Birds of a different feather
by Kelly Wendel
Language: English
Mustang, Okla. : Tate Pub & Enterprises, ©2011.
1 v. (unpaged) : col. ill. ; 23 cm.
ISBN: 1617771872; 9781617771873
$9.99
Reading level: 4-8
Summary: Soon, Gosling wants siblings. She searches high and low. In the grass and thistles, she finds a baby duckling. She loves the new baby so much that she wants another bird to make the family complete. She soon finds a baby chicken under an oak tree. Come see how these Birds of a Different Feather make their own unique family.
Birds of a Different Feather is a beautifully illustrated and uplifting story of a family that is formed differently than most. This book speaks directly to families comprised of members with differing genetic backgrounds such as adoptive and foster families, blended families with step and half siblings, and families assisted by extensive reproductive technology. However, it shares a message of love and acceptance for all families through its whimsical text and enchanting artistry.
Available: http://kelleywendel.tateauthor.com/
Available: http://www.amazon.com/Birds-Different-Feather-Kelley-Wendel/dp/1617771872/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1338465933&sr=1-1
The Adventures of Princess Mommy: A Fairy Tale for Single Mothers and Their Children
written and illustrated by Ali Sherwin
Language: English
Montclair, NJ: 13th Moon, c2009.
30 p. : col. ill. ; 22 x 28 cm.
ISBN: 9780981955910
My annotation: This is a personal fairy tale written by the “Princess Mommy” for her child. She relates the story of how she looked very hard to find the right prince in order to make a baby with. After she meets several colorful characters who do not measure up to her expectations for fatherhood, she finally decides to go to a “Wise Woman” to obtain a “magic seed” that can be placed inside of her "egg" in order to make a baby. The Wise Woman directs her to a tree with so many magic seeds she is at first overwhelmed, but she picks ten and brings them home to her family who help her pick just the right one to make a baby with. In the end she gets her desired child and tells her child that she “was much happier than she would have been if she had married one of those Frog Princes, because those guys weren’t good enough for Mommy and they weren’t good enough for you.” This book about choosing single motherhood via sperm donation is a personal story that might not work for your family story as it is very specific to this mother’s own experiences of trying to find her Prince. However, this book takes a family-building approach and employs the “labor of love” script. Full-color illustrations are hand-drawn by the author. Recommended for children ages 3-5.
Available: http://13thmoon.net/html/mommy.html
The Baby Kangaroo Treasure Hunt, a gay parenting story
written by Carmen Martínez Jover
illustrated by Rosemary Martínez.
Language: English
[Mexico] : Carmen Martínez Jover, ©2009.
16 pp.
ISBN: 6070008464; 9786070008467
$17.00
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.carmenmartinezjover.com/librocanguro.html
Available: http://www.amazon.com/Baby-Kangaroo-Treasure-parenting-story/dp/6070008464/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1338465488&sr=1-1
Bayje's Story: An IVF Tale for Little People
by Tanisha Danyette Brandon
Language: English
Baltimore, Md. : Publishamerica Inc, 2010.
1 v. (unpaged) : col. ill. ; 22 cm.
ISBN: 1448970024; 9781448970025
Summary: Some babies grow in their mommy's hearts; some grow in their mommy's stomachs. This is the story of a baby that grew in both. Told in easy to understand language, this true tale describes the journey of an IVF baby from conception to birth. With real photographs, IVF toddlers everywhere will delight in sharing Bayje's story, and hopefully better understand their own. Great for a night time story or just cuddle time.
Available: http://www.publishamerica.net/product36500.html
Les bébés naissent dans les épuisettes
texte de Pascale Tonin
illus. by Hector
Language: French
Summary: A little boy explains his assisted conception to his friend.
Full text available online: http://sd-2.archive-host.com/membres/up/199489827563849191/bebepuisette.pdf
Graine de bébé: mais par où passent les bébés?
texte de Thierry Lenain
illus. by Serge Bloch
Language: French
Paris : Nathan : VUEF , DL2009
1 vol. (non paginé [32 p.]) ill. en coul. 24 cm
ISBN: 2092110381, 9782092110386
Summary: Ce livre fait l’inventaire plutôt réaliste des questions que se posent certains enfants très tôt. Il y apporte des réponses précises et techniques, y compris sur la fécondation in vitro et l’accouchement par césarienne, avec des mots simples.
Zoé, bébé : autre mode d'emploi
Sylvie Tiné-Brisseau
Language: French
Ed. Association de compétences, 2000
Le mystère des graines à bébé
by Serge Tisseron
illus. by Aurélie Guillerey.
Language: French
Paris : A. Michel jeunesse, DL 2008
1 vol. (non paginé [40] p.) : ill. en coul., couv. ill. en coul. ; 19 x 24 cm.
