My mothers and I: The story of Regina and Vanessa
written by Helena Prado Lopes
illus. by Alessandra Tozi
Language: Spanish
[Santa Cecilia, SP]: Helena Prado Lopes, 2013.
16 p. : Col. ill. , 22 x 22 cm.
ISBN: 97885XXXXXXXX
My annotation: The first children’s book published out of Brazil on lesbian couples, this story about the use of donor sperm in lesbian households is really two stories in one. In the first part, we are introduced to Regina and Vanessa who have been together for five years and want to have a child but have trouble deciding whether to adopt or have their own, and if they decide to have their own, who will carry the child. When they finally decide, they visit a clinic that will work with lesbians. IVF is described as Regina’s egg is placed in a dish with a donor’s sperm. There is no discussion of how a sperm donor is selected, other than that sperm donors are “good and giving people” who leave their seed at the clinic because they want to help women have children. The second half of the story introduces us to Alice, Regina and Vanessa’s daughter, who is now six years old. It is assumed that she has already been told of her donor origins because the first half of the book is actually about what her parents went through to have her and because the book is also about her. Alice is described as a happy little girl who was “really really wanted” and who lives in a family like all other loving families except for the fact that she has two mothers. Because Alice’s conception is described in the first part of the book and her family life is described in the second half of the book, this book takes both a child-conception and a family-building approach. It also employs both “the helper” and the “labor of love” scripts. The book shows how much children of gay parents are wanted and loved in addition to teaching children about the process of their assisted conception. The full color illustrations are professionally rendered and it is recommended for children ages 5-8. Simultaneously published in both Portuguese and Spanish (not in English yet) and available directly from the author.
Available directly from the author: helenaprado@globo.com
Megan and Mommy
written by Elizabeth Reed
illus. by Malgorzata Godziuk
Language: English
Elizabeth Reed, 2013.
Summary: Nowadays, single parents are very common.
many mothers choose to go to a clinic and have a sperm donor so they can have a child to raise on their own. This leaves those single mom children with questions. As they grow up They would start asking “How come I don’t have a daddy?” “Megan and Mommy” is a book dedicated to those children and mothers. It is important for mothers to begin making their children understand the truth at an early age. Megan is a curious and endearing child who begins to ask her mom questions about her identity, questions that are sometimes hard to explain to little kids. Join Megan in her quest and find out how love makes a family complete. Read this heartwarming story with your child and enjoy a wonderful storytelling time together!
Available: http://www.amazon.com/Family-Two-Mothers-Childrens-collection-ebook/dp/B00CGRWB6G/ref=pd_sim_kstore_1
A family of two: Ashley began in Mommy's heart
written and illus. by Elizabeth Reed
Language: English
Summary: ‘Ashley Began in Mommy's Heart’ celebrates the universal and unconditional love that mothers feel for their children. This book serves as a comfort and reassurance to little children that they are special and loved, and that they are a remarkable miracle for their mothers.
Through her mother’s love and nurturing, Ashley feels and understands how special her family is. This book presents the basic facts of anonymous donor conception in a simple, easily comprehensible and heartfelt manner. This book aims to help your child start learning, understanding and accepting his or her family and origin, just like Ashley.
This book is something you can share with your child over the years and will help foster and strengthen your bond as you create your own special story.
Available: http://www.amazon.com/Family-Two-Mothers-Childrens-collection-ebook/dp/B00DNHQUZG/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1385749428&sr=1-3&keywords=sperm
Also available: James began in Mommy's heart
The chicken who couldn't lay eggs
by Sabine-Julie De Brus
illus. by Taylor Brandon
Language: English
CreateSpace, 2013
39 p. : col. ill. ; 16 x 22 cm.
ISBN: 1492788813; 9781492788812
Summary: This book, written for children, is the story of one woman’s fertility journey and of all of the methods of ART she tried until she finally decided to adopt. It conveys one woman’s determination to try absolutely everything to have her own child. The story is told in rhyme, and it is the story of Angelina, a chicken who was despondent because she could not lay any eggs. Along with her angel dog Chérubine, she travels the world for a cure but nothing she tries works for her. Even after failure after failure she does not give up. She is determined to lay her own egg, and one day she finally does, but the egg is cracked. It is therefore not a viable egg. At this point, she does decide to give up, until her chicken friend, Dee, overhears her sadness and decides to take one of the three eggs she is currently laying on and says, ‘Please don’t be blue. I can’t think of a hen who’d be a better mommy than you!” Angelina is overjoyed and hugs the egg to her heart. “Soon the egg hatched and Angelina’s heart filled with joy! For she had a little baby chick, a bouncing baby boy!” This book clearly can be used to begin a discussion of egg donation with a child, but it can be used by any mother who has tried any path to motherhood through any method of ART as the author tried all of them. The book takes a child-conception approach and employs “the helper” and the “labor of love” scripts. There are full-color cartoon drawings and the book is recommended for ages 3-5.
