Guess How I Was Born is a fun, heartwarming picture book that embraces the many ways children come into the world. Told through the eyes of Violet, who is having the best day ever at a dress-up party with her friends, the story highlights different family structures and the wonderful ways we all belong.
From IVF and adoption to step-families, same-sex parents, and multi-generational homes, this book fosters inclusion, acceptance, and a celebration of diversity. Written by award-winning author Susanne Gervay and illustrated by Carolyn Daley, Guess How I Was Born encourages children to ask questions, share their own stories, and feel proud of their journey into the world.
Perfect for families, schools, and libraries, this book is a joyful, humorous, and inclusive way to explore the uniqueness of every child and family.
Violet is so excited for her dress-up party—she’s surrounded by friends, fun, and the best costumes ever! But when the kids start sharing how they came into the world, Violet learns something amazing… no two stories are the same!
Some kids were born in a hospital, some through IVF, some were adopted, and some have two mums or two dads. Families come in all shapes and sizes, and every child’s journey is special.
Written by Susanne Gervay, an advocate for inclusivity in children’s literature, and illustrated by Carolyn Daley, Guess How I Was Born is a vibrant and delightful book that invites children to celebrate their uniqueness. With humour, warmth, and charm, this book creates opportunities for children to feel included, ask questions, and share their own stories.
A must-have for parents, educators, and caregivers looking to foster acceptance, diversity, and open discussions about families and belonging.
Susanne Gervay’s style is deceptively simple. Easy to engage with, the narrative is fast paced with lively dialogue. Humour and incidents create a page-turning reading experience with joyful illustrations by Carolyn Daley.
While Guess How I Was Born? is an entertaining picture book, there are deeper stories within the narrative. It invites children to ask questions about how they were born in a joyous and non-threatening way.
The use of first person, present tense, told from Violet Rose’s point of view immediately engages readers in the dress up party of kids, parents and you.
Susanne Gervay is an award-winning Australian author, renowned for her insightful and empowering stories that explore themes of family, identity, and resilience. A passionate advocate for children’s literature, social justice, and youth empowerment, she works extensively in literacy programs, diversity initiatives, and educational outreach.
Her book Guess How I Was Born is a joyful and inclusive celebration of birth stories, highlighting the many different ways babies come into the world—whether through natural birth, C-sections, adoption, or other unique journeys. Through warm storytelling and engaging illustrations, the book helps children understand and appreciate their own birth story, while fostering a sense of belonging and curiosity about the experiences of others.
Perfect for families, classrooms, and early learning discussions, Guess How I Was Born encourages open conversations about birth, family, and the wonder of new life. With her signature warmth and storytelling, Susanne Gervay continues to create books that spark understanding, connection, and celebration of every child’s unique beginning.
Carolyn is a visual storyteller, an illustrator and a writer. She loves digital illustration, but also loves getting her pens, pencils and markers out for some traditional fun. And sometimes, when she can’t decide, so she does a mix of both. She mostly loves visual storytelling and creating stories about fun stuff and stuff kids do, and sometimes about the serious stuff that worries kids minds. Carolyn Daly is the creative mind behind Daly Doodle and Design. She has always loved to draw and write.
She lives and works/plays in Tasmania, Australia, creating characters and stories in a country studio near the water.
More information: About Carolyn Daly — Daly Doodle & Design
Families come from places:
Using literature in teaching is a way of connecting across the curriculum and creating powerful learning experiences. Guess How I Was Born can be read to achieve reading and viewing literacy outcomes, as well as PDHPE outcomes that address values and attitudes of interpersonal behaviours, especially relating to families.
Guess How I Was Born engages the ‘social influences’ approach that uses the real social settings and experiences of children and their families, to open questions and social skills in decision-making, communication, and providing positive choices.
“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.”
