Status
Available
Call number
Series
Genres
Publication
Candlewick (2008), Edition: Illustrated, 64 pages
Description
From the expert team behind IT'S PERFECTLY NORMAL and IT'S SO AMAZING! comes a book for younger children about their bodies - a resource that parents, teachers, librarians, health care providers, and clergy can use with ease and confidence. Young children are curious about almost everything, especially their bodies. And young children are not afraid to ask questions. What makes me a girl? What makes me a boy? Why are some parts of girls' and boys' bodies the same and why are some parts different? How was I made? Where do babies come from? Is it true that a stork brings babies to mommies and daddies? IT'S NOT THE STORK! helps answer these endless and perfectly normal questions that preschool, kindergarten, and early elementary school children ask about how they began. Through lively, comfortable language and sensitive, engaging artwork, Robie H. Harris and Michael Emberley address readers in a reassuring way, mindful of a child's healthy desire for straightforward information. Two irresistible cartoon characters, a curious bird and a squeamish bee, provide comic relief and give voice to the full range of emotions and reactions children may experience while learning about their amazing bodies. Vetted and approved by science, health, and child development experts, the information is up-to-date, age-appropriate, and scientifically accurate, and always aimed at helping kids feel proud, knowledgeable, and comfortable about their own bodies, about how they were born, and about the family they are part of.… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member my624persona
Ever wondered where babies come from, or why boys and girls look sometimes the same and sometimes different? This charming book, aimed at children age 4 and up, takes kids through these natural, healthy questions with an amazing balance of facts and humor. Robie Harris, author of It's so amazing!
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And it's perfectly normal!, and illustrator Michael Emberley have created a masterpiece that gives kids age-appropriate information about their bodies (and other people's bodies), sex, having babies, growing up, having friends, adoption, okay and not-okay touching, different kinds of families, and more--all neatly tucked into 56 pages illustrated with rich color. The illustrations capture many times of people and bodies (fat ones, skinny ones, tall ones, short ones, baby ones, teenage ones, post-menopausal ones, ones of lots of different colors and with different kinds of hair), and show them not staring blank-faced through the page, but in action--doing lots of things that people do, like going to the beach or shopping for groceries or making dinner. Harris's writing style is matter-of-fact and to the point, but gentle and comforting and allows for the giggles and squeamishness many kids (and adults) have about their bodies. Harris uses easy-to-understand words and simple definitions for words that pre-school kids may not know yet, making this comprehensive book accessible to young kids, whether they're reading it themselves or having it read to them. Highly recommended for every child who has a body. Includes index. Show Less
LibraryThing member mrs.mackey
"It's Not the Stork!: A Book About Girls, Boys, Babies, Bodies, Families and Friends" is a book that will answer any questions that a child might ask regarding sex, puberty, and even reproduction. It is also filled with illustrations of female and male bodies to make all this information easier to
This book had an age range of 4-11, but I feel like some of the information is too complex for a four year old to grasp. I would consider it more for ages 8-11. It uses a lot of big words and techinical terms that would be too advanced for younger children. I found this book to be very informative and plan on using it when the time is right for my children.
I would be leary of using this book in the classroom since it does have so much mature content. I would definately get permission from parents first on this one. For a classroom activity, I would have a box that the kids could put any questions they may have about this book. We would then discuss all of the questions in class. I would not say who asked what question since that might embarass someone.
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comprehend. This book had an age range of 4-11, but I feel like some of the information is too complex for a four year old to grasp. I would consider it more for ages 8-11. It uses a lot of big words and techinical terms that would be too advanced for younger children. I found this book to be very informative and plan on using it when the time is right for my children.
I would be leary of using this book in the classroom since it does have so much mature content. I would definately get permission from parents first on this one. For a classroom activity, I would have a box that the kids could put any questions they may have about this book. We would then discuss all of the questions in class. I would not say who asked what question since that might embarass someone.
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LibraryThing member saltypepper
Americans tend to say that they want matters of sexuality and reproduction to be left to parents to discuss with their children, yet many parents are extremely squeamish when it comes to having those same discussions with children about these matters. This squeamishness leads them to put those
This book is accurate, age-appropriate, clear, thorough, and yet sensitive in explaining things to children. People may consider the range of information and illustrations provided to be shocking for children as young as 4, but really, my experience is that individual kids tend to take what they need from the information provided and ignore the rest if it is too much for them. It is the parents who find it shocking rather than the children.
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discussions off until some nebulous "later" or to give incomplete information, which does kids a great disservice. This book is accurate, age-appropriate, clear, thorough, and yet sensitive in explaining things to children. People may consider the range of information and illustrations provided to be shocking for children as young as 4, but really, my experience is that individual kids tend to take what they need from the information provided and ignore the rest if it is too much for them. It is the parents who find it shocking rather than the children.
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LibraryThing member sarah.vargo
How to explain where babies come from
LibraryThing member Shellystanley
Summary: This is a book that teaches young children about different topics that pertain to their body. These topics include, the difference between boys and girls, how they were made, where babies one from, and many more. It goes through each developmental step using age-appropriate language so it
Personal reaction: I thought that this was a really great book. I have a four and six year old and I have never discussed any of these topics with them. They have never asked so I never thought to talk about it. After reading this book I will definitely be going through it with them because I do think that it is important for children to know these kinds of things.
