Describes the reproductive process from intercourse to birth.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Browse our Bookshelf Favorites store for big savings on popular fiction, nonfiction, children's books, and more. |
Book Description
Frequently Bought Together
Product Details
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images? |
More About the Authors
Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
289 of 299 people found the following review helpful
Format: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.)
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.)
136 of 142 people found the following review helpful
By Reb S.
Format: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.
54 of 56 people found the following review helpful
Format: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
Most Recent Customer Reviews
3.0 out of 5 stars
Where Dud I Come From?
I felt this book was far too graphic for a preschool child, for whom I ordered this book. The child's mother, my niece, allowed as how she might allow her little one to read for... Read more
Published 9 days ago by Ms. Patricia P. Russell
5.0 out of 5 stars
right on time.
super affordable, great condition. could not have asked for a better book great condition seriously. so good. wow. oh man.
Published 10 days ago by Jessica Buchanan
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Good Book
The book presents these private matters for a younger audience. There are illustrations in the book of a cartoonish character.
Published 22 days ago by Snottzoid
5.0 out of 5 stars
WONDERFUL book on a kid's level for sex
I have been a nurse for many years. I used this book in a sex ed class for parents on how to talk to thier kids about sex wth great results, and i have given it to my son, daughter... Read more
Published 24 days ago by chris criswell
5.0 out of 5 stars
Had this book when I was little.
My mom gave this book to my sisters and I when I was in third grade. I remember giggling at the pictures and teasing my mom that the woman in the book looked like her. Read more
Published 25 days ago by Sarah R.
2.0 out of 5 stars
watch out
I am a preschool teacher. A parent of a 4 yo girl who was asking A LOT of "questions" asked me to look for some sort of realistic books on the subject of reproduction. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Rita
5.0 out of 5 stars
Love this book!
My parents used this book to talk to me about the birds and the bees when I was a child and now I am doing the same thing with my boys. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Nicole Gist
5.0 out of 5 stars
Hysterical and informative
This book was recommended to me in a class back in college by a professor of education. It's great to read to a child before he or she is truly capable of understanding where... Read more
Published 2 months ago by Anita
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great!!!!!!!!
Silly pictures but great for kids around 8-9yrs (or younger if the situation is needed) to help you teach them important things about life. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Mary
5.0 out of 5 stars
"Where Did I Come From?"
I had this book a long time ago and used it to teach my daughters about sexuality. Then somewhere along the way I lost the book and decided to get a new one. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Joan Duran
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Sell a Digital Version of This Book in the Kindle Store
If you are a publisher or author and hold the digital rights to a book, you can sell a digital version of it in our Kindle Store.
Learn more
