Everybody Has a Bellybutton

by Laurence Pringle

Everybody has a bellybutton, but what is its purpose? Award-winning author Laurence Pringle provides the answer in this unique angle on life from a single cell to birth. Pringle explains how the bellybutton is a vital link to life-giving-nutrients, water, and oxygen for a fetus in the womb. Everybody's bellybutton is a reminder of that mysterious, yet wonderful, time of life before birth. Enhanced by Clare Wood's strikingly detailed illustrations, Pringle's gentle description of life in the womb is both understandable and enjoyable for young children. A note to parents and a book list for further reading are included.

32 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 1997

Reviews

[Nancy]

Everybody has a Bellybutton: Your Life Before You Were Born (1997) by Laurence Pringle and Illustrated by Clare Wood (N-P) is a nonfiction book about human reproduction beginning with a single cell to the day of birth. The striking illustrations follow the text - starting with people, bellybuttons, birth and ending with bellybuttons. This book is for young children, but it is enjoyable and understandable for all generations. This is an excellent book and a perfect gift for a young child, who is about to become a big brother is big sister for the first time.

[Nicole]

Yep, starting to answer those questions. For my still young kids, this does a nice job of explaining what is happening without detail about the act of getting the sperm to the egg. I like How You Were Born better for the photos and the scale illustrations of the fetal growth stages.

[Tammy]

Another great book for kids to read about how babies are born. Again right to the point without a lot of additional details. Was a good conversation starter about a new siblings arrival.