In this blog series, Reading the Rainbow, we’re highlighting some of our favorite LGBTQ+ family books from our Book Nook, in addition to featuring exclusive author Q&As. This month’s book feature is: You Began as a Wish, written by Dr. Kim Bergman and illustrated by Irit Pollack.
About You Began as a Wish:
Children conceived using third-party assisted reproduction often have questions and want to know where they came from. As parents we sometimes forget that telling our kids the truth right from the start is always best! This wonderful children’s book written by Dr. Kim Bergman (Your Future Family: The Essential Guide to Assisted Reproduction), and illustrated by Irit Pollack, answers those questions in simple, easy to understand language. Use this book to help your children understand all the parts that came together to make them who they are, beginning with a wish!
An Interview with the Author, Dr. Kim Bergman
Kim Bergman, Ph.D., licensed psychologist, is an owner and senior partner of Growing Generations, a world renowned surrogacy agency. She is an expert on the topic of parenting by choice, particularly within the LGBTQ and infertility communities, having specialized in third party assisted reproduction since the early 1990’s. She’s provided psychological services to thousands of parents from around the world assisting them in the complex, extraordinary assisted reproductive process. Dr. Bergman also writes, teaches and speaks extensively on parenting by choice.
She lives with her wife of 37 years and has two adult daughters.
Q: What inspired you to write this book?
A: Twenty five years’ worth of parents asking me to help them craft the story of their family building choices and easily relay the story to their children.
Q: Why is representation of LGBTQ+ people & families important?
A: Everyone wants to see themselves reflected in the stories they read and tell their children. It’s so important that all types of families are represented in the narrative of what is possible.
Q: What conversations do you hope this book might spark between parents and their children?
A: I am hoping that families will use You Began as a Wish to have honest and open conversations about family building and what makes a family early on in a young child’s life. I hope that this book will help parents tell their story in an authentic and unconditionally loving way through the prose in You Began as a Wish.
Q: What books featuring LGBTQ+ people & families are you reading right now?
A: I’m reading If These Ovaries Could Talk: The Things We’ve Learned About Making an LGBTQ Family by Jaimie Kelton and Robin Hopkins. Based on their very popular podcast Jaimie and Robin are hilarious, heartwarming and authentic story tellers.
About Our Sponsor
Growing Generations is a place where passion and commitment fulfill dreams and deliver an experience that is treasured forever. We are a family building families through surrogacy and egg donation, driven by unparalleled safety and quality standards. The Growing Generations experience inspires trust, creates legacy and makes the impossible possible. For more information, visit growinggenerations.com.
About This Series
Family Equality is devoted to bringing you and your family opportunities to learn, grow, and have fun through the power of LGBTQ+ inclusive books for all ages! Tag us on social and tell us: What book should we highlight next?