Welcome to VBF's Children's Library


Welcome to VBF's Children's Library

Barrett was born on June 30, 2021. He has a Port Wine Stain covering most of his left cheek up to the side of his forehead. He was able to get laser treatments with Dr. Jennifer Ruth, his dermatologist, every month in the year of 2022. Barrett was so brave and handled his dots like a champ! Dr. Ruth said that he was the oldest of her patients to do laser without general anesthesia.

I am a former kindergarten teacher and taught for more than a decade. I have my masters in reading education so books and reading are a passion of mine. I think books are a gateway to another world full of imagination, as well as into a world where we can personally relate too. As Barrett grew older, I was searching for books that he could see himself in. This library gives other families easy access to books where children can see themselves in the characters. I can’t wait to see how other families enjoy them!

– Kaitlin and James Breuleux, Barrett’s mom and dad

Books We've Reviewed

While we've included a link to purchase books, we do not make commission on any sales if you do.

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Birthmarks Are Like Flowers

"Birthmarks Are Like Flowers" by Dr. Linda Rowell-Shannon is a heartwarming celebration of individuality and self-love. Using flowers like the whimsical Monkey Orchid or the Stinking Rose Lily, the book creatively shows how our differences make us beautiful and unique. It’s a sweet reminder that, just like flowers, every person has something unique to offer. The vibrant illustrations bring each flower-and the book’s empowering message-to life, making it a wonderful ready for both kids and adults.

What parents say
This is a beautiful book showing the uniqueness and individuality of each birthmark!

What kids say
Thank you, VBF, for this wonderful book. I really like it because I can see myself in it and I have a port wine birthmark

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Buddy Booby's Birthmark

Join a colorful cast of Galapagos Island creatures as they learn some valuable life lessons about tolerance, self-acceptance, sensitivity, and perfection, from a most unlikely character--a red-footed booby bird with a birthmark.

What parents say
It shows that it's how you are in the inside, not what is seen on the outside.

What kids say
I enjoyed this book; it gives awareness that you should always be nice and it doesn't matter how you look. It only matters what's on the inside.

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Bea's Power

Bea's Power is an incredible story about the power of finding your voice to express your feelings, and how this is an act of self-love.

What parents say
This book is an overall good message for any kid with a birthmark.

What kids say
This is about being brave and sharing your feelings and emotions. The illustrations were detailed.

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Lia's Kind Mind

A heartwarming story of a young lion who adores gymnastics. When Lia struggles to master a new skill on the balance beam, she doubts her abilities and ponders quitting the sport altogether. Encouraged by her teammates, Lia harnesses the power of a kind mind and learns to embrace the balance beam as she does her birthmark.

What parents say
Encourages kids to be kind to their mind in how they view themselves.

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The Curvy Tree: A Tale from the Land of Stories

Once upon a time, there was a little girl who didn't quite fit in. When she runs away, she happens upon a curvy tree who helps her understand the importance of being different! This picture book stands alone, but also plays an important role in the Land of Stories series--making this a must-have book for fans and new readers alike!

What parents say
Although it's not about a birthmark particularly, it's about how looking different can be beneficial and doesn't define you.

What kids say
You are not alone, and the tree is encouraging. The girl in the story had someone to talk to and express her feelings.

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My Spots

This book is about self-love for kids. It’s about finding our own unique spots and being okay with what nature gave us. It’s about seeing what beautiful spots are found in nature by looking at animals and their spots and markings.

What parents say
Shows how other animals have spots and different marks, comparing them to birthmarks.

What kids say
I liked how it said, "your spots are like nature and you can't control nature"; wish it gave more of a story.

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Beauty is my Birthmark

It is meant for young readers 4 years -9 years, where they can clearly understand that "It's just a birthmark" and that its okay to be different. Being different but still beautiful.

What parents say
It models how children can talk about their birthmark with others.

What kids say
This story tells you to be proud of who you are; I wish there was more awareness about birthmarks and there was no education about birthmarks.

