Young children
Honesty is always the best policy. Especially when it comes backed up by a cracking allegory…
Meet Hetty the hen who just couldn’t lay. Journey with her and her plucky, clucky sisters as she strives for the one thing she is desperate for above all else; a chick of her own to love.
Written from the heart, by a mother who was told at the age of 14 that she could never have children, Hetty can be enjoyed as a story about kindness and sharing in its own right, or used to open a dialogue about egg donation and IVF.
This story was written to honour the author’s sister’s immeasurable act of love and altruism, (as Hetty says – ‘what’s in it for you? I can’t give one back, although I’d love to’) to help her daughter understand her own story and, in the hope that it might help other Hettys, Harriets and ‘chicks’ out there.
Here's what readers have to say about this book....
The illustrations in this book are really adorable and so well-done! I think kids of all ages will definitely like this book and the cute little story.
?? PROMOTING AWARENESS ?? Many of you may know that I have worked holistically with people on enhancing their fertility and in preconception health, for many years. My fertility clients vary in their own individual circumstances and in their medical and obstetrical history. There are lots of variables involved in fertility, both male and female. One size never fits all. ?? Many of my clients conceive naturally using natural and holistic therapies/modalities, often being previously told that they never would, due to various things like their age, low egg reserve, PCOS, endometriosis, fibroids, hormone imbalances etc etc . ?? Other times, my clients conceive with the support of assisted conception methods, alongside holistic methods. When nature needs a helping hand, people are eternally grateful to these assisted procedures, I am sure. ?? People choose to go down assisted conception routes for all sorts of reasons. Infertility (male and female) seems to be at an all time high right now and it may be attributed to many factors, including nutritional deficiencies (a big topic for another time, or ask me more on that one). However sometimes it may be physically genuinely impossible for someone to become pregnant naturally and thankfully for these people there are other ways. ?? Miracle babies are being conceived and born everyday by assisted conception. All babies can be classed as "miracles of course, but I hope that you know what I mean by this, here I am referring to babies that may never have happened without some medical assistance. So let me tell you about an amazing little book about assisted conception using a "donor egg "Hetty The Hen Who Couldn't Lay written by talented author Sarah Igo ?? Sarah disclosed some details of their fertility journey to me about using a donor egg and why it was not possible to become pregnant naturally (based on her medical history years before) and why a donor egg was an option. Although I was not a part of Sarah's journey to becoming pregnant (as I only met Sarah, when as a couple, they attended one of my Hypnobirthing Groups),I felt emotional listening to their story and when I read her book, I cannot lie, I had a tear in my eye (hey that rhymes!). ?? I love Sarah's honesty in her book, which is written for children and/or for siblings, so that they can be more informed about the topic of assisted conception using a donor egg, as well as it highlighting the kindness and compassion from her sister. Sarah's analogy using Hetty is brilliant and I feel makes it easy for children to understand. ?? This book may well be beneficial to those who have used a donor egg (or eggs) and who may want to tell other children of how their sibling's journey started. Of course the book should not just be limited to those scenarios, as the book is very informative and inspirational for anyone. ?? You can buy Sarah Igo's book here, where it is very reasonably priced: ?? https://www.troubador.co.uk/bookshop/young-children/hetty-the-hen-who-couldnt-lay/
What a beautifully written and illustrated book. No words for how much I love this and so do the kids. A must read for any mother and child
A wonderfully written book that explains a complex topic in simple & loving language. The book is about much more than infertility, love, giving & the joy of motherhood. The illustrations are simply beautiful - full of fun. As a former children's librarian, Mum & Granny, I absolutely recommend this book.
