both a child-conception and a family-building approach and employs “the helper” script. There are full color illustrations and the book is recommended for children ages 3-5.
Available: http://www.californiaspanishbooks.com/prod_info.asp?ID=227778&name=As%C3%AD%20fue%20como%20Llegaste.%20Donaci%C3%B3n%20de%20Espermatozoides

Así fue como llegaste: fertilización asistida

Así fue como llegaste: fertilización asistida
by Silvia Jadur and Constanza Duhalde
illus. by Claudia Degliuomini
Language: Spanish
Buenos Aires, Argentina: Editorial Biblos, 2010
34 pp. 
ISBN: 9789872605223; 987260522X
Summary: Agua Va... se ocupa de historias que deben fluir entre los grandes y los chicos; páginas que despejan dudas y buscan las respuestas con claridad y ternura.Hay un momento en que los niños preguntan cómo llegaron al mundo. De qué modo y por qué fueron concebidos. Aveces; en esta historia de amor; fue necesaria la ayuda médica para hacer posible el embarazo.Este es un libro que permite poner imágenes y apoyar las palabras con que los padres pueden dar respuesta a esas preguntas. 
Available: http://www.californiaspanishbooks.com/prod_info.asp?ID=227787&name=Asi%20fue%20como%20Llegaste.%20Fertilizaci%C3%B3n%20Asistida

Así fue como llegaste: donación de óvulos

Así fue como llegaste: donación de óvulos
by Silvia Jadur and Constanza Duhalde
illus. by Claudia Degliuomini
Language: Spanish
Buenos Aires, Argentina: Editorial Biblos, 2010
34 pp.
ISBN: 9789872605209; 9872605203
Summary: Agua va... se ocupa de historias que deben fluir entre los grandes y los chicos; páginas que despejan dudas y buscan las respuestas con claridad y ternura.Hay un momento en que los niños preguntan cómo llegaron al mundo. De qué modo y por qué fueron concebidos. Aveces; en esta historia de amor; fue necesaria la ayuda médica para hacer posible el embarazo.Este es un libro que permite poner imágenes y apoyar las palabras con que los padres pueden dar respuesta a esas preguntas.
Available: http://www.buscape.com.ar/asi-fue-como-llegaste-donacion-de-ovulos-9872605203.html#precios

לתומר יש אמא / Le-Tomer yesh ima / Tomer has a mother

לתומר יש אמא / Le-Tomer yesh ima / Tomer has a mother
by נורמן, סילביה. Silviyah Norman
illus. by Carlos Agonin 
Language: Hebrew
רמות, Kefar Sava : Ramot, 2004.
[20] p. : ill. ; 23 cm.
ISBN: 9659069502; 9789659069507
Summary: הספר "לתומר יש אמא", של הסופרת סילביה נורמן, מסביר לילדים על החיים ללא אב מתוך בחירה "...חייך הרופא ואמר שהוא יודע: את רוצה שיהיה לך ילד פרח! בבית החולים יזריעו לך זרע, כמו שלאמא אדמה זורעים זרע של פרח, ויפרח בבטנך ילד כמו פרח מקסים...". הספר "לתומר יש אמא" עוסק בנושא האמהות מתרומת זרע באופן פתוח וציורי המעביר היטב את הנושא לילדים בגילאי שלוש עד חמש. במרכז הסיפור אם, המחליטה להביא לעולם ילד מתרומת זרע, דבר המומחש היטב תוך שימוש בעולם מושגים המאפשר לילדים באשר הם להתחבר לתהליך הטכני של התרומה. הסופרת סילביה נורמן העמידה מושג חדש, "ילד פרח", המדגים באופן ציורי את היווצרות הילד מתרומת הזרע ומאפשר לכל מבוגר (פסיכולוג, גננת או הורה) לעסוק בנושא באופן ישיר ועדין כאחד, שירתק את הילד וייצור לו תמונה מוחשית ויפה. הספר מעלה את מכלול הרגשות המלווים את ההחלטה להביא לעולם ילד מתרומת זרע, ללא כל טיוח רגשי, ובכך מחדד את המסר שזה לגיטימי וחשוב להרגיש גם רגשות קשים, אך בו בעת לדעת שניתן לצמוח גם מהם. בספר מוזכרות דמויות המוכרות לילדים, כדמבו, פיטר פן ועוד, שגם להן אין אבא, דבר המאפשר לילדים להזדהות עם מגוון משפחות ייחודיות דרך אותן דמויות אהובות. הספר תורם רבות להסבר לגבי איך נולדים ילדים במשפחות מסוגים שונים, ובמקביל מאפשר לכל ילד למצוא את משפחתו בין דפי הספר, בין שהיא מתוארת בו ובין שהיא מצוירת על ידי הילד עצמו. "חשוב היה לי בספר לתת ביטוי לרגשות האם, שהתגברה על העצב על כך שאין לה חבר שיהיה אב לילדה בכך שעשתה מעשה נפלא וחיובי: הביאה את הילד שלה לעולם", מסבירה נורמן. "לדעתי זה עוזר להדגיש את העניין שכל ביטוי רגש הוא לגיטימי. "ראשית, אומרים לילד שמותר להיות עצוב על ה'אין-אבא', אך בו בעת מראים לו כיצד ניתן להתגבר ולצמוח משם, וזה יכול ללוות אותו בכל התנסות שיחווה בעתיד. שנית, גם מעבירים כך את המסר שאבא הוא מושג חשוב, וזו הסיבה שהוויתור על אבא לילד מעציב את האמא. לאורך כל הספר רואים את האושר הגדול גם כשאין אבא במשפחה, ורק העצב המוזכר בתחילת הסיפור מרמז על חשיבותו של מושג 'אב'". "לתומר יש אמא", מאת: סילביה נורמן, איורים: קרלוס אגונין, הוצאת רמות ייעוץ למצוינות 
Available: http://www.steimatzky.co.il/Steimatzky/Pages/SearchResult.aspx?SearchType=Simple&SearchSimpleText=%D7%9C%D7%AA%D7%95%D7%9E%D7%A8%20%D7%99%D7%A9%20%D7%90%D7%9E%D7%90