ISBN: 9782226180131; 2226180133
Summary: Petit Paul vient de découvrir comment on fait les bébés. Mais ses parents lui disent : " petit Paul chéri, pour toi ça ne s'est pas passé comme ça. On ne sait pas comment te l'expliquer... ". heureusement, ses amis la chouette, l'éléphant, le lézard et le pingouin lui dévoilent le mystère des techniques médicales qui aident les parents à avoir de beaux bébés. Un album indispensable pour que chaque enfant puisse connaître l'histoire de sa naissance. Et que ses parents - une maman et un papa ou deux mamans, ou deux papas...- trouvent les mots pour lui raconter simplement l'amour, la conception, la procréation médicalement assistée.
My annotation: Little Paul’s teacher has just taught the students how babies are made the natural way and little Paul goes home to tell his parents what he has learned. But mom and dad seem a little troubled. “For you it did not happen that way,” his parents tell him. “We did not know how to explain it to you,” they continue. So Little Paul sets out determined to find all the ways babies can be made. He goes to a series of animal friends, who explain fertilization, in vitro fertilization, donor assistance, adoption, and embryo donation. About donor assistance, Little Paul asks if it is possible to know the donor and his animal friend tells him that in some countries you can know and in other countries you can’t. Little Paul then asks about the doctor. “Does he know? “Yes,” says his friend, to which Little Paul replies: “Why would the doctor have the right to know where I come from, and not me?” His animal friend also tells him that some parents are afraid to tell their child because they are afraid the child will love them less. “What a strange idea! I hope that if I was born like that, my dad and my mom would have told me right away!” says Little Paul. In the end we do not know how Paul was conceived but when he goes home, his parents sit him down and tell him all about it. The book includes a helpful glossary at the end for words like, anonymous donor, embryo, fertilization, IVF, gametes, and assisted reproductive technology. The book takes a child-conception approach and employs the “helper” and “nut & bolts” scripts. Recommended for children ages 5-8 and available only in French.
Available: http://www.amazon.fr/Le-myst%C3%A8re-graines-%C3%A0-b%C3%A9b%C3%A9/dp/2226180133/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1353808168&sr=8-1
A dream come true : talking to your child about assisted reproduction
Christo Zouves, M.D ; with Linda Attell and Holly Bea
illustrated by Sarah Fox.
Language: English
Daly City, CA. : Zouves Fertility Center, 2004.
27 p. : col. ill. ; 22 x 26 cm.
ISBN: 0976473801; 9780976473800
My Annotation: Written by a reproductive endocrinologist, this book aims to explain the basics of human reproduction as well as assisted reproduction when and why there might be a need for it. It introduces children to some very big words like “intracytoplasmic sperm injection” and “sperm chromatin structure assay,” as well as the more common terms found in children’s books on ART, like in vitro fertilization, egg donation, sperm donation, and surrogacy. Unlike other children’s books on ART, this book is narrated by several children who were all conceived in different ways. There is Michael, a twin, conceived via IVF. There is PJ, conceived via egg donation. There is Sophie, brought into the world via surrogacy. And there are Katie and Mei Lin, both conceived via IUI and donor insemination, Katie to a heterosexual couple, and Mei Lin to a lesbian couple. In these vignettes, all the children explain the reasons where and why that particular ART method was used to conceive them, for example, Michael’s mom’s eggs “couldn’t travel through her tubes” and his dad’s sperm “couldn’t swim to the egg” so mom’s eggs and dad’s sperm were put in a petri dish where they could join together to form an embryo. The book includes a glossary though it does not include the term IUI even though it is introduced in the book. The last few pages are devoted to spaces for family photos, the names of the doctors who helped bring them into the world, the names of the helpers, and a picture of the ultrasound, clearly acknowledging all the work that went into bringing them into the world and to “shift their focus from making a family to being a family.” Cartoon drawings resembling children’s drawings depict no nudity. Recommended for children ages 5-8.
Available: http://www.goivf.com
Constantin et L'Invitro
[author: Lia Singh] ; [ill.: Alain Longet].
Language: French
Lausanne : LEP, Loisirs et pédagogie, cop. 2000.
[48] S. : Ill. ; 17 cm.
ISBN: 2606008448; 9782606008444
From the PR leaflet: 'An 8 years old girl ... tells her [mother] "I, too, will get injections in order to have a baby".
More information: http://www.women.it/cyberarchive/files/bryld.htm
The journey of the stars who conceived a new Baby: Pink Star
Produced by New Shining Stars LLC
Language: English
New Shining Stars LLC, 2010
ISBN: 0984477004; 9780984477005
All 7 for $56.00
Reading level: Ages 6-12
Summary: A male and female reproductive egg cells, portrayed as Blue and as a Pink Stars respectively, had to overcome many obstacles along their journey to the Fertile Grounds to: unite, fertilize, implant and finally conceive a new human baby.
other books in the series:
Blue Stars
Tiny, the blue star
The battle for Pink Star
Fertilization & Implantation
The Rose & the Fetus
The Unborn Baby
Available: http://journeyofthestars.webs.com/
Mom and Me...the Way It Should Be!
by Tina Rella
illustrated by Monica Meza
Produced by Molly Summer
Language: English
CreateSpace, 2010.
