Children's Book for SMBC families

When I sat down to write this blog I considered writing about the importance of raising our children aware of their conception and the research behind why it is important to be open and honest about using a donor. However I realised that in this day and age nearly everyone I spoke to in the Solo Mum By Choice (SMBC) communities were already very much on board with this way of thinking and had already done their own research or spoken at lengths with professionals (clinic counsellors, fertility specialists etc) around the subject. One of the topics that pops up most in the online SMBC groups was around the different types of children's book available to start the conversation with our young ones about why they don't have a daddy, what a donor is, why their family may look different compared to others, how mummy made me and the concept of donor siblings. So with that in mind and with the wonderful recommendations of women from around the world in the SMBC groups I have compiled a list of books that would hopefully meet the needs of most SMBC families. I have tried to give a quick rundown of the book to help you find the book that suits your needs best and where you can get them from. Not all books are solo mum focused (those with an *) but discuss how all families are different, which is another great way of talking about your own unique family with your kids.

For Mummy So Loved You- Leigh James

A single woman’s story of creating her family through IUI or IVF (there are two versions of the book) with an anonymous donor. A children’s book that will help familiarise your child with their conception story and the story of how they came to be.

Available from: Booktopia, Amazon, Fishpod

*You’re Here For A Reason- Nancy Tillman

This beautifully illustrated book doesn’t specifically talk about smbc life or donor conception but is all about your child being here for a reason. ‘You’re here for a reason. If you think you’re not. I would say that perhaps you forgot… a piece of the world that is precious and dear would surely be missing if you weren’t here’.

Available from: Booktopia, Book Depository, Fishpond, Dymocks, Angus & Roberts

*Two is enough- Jann Matthies

This book shows a variety of two member relationships without mentioning the word ‘family’, creating life’s memories that is diverse with an array of adult/child relationships using a variety of cultural, age & gender references. ‘Two is enough when it’s me plus you!’.

Our Story, How we became a family (SMSD1, SMSD2)- Donor Conception Network

A book for solo mum families that have used sperm donation (known, identifiable & anonymous donors) to create their family. Suitable for donor conceived children under seven to explain their origins. There are numerous smbc copies of the book suitable for single children, twins, double donation- single baby, embryo donation- single baby, embryo donation- twins, sperm donation no clinic- single baby, sperm donation no clinic- twins.

Available from- Donor Conception Network, Booktopia, Book Depository, Fishpond, Amazon, Angus & Robertson

*I’ve Loved You Since Forever- Hoda Kotb

A book celebrating the timeless love felt between parent and child. The author was inspired to write the book after adopting her daughter. Does not discuss donor conception.

Available from: Booktopia, Book Depository, Fishpond, Angus & Robertson, Audible, Kobo

Why Don’t I Have A Daddy? A Story of Donor Conception- George Anne Clay

This lovely book tells the story of a lion cub who notices all the different types of families around him and starts to ask questions about his own family which consists of his mum and him. He learns that while there is no “daddy” in his family, there is a donor lion who made his life possible.

Available from: Booktopia, Dymocks, Angus & Robertson, Fishpond

The Pea That Was Me: A Single Moms Sperm Donation Story- Kim Kluger-Bell

A charming book that introduces children of single moms by choice the story of their conception by explaining facts of conception while emphasising how much the child was wanted. There are many different versions of this book including: A single mom’s sperm donation story & A single mom’s sperm and egg donation story.

Available from: Booktopia, Book Depository, Fishpod

*The Family Book-Todd Parr

A book celebrating the love we feel for our families and all the different varieties they come in. Discusses nuclear families, step-families, Adoption, same sex parents, solo parents and the things different families do and like. Suitable for young children.

Available from: Booktopia, Book Depository, QBD Books, Dymocks, Amazon, Fishpond, Angus & Robertson

My Mummy Made Me- Jodie Grieve

A story about one mummy, a seed and an egg that explains how much mummy wanted a baby and made one by herself with IVF.

Available from: Amazon, Booktopia, Book Depository, Dymocks, eBay

Just The Two of Us- Sarah Cathie

This heart-warming story shares the special bond between mother & son and explores the idea that all families are beautiful and different and that love is all that really matters.

Available from: Booktopia, Book Depository, Amazon, The Nile Australia, Dymocks, Angus & Robertson

The Special Two- Sarah Kissane

Is a beautiful short story that introduces the concept of being a donor conceived child. The story outlines the journey of creating a baby through IVF with the use of a sperm donor. Showing a child that they were born into this world uniquely and that they were deeply desired even before conception.

