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47th out of 52 books
—
11 voters
Where Did I Come From?
This bestselling classic explains the facts of life to young children in an age-appropriate and straightforward manner, accompanied by lively illustrations.
Paperback, 48 pages
Published
December 1st 2000
by Lyle Stuart
(first published July 1973)
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I cannot believe this book is written by the same Peter Mayle who wrote A Year in Provence! HAHAHAHAA!
I like that this book exists. It's written for children and explains where babies come from in a very straightforward way. The illustrations are wonderful, cute and really funny. The whole book is hilariously informative, actually. But I think it explains the sex part a bit too well. Of course, that's the parent talking. That's not at all what I thought when I read it as a kid. When I read it a...more
I like that this book exists. It's written for children and explains where babies come from in a very straightforward way. The illustrations are wonderful, cute and really funny. The whole book is hilariously informative, actually. But I think it explains the sex part a bit too well. Of course, that's the parent talking. That's not at all what I thought when I read it as a kid. When I read it a...more
This was the book my parents bought me when I was a kid (5ish, maybe younger) . . . it was really good. It's simple enough that a questioning child can understand the mechanics and avoid myths.
I have NO idea what the fuss with the naked people is about. They're drawn completely unsexually, to illustrate the human body.
And yes, it does mention what sex 'feels like', but that is an INEVITABLE question kids will ask. They'll want to know WHY people have sex, and if you don't tell them, they will w...more
I have NO idea what the fuss with the naked people is about. They're drawn completely unsexually, to illustrate the human body.
And yes, it does mention what sex 'feels like', but that is an INEVITABLE question kids will ask. They'll want to know WHY people have sex, and if you don't tell them, they will w...more
I bought this because it was recommended by some neighbors and also by authors Ken and Linda Eyre (whose wisdom and parenting advice I find very helpful) but this book is not for us and our children at this time. There are parts that are probably fine to teach children about how babies grow, etc. but the parts specifically related to sex and what function genitalia plays in that doesn't fit with how I envision teaching my children about sex. Something about the way it's worded just feels weird a...more
I don't know if I'm mature enough to have this conversation. I read this book in preparation for THE TALK.
My first reaction on opening this book was to close it. Holy naked cartoon people. They are chubby and unattractive cartoon people, but they're naked and on every stinking page. And they're anatomically correct. It was a bit much for me.
I finally opened it again and read the text. And closed it. Then opened it again and re-read it. It's good that proper names are used, but I'm not sure I wa...more
My first reaction on opening this book was to close it. Holy naked cartoon people. They are chubby and unattractive cartoon people, but they're naked and on every stinking page. And they're anatomically correct. It was a bit much for me.
I finally opened it again and read the text. And closed it. Then opened it again and re-read it. It's good that proper names are used, but I'm not sure I wa...more
This book is definitely developed with the child in mind. It is easy to read, it provides humor, and definitely gets the point across on a subject which can often be difficult to approach.
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.
As a child, I found myself really studying the pictures, cartoon images that are presented very taste...more
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.
As a child, I found myself really studying the pictures, cartoon images that are presented very taste...more
If you need a great simple book about sex/where babies come from, this is a great book! It explains it all in simple but correct language, is respectful about the process. Read it first, to gage what age level you want to read it to. It goes into the WHOLE process, so if you have a young child who just has basic questions, this will be too much. I even let my older boys read it (who we have already talked to about sex) and I think it cleared up some of the questions they were afraid to ask. It o...more
Jul 09, 2012
Emily
rated it
1 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
sex can be strange, what is that?, oh god, no more!
this book is single-handedly the foremost reason i am single today. afterall, there are reasons certain books are banned in malaysia.
