New children's book explains abortion
Carly Manes produced the work to help parents talk to kids about topic
Abortion has been the subject of comics, historical research, films and podcasts. But now it’s also at the center of a new children’s book that tells kids about the procedure and why people get one.
Carly Manes, an abortion doula and longtime activist, wrote What’s an Abortion Anyway?, a 19-page illustrated that takes them through the journey. The book has been bought by many abortion providers, who see women often bring their children in during a visit. Emulsify, a transgender artist who lives in Brooklyn, is behind the drawings.
Manes volunteered at Falls Church Help Center in Virginia while developing the book concept. She also worked at a Planned Parenthood affiliate.
“Parents take their kids to doctor's appointments. That includes their abortions,” Manes said. “And people would ask me, ‘How do I talk to my kid? Or how do I talk to little ones about abortion?’”
After doing some online research, Manes learned that most of the children’s programming pertaining to abortion came from an antiabortion perspective.
“There was nothing that I could find that was supportive of abortion access, that centered love and respect for people who have abortions geared towards teaching young people,” Manes said.
Manes couldn’t get an agent and publishers. She sent them to over 400 people looking for representation. The sense in the industry was that it was an inappropriate topic for children to learn about.
“People said it was too taboo. It was too risky. There wasn't an audience for it,” Manes said.
Manes self-published the book. Since it’s come out, several libraries around the country have requested copies.
The book is geared toward 7 to 10-year-olds, but Manes has heard children as young as 2 have sifted through its pages.
“The thing about this book is it's really for younger readers to read it in a community with caretakers or trusted adults,” Manes said. “I think you can definitely read it with the younger ones. And it leaves a lot of room to go into more detail or not depending on what feels right to you as a parent or caretaker.”