Available: https://www.createspace.com/4452571
The pea that was me: an embryo donation story
written and illustrated by Kimberly Kluger-Bell
Language: English
CreateSpace, 2013
24 p. : col. ill. ; 22 cm.
ISBN: 1484180658; 9781484180655
Summary: The Pea That Was Me Volume 3: An Embryo Donation Story is great way to introduce children conceived through embryo donation to the idea that "some very nice people" (a man and a woman) donated an extra "pea" (or embryo) to help bring them into the loving arms of "mommy and daddy". May be read to children as young as 3 years old, and has room at the end to fill in your own child's details. Appropriate for both anonymous and known embryo donation as an initial introduction to the concept.
Available: http://www.booksfordonorkids.com/
The child in the mamas' hearts: a story of assisted reproductive technology births for families with two mothers
by Paul Janson, M.D.
illus. by Kevin Scott Gierman
Language: English
Lulu, 2013
20 p. : col. ill. ; 22 x 22 cm.
ISBN: 9781304640314
My annotation: Two women love each other very much but feel something is missing in their house and in their lives - a child, yet both women feel that there is a child somewhere, it just resides in their hearts. They look everywhere for that child, but cannot find it. Eventually they see a doctor to help them have a child of their own and the doctor calls on others to help. With all the help they receive, one of the women becomes pregnant and they are very happy. When the baby finally arrives, both women know that this was the child that resided in their hearts all along. This is a touching story about the love one can have for a child that does not yet exist. The book does not indicate exactly what the “help” is that the doctor provided but that's fine as the book can be used as a starting off point to explain any method of third party conception. This book uses a family-building approach and employs the “helper” script. Full color, cartoon-like drawings depict a multi-racial family. Recommended for children ages 3-5.
Available: http://www.lulu.com/shop/paul-janson/the-child-in-the-mamas-hearts/paperback/product-21310684.html
Author's Web site: http://pauljanson.com/
The child in our hearts: a story of assisted reproductive technology births
by Paul Janson, M.D.
illus. by Kevin Scott Gierman
Language: English
Lulu, 2013
20 p. : col. ill. ; 22 x 22 cm.
ISBN: 9781304531933
Summary: A children's picture book that will help explain Assisted Reproductive Technology births. It is part of a series that explains alternative family arrangements, adoption, gay/lesbian and single parent adoption, and now ART: Assisted Reproductive Technology. It is based on the belief that all families begin with love in the parent's heart.
Available: http://www.lulu.com/shop/paul-janson/the-child-in-our-hearts-for-assisted-reproductive-technology/paperback/product-21275305.html
Merveille du monde
by Mireille van Seggelen
illus. by Anouk Braakhuis
Language: French
Budel [Netherlands] : MVS Creations, 2013
ISBN: 9789081114974
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/une-petite-merveille-du-monde.html
Chloe wants to be a mother
by Rosa Maestro
illus. by Barbara Guillen Feltrer
Language: English
Editorial Chocolate, 2013
24 p. : col. ill. ; cm.
ISBN: 8494075624; 9788494075629
My annotation: 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 Spanish as Cloe quiere ser mamá.
Available: http://www.amazon.es/CHLOE-WANTS-TO-BE-MOTHER/dp/8494075624
Available: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Chloe-wants-mother-Rosa-Maestro/dp/8494075624/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1391877181&sr=8-1&keywords=chloe+wants+to+be+a+mother
Some people have two mums
by Fabri Kramer and Luca Panzini
illus. by Luca Panzini
Language: English
CreateSpace, 2013
36 p. : col. ill. ; 16 x 21 cm.
