Customer Reviews

Susie's Babies

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I found this book a joy to read to my children. I had no problem in discussing this with them because of the way the book was written. It was written in the 1960's and it's an appropriate book to read to children that are asking a lot of questions about where babies come from and how. It is a book about a teacher that sends her hamster to be mated with a male hamster and she teaches the children in her 4th grade class where babies come from and she does it on a level that the children would enjoy and the parents would feel comfortable with. It is a book every parent and teacher should own. Ms. Clarkson has done a wonderful job in getting the message across.

I had heard about this book from a friend a long time ago but was never able to find a copy of it until now. It is all and more than I expected it to be. If you are looking for a way to gently explain the facts of life to your children without defiling them or robbing them of their innocence than this book will do just that!

I absolutely loved this book also, and would recommend it to anyone. What better way for "city" kids to learn about themselves and the facts of life than through the birth of a pet hamster. My 9 year old daughter loved it. It doesn't push too many things too fast and is very natural. It is a keeper and well worth keeping to read to my younger children. If you don't want to spoil your child's innocence too quickly this is the book for you.

This is a fictional story about a hamster, Susie, that becomes pregnant and the class of 4th graders who, along with their teacher, observe her. From the book: "Against the background of a strong Christian ethic, a gifted teacher with 25 years' experience [Margaret Clarkson] tells the fascinating story of Susie and Luke, a pair of hamsters, and their eight babies. In the friendly, relaxed and familiar atmosphere of a happy, normal schoolroom, 35 youngsters and their teacher talk together frankly and naturally about the wonderful facts of life undfolding before them -- of mating, conception, gestation, birth and the rearing of young, both animal and human."

Though I do not think nowadays a classroom could have this discussion, this is a very good book to use with your children. The teacher explains everything using all the correct anatomical names for reproduction -- the baby does not grow in the mother's stomach but in a special place called the uterus. The teacher also explains about male and female reproduction with the correct terms, all as it relates to the hamster. The children discuss all the varieties of families: those with 2 parents, those with one parent and women having babies without a husband. This is a book that explains that there are all sorts of families but that God is happiest when a baby is born into a family with father and a mother. The book also has very nice illustrations. I read this book to my children. It should be noted that E. Margaret Clarkson wrote 16 books and also wrote many hymns (check out your hymnal) that are enjoyed today. This book was written a while ago but is still an excellent source of information. I would recommend this book.