Before I Was Born (God's Design for Sex) [Paperback]

Carolyn Nystrom (Author)

Book Description

Release date: February 28, 2007 | Series: God's Design for Sex (Book 1)

Before I Was Born explains in age-appropriate language the basic nature of sexual intercourse between a husband and wife and discusses conception, fetal development, childbirth, and breastfeeding.

• For children ages 5 to 8

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Before I Was Born is the second book in the God's Design for Sex series, written to be read with children ages 5 to 8. With age-appropriate, straightforward text and informative illustrations, Before I Was Born explains sex as a special gift God gives to a husband and wife and covers such topics as: * Why God made boys' and girls' bodies different * God's plan for loving marriages and families * The basic facts about intercourse, presented in the context of marital love and intimacy * Conception and fetal development * Childbirth and breastfeeding Created to answer the questions inevitably asked by young children, Before I Was Born will help you give your child a vital head start in understanding God's intended purpose for procreation and sex.

About the Author

CAROLYN NYSTROM is the author of more than eighty books for both children and adults, including What Happens When We Die?, winner of the ECPA Gold Medallion Award for children's books. Carolyn and her husband, Roger, have four children, whose early questions about sex, pregnancy, and babies prompted her to write Before I Was Born.

SANDRA SPEIDEL has illustrated ten books for children, including Coconut Kind of Day and Evan's Corner. She is a graduate of the Academy of Art College in San Francisco and taught there for six years. Her illustrations have won awards from the San Francisco Society of Illustrators and the New York Society of Illustrators.

Product Details

• Paperback: 40 pages
• Publisher: NavPress (February 28, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1600060145
• ISBN-13: 978-1600060144
• Product Dimensions: 7.1 x 8.4 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (44 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,544 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #6 in Books > Christian Books & Bibles > Ministry & Church Leadership > Youth Ministry

More About the Author

Carolyn Nystrom is a freelance writer and coauthor of Is the Reformation Over? She lives in St. Charles, Illinois.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

236 of 238 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars A real lifesaver! June 28, 2000

By A Customer

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

This book was a real lifesaver. I knew my 8 year old daughter and I needed to "talk," but where to start? Happily, this series of books was recommended to me. It explains sex with a Christian bias--hallelujah! But even those who are not deeply religious would appreciate this book. The pictures accompanying the text are very beautiful drawings. The book starts off talking about how God made the world, how He made boys and girls, what boys and girls look like when they are born and as they grow older. The context is all very positive...God made our bodies and we should be proud of them! The pictures are very tasteful and not graphic. Halfway through the book (which is designed for a parent to read to their child), the book talks about God's plan for marriage. It goes on to talk about a wedding, and the promises a married couple make to each other. "Friends bring gifts to a wedding," the book reads, "God has a special gift for new husbands and wives, too. It is called sex. And sex is a gift that they can enjoy the rest of their lives. God's rules say that only people that are married to each other should have sex. it is God's way of making families strong." What a beautiful explanation! The book goes on to explain exactly what sex is, and that this is the way babies are made. (No graphic pictures of sex, the picture on this page is of a married man and woman snuggling in bed, with the covers up to their arms, but without clothing on their arms and chests. Only the male chest really shows). The next several pages of the book explain about pregnancy and the growing baby inside of a mother and concludes with the mother giving birth. I must admit that my husband was a little squeamish about the picture of the baby coming out between the mother's legs. My daughter loved this book and thanked me for explaining things to her. She confessed that she had thought, before I read this book to her, that "sex" was a BAD word! Now she knows so much better, and it has opened up an amazing dialogue between us. I feel secure, for now, that she feels very comfortable coming to ME with any questions she has about her body, growing up, and sex----and in this day and age, that is a real comfort! At the same time, I feel like this book is geared more towards 7-8 year olds than the advertised 5-8 year olds. I know a lot of 5 and 6 year olds who are just not curious enough about their bodies and sex to warrant as full and complete description as this book gives. It was perfect for my very bright, curious, 8 year old daughter at age 8.

43 of 43 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars very appropriate for Christian families April 26, 2004

By "julie20431"

Format:Paperback

I had a hard time finding a book that I was comfortable giving to my 8 year old daughter, but this book did the job! We are a Mormon family, and I am very happy with this book, as it puts sex into the context of being a gift from God for husbands and wives. It refers to Bible scriptures, and discusses sex as a way to begin a family within marriage. The pictures are beautiful watercolors, so they aren't shocking for a child to view. It explained how sex works, and helped to begin a comfortable discussion with my daughter. I am very impressed with this book, and would recommend it to anyone wanting to begin a similar discussion with their children.

113 of 126 people found the following review helpful

1.0 out of 5 stars WAAAAAAAY too graphic for the age intended... January 12, 2007

By D. Lattimore

Format:Paperback

I bought this book for my 8 1/2 year old daughter and after reading it, I couldn't bring myself to give it to her. I was ok with it until they started to describe the sex act. In my opinion this book was WAAAAAY too descriptive for 5 to 8 year old. It, in so many words, decribes an orgasm! "Body parts fitting inside others, semen flowing inside of her and bodies feeling good all over." It sounds graphic and I paraphrased it!!! That's just unnecessary for a parent who desires to teach the basics of sexuality to a young child.

I found the book "Where Do Babies Come From?", by Ruth S. Hummel, more appropriate for my child. It is a kid friendly narrative story with pronuncuations, illustrations, and careful explanations.

I think this book over sensationalizes sex. I'm not prepared to explain ejaculation to my 8 1/2 year old. Some parents may be, but I am not. I believe in keeping children children as long as possible. I am open and honest with my daughter about puberty and sex, and I answer every question that she has, but I think this book can wait until she's 12.