Where You Came from [Hardcover]

Sara O'Leary (Author), Julie Morstad (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1, 2008 | Age Range: 4 - 8 years

Book Details:

• Format: Hardcover
• Publication Date: 6/1/2008
• Pages: 32
• Reading Level: Age 4 and Up

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-K—"Where did I come from?" Henry asks. His parents answer his question with a series of playful stories. Adults will grin at the many references to common birth mythologies, such as a cabbage-patch baby, a wooden child come to life, and a mail delivery with no return address marked "handle with care." Whimsical pen-and-ink drawings with watercolor accents and a lovely minimalist design complement simple, poetic text. Regrettably, the facts are never quite revealed. Instead of giving him a frank answer, Henry's father tells him, "Your mother and I both dreamt you. And then you came true." This, accompanied by a small illustration of Henry's parents sleeping in bed, is the only suggestion of truth in this otherwise charming book. While this final segment may be suggestive of the underlying biology, it fails as a conclusion no matter how you see it. Children unfamiliar with the concept of sex may take the father's answer at face value, more savvy children may wonder why it's never explained outright, and adults who read it may wonder at the implication that innocent curiosity about one's origins shouldn't be rewarded with an honest answer.—Madeline Walton-Hadlock, San Jose Public Library, CA
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Product Details

• Age Range: 4 - 8 years
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Simply Read Books (June 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1894965469
• ISBN-13: 978-1894965460
• Product Dimensions: 7 x 0.4 x 10 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #596,685 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Sara O'Leary is the author of The Henry Books: When You Were Small, Where You Came From, and When I Was Small.

All three books were illustrated by Julie Morstad, designed by Robin Mitchell-Cranfield, and published by Simply Read Books based in Vancouver, British Columbia.

The Henry Books are about the love between parent and child and about the joy of storytelling.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Very well-done! November 26, 2010

By A reader

Format:Hardcover

I received this as a gift from my brother, and I fell in love with it. First, it honors our family's unspoken law that a child should be fed, along with fresh vegetables, a certain amount of harmless nonsense. Second, it honors (if only by omitting overt explanations to the contrary) families that may have been made in nontraditional ways. My sons both came to me through adoption, and I'm so pleased that this sweet story is just as resonant for us as for a family made through biology. It's well-done and beautifully illustrated, and printed with quality materials. All-around kudos.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful! June 2, 2009

By J. Carlson

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

Such a darling book! My kids (4.5 years) love it and request it over and over! A keeper!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful Story and Illusltrations September 12, 2011

By 510.Felicia

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

This is one of my favorite children's stories... it's such a personal story of mother father and child. I love the illustrations, so delicate and simple!