It's the question that many parents dread being asked, but which all have to tackle at some stage - "Where did I come from?". Not so long ago, the answer was fairly straight-forward, and while it might have included diversions that included storks, birds and bees, and even cabbage patches, the truth ultimately lay in mummy and daddy loving each other, having sex, sperms, eggs and so forth.
But these days the answer can be more complex, not only because in 1978 Louise Brown became the first IVF (in vitro fertilisation) baby to be born, changing access to becoming pregnant for millions, but also the legalisation of same-sex marriages around the world has meant that family structures are much more diverse. In addition, single parenthood is now possible with government support and society's acceptance so adoption and foster rates are fewer.
So this book which begins with families of all configurations really enjoying themselves at a party is going to be particularly welcomed by those whose circumstances are different from the traditional as, regardless of now they came to be a family, the emphasis is on fun and celebrating being together, sharing the joy and laughter of each other's company. Far from the stigma of not-so-long-ago, today it doesn't matter whether a family is the traditional structures, single-parent (regardless of gender), blended, same-sex, trans, adopted, fostered, raised by grandparents or whatever other arrangement bonded by love for each other and the children, the kids just accept each other for who they are as they are. They are who they are, it is what it is - -even if you're a grumpy, one-horned giraffe like Charlie.
Told from the perspective of Violet Rose, the real-life IVF grandchild of author Susanne Gervay, and among the one in 20 children conceived that way these days, and illustrated in the most joyous way by Carolyn Daly, who also has first-hand experience of the procedure, the book honours not only inclusivity but the perseverance, physical, mental and financial impact that families are willing to endure so they can know the joy that a child and a grandchild brings, and the changes they make to those around them.
Importantly though, for those children who have had that conversation with their parents, and know that their conception might have been different to their peers - thankfully, the term "test-tube baby" seems to have disappeared from the vocabulary - they can read about themselves and their circumstances in a book that is shared with others, validating and normalising them. It also offers parents a way into the conversation because, while there are many books about diverse family structures now available, there are few that focus on conception.
Because, ultimately, regardless of the shape of your family, who is in it and how it came to be, kids are kids, parties are parties and fun is fun -even if you all get stuck on the trampoline.
This review can also be found here.
32 pages 9781923345102 Ages 5-8
Keywords: IVF In vitro fertilization, conception, accepting others, inclusivity, 5 year old, 6 year old, 7 year old, 8 year old
Recommended by: Barbara Braxton, Teacher Librarian, New South Wales AUSTRALIA