Available from: Amazon, Booktopia, Book Depository, Dymocks, Fishpond

I’ve Got Dibs! A Donor Sibling Story- Amy Dorfman

I’ve Got Dibs! Is a sweet story of a mother and daughter discussing the young girl’s donor siblings for the first time. This book is a great way to start the conversation of donor conceived siblings with your children, your children’s friends, as well as the adults in your life who may be struggling to understand the unique relationship and special connection a donor conceived child has with other children conceived using the same donor.

Available from: Book Depository, Amazon, Fishpond, Dymocks, Angus & Robertson

You were Made For Me: Single Mom By Choice- Sheri Sturniolo

Growing a family isn’t always easy and sometimes we need a little help. Follow a mommy as she searches for all the pieces she needs to make a baby and see how the generosity and love of others can grow into the most wonderful gift. The book looks into the unique ways that some families are made and the journey of love that brings them together. In this Single Mom By Choice version of the series, the topic of a egg, sperm or embryo donor is introduced.

Available from: Amazon

*Just The Way We Are- Claire Robertson & Jessica Shirvington

‘Their families might not look like your family, but that’s okay… they’re perfect, just the way they are!’. A book that celebrates families of every kind including a solo mum family.

Available from: Booktopia, Book Depository, Fishpond, QBD Books, Amazon, The Nile Australia, Dymocks

Happy Together, A Single Mother By Choice Story- Julie Marie

A heart-warming book that shares the story of a Mommy Bear on a journey to fulfil her greatest wish of becoming a parent. With the help from a doctor and a donor, Mommy’s dream came true and a baby was welcomed with great joy!

Available from: Book Depository, Booktopia, Fishpond, Angus & Robertson

Somy’s Search, A Single Mum By Choice Story- Carmen Martinez-Jover

This is a story to help single mothers by choice to share with their child how their were conceived. It is a story of a squirrel, Somy, and how she becomes a Mum. After a birthday party she realises she is growing older and needs to decide if she wants to become a Mum. She tries to meet someone and then decides to go for sperm donation.

Available from: Book Depository, Booktopia, Dymocks, Angus & Robertson, eBay, Amazon

*The Mommy Book- Todd Parr

‘Some mommies sing you songs. Some mummies read you stories. All mommies want you to be who you are

A book that celebrates all different kinds of mothers.

Available from: Kogan, Dick Smith

*The Mummy Animal Book- Jennifer Cossins

The Mummy animal book is an adorable and informative picture book about mummy animals and their babies.

Available from: Booktopia, The Nile Australia, Dymocks, QBD Books, Angus & Roberts

My Super Single Mum- Bronwyn Fallens

All children need to feel loved, safe and secure. My Super Single Mum aims to reassure children of single parent mums that they are indeed no different from other children, even though their family situations may be. ‘It’s just mum and me and that’s okay, we have lots of fun, just her and me, everyday’.

Available from: Booktopia, Dymocks, Amazon, Angus & Robertson

*The Great Big Book Of Families- Mary Hoffman & Ros Asquith

This is a fresh, optimistic look through children’s eyes at today’s wide variety of family life: from homes, food, ways of celebrating, schools and holidays to getting around, jobs and housework, from extended families, languages and hobbies to pets and family trees.

Available from: Book Depository, Booktopia, Dymocks, The Nile Australia, Amazon, Fishpond

*All About Families- Felicity Brooks

Families come in all shapes and sizes from all sorts of backgrounds. They speak various languages, eat different sorts of food, live in different kinds of homes and celebrate special occasions in a variety of ways.

Available from: Kmart, Amazon, Book Depository, Booktopia, The Nile Australia

Your Family: A Donor Kid’s Story- Wendy Kramer

The book shares a parents desire to have a baby with the use of a donor. It goes on to talk about half siblings and biological parents/donors and is inclusive of all family types. A perfect book for donor conceived children to learn about how they were conceived and for understanding that being curious about their unknown genetic origins and relatives is natural. A helpful book to start conversations that are integral to creating a happy and healthy donor child and family. Pages are included for children to include pictures or drawings of relatives.

Available from: Amazon, Fishpond, eBay

*To The Moon And Back For You- Emilia Serhant

For any parents who have struggled on their journey to have a baby. ‘I swan throough the deepest ocean. I climbed the tallest mountain. Finding you was a journey. And meeting you was my greatest joy’. In this book families of different shapes, colours and sizes must cross deserts, navigate rough seasons, and climb mountains- all to find their miracle babies.

Available from: Booktopia, Book Depository, Fishpond, The Nile Australia, Dymocks

*Find Out About Families- Pat-a-Cake

This fun lift-the-flap childrens book looks at different families and helps curious pre-schoolers understand how other children live. This book shows how different families are made up and how they live.

Available from: Kmart, Amazon, Dymocks, Booktopia, QBD Books