ISBN: 1484097122; 9781484097120
My annotation: Milo is a “much loved” little boy who loves to battle giant octopuses at bathtime and imagine being the hero in a land filled with dragons and pirates at bedtime. His other favorite thing is to hear his favorite bedtime story, the one about how he was born. It all began when his two mums met and fell in love and wanted to start a family of their own. They explain however that two mums cannot have babies on their own so they had to visit a doctor and were introduced to a “very nice man” who wanted to help them. Although the term “sperm donor” is not used, children are introduced to the concept that a third party was involved in their conception. The book uses Britishisms like “mummy” and “cheeky” but assuming that it is a parent reading the story to their child, this can easily be changed to “mommy” when reading aloud. The book also introduces the concept that children can grow up in all sorts of families and that not all little boys have two mothers. Well-drawn color illustrations depict a very happy and content little boy and two parents who absolutely adore him. This book takes a family-building approach and employs “the helper” and the "families are made differently” scripts. It is recommended for children ages 3-5.
Library of Congress Subject Headings:
- Children of gay parents -- Juvenile fiction
- Lesbian mothers -- Juvenile fiction
- Families -- Juvenile fiction
Available: http://www.somefamilies.net/some-people-have-two-mums/
Some people have two dads
by Luca Panzini and Fabri Kramer
illus. by Luca Panzini
Language: English
CreateSpace, 2012
36 p. : col. ill.; 16 x 21 cm.
ISBN: 1478383658; 9781478383659
Summary: Our society is changing. An increasing number of gay couples are having children through adoption and surrogacy. At some point you should explain to your child about same-gender parents. I have written this book as an educational tool to help people understand that families come in a variety of different combinations. If you can, please buy two books - one for your child and one to give away as a present or donation to a school or library - so that, together, we can educate parents, children and the community and make the world a better place.
Library of Congress Subject Headings:
- Children of gay parents -- Juvenile fiction
- Gay fathers -- Juvenile fiction
- Families -- Juvenile fiction
Available: http://www.somefamilies.net/
Reg, Dave and Zach
written and illus. by Nikita Chloe John
Language: English
Baltimore : PublishAmerica, 2013.
24 p. : col. ill. ; 28 cm.
ISBN: 1627099727; 9781627099721
Summary: This children's book was inspired by Elton John's concern over his son having two homosexual dads and being born via surrogacy. I understand children have nothing to do with how they got here or their parent's or guardian's choices or lifestyles, so I thought this book, which is based on the real Elton John, partner David Furnish and son Zachary, would encourage love and compassion for people who have different living arrangements, and teach how love makes a family. I also wrote this book to encourage tolerance, acceptance and love for people who have medical conditions like cancer, hemophilia and HIV and AIDS. In order to take away the negative stigma of surrogate moms, I wrote a cute part about a duck who could not lay eggs of her own, and how six of her friends got together and each gave her an egg from their own nest so she too could have a family I hope this book does not offend any religious beliefs, but promote love, compassion, acceptance and tolerance of different people.
Available: http://www.amazon.ca/Dave-Zach-Nikita-Chloe-John/dp/1627099727
One little egg
by Kimberly F. Demeo
illus. by Julia Andrzejewska
Language: English
[S.l.] : Outskirts Press, 2013.
25 p. : col. ill. ; 26 cm.
ISBN: 1478710845; 9781478710844
Summary: One Little Egg by Kimberly F. DeMeo is a children's book which was written to teach kids about egg donation in a colorful, lively, kid friendly way. The theme of this book is important because today more and more people are getting married and waiting to have children at an older age. For a staggering number of women, it is not easy to conceive a child on their own, so they have to use methods such as in vitro fertilization (IVF). Unfortunately, a large number of these IVF cases are unsuccessful. That is where the miracle of egg donation comes into play. For families who want to have a child and cannot on their own, egg donation is their last resort. But what about the children of egg donation? How does learning about how they were conceived affect them? Unfortunately, there is still an unnecessary negative stigma when it comes to using an egg donor in order to get pregnant. This should not be! Explaining to children of egg donation how they were conceived at an early age is vital in raising a well-adjusted, happy and successful child! Children will love reading this book. This story is unique in that it is told from the viewpoint of the egg and is relatable to children. Exsie the donor egg is the main character in One Little Egg. It is her job to explain egg donation to the younger eggs, or "recruits" as they are called in the book. She explains the crucial role they have in helping a family's dream of having a baby come true. Children will relate to an adorable little egg named Sara who struggles with her existence. She is at the "Egg Donor Academy" being taught what her role is in helping couple who is yearning to have a baby. This story is filled with action, emotion and of course, education about egg donation. The author was compelled to write this children's book for two very important reasons, and their names are Miranda and Sydney! After five long years of unsuccessful procedures, she and her husband decided to have a baby through egg donation.
