"Where Did I Come From?"
by Peter Mayle
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Book Reviews of "Where Did I Come From?"
Book Review: "The Talk"...Sooner or Later..ya gotta have it...
Summary: 5 Stars
"Where Did I Come From?" by Peter Mayle is a great tool to help you through those embarrassing questions the youngins are asking. It is geared for the very young, I would say ages 5-8, and is best if read together with mom or dad. The text is frank and straightfoward and the cartoon like illustrations,including mom and dad making love, leave no questions about the difference between men and women. I did not find the illustrations to be graphic or offensive any more than a nude sculpture or painting in a museuem( I'm not comparing the art work by any means, just the idea).This book covers the basics without getting too scientific(We can save that part for when they're older). If your kids have a notion that "I was brought special delivery by the stork", by the end of this book they will know the truth. Starting out with the physical differences between men and women,there are explanations of the REAL names of parts of the anatomy, the act of making love, conception(sperm and eggs included), different stages of fetal development and the birth process.It is all covered.
As I mentioned above, it is probably important to read this book together(even if the child can already read), as you may want to interject your own thoughts and answer any questions along the way. For example, the book talks about the good feelings adults get during sex, and at that point I felt that it was important for my kids to know that this would be between a married couple who love each other very much. In a world where bad things can happen, I didn't want that open to any other interpertation! You may also want to read it on your own first, so you will know what to expect and be prepared for any forthcoming questions or giggling!
Sooner or later you gotta do it!. This book really is a big help in having your child informed early, and sooner is probably better. I found the younger the child the less embarrassing it was. It was also a wonderful bonding experience with each child I read it to. My book is an edition printed in 1973, and I haven't seen anything better since. I plan on passing it on to my kids, when they have little ones(Sigh...still waiting!)and I hope they find it as useful, and as good of an experience as I did.
Now...about Santa....we'll save that one for another day.....Laurie
Book Review: Judge for Yourself
Summary: 5 Stars
It's hard to imagine how anyone out there in Amazon Land has taken this simple birds-n-bees book to be "sexist."
I have always been described by close friends as an "ardent" feminist. I've been told that I'm a feminist "when I don't need to be," and other similar things throughout my adult life. Even so, I have no idea what on Earth some reviewers here are talking about!
Yes, the man initiates the sex in this book. So what? Don't men like sex as much as women? Both characters in the illustrations (who appear to be a married couple in their 30s) are clearly caught up in feelings of affection. There is nothing at all in the book to imply the man's overtures are unwelcome, so what's the problem?
If you know your child to be one who takes books absolutely literally, you can simply tell him or her that sometimes women get the idea first and that loving couples often take turns in this regard. If you're not scandalized by the content, your child won't even notice whatever political incorrectness some reviewers here have conjured up in their imaginations.
This book is about the basics for an age group that really only wants the most basic information. The other stuff can and should wait until the pre-teen or early teen years. And in fact, this same author/illustrator team created a book for that age group (What's Happening to Me?) as well as one on contraception for new adults, just embarking on their first sexual relationship (Congratulations, You're Not Pregnant!).
Parents of course have to decide what sort of approach they want to take in the home with their children's sex education. The first two Mayle books are a good resource for the average American family. The one on contraception will, at the very most, fit into only a third of the population's value systems.
Where Did I Come From? is frank, truthful and awfully cute. Please go out and look at it yourself. Maybe it's right for you and your kid, maybe not. But a mature, truly open-minded adult isn't going to find anything amiss as regards the feelings of of the wife portrayed here.
Book Review: Tool to create SERIOUS problems
Summary: 1 Stars
This book was bought by a friend for her "curious" 7 and 5 yr. old boys. She chose this book because she remembered it being read to her as a child. Now, I have to admit that as an adult, this book was humorous in a "perverted joke" kind of way. I do know that this book is not the way or manner in which I would try to teach my children about sex, where a baby comes from or anything involving the enjoyment therein. . .not to mention those kinds of talks with any age child needs to be accompanied with the FACT that all of the decisions to have sex, have a baby or even hear about it needs to be something that ONLY happens when everyone involved is wanting to do, hear or see.