Summary: Shalisse is shopping for groceries with Mom, practicing some of the new words she learned to read in school. She sees some balloons at the checkout counter that spell out "Happy Father's Day." "Mom," she asks, "Why don't I have a father?" Mom tells Shalisse about the unforgettable journey she took to have her, using a sperm donor.
Available: http://lovemakesafamilybooks.com/books-assisted-reproduction.html
Daddy and Pop
by Tina Rella
illustrated by Monica Meza
Produced by Molly Summer
Language: English
CreateSpace, c2010
26 p. : col. ill. ; 26 x 21 cm.
ISBN: 1450554113; 9781450554114
My annotation: When Jessie’s first grade class is asked to draw pictures of their families, Jessie is the first to offer to share hers. When she is all done talking about her two daddies, a girl in her class asks, “Where’s your mom?” to which Jessie replies that she does not have one. “You have to have a mom,” the little girl says. “How could you be born if you didn’t have a mom?” When her daddies pick her up from school and ask her about her day, Jessie asks, apparently for the first time ever, “Am I supposed to have a mom?” to which she does not get an immediate answer from her fathers, but rather a “why do you ask?” question. When she asks where she came from, her daddy replies, “Now THAT is a very special story.” And so they tell her about the “pretty girl” who gave them an egg and the “lovely lady” who carried her to term. The story is partially told in a rhyme that in some parts does not make sense and detracts from the story. The book takes a family-building approach and employs the “helper” script. Recommended for children ages 5-8.
Library of Congress subject headings:
- Children of gay parents -- Pictorial works -- Juvenile fiction
- Gay fathers - Pictorial works -- Juvenile fiction
- Children of gay parents
Available: http://lovemakesafamilybooks.com/books-assisted-reproduction.html
Available: http://www.amazon.com/Daddy-Pop-Tina-Rella/dp/1450554113
One More Giraffe
by Kim Noble
illustrated by Stephanie Gibson
Language: English
[United States] : [s.n.], ©2009.
1 v. (unpaged) : col. ill. ; 16 x 18 cm.
ISBN: 0692005781; 9780692005781
$9.95
Summary: There are many giraffes in Africa. Over 100,000 of them! But, there were two giraffes that wanted there to be one more giraffe. They wanted their own family. They tried and they tried. But a baby giraffe never came. They were very sad. Then they met a kind lady giraffe who wanted to help them. She gave them a very special gift. A doctor helped them with the gift so that they could try to become a Mommy and a Daddy. Not much later, the doctor told them that they were going to have a baby. They were so excited! They patiently waited for the baby to come. They waited... and they waited. Finally, the day came! The baby giraffe was born. They were a proud and happy family. The new Mommy and Daddy loved their baby more than anything else in the whole world.
Available: http://www.onemoregiraffe.com/
Available: http://www.amazon.com/One-More-Giraffe-Kim-Noble/dp/0692005781/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1338463324&sr=1-1
Surrogacy, a Magical Delivery
by Tamra Martin
illustrated by Jason Tinker
Language: English
Durham, CT : Strategic Book Group, ©2011.
27 p. ; col. ill. ; 28 cm.
ISBN: 9781609762100; 160976210X
$13.00
Summary: A comforting and tender tale of an opossum family longing for a baby of their own. When they learn that they are unable to have a baby the conventional way, they embark on a mission to seek out other alternatives. As the opossum family continues on their quest, they persevere through many obstacles to reach their goal.
Available:http://www.amazon.com/Surrogacy-Magical-Delivery-Tamra-Martin/dp/160976210X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1338463150&sr=1-1
The Egg Lady
by Nance Ellen
illustrated by Lon Eric Craven
Language: English
Bittersweet Books, c2009.
33 pages
ISBN: 9780615305981
$16.95
Reading level: Ages 3-6
Review: A “loving couple” wishes and hopes for a baby to share their love with but no baby comes. One day a beautiful woman who calls herself “the egg lady” appears at their door and offers to help them have a baby in the form of a basket of eggs. The couple is encouraged to pick one beautiful egg which the Egg Lady assures them will help them have their baby. Includes an “Our Story” section for readers to share with their children.
Available: http://www.bittersweetbooks.net/
A very special baby (for donor conceived children)
by Amanda MacLeod
illustrated by Sam Taylor
Language: English
[Napier, N.Z. : A. MacLeod, 2010]
1 v. (unpaged) : col. ill. ; 21 cm.
