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Every Baby is a Miracle. 'Guess How I Was Born? A Break-though Picture Book of the Extraordinary True Story of Modern Family.

FEM Publishing for outstanding books for children and adults www.flyingelephants.com.au

Key Facts:

Talking to children about 'Guess How I Was Born'

Inclusion with modern families including mixed ethnicities, LGBTQ, single parents, nuclear families, adopted, step ... to IVF

Every Baby is a Miracle. ‘Guess How I Was Born? A Break-though Picture Book of the Extraordinary True Story of Modern Family.

One of Australia’s most beloved children’s authors, Susanne Gervay OAM, has launched a powerful and heart-warming new children’s book, Guess How I Was Born? – inspired by an extraordinary journey of her own daughter and granddaughter. Told through eyes of Violet Rose, a young child curious about her beginnings, this colourful and inclusive picture book celebrates the many ways children come into the world – through IVF, surrogacy, adoption, LGBTQ+ families, solo parents, step-parenting and more. What makes this book uniquely touching is its real-life origin. Violet is based on Susanne’s granddaughter, born via surrogacy in the United Stated after Susanne’s daughter Tory, battled stage 4 kidney failure. Together, Tory and Susanne overcame six failed IVF attempts, two successful IVF trans-Pacific surrogacy processes, and a dual medical crisis – including Susanne’s brain tumours – to welcome Violet into their shared life.

Guess How I Was Born? Is about, love, honesty, and family in all its forms,” says Gervay. “It’s for every child who’s ever asked the question. And every parent who’s ever tried to answer it with heart.”

The book has already garnered praise from early childhood educators and librarians as a valuable classroom and bedtime resource that helps children understand different family dynamics in an age-appropriate and affirming way.

Guess How I Was Born? Is available now, published by Larrikin House distributed through Simon & Schuster, Australia.

 

For interviews with Susanne, Tory and even little Violet, photos and review copies, contact:

Dani Vee Marketing Larrikin House Manager [email protected]

Susanne Gervay - [email protected]; 0413 050 922

Wendy Searle - [email protected] 0413 297 638

 

Reviews:-

Every Child is a miracle in Susanne Gervay’s truly glorious Guess How I Was Born, a book of joy, wonder and science, and endless love as well.

Jackie French AM, Senior Australian of the Year, Australian Children’s Laureate, multi-award winning author.

‘From adoption and IVF to surrogacy, single parenting, same-sex couples, blended families, and everything in between, Guess How I Was Born? embraces the beautiful complexity of today’s families. Written with warmth and honesty, the book reassures children that no matter how they came into the world, they are deeply loved and cherished.’ Indira Laisram reporter Indian Sun

 

This is a wonderful celebration of all types of families, big and small, each with their own little miracles. All just a little different, but each one full of love. The ending offers the reader a chance to add their own family to this celebration. … it offers little kids a brief introduction into IVF and a sincere grounding in the knowledge that no matter how their family formed they are precious.  Maria Marshall, reviewer https://www.mariacmarshall.com/single-post/the-picture-book-buzz-interview-w-susanne-gervay-and-review-of-guess-how-i-was-made

I’ve chosen this book for its fearless embrace of family diversity in a format that feels both celebratory and deeply affirming. It addresses the tricky "where do I come from?" question with sensitivity, humour, and no assumptions—guided by Gervay’s own experience navigating IVF and surrogacy within her family narrative  . This title fills a vital gap in children’s literature—a go-to resource to celebrate identity, inclusion, and unconditional love in a changing world.

 Yvette O’Dowd Southern Natural Parenting Network

 

Larrikin House, 2025. ISBN: 9781923345102. (Age: 5-8) Recommended.

Inspired by the birth by in vitro fertilization (IVF) of her own grandchild, Susanne Gervay brings a joyful story about birth and families.  Violet is having a dress-up party with all her friends and is having a great time, except when Charlie gets angry, and everyone gets something stuck on the trampoline! Tears and cuddles are part of every social encounter, and this story brings this to life while exploring the diverse ways children may come into the world, including IVF and adoption, as well as differing types of families, like same sex parents and families from different cultural backgrounds.  Children will recognise their own family situations brought to life in this book and identify with the things that happen at parties. The lively, colourful, cartoon-style characters create a fun atmosphere for this tricky concept and will provide a welcome resource for classrooms discussing family. 

Themes: In vitro fertilization, Families, Children, Parties.

Gabrielle Anderson READPLUS

There are lots more reviews!

Statistics:-

1 in 16 children are born with the assistance of IVF in ANZ

1 in 27 babies born in New Zealand were conceived through IVF.

 

In collaboration with the Fertility Society of Australia and New Zealand, the National Perinatal Epidemiology and Statistics Unit (NPESU) at UNSW Sydney is pleased to present key insights from IVF treatments performed in 2022.

 

 

1,184 babies were born using surrogacy or donor eggs.

.

Almost 109,000 IVF cycles were performed in 2022

Age of female patients

The average age of women undergoing IVF was 36 years while the average age of their male partners was 38 years.

1 in 4 cycles were undertaken by women aged 40 years or older.

 

1 in 6 cycles

were undertaken by same sex couples or singles.

 

 

IVF success rates are improving

 

The live birth rate per embryo transfer cycle increased from 27.3% in 2018 to 29.9% in 2022.

More than 1 in 3 women have a baby from their very first complete IVF cycle.

This includes all embryo transfers from a single egg collection.

The chances of having a baby after three complete IVF cycles depends on age.

Trends in IVF methods

Fertility preservation cycles

Fertility preservation is where a female patient freezes or intends to freeze all suitable eggs or embryos for potential future use.

6,899 fertility preservation cycles were undertaken

89% increase from 2020

 

Preimplantation genetic testing (PGT)

This is a procedure where DNA is tested for chromosomal disorders or genetic diseases before embryo transfer.

8% of fertility treatment cycles included PGT

 

Frozen-thaw embryos

Embryos can be frozen and stored for future use. Once an embryo is thawed or warmed, it may be transferred.

2 in 3 cycles

transferred a frozen-thaw embryo

 

Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI)

ICSI is when a single sperm is injected directly into the egg to aid fertilisation.

56% of embryos transferred were fertilized using ICSI

were fertilized using ICSI

 

ANZARD: supporting fertility care with quality data 2022

The Australian and New Zealand Assisted Reproduction Database (ANZARD) is the world's oldest and most comprehensive IVF registry, gathering data on all IVF cycles conducted in fertility clinics across Australia and New Zealand. This information is essential for monitoring the safety and quality of IVF treatments, guiding patients and policymakers, and supporting vital research.

ANZARD data underpins the YourIVFSuccess website; the only source of independent information on Australian IVF clinic success rates, funded by the Australian Government.

 

Contact details:

For interviews with Susanne, Tory and even little Violet, photos and review copies, contact:-

Dani Vee Marketing Larrikin House Manager [email protected]

Susanne Gervay - [email protected]; 0413 050 922

Wendy Searle - [email protected] 0413 297 638