For a while now I've been on the look out for a book that will help me explain to my kids how they came about into existence. Sort of a 'first step into sex education' kind of book. Turns out it's a hard book to find if you are looking for no religious content and good illustrations. If you know of such book for little curious mind - please, let me know:) If not... well I would have to illustrate my own version of what happens:) That, of course, could be fun!The pictures above are from a beautiful 1967 edition of 'Wonderfully Made'.... It's well written and beautifully illustrated, but, unfortunately, adds religion to science. It's a great source of humor and illustration inspiration to me, but not so much when it comes to unbiased version of 'birds and bees' story:)
I taught health among other things at a residential treatment hospital. It was so difficult to find literature and videos for your exact reasons.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with your search.
If you do design your own version, I would buy it!!
ReplyDeleteIt looks like I have to! And, frankly, I'd love to!
ReplyDeleteMust find time for this soon:)
Thanks Nico Designs and Heather:)
I would love to yours!
ReplyDeleteHow You Were Born by Joanna Cole is a good one for the preschool set.
ReplyDeleteI'd love to see how you would illustrate the topic. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks bcre8uv:) It a good book... but not an illustrated version. I was trying to find something without photographs.
ReplyDeleteThe Human Body book (OwlKids) is an illustrated guide about the body in general. Originally published in France. There's even a pull tab for kids to pull the baby out of the mum - if only it were that easy in real life....
ReplyDeleteHave you seen 'Mummy laid and egg' by Babette Cole. Funny but informative with her quirky illustrations also no religion that I remember. She writes and illustrates some really cool books about subjects not normally discussed. Good luck with your search.
ReplyDeleteWell, if you write your own, maybe you should have it published for other kids...(if it's too not personal...obviously)
ReplyDelete"where did I come from?" is what I had growing up and my daughter is about ready for. I think Peter Moyle is the author. I think it does a very nice job introducing the topic without being too graphic or too childish either. Cute 70's illustrations too, but I think yours would be better!
ReplyDeleteMy daughter has 'Mummy Laid an Egg' and takes great delight in showing it to anyone that visits us.
ReplyDeleteYeah! 'Mummy Laid an Egg' is amazing... I have couple pages from this book scanned (in Hebrew), if you want a little preview.
ReplyDeleteThansk a ton!
ReplyDeleteI'm going to check out 'Mummy Laid an Egg' and ' where did I come from ASAP.
I'm also seriously considering writing and illustrating my own version.
I need to free up some time:)
Another good one for the preschool set is: Amazing You - Getting Smart About Your Private Parts. It covers anatomy, conception and pregnancy/birth.
ReplyDeleteI just stumbled upon your blog tonight, and oh my word!! we totally had this very book when we were growing up!! I bet you anything it is still sitting in my parents' attic. Too funny!
ReplyDeleteBTW, I love your style--off to check out some more!
Where Did I Come From? by Peter Mayle. I just found my copy from when I was a kid and it's delightful!
ReplyDeleteI have a copy of Where Did I Come from! ...just haven't listed it yet.
ReplyDeleteGive me a dingle if your interested. I am with you on the religion thing... the illustrations in Wonderfully Made are so delightful though.
I cannot reccomend enough Joe Kaufman's "How We are Born, How We Grow, How Our Bodies Work, and How We Learn". It's old (mine was published in 1975 but I think the latest version is from 1998) My grandmother was a librian and always gave me the most amazing books. This was one of my all time favorites (it explained all those things I didn't want to ask my parents!)I just pulled this one out for my 8 year old and he loves it as much as I did. Great illustrations and factual concise writing make it a great resource. It's out of print but you can find it on Amazon if you don't mind a "well loved" book.
ReplyDeleteGood luck!
Thanks everybody!
ReplyDeleteI'm totally checking all these out!
Chel, my grandmother was a librarian too....
I'll try to find this Joe Kaufman's book.
h:)
I found two books that were very factual, short (so not overly boring) and not at all religious. This review of them includes scans of images from the books.
ReplyDelete