here is the cover. if you see it, be warned. do not pick it up or you will carry with you scars and remorse that will never heal, or loads upon loads of boyfriends that are seemingly okay looking and then turn out to be total ass hats:
yes, this book has that power. while it feels somewhat strange to give a lauded children's book that teaches about "body parts" on...more
here is the cover. if you see it, be warned. do not pick it up or you will carry with you scars and remorse that will never heal, or loads upon loads of boyfriends that are seemingly okay looking and then turn out to be total ass hats:
yes, this book has that power. while it feels somewhat strange to give a lauded children's book that teaches about "body parts" on...more
11 likes · like · see review
Heard about this as a recommendation from the Eyres on a good jumping off place for the TALK with your kids. I've loved lots of their parenting advice and books, so I was expecting just the book I would want. Ummmmm. Not even close. I returned it to the library the very next day. There must be a better way to talk to my children about sex without a picture book with alarming naked cartoon parents. And not just on one page. I am hoping for open conversations and want to be ready when my child has...more
My daughter has been very curious about body parts lately and I thought it would be a good idea to check out a few books from the library to help her figure things out. I think I may have jumped the gun with this one. Growing up in a house that was EXTREMELY hush hush about sex and our bodies, I've been eager to accommodate my kids the best I could using age appropriate materials.
Unfortunately, I think this was the wrong book to start my 3-year-old off with. I'm glad I took the time to read it...more
Unfortunately, I think this was the wrong book to start my 3-year-old off with. I'm glad I took the time to read it...more
I went to the library today to look through all the "how to talk to your kids about sex" books so I could decide which one I like and want to buy. I chose this one. It is very simple and doesn't go into puberty or types of families, which we'll save for another conversation. There were several other books I looked at that were good, but way too much information to jump into all at once, and certainly not anything I would just hand to my kid and say, "Here, read this and let me know if you have a...more
This book made me laugh out loud more than once. It's another pretty explicit one, but the more I read them (and find myself cringing) the more I think, you know what? It's not that weird to tell kids about sex. We've made it weird because we're an incredibly repressed society, but good grief, it's a bodily function and it's something everyone does and it's how the human race even exists. It just doesn't need to be that big a deal, and if you talk to kids about it as though it isn't, I bet it wo...more
This is a fabulous book to help you with your first talk to teach your kids about sex. I used this along with another great resource at valuesparenting.com. In our family we have the 'big talk' sometime around when our kids turn 8, and then have talks every year after that. (or whenever they need to) I believe that if children trust their parents and feel comfortable talking to them about sexual matters, they will be armed to deal with what they encounter from the rest of the world with confiden...more
May 25, 2009
jolszko
added it
I had this book in hardback when my kids were young. My older child had more experience with the whole idea. I was pregnant when he was 3. He carried that book around a lot. It had a plump cartoonish couple throughout the book. There is a picture (not graphic) of them under the covers with hearts floating up. My son used to say "that is my favorite picture, the one with all of the love feelings"
Very non threatening, non graphic for the modest or squeamish of you. An orgasmism is compared to a sn...more
Very non threatening, non graphic for the modest or squeamish of you. An orgasmism is compared to a sn...more
I remember sneaking a look at this book at the bookstore, my mother noticing and trying not-to-notice. As soon as I saw the naked cartoon people, I quickly shut the book, put it back, and tried to act like I hadn't seen it... But what is funny is that I had No Idea until just now, when I was searching a favorite author to see if he had anything new for me to read (and dream of Provence), that it was written by the same guy! Peter Mayle has created memories and dreams for me for long than I knew!...more
Wow what a flashback. this is one of the books my parents got us when we started asking whats up... there is another one that goes with it. I wish i could remember the name. This is so much fun, and you'll love the pictures of the pudgy lovin' people. I bet my Dad still has them in boxes or something, maybe I will see... the first published date is WAY wrong. I read it in the early 80's. Ok, so the other book is titled, What's happening to me? Obviously about puberty. Same style and format.
We have "the talk" with our kids when they turn eight. Since that momentous birthday just came for our twins we got to rediscover this little treasure :) This has great illustrations that really get down to the details in a very appropriate way. I recommend you read "How to Talk to Children About Sex" by Linda and Richard Eyer first and then use this book to help you with "the talk." (thank you Sarah for that recommendation years ago!) Three very successful discussions down, two to go!
Jan 29, 2009
Karla
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
picture-books,
non-fiction
african american edition - great illustrations - good basics presented in a funny way. i appreciate robie harris' books more esp. for older children only because they go beyond the man-loves-woman, man-makes-love-to-woman, baby-comes-out, happily-ever-heterosexual-traditional-two-parent-after. :) but overall good for younger children as a first intro and/or for straight families.