Extension ideas: I think that many of these topics parents may get upset if a teacher taught their child about it. Although I do think it is important for children to know things like the proper name for their private parts, I can definitely see some parents getting upset about a teacher discussing it with their child, so I would stay away from those topics completely. Chapters 11-20 covers pregnancy, fetal development, child birth, infant development, different types of families, good touches and bad touches, friendship, and growing up. I think that these topics would be okay to cover but I would probably still get permission from parents before discussing any of these topics. If I got the go-ahead I would teach children about pregnancy, a little about childbirth, and infant development. Especially if one of the students had a pregnant mother. I would bring fruit/vegetables to show the children the size that the baby is during each developmental stage during pregnancy. For infant development I would teach them the different stages that babies go through and we would discuss any new babies that the students have had in their family.
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is not confusing for small children. Personal reaction: I thought that this was a really great book. I have a four and six year old and I have never discussed any of these topics with them. They have never asked so I never thought to talk about it. After reading this book I will definitely be going through it with them because I do think that it is important for children to know these kinds of things.
Extension ideas: I think that many of these topics parents may get upset if a teacher taught their child about it. Although I do think it is important for children to know things like the proper name for their private parts, I can definitely see some parents getting upset about a teacher discussing it with their child, so I would stay away from those topics completely. Chapters 11-20 covers pregnancy, fetal development, child birth, infant development, different types of families, good touches and bad touches, friendship, and growing up. I think that these topics would be okay to cover but I would probably still get permission from parents before discussing any of these topics. If I got the go-ahead I would teach children about pregnancy, a little about childbirth, and infant development. Especially if one of the students had a pregnant mother. I would bring fruit/vegetables to show the children the size that the baby is during each developmental stage during pregnancy. For infant development I would teach them the different stages that babies go through and we would discuss any new babies that the students have had in their family.
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LibraryThing member rubberkeyhole
I minored in human sexuality, and have read through many books about sex and sexuality, including a few explaining "how babies are made" for kids. This book is hands-down one of the BEST that I have seen; not only was it written through a collaborative process with doctors, educators,
I bought this book for my nieces a few years ago, as they were coming up on that age when they were starting to have questions about the differences between boys and girls (as far as they were concerned, "girls have eyelashes, and boys have none!"). I've also re-examined the resources our parents used for when we were their ages, and was kind of horrified to see what they used (pretty misogynistic) and what was available at that time. For full disclosure as well, I worked in a bookstore, and was able to look through some of what was available and at hand, and I really couldn't find anything better than this book! For a topic that is as important to a child's development as this one, I would personally purchase this one for my children (if I had them).
I know that for some, the matter of circumcision is important, and the entirety of the discussion in the book is short, and is as follows: "The loose skin at the end of the penis is called the "foreskin." Some baby boys' foreskins are removed a few days after they are born. Some baby boys' foreskins are not removed. That's why some penises look different from other penises."
These authors also have other books that explain other life lessons in a "Let's Talk About You and Me" series that I haven't read but would only assume to be just as great as the others: "Who Has What?: All About Girls' Bodies and Boys' Bodies," "Who's In My Family?: All About Our Families," "What's in There?: All About Before You Were Born," and "What's So Yummy?: All About Eating Well and Feeling Good."
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parents/grandparents, scientists/researchers, and coordinators of all kinds of children's programs, amongst other individuals, but it is the first in a series of books designed to grow with your child in terms of their questions concerning babies, bodies, and sexuality. This is the first book (the second is "It's So Amazing," for ages 7 and up; the third is "It's Perfectly Normal," for ages 10 and up.) and answers the question of where babies come from in a way that doesn't center on one specific gender or ethnicity - both boys' and girls' bodies are illustrated in a very simple and factual manner, and all races and body types are illustrated. There are also chapters titled "All Kinds of Families" (discusses different numbers of children, parents, adoption, stepparents, foster parents, divorce, same-sex parents, etc.) and "Okay Touches, Not Okay Touches" (what/where your "privates" are and who can/can't touch them, etc.).I bought this book for my nieces a few years ago, as they were coming up on that age when they were starting to have questions about the differences between boys and girls (as far as they were concerned, "girls have eyelashes, and boys have none!"). I've also re-examined the resources our parents used for when we were their ages, and was kind of horrified to see what they used (pretty misogynistic) and what was available at that time. For full disclosure as well, I worked in a bookstore, and was able to look through some of what was available and at hand, and I really couldn't find anything better than this book! For a topic that is as important to a child's development as this one, I would personally purchase this one for my children (if I had them).
I know that for some, the matter of circumcision is important, and the entirety of the discussion in the book is short, and is as follows: "The loose skin at the end of the penis is called the "foreskin." Some baby boys' foreskins are removed a few days after they are born. Some baby boys' foreskins are not removed. That's why some penises look different from other penises."
These authors also have other books that explain other life lessons in a "Let's Talk About You and Me" series that I haven't read but would only assume to be just as great as the others: "Who Has What?: All About Girls' Bodies and Boys' Bodies," "Who's In My Family?: All About Our Families," "What's in There?: All About Before You Were Born," and "What's So Yummy?: All About Eating Well and Feeling Good."
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Subjects
Language
Original language
English
Physical description
64 p.; 11.43 inches
ISBN
9780763633318