Just So Stories

Larrikin House

June 2025

978192334510

I’m far from being the only educator who has worked with children from diverse family circumstances. Going right back to my first year of teaching and to the present day: same sex parents, single parents of either gender, trans parents, trans kids, kiddos raised by grandparents [like The Kid], blended families, prem babies [that are little fighters, like my third grandson], kiddos in care/foster homes, IVF kids, adopted kids – you name it.

Outside my school settings, I personally know a few families who have gone down the IVF road, which can be exhausting, expensive but, ultimately, exhilirating for many. To be privy to Violet Rose’s story, in real life, from the outset was wonderful, and to see this vibrant book celebrating not just her miraculous birth, but those of so many other children, is quite special.

Susanne Gervay and illustrator Carolyn Daly both have first-hand experience of the effort, often anguish, but the joy that an IVF babe can bring to a family and have collaborated to create this book, that ensures that every child, no matter how they arrived in their family, will know they are special.

It’s a party for kiddos of all descriptions with little Miss Violet Rose taking centre stage as all her little friends dress up for the occasion. Of course, sometimes there are minor catastrophes on party day, with everyone being so excited, like Charley being grumpy, as well as a few tricky situations on the trampoline but all is resolved.

Can your kiddos guess how Violet Rose was born? Are some of them IVF babies as well? This is a book to share to help all children feel included and aware of just how miraculous each and everyone of them is. It’s a definite 3👶👶👶 rating, full of bounce and fun.