Extra!

My daughter took a little extra (after two miscarriages) and this book is just perfect. I love reading it to her (she’s 3) and reminding her how much she was wished for. I’m also giving a copy to my pregnant, lesbian sister. The story is inclusive of all family types. I’m so happy this book exists.

I think it’s good, but it needs ‘extra’ examples of different famlies

This is one of my new favorites! As an adoptive mom, I try to find children’s books that touch on adoption or families that don’t fit the usual mold. And Kaeleigh's book does a beautiful job of celebrating all types of families, including adoptive families. And this is why I love it so much. I think it's so important for my daughter to understand that her story is special and unique, and that makes her so very special too. Maybe even, EXTRA special. :)One thing I really love about this book is that it explains this all to a child in a way that’s easy for them to understand, without causing any confusion. And it’s also a great catalyst for discussions or for your child to ask questions about their beginning. This is all so important, especially if your child is one of the lucky few who took a little "Extra". Love it!

This book is a helpful and straightforward way of explaining to children who weren't made conventionally how their stories are a little different, and how they took a little "extra". It does this in a very positive way, as the little boy thinks that having "extra" makes him like a superhero! The book overall is a useful tool, but the best part is the heartwarming ending. As someone who struggled with infertility and needed a few "extra" ingredients to get my own baby, I know firsthand how difficult that struggle can be and how much it can require of a person. So the ending of this book, when the little boy (spoiler alert!) acknowledges his mom's extra patience and effort in getting him by saying she's "extra", too, always makes me tear up a little. A well-written and sweet book about a difficult concept.

As a mom of a child conceived through IVF treatment, I hadn't thought about telling my child about his conception. After all, we used my eggs and his dad's sperm, so what needs to be told? However, after working with donors and donor recipients, my view on telling has changed. The fact is, my child was conceived in a "different" way. We wanted him so badly, and had to take an "Extra" step (or many steps) to have him. This book is a way to tell him how much we wanted him, and to open his mind to the myriad of ways that families are created. It's a win-win. I cannot think of another children's book that introduces the concept of IVF. There are many that introduce donor conception, but this seems to be a first.

As a mother after infertility treatment, I really appreciated the loving message of this book: some parents have to go to extra lengths to create their families, and by talking about that in an age-appropriate way, we can show our children how much they were loved and wanted.This book also does a good job of showing kids of different ethnicities and kids with same sex parents. It's a light-hearted, sweet read that I look forward to sharing with my kiddo.

Kaeleigh MacDonald does a great job of getting in the mind of a child and how they can easily understand the sometimes confusing world of Assisted Reproduction Technology. EXTRA is a great way to embrace many different ways babies are made and breaking in down into the simplest of terms. I love the boy's excitement to find out that HE took something EXTRA to become a wonderful boy. This is an essential introduction into IVF for those that want to teach their children where babies come from and how sometimes it takes a little something EXTRA. Bravo to the fun artwork and story. What an adventure!

I loved this little book, it's a cute and age appropriate way of telling children the 'extra' way they were conceived and brought into the world. It makes it very clear it's about love and desire for a family. As an infertility patient it definitely made me tear up!