A great book for discussing the 'BIG" question. I like that it leaves room for you to add your own comments since it is written in a simple no nonsense way. What I imagined to be a very awkward 20 minutes was not at all weird. So I do recommend this book to parents of young children who are asking for a little more explanation than, "the stork brought you."
Good sex ed intro for kids. Not age-appropriate for my 5 year-old, in my opinion, but should be a good intro in another year or two--sooner if he asks relevant questions. Also, a bit too sperm-centric (eggs are proto-people, too!), but this gets 5 stars if only because others are criticizing it for all the wrong reasons.
Genre: Factual non-fiction picture book
Reading Level: Transitional
Topics & Themes: Gives a very straightforward description of sex and pregnancy.
Curricular Use: Not recommended for classroom use. Suggest for parents to confront the topic
Social: How sex happens and who between: mom and dad.
Text & Pictures: Interaction of text and pictures. Pictures are graphic and extremely detailed. If give this book to a child be prepared to face questions and embarrassment.
Additional Notes: I am on the...more
Reading Level: Transitional
Topics & Themes: Gives a very straightforward description of sex and pregnancy.
Curricular Use: Not recommended for classroom use. Suggest for parents to confront the topic
Social: How sex happens and who between: mom and dad.
Text & Pictures: Interaction of text and pictures. Pictures are graphic and extremely detailed. If give this book to a child be prepared to face questions and embarrassment.
Additional Notes: I am on the...more
Hmm ... I am just not sure what to think of this book. It is the book that the "How to talk to your kids about sex" book recommends reading with your kids (at age 8) for the actual details of the "big talk." The information is straight forward and completely factual, of course, but the illustrations are a little too much, and cartoonish, which makes everything seem a little ridiculous (like the sperm with top hats - do we need to confuse kids even more?)
I can't decide if I'll actually read this...more
I can't decide if I'll actually read this...more
I remember this book and the companion book, What's Happening to Me from my childhood! I was totally fascinated by these books and NEVER thought any of the strange things that I hear some adults talk about thinking how they thought of things as children.
I did not actually read this word for word. We looked at the pictures and I explained in my own words.
The text describes lovemaking in detail. Some kids may be ready for this. Some won't be, of course. So use parental discretion.
The text describes lovemaking in detail. Some kids may be ready for this. Some won't be, of course. So use parental discretion.
I seriously can't believe this book was on the shelf. It's flat out breath-taking, some of the information and pictures you're going to find in this book. A must read. Seriously. And yes, it IS the african-american edition. BOOYAH!
Good book to explain things in a nonsensical way. I paper-clipped some of the middle pages together and we skipped over those. The cartoon pictures are funny, but respectful. I'll probably use it for my other children as well.
5 stars with a caveat - make sure you read this WITH your child. They will have lots of questions, and the book itself does not cover any type of morality issues (a man and a woman should be married before having sex, etc.).
This is a great book to help talk to kids about sexuality and reproduction. I couldn't find it in print on Amazon, but I'll be getting it from the library when it's time to have those talks with my little one.
Boy was I shocked when browsing my favorite travelogue author's other books and realized that he also wrote the book my mom gave me at 10 to help explain sex. I don't think I will ever be the same....
My son is almost 8 and we are going to have "the talk" and this book was recommended. It is a cute cartoon book that explains all of the birds and the bees but in a clean way that he can understand.
Wow, someone mentioned this as a good frank sex-talk book for young kids. You know, set the context at home on your own terms and values, before the kids encounter the same topic with their peers. After my friend mentioned it, I actually remembered reading this book as a kid. So I put it on hold and got it from the library. But, oh my gosh, as a grown up, I have to say the three pages elaborating on how (good) it feels to have sex and orgasm seems like a very 70s thing and about 2.8 pages too lo...more
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Peter Mayle (born June 14, 1939 in Brighton) is a British author famous for his series of books detailing life in Provence, France. He spent fifteen years in advertising before leaving the business in 1975 to write educational books, including a series on sex education for children and young people. In 1989, A Year in Provence was published and became an international bestseller. His books have be...more
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Oct 17, 2012 07:33pm
I think my kid already knows about sex....more
Oct 17, 2012 07:40pm