Available: http://www.amazon.com/One-Little-Egg-Kimberly-Demeo/dp/1478710845/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1385686195&sr=1-1&keywords=one+little+egg+demeo
אבא ואבא = Daddy and daddy
Aba ṿe-aba = Daddy and Daddy
by ראובני-הורוביץ, רויע. Roy Reuveny Horowitz; Sigal Mashal
Language: Hebrew
אוריון, Ḥolon : Oriyon, 2013.
[22] pages : colored illustrations ; 22 x 28 cm.
ISBN:
Library of Congress Subject Headings:
- Gay fathers -- Juvenile fiction
More about the book: http://www.mako.co.il/pride-culture/cultura/Article-46616c5bb7dbf31006.htm
Available: http://www.orion-books.co.il/pd272_%D7%90%D7%91%D7%90-%D7%95%D7%90%D7%91%D7%90.aspx
Descobrindo as Diferenças: A Família de Leãozinho é Assim!
by Laísa Freire
illus. by Rafael Correa Lima
Language: Portuguese
Ensinamento Editora, 2013
24 p. : col. ill. ; 20 x 20 cm.
ISBN: 9788581900254
My annotation: Discovering the differences: the cub's family is so!, currently only available in Portuguese, is by only the third author out of Brazil to write a children’s book about donor insemination. Written by a godmother for her godson, it is a very loving story of a happy little lion cub who lives with his mother and grandmother on a savannah by a beautiful lake. The cub is a very cheerful little boy and has many friends at school and a cousin he plays with who lives nearby with his godparents. It is not lost on this cub that his cousin has a mother and a father and he also notices that the families of his friends are all different too. One day he asks his mother about his father and his mother very gently tells her son that she does not know him but that he generously donated his seed so that they, mother and son, could be together. “It was written in the stars,” that they be together she tells him and she is very grateful to this lion who donated his seed. The book takes a family-building approach and employs “the helper,” script, the “labor of love” script, and the “families are made differently” script. Full color illustrations are professionally rendered and the book is recommended for ages 3-5.
Author's Web site: http://www.laisafreire.com/
Available: http://www.ensinamentoeditora.com.br/site/catalogo-editora/livros/descobrindo-as-diferencas/
Muitas famílias em LAB
by Kátia Maria Straube
illustrated by Eliane Cassia Ramos
Language: Portuguese
Curitiba: Expoente, 2013
24 p. : col. illus. ; 23 cm.
ISBN: 9788591588909
My annotation: This is the second book in the “LAB” series by author Kátia Maria Straube, a psychologist and psychotherapist who works in the area of assisted human reproduction in Brazil. It is the story of a planet called “LAB” where there are very few children, it is presumed due to a high rate of infertility among the residents, until the scientists on the planet discover ways to make babies and form families using alternative methods. The book describes sperm donation, egg donation, embryo donation, and IVF, and also mentions adoption, surrogacy, and single mothers by choice, although these three methods are only mentioned and not discussed to the extent that sperm and egg donation are. The book also represents both straight and gay and lesbian couples and takes both a family-building approach and a child-conception approach, as well as employs the "families are formed differently" and "the helper" scripts. The concept of forming families in so many ways is mentioned throughout the book but so is a description of how these many families are formed through various methods of assisted conception. The book introduces the terms “sperm,” “semen,” “egg,” "embryo," and “borrowed belly” for surrogacy. There is no description of sex and instead just says that some families are formed “naturally” and no depiction of nudity in the book. Full color illustrations are professionally rendered and depict families of all kinds and colors. The book is in Portuguese and not available in English. Recommended for children ages 3-5, but I can see children 5-8 appreciating the book as well. As the many illustrations are just as descriptive and clarifying as the text, I can see children growing with this book.
Contact the author through Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Lab-O-Planeta-que-fabricava-beb%C3%AAs/226813834029296
The very kind koala : a surrogacy story
written and illustrated by Kim Kluger-Bell
Language: English
[S.l. : s.n.], ©2013.
1 v. (unpaged) : col. ill. ; 22 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
Author's Web site: http://www.booksfordonorkids.com/
Malins mamma gifter sig med Lisa
by Annette Lundborg
illus. by Mimmi Tollerup-Grkovic
Language: Swedish
Stockholm : Eriksson & Lindgren, 1999.
