Book details

  • Genre:children's fiction
  • Sub-genre:Family / Alternative Family
  • Age Range (years):0 - 8
  • Language:English
  • Pages:28
  • Hardcover ISBN:9798317825324

Me the Great

How the Power of Three Made Me

By Emily Ramirez, Mary Dolan and Lara Herzer

Overview

Every great hero has an origin story—and yours is special times three! ME THE GREAT: How the Power of Three Made Me celebrates donor conception and surrogacy through the eyes of a child. This joyful picture book helps parents start early, loving conversations about their child's beginnings, when finding the right words can feel hard. With inclusive, non-gendered characters and gentle, heartwarming language, it's a celebration of diversity, generosity, and the many ways families are made.

Read more

Description

A joyful, empowering picture book about donor conception, surrogacy, and the many ways families are made.

Every great hero has an origin story—and yours is special times three! In a world where families are created in all kinds of wonderful ways, ME THE GREAT: How the Power of Three Made Me celebrates the beauty of donor conception and surrogacy through the eyes of a child. Told with warmth, humor, and heart, this whimsical picture book helps parents introduce third-party reproduction when finding the right words feels hard to do.

What happens when grown-ups wishing for a child meet a Giver with something extraordinary to share? YOU happen! Told from the child's perspective, ME THE GREAT flips the usual narrative—it's not about science or struggle, but about celebration. The story radiates pride, love, and wonder, showing that being made by three people isn't just unique—it's extra special. With gentle, age-appropriate language and enchanting illustrations, it turns complex beginnings into a joyful story of connection and generosity.

Experts recommend sharing a child's origin story early and often—and this book gives parents the perfect way to begin. Whether read aloud or cherished as a keepsake, ME THE GREAT helps families start open, loving conversations about how they came to be. Featuring non-gendered, non-racial characters, this inclusive story welcomes all families—LGBTQ+ parents and anyone whose path to parenthood includes the gift of a donor or surrogate.

Perfect for:

  • Families created through egg or sperm donation, or gestational surrogacy
  • LGBTQ+ families
  • Parents and professionals seeking inclusive, affirming tools for family-building conversations

Inside this book, you'll find:

  • A positive, age-appropriate explanation of donor conception and surrogacy
  • Whimsical, inclusive illustrations that spark joy and pride
  • Language that empowers parents to start conversations early with confidence
  • A reminder that every child's story is heroic, magical, and made with love

Join families around the world who are celebrating their extraordinary beginnings—because every story deserves to be told with pride.

Read more

About The Author

Mary is a Chicago-based mom of two, whose family was made possible through the gift of donor eggs.  A full-time professional at a brand innovation firm, Mary is equally passionate about supporting others navigating infertility. She leads two donor conception support groups through RESOLVE and serves on the Patient Education Committee for the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM), helping to amplify patient voices on their family-building journeys.  ME THE GREAT: How the Power of Three Made Me is Mary's first book, inspired by her own experience becoming a mom. She hopes it's the version of her children's story they continue to share with pride and joy.

Lara is Executive Creative Director at BBDO Chicago, with over two decades shaping world-class brands like Disney, Adobe, Jeep and the US Open. Her creative leadership has earned top industry honors, from Cannes Lions to Clios. But Lara's proudest work is her family, built with the help of an egg donor and two extraordinary surrogates. Inspired by her own journey, she co-wrote ME THE GREAT: HOW THE POWER OF THREE MADE ME to celebrate the ever-expanding love found in families built in unique ways. Whether leading creative teams or reading to her kids, Lara is passionate about nurturing creativity, championing inclusivity and making space for everyone's story.

Emily is a mom to three super kids, a nurse with a love for data, and now- a children's book author! Living in the Chicago suburbs, Emily built her family with the help of an egg donor and found comfort in community through RESOLVE support groups. What started as seeking support soon turned into hosting groups focused on donor conception. After hearing time and again, "I just need the right words to tell my child's story," inspiration struck, and ME THE GREAT was born! As a nurse with a passion for helping others, Emily hopes ME THE GREAT helps families find the words – and the pride – to celebrate their beautifully unique beginnings. You'll likely find her dancing in the kitchen with her kids, celebrating her own family's story!

Tara is an illustrator based in Raleigh, North Carolina.  Her vibrant, nature-inspired artwork bursts with color, joy, and imagination.  Her illustrations appear on stationary, fabric, home decor, and more through collaborations with brands like TJ Maxx, Happy Planner, and Bloom & Wild.

Read more

Book Reviews

to submit a book review