Here lies the issue. . .my friend read the book to her 7 year old son, who in turn proceeded to tell my daughter about his mommy reading this book to him, what it was about (in his words, which unfortunately, was not something that she wanted to hear. . .even expressing that he needed to stop), he pulled his pants and underwear (exposing his penis) and then told her take her clothes off and lay down so that they could have sex to make a baby. . .she refused and changed the subject. The 7 yr. old boy told my daughter that she didn't need to tell anyone about what he had done or said because his mother would beat him and my daughter (maybe, because the book says that adults are embarrassed to talk about it).
My daughter is 9 and pretty modest, as she is a "chunky" girl. . .she is very reserved about anyone seeing her body. The language that this boy used, in reference to anatomy, are words that my daughter is familiar with, but does not use. The whole subject matter is embarrasing to her, because she is not ready or interested in it. . . This book seems to take out a very important thing. . .concent and accountability. This boy was WAY too young to have the book utilized as a means to "educate" him.
Bottom line. . .this somewhat educational book caused a lot of hurt, confusion and problems that a 7 and 9 year old are going to be held "accountable" for by the authorities.
Book Review: A little embarrassing to read, but Very good information
Summary: 5 Stars
My mom read this to my brother and I when we were about 7 and 8. For some reason my brother kept requesting this book as our nightly read . . . hmmmm. =p
The illustrations definitely show what's what, but they aren't drawn in such detail that they're obscene or uncomfortable. The cartoons are round jovial-looking people with middle-aged bodies rather than svelte young hubba hubba type bodies. This makes it easier on the reader and less eye-popping to the listener.
The explanations are very frank and to the point; however, they're written so that young children can understand w/o Understanding, if you catch my drift. It's enough to make the reader blush a bit and Just enough to where I won't post an excerpt, but not so much that Amazon would reject my review if I Did post an excerpt. I'm just a bit shy. =D
The best I can say is, pick up a copy, flip through the pages and read what's written. You'll find that it's far from offensive and even uses some humor to put both reader and listener at ease when explaining some of the more blush-inducing things (i.e. "it rhymes with Carolina"). "This part often happens in bed, because a bed is so nice and comfortable."
Even if you're not comfortable reading it to your child, the print is large enough and the words are small enough to where the child can read it on their own And understand it.
Oh, one more thing. The cartoons are drawn holding hands and with hearts around them and things of that nature to reinforce the idea that this is all about love and caring, which is also a theme carried throughout the words. For that alone, it gets my vote!
Book Review: frank , honest , candid and no nonsense explaination of both how babies are made and where they come from
Summary: 5 Stars
my four year and a half year old suddenly became really specific in her how did i get here inquiries as of late and since i wasn't about to make up a stork fairy tale which i'd later have to resend and she's been reading since she was about three and a half i instantly went online to search or a book this one stood out because not only were the reviews favorable but i was familiar with the authors from my own childhood (they taught my sister and i about puberty once upon a time) i ordered it on saturday and received it monday afternoon and the two of us sat down immediately sat down to read it together it covers all the bases from the physical differences between men and women to the physical act of how babies are "made"( including the "lovemaking") process which though i am not at all opposed to her knowing eventually it was a bit mature( better suited for maybe & or 8 maybe 9 yrs of age depending on your child's maturity and your parenting style)for her so after the first run through when we read the book cover to cover i omitted those couple of pages the two or three times i read it to her she was excited to have her questions answered and after my mom read it to her a couple more times and we talked about our own family in relation to the book the questions stopped and the thrill was gone no doubt we will be revisting this book in years to come as she matures and her understanding increases it was a welcome addition to her library but buyer beware if you have more delicate sensibilities in regard to your little one's knowledge of sex. i would definitely recommend it for a slightly older child