[26] s. : färgill. ; 27 cm.
ISBN: 9187805596; 9789187805592
Summary: Denna bok är en utpräglad HBT-bok där författaren poängterar att ”Malins mamma ska gifta sig med Lisa. Malins mamma, Siv, älskar Lisa och Lisa älskar Siv”. Boken handlar om regnbågsfamiljeliv där Lisa och Siv respektive Malins pappa och Niklas delar barn med varandra. Att ett homosexuellt par delar barn med ett annat homosexuellt par är ett vanligt sätt för hbt-par att kunna få barn och boken visar den stora tryggheten som det innebär för Malin och hennes kommande syskon att ha fyra föräldrar att vända sig till. Föräldrarna framställs som helt vanliga människor utan onödiga klyschor som kort hår och manhaftighet respektive fjollighet och intresse för utseendet. I boken beskrivs även hur barn blir till genom att små frön som simmar in i magen och träffar ägget. Malins mamma berättar att hon fick en hel burk med frön av Malins pappa.
My annotation: Many exciting things are happening in five-year-old Malin’s life this year. Her mother Siv and her partner Lisa, have just gotten married, and Lisa is now pregnant with her own child and Malin is excited about soon becoming a big sister! As Lisa’s belly grows, Malin becomes curious and one day asks her mother where babies come from and her mom explains that they come from the seeds of a man and the egg of a woman. Malin does not need to know whose seeds she came from though. She already knows her father, most likely from birth, and loves him dearly. Her father’s partner, Niklas, has now donated his seeds to Lisa, Malin’s other mother, as they too wish to become parents. Malin’s unnamed father and his partner do many things with Malin’s family. Both men attended Siv and Lisa’s wedding and party, and they also vacation together. And now Niklas has donated his sperm to Lisa so that she too can become a mother and he a father. This book is not expressly about donor conception, but it is a fact that the main character of the book was conceived via sperm donation. Both mothers participated in Malin’s conception as Lisa helped put the seeds into Siv’s “stomach,” it is explained. This book employs the helper script and takes a family-building approach as clearly Malin has a unique family situation. Recommended for children ages 3-5 and available only in Swedish, though it is currently out of print.
Library of Congress Subject Headings:
- Homosexualitet -- barn- och ungdomslitteratur
- Föräldrar -- barn- och ungdomslitteratur
- Mammor -- barn- och ungdomslitteratur
- Barn till homosexuella
Familjeboken
by Eddie Summanen
illus. by C. Kåberg
Language: Swedish
Stockholm : Vombat, 2008
[32] s. : ill. ; 24 cm.
ISBN: 9789197687034; 9197687030
Summary: Var kommer bebisar ifrån? Hur vet man vilka som är ens familj? Och hur blev jag själv till? Familjer kan se ut nästan hur som helst och barn kan bli till på många olika sätt. Familjeboken handlar om alla former av familjebildningar och vidgar begreppet familj. Boken tar bland annat upp hur ett barn blir till, insemination, sex, adoption, konstgjord befruktning samt heterosexuella, homosexuella och ensamstående föräldrar.
En bok att läsa tillsammans med barn eller att låta lite större barn läsa själv. Boken öppnar upp för samtal och reflektion tillsammans med barn kring temat familj.
My annotation: The Family Book is about the many ways that families can look and some of the many ways that babies can come into the world. It discusses both heterosexual and homosexual families as well as families with grandparents, single moms or dads, and even families with pets and no children. The book first discusses how sperm and egg are required to “mix” together to make a baby. It does not matter how the sperm and egg are mixed the book tells us, whether through sex or in a laboratory, and introduces children to the terms in vitro fertilization and insemination. The book also introduces children to the idea that “if two women who have eggs have sex with each other or if two men who have sperm have sex with each other there will be no babies,” in which case single women and lesbians can go to the hospital to get some sperm in order to help them get pregnant. Although the book aims to cover all bases, egg donation, surrogacy, and embryo donation are not discussed. The book takes both a child-conception and a family-building approach and employs the “families are made differently” script. Recommended for children ages 5-8 and available only in Swedish.
Available: http://www.vombatforlag.se/butik/testboken/
My story
Language: Japanese
Sometimes it takes three to make a baby
by Kate Bourne
Language: Japanese
2013.
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
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
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]
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
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
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
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
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
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!
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)
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
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...
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
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