ISBN: 9780473178062; 0473178060
$95.00 for the set of 5
Summary: Simple introductory stories for young children who are born with the help of egg, sperm and embryo donation.
Other books in the series:
- egg donation
- sperm donation
- embryo donation
- sperm donation to a single woman
- sperm donation to a same sex couple
Available: http://www.dreambaby.co.nz
I can't wait to meet you
by Claudia Santorelli-Bates
illus. by Caleb Sawyer
Language: English
Santa Monica, Calif. : So No Wonder Pub., 2010.
ISBN: 9780615319353; 0615319351
p. cm.
$15.99
Reading level: 6-9.
Summary: Grace and Charlie, a married couple, want to have a baby, but the pregnancy test always shows Grace is not pregnant. So, the couple conceive a baby through in vitro fertilization. Provides a step-by-step description of this method of conception.
Available: http://www.icantwaittomeetyou.com/
Available: http://www.amazon.com/I-Cant-Wait-Meet-You/dp/0615319351/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1338462686&sr=1-1
I love my family: a book about assisted conception for young children
by Tammy Troute-Wood
illus. by Brent Patrick Gough
Language: English
[United States] : www.myIVFbooks.com, ©2011.
1 v. (unpaged) : col. ill. ; 26 cm.
ISBN: 9780986810701; 0986810703
$18.99
Reading level: Ages 3-5
Summary: I loVe my Family: A book about assisted conception for young children provides an age-appropriate story for 3 to 5 year olds. The book’s use of diverse pictures, inclusive language, accurate anatomy and family activities provide a tool to explain all manners of assisted conception for all families. The book offers parents information on how to prepare, set the stage and answer questions. The colouring pages provide an opportunity to engage in conversation about values including love, hope and family. A glossary provides alternative words to use for those who prefer plain language rather than medical terminology. The reproductive puzzle allows all families to piece together and celebrate their own family story.
Available: http://myivfbooks.com/
Available: http://www.amazon.com/loVe-Family-assisted-conception-children/dp/0986810703/ref=lh_ni_t
Miracle baby : [how babies are made the IVF way]
by Jennifer Bennett
illus. by Ailsa Hitton
Language: English
CreateSpace, ©2010.
1 v. (unpaged) : col. ill. ; 26 cm.
ISBN: 9781452811574; 1452811571
$14.95
Summary: "This beautifully illustrated and fun to read book explains, in a simple and loving way, how babies are conceived with the help of in vitro fertilization" -- Cover back.
Available: http://www.amazon.com/Miracle-Baby-How-Babies-Made/dp/1452811571/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1353842054&sr=8-1&keywords=9781452811574
Why I'm so special : a book about surrogacy
written by Carla Lewis-Long
illustrated by Jean-Claude Michel
edited by Bryna Jean-Marie.
Language: English
Bloomington, IN : AuthorHouse, ©2010.
1 v. (unpaged) ; col. ill. ; 22 cm.
ISBN: 143899656X; 9781438996561
$16.95
Reading level: 2-5
Summary: "This book tackles a very difficult, complicated subject in a sweet, whimisical way. A lighthearted picture book on surrogacy."--Cover p. [4].
Available: http://carladanielle.com/
Available: http://www.amazon.com/Why-Im-So-Special-Surrogacy/dp/143899656X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1338462022&sr=8-1
Then there was you : an IVF story
by Karly Wegner
illus.by Deanna Bresnehan
Language: English
Greenslopes, Qld. : Explaining Conception, 2010.
1 v.
ISBN: 9780980823301; 0980823307
$25.00 AUD
Reading level: Preschool age
Summary: It is a beautifully illustrated, detailed story of IVF which is designed to be read to children from a young age through to the time they can read it themselves.
Available: http://www.explainingconception.com.au/
And Tango makes three
by Justin Richardson; Peter Parnell
illus. by Henry Cole
Language: English
New York : Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, ©2005.
1 v. (unpaged) : col. ill. ; 23 x 29 cm.
ISBN: 0689878451; 9780689878459
$9.99
Readling level: Ages 4-8
Summary: At New York City's Central Park Zoo, two male penguins fall in love and start a family by taking turns sitting on an abandoned egg until it hatches.
Review: Central Park Zoo penguins Roy and Silo act like their male/female counterparts and do everything together. Watching the other penguin pairs build a nest, they too build a nest, but unlike the other penguins, their nest remains empty until one day their zookeeper finds an egg that needs to be cared for and brings it to their nest, where it eventually hatches, and Roy and Silo become parents together. Wonderful and clear illustrations. Included on this list because this story can be used as a metaphor for embryo donation and for same sex couples.
Available: http://www.amazon.com/Tango-Makes-Three-Justin-Richardson/dp/0689878451/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1353843299&sr=1-1&keywords=and+tango+makes+three+by+justin+richardson+and+peter+parnell
