This book deals with infertility and pregnancy, so this review may disturb some readers. Please consider your own wellness and mental health before continuing.
This is a pretty adorable book, but it can be sad in places. For those like the author that have struggled with infertility or our currently going through that journey, the book could be either traumatic and triggering or healing – depending on your own experiences. So please consider that when picking it up. While made for children, I always advocate that people consider their own mental health when considering reading materials.
This book is a super cute read, with absolutely gorgeous illustrations that explores infertility by comparing the baby to a cupcake. The prospective parents have a hard time making a cupcake and are understandably upset. It’s a sweet read, but the shadow of serious sadness and grief hangs over the cute, bright illustrations, reminding us off the real background story.
The parents on this journey are brave and dedicated. I can’t imagine going through all of what they do, and I hope we can get to a point where their struggles and those of people who choose to adopt can all be accepted and not stigmatized. All families are beautiful and special.
I am so grateful to the author and Love Books Tours for including me in this tour!
The author is donating a portion of proceeds from the sale of this book to RESOLVE’s Fight for Families campaign, which fights to keep IVF accessible and legal for families.
Who’s It For?
I’ll be honest, at first I was really confused about why this book existed. Who needs to tell their 0-6 year old about infertility? Then I read another review about how it would be a great way to start a discussion with your children about their origin story if you experienced infertility. I’m still a little dubious that this should be discussed at that young age, but I’m not an expert and I’ve not experienced infertility myself, so I can’t say what is appropriate or not.
Content Warnings: Infertility, Pregnancy, IVF
Question of the Day
Do you like cupcakes? What is your favorite kind?
About the Author
From the Author: Hi! I’m Erin, but most people call me “E.” I’m a wife, mother, sister, daughter, friend, cousin, and digital marketer by day.
In 2014, when infertility said, “CHALLENGE,” I said, “ACCEPTED.”
Oh wait, that’s not really what happened. I wallowed, moped, and struggled with feelings of hopelessness and low self-worth that persisted for years as we muddled through a series of escalating infertility treatments, including oral medications, injectables, IUI, and ultimately, several rounds of in-vitro fertilization (IVF).
After waiting for what seemed like an eternity, all of my kids arrived in quick succession. Our twin daughters were born in 2017, and then two years later we had the surprise of our life when our son spontaneously pulled up a chair at the dinner table we so thoughtfully and naively set for four people. This party of five has been keeping me very busy – and feeling very lucky – ever since.
My literal happy place is at home with my family and a fresh paperback. My figurative happy place involves connecting with others and turning little kernels of ideas into writing and content that informs, validates, and empathizes with our collective human experiences. That was what ultimately inspired my first children’s picture book, “Cupcakes Everywhere: One Sweet Tale of Overcoming Infertility,” which was published by Wisdom House Books in 2024.
In addition to motherhood after infertility, some of the other things I think and write about a lot include meditation, fintech, late capitalism, and astrology.
I believe – full stop – that anybody who wants to be a parent should have the option, just as I believe that anyone who isn’t ready shouldn’t be forced to. I donate a portion of all royalties from my book to RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association, and to Americans United for Separation of Church and State.
Amazon US: https://a.co/d/0jdIhLF
Bookshop US: https://bookshop.org/a/25511/9798990164154
Amazon UK: https://amzn.eu/d/6jx96PV
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/210748242-cupcakes-everywhere
Author Website: https://cupcakeseverywhere.com/
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Published by Amorina Carlton. Award-winning American author, Amorina Carlton, is currently working on her first novel. You can find more about her published work and works in progress on the home page. She also serves as the PR/Marketing Lead for Ravens and Roses Publishing, and reviews books, mostly by other indie authors, here and on Bookstagram.