Umbert the Unborn - A Womb with a View

by Gary Cangemi

Meet Umbert the Unborn, the pre-natal comic strip character that is winning the hearts and minds of people throughout the country. Created by Gary Cangemi in 2001, Umbert appears weekly in the National Catholic Register and over 100 other publications serving nearly a million readers and growing. Umbert is a pre-born infant of yet undetermined gender whose mother s womb is his private universe, playground and think-tank from which he can anticipate life and the world that awaits him. Umbert is a feisty, outspoken baby who loves life and wants respect. Umbert often appears in various stages of development from a single cell to a near term baby. Umbert the Unborn is an upbeat, funny and sometimes poignant cartoon about human life in all its glory and potential. Umbert s purpose is to give a voice, personality and humanity to the unborn child and to change the hearts and minds of the born and the way we view life before birth.

80 pages, Paperback

First published April 30, 2008

Reviews

[Siobhain · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really think this is a fantastic idea, and we especially enjoyed the comic strip when it was coming out in the National Catholic Register in the early 2000s. The deduction of a star is because many of the 4-panel strips are dated, which is to be expected of a weekly comic strip which was partly political commentary. It shows its age in a few other ways, such as Umbert's mom going to go to a doctor to find out if she is pregnant.

Each page of the book has 2 comic strips, a drawing of a baby in utero, starting at Day 1 at the beginning and ending with Day 270. These are attempts to give an accurate image and size to the growing baby as he develops, which I think are a informative. In addition to this, each page has a part called "Umbert's Fact of Life which give some factual information about a baby's development in the worm. Here is an example from page 14: "By the 20th day, Umbert's brain, spine, and nervous system have begun to develop.

All of the images are of a baby in the womb, in different positions, with a wide variety of expressions, sometimes wearing clothing or other holding other items. Two that I enjoyed:

*1. I'm tired of being called a fetus. 2. That's so impersonal. 3. I want respect! 4. From now on I'm a pre-natal tax exemption.

*1. (Image: Umbert holding a Bible) Wow. Moses was cool! He stood up to Pharoah and won freedom for all people. 2. Unborn babies could sure use a guy like Moses. 3. (Image of Umbert in the womb with a lightbulb over his head.) 4. (Image: Umbert in the costume of Moses.) "Let my people GROW!"

I'm glad I have this book, and I think families would still enjoy it. Just keep in mind that there would be a need for explanation for some parts.

[Karen-Leigh · Rating 3 out of 5]

Eggbert was better, more raunchy.