Award-winning author Susanne Gervay has released a timely and tender picture book titled Guess How I Was Born?—a go-to resource for parents navigating the big question: how do we talk to our children about how they were born?
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.
“As a specialist in child growth and development, I always say—keep it early, keep it simple, keep it honest, and keep it diverse,” says Gervay. “Whatever form a family takes, it should be celebrated.”
The book was inspired by Gervay’s own family story. Her granddaughter was born through surrogacy after her daughter Tory, who lives with kidney disease, faced six failed IVF attempts. “A baby arrives, and just like that, everything changes. The world gets bigger, your heart grows fuller, and life means more,” reflects Gervay.
Critics and parents alike have praised Gervay’s unique ability to address real-life issues with compassion and clarity. The Age writes: “Susanne Gervay is rare in her ability to place common problems for children within the spectrum of normal family life. The result is that she makes it OK for children to talk about them.”
Guess How I Was Born? is not just a book—it’s a conversation starter for families. Through inclusive storytelling and vibrant illustrations by Carolyn Daley, the book helps children understand birth and belonging in a way that feels safe, joyful, and affirming.
Carolyn Daley, the creative mind behind Doodle and Design, brings the story to life with expressive, colourful illustrations that resonate with young readers. Daley is known for visual storytelling that blends fun, imagination, and the emotional truths kids carry.
Susanne Gervay, recipient of the Lifetime Social Justice Literature Award by the International Literacy Association and the Order of Australia, has built a literary career celebrating young people and the families that support them. As the daughter of refugees, she understands the power of storytelling to foster resilience and self-belief.
- Find out more about Susanne and her work: https://sgervay.com
- Explore Carolyn’s illustrations: https://www.doodleanddesign.com.au
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