When You Were Inside Mommy [Hardcover]

Joanna Cole (Author), Maxie Chambliss (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 2 and up | Grade Level: P and up

Isn't it amazing that you were once inside Mommy?

With clear inviting text and lively illustrations, Joanna Cole and Maxie Chambliss introduce young children to the concepts of pregnancy and childbirth--from the time they begin as one tiny cell to the joyful moment when their parents welcome them into the world.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

When You Were Inside Mommy by Joanna Cole, illus. by Maxie Chambliss, also explains pregnancy and childbirth in language young children can understand and presents pertinent details in a matter-of-fact manner. Chambliss's palette in soft tones of pink, blue and lavender conveys the happiness of the expectant family and several detailed drawings of a developing fetus reveal some of the mystery. The small trim size makes the paper-over-board book comfortable for lap sharing while the "Note to Parents" in the back offers advice on talking to children.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

reS-A meaningful and sensitive way to open up a dialogue about pregnancy and childbirth with preschoolers. Cole tells the facts in a straightforward, enthusiastic, but sensitive manner, addressing the child directly ("Once you were inside your mommy. Did you know that? It's true!"). The concepts covered are the most basic: babies grow in the womb from cells provided by the mother and father and are fed through a special tube. When the muscles of the womb start squeezing and the baby is ready to be born, the scene switches to the hospital, where the joy of the birth is the main focus. Chambliss's color illustrations match Cole's tone perfectly, and show a warm and loving family consisting of a mother, a father, and a baby who develops into a boy of about four. The happiness brought on by the infant's birth can even be seen on the faces of the doctors, their smiles visible through their surgical masks. Illustrations that depict the womb and the umbilical cord make the text easier to understand without being too graphic. An informative note to parents offers practical tips for answering children's questions with honesty and warmth.

Kathleen Kelly MacMillan, Maryland School for the Deaf, Columbia

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 2 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: HarperCollins (August 7, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0688170439
• ISBN-13: 978-0688170431
• Product Dimensions: 7.1 x 6.7 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #126,475 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #6 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > Science, Nature & How It Works > Health > Sexuality
  • #16 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > Authors & Illustrators, A-Z > ( C ) > Cole, Joanna
  • #25 in Books > Children's Books > Science, Nature & How It Works > Health > Sexuality

More About the Author

Joanna Cole s a former elementary school teacher and librarian and a frequent contributor to Parents magazine. Joanna Cole lives in Connecticut.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Answers children's questions, March 5, 2002

By 

Kristi Betts (Irving, Texas) - See all my reviews

This review is from: When You Were Inside Mommy (Hardcover)

Joanna Cole (I Am a Big Brother, I Am a Big Sister) has created yet another great book for sharing with young children. Directly addressing toddlers and preschool age children, Cole tells about pregnancy and childbirth. Using terms such as uterus, umbilical cord, and breast, and with illustrations of a child inside the womb, Cole and Chambliss have created a wonderful book for parents to share with very, young children, especially when a new baby is expected. Additional information on answering children's questions about birth is provided at the back of the book.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best preschooler's book I've seen on the topic, November 1, 2006

By 

JL Bell "Jude" (Chicago, IL) - See all my reviews

This review is from: When You Were Inside Mommy (Hardcover)

This book is such a great way for preschoolers to learn where they came from and gives parents a way to tell their child's birth story. We interject specific happenings from our son's birth story and he just loves it. It was the perfect book to read to our oldest son when we were pregnant with our second child as it helped him understand the process of what was happening/going to happen now that there was another baby inside of mommy. He was only 2 years old and he comprehended it all through the simple language and adorable pictures! Perfect book!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars When you were inside mommy, August 18, 2004

By 

Ursula S (California) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: When You Were Inside Mommy (Hardcover)

Great book for pre-school age children who are curious about being "inside mommy" but who do not need a lot of information yet. This book was the perfect first book for my 4 year son who has been asking questions.