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Beautifully Blemished

Whether it's a birthmark, eczema, vitiligo, moles, scars or other markings...it can be difficult to find the beauty in being different. Beautifully Blemished helps children see the unmatched beauty in their uniqueness and provides understanding to various skin conditions.

What parents say
Talks about different types of birthmarks with a rhyming story.

What kids say
This is about being beautiful in different ways; empowers you to be yourself.

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Made Marvelous

Join a girl named Rose with a desire to show that we all have differences from our head to our toes. She has a port wine stain on one side of her face and is determined to handle herself and others with grace.

What parents say
This would be the perfect book for a child to bring to share on the first day of school. The young girl, Rose, talks about her birthmark with pride and explains what it is. She then discusses how we are all different and compares different foods and animals in a way that is relatable to children.

What kids say
This book gave the lesson that no matter what, we can be proud of what we look like and it talks about people in her life helping her along her journey.

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Sam's Birthmark

Sam's Birthmark is a story about a boy with a birthmark and how every child is unique and special in their own way.

What parents say
Love this one! Discusses how everyone is different and discusses how people have different hair or need glasses.

What kids say
Detailed illustrations and the lesson is that everyone is unique.

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God Made Me Perfect

Amayah is a ten-year-old girl that has a port-wine stain birthmark on her face. She puts on makeup everyday in fear that her classmates will bully her. One day, a new student with a unique birthmark of his own, enrolls in her class and teaches her the power of self-love and self-confidence.

What parents say
Shows the transformation of being ashamed of the birthmark to loving it and making it a part of you.

What kids say
Easy to relate to; tells you to never hate what makes you you.

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Jaylon's Story

This story was meant to bring awareness to Sturge-Weber syndrome.

What parents say
Boy gets birthmark removed after only 2 laser treatments; only book with character having Sturge-Weber

What kids say
Teaches about SWS and gives more awareness on how to support people with SWS.

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My Birthmark

With its magical illustrations, MY BIRTHMARK makes a difficult topic easy to grasp. No matter what others may think, it is important to love yourself for who you are.

What parents say
In the end, he learns to appreciate his birthmark.

What kids say
Never be ashamed of who you are, but the message could be to hide your birthmark.

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Tyler's Purple Arm

A cheerful young boy named Tyler has a purple birthmark covering his arm and hand. When classmates react in varied ways to his different skin, he uses his positive attitude to convey that everyone has features that make us wonderfully unique.

What parents say
The message is that being different is not bad.

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My Special Mark

My Special Mark, is a touching tale that not only celebrates the uniqueness of every individual, but also answers common questions faced by those with vascular birthmarks.

What parents say
This is a great book for kids who know someone with a birthmark or have one; it's positive the whole way through.

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Beauty With A Birthmark

Birthmarks, moles, freckles, and scars are all unique like the sky's stars. Jessica, the main character, shares her journey with Nevus of Ota and highlights several types of skin marks, such as Mongolian spots, Port Wine Stains, freckles, and moles.

What parents say
She loves her birthmark and talks about the way her birthmark can be different colors and that there are different kinds of birthmarks.

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My Birthmark and Me!

This rhyming story, full of rhythm, takes you on a journey into the imagination of a confident girl from Cardiff. You get to see how she learns to use her imagination to embrace her beautiful blessing – her birthmark.

What parents say
Child uses her birthmark as inspiration for her imagination-where it can take her on her imaginary adventures.

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Rory and Friends

Rory the Raccoon is the main character in the book who has a facial birthmark that makes him a little different from many other Raccoons you may of seen!!!

What parents say
Rory the Raccoon is the main character in the book who has a facial birthmark and wears glasses, making him a little different from other raccoons.

What kids say
This is about wearing glasses, not birthmarks.

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Dinosaur Farm: A Birthmark Story that is Not about a Birthmark

Zoey is a kid who loves dinosaurs, so you can imagine her surprise when she discovers a real, live dinosaur egg on his grandparents' farm.

What parents say
Birthmarks are not the focus, but are visible on each page. The don't factor into the story.


Reviews or Suggestions

Welcome to the VBF Children’s Library. Please feel free to leave your own reviews, suggestions, or any questions below:


Children's Library Book Review


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