Where Did I Come From? [Paperback]

Peter Mayle (Author), Arthur Robins (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 6 and up | Grade Level: 1 and up

Describes the reproductive process from intercourse to birth.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 6 and up
  
• Paperback: 48 pages
• Publisher: Lyle Stuart Inc.; 1st edition assumed edition (1973)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0818402539
• ISBN-13: 978-0818402531
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 9.2 x 0.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (157 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,527 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #1 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Parenting & Families > Parenting > School-Age Children
  • #1 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Teens > Health, Mind & Body > Sexuality
  • #1 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Science > Biological Sciences > Zoology > General

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

259 of 268 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Tastefully presented, March 2, 2003

By 

S. Hughes "s_hughes" (United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Where Did I Come From? (Paperback)

My parents used this book to help answer my questions about how babies are made when I was around 5 years old. This book provided just enough information to introduce me to the concept of sex and making babies without embarassing me too terribly much.

I notice that some reviewers worry that the book provides children with too much information or is too graphic. I find that the book would be incomplete if some of the information or the pictures were omitted. If they weren't included, I know I would have had many questions unanswered as a child. The tasteful illustrations included in the book helped me understand the book's content, rather than forcing me to fill in the gaps with inaccurate and possibly scary images that could have led to unhealthy views of sex.

As a child, I found myself really studying the pictures, cartoon images that are presented very tastefully and are actually sort of cute. The pictures do show the male and female anatomy, which is important information if a child is to understand how babies are made. They show a man and woman who love each other and are happy, things that would allow a child to have a positive and healthy perspective about sex and making a baby.

As a person who has had personal experience with this book as a child, I highly recommend it. I plan to use it with my own son in a few years.

(One last note: I believe this book is best suited for younger children that are asking questions or could be introduced to the topic of sex or making babies. It might be a bit juvenile for pre-teen.)

125 of 130 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Fabulous Book!, September 5, 2001

By 

Reb S. "windygirl" (New York, NY USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Where Did I Come From? (Paperback)

My mother tried teaching me about sex starting at about age four or five--I'm not sure I was ready to hear it at that point, but, as life would have it, a therapist had a copy of Where Did I Come From? on her coffee table when I went to go see her at age six. I was curious about the book, since the pictures were engaging and the topic matter was obviously interesting to me, so she read it to me. It was interesting and fascinating, and funny--the pictures were cartoony enough to be specific but not threatening or gross. I actually recall asking her to read it to me a number of times, and I asked tons of questions. I can't say how I would have responded to having my mom read it to me--a neutral third party was probably the best person, for me, to hear it from, just because my mom tended to get very self-conscious teaching me about sex, and that made me uncomfortable (although, God bless her, she did try!). I really enjoyed the book as a child, and it taught me everything I needed to know to understand what sex and puberty were so that by the time those things happened, I knew not only what was going on, but because it was so easy to ask questions with the book, I knew I could ask more questions of my mom and other adults in my life (doctors, health teachers, etc)(and find more books) when the time came. (I actually can't stress that enough--when it was about time for my friends and I to start menstruating, we actually went to the library (without our parent's knowlege) and took out a book called "Period" to tell us more about it (another great book--I don't know if it's still in print or not-- just the right speed for 10-12 year olds). And that helped a lot too.

If you're looking for a way to ease into talking about sex with your kids, Where Did I Come From? worked very well for me when I was 6 (I did actually know what sex was, since my mom told me about it at 4 or 5, but I ENJOYED learning from this book--I think because this one was down to earth and funny. Humor can help a LOT!) And like some of the other reviewers, learning about sex early did not prompt me to have sex early--I waited until I was 19 and then waitied again until I was 23. And I know that the fact that sex WASN'T a mystery to me had a lot to do with my abstaining from it. Teaching your kids about sex doesn't have to be a horrible experience. This is a fun book, and your kids should be distracted by the silly pictures so they won't be looking at you nervously sweating, wondering what to say. Plus, the book will say it for you anyway. I highly recommend the book.

44 of 45 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "The Talk"...Sooner or Later..ya gotta have it..., August 21, 2003

By 

L. Shirley "Laurie's Boomer Views" (Huntington Beach,CA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Where Did I Come From? (Paperback)

"Where Did I Come From?" by Peter Mayle is a great tool to help you through those embarrassing questions the youngins are asking. It is geared for the very young, I would say ages 5-8, and is best if read together with mom or dad. The text is frank and straightfoward and the cartoon like illustrations,including mom and dad making love, leave no questions about the difference between men and women. I did not find the illustrations to be graphic or offensive any more than a nude sculpture or painting in a museuem( I'm not comparing the art work by any means, just the idea).

This book covers the basics without getting too scientific(We can save that part for when they're older). If your kids have a notion that "I was brought special delivery by the stork", by the end of this book they will know the truth. Starting out with the physical differences between men and women,there are explanations of the REAL names of parts of the anatomy, the act of making love, conception(sperm and eggs included), different stages of fetal development and the birth process.It is all covered.

As I mentioned above, it is probably important to read this book together(even if the child can already read), as you may want to interject your own thoughts and answer any questions along the way. For example, the book talks about the good feelings adults get during sex, and at that point I felt that it was important for my kids to know that this would be between a married couple who love each other very much. In a world where bad things can happen, I didn't want that open to any other interpertation! You may also want to read it on your own first, so you will know what to expect and be prepared for any forthcoming questions or giggling!

Sooner or later you gotta do it!. This book really is a big help in having your child informed early, and sooner is probably better. I found the younger the child the less embarrassing it was. It was also a wonderful bonding experience with each child I read it to. My book is an edition printed in 1973, and I haven't seen anything better since. I plan on passing it on to my kids, when they have little ones(Sigh...still waiting!)and I hope they find it as useful, and as good of an experience as I did.

Now...about Santa....we'll save that one for another day.....Laurie