Book Review
A short overview of this book
Grow: Secrets of Our DNA by Nicola Davies is a lovely book that provides a scientific explanation of where we come from. You could also use it to talk about diversity and why we are all different (and alike).
This is a book that explains to kids that we grow and change for a reason. Plants, animals and humans. And that we all come with a set of instructions that control how we look and how we grow.
And despite the complexities of DNA, genes and genetic codes, the author explains it all in a very simple, child-friendly way.
This book DOES NOT talk about sexual intercourse, but it does explain where babies come from.
You can learn more on this page, about how to talk to kids about sex education.
Ideal Age
Ideal for children aged 5 to 9 years.
Buy this book
✅ Buy a copy of Grow: Secrets of Our DNA by Nicola Davies from Amazon.
Video Transcription
A transcription in case you are more of a reader than a listener
Hey there! I’m Cath Hak, and welcome to Sex Ed Rescue. I review a ton of books on YouTube, and today I want to talk to you about a special one. But first, let me tell you about my website. It’s a place where I help parents have better conversations with their kids about sex. If you’re looking to learn more about sex education and want to equip your kids with the knowledge to make smart decisions when they’re older, then these are the conversations you can start having now.
On my website, you’ll find all my booklists, including this gem I’m about to discuss. I’ve reviewed around 350 books so far, and they’re all sorted by age and topic to make it easier for you to find what you need. I haven’t decided which category to put this one in yet, but I’ll figure it out when I write the accompanying blog post. The book I want to share with you today is called Grow Secrets of Our DNA by Nicola Davies, with illustrations by Emily Sutton.
I’m pretty sure I’ve seen Emily’s artwork before, and it’s always fantastic. I stumbled upon this book at our local library, and I’m so glad I did because it’s not something I would have found otherwise. It was sitting there on the display of new books, just waiting for me to discover it.
The book starts by explaining how all living things, including plants, animals, and humans, grow. It’s really cool to see the progression from babies to adults and how diversity and ethnicity come into play as we grow older. Kids love seeing characters in books who look like them, so it’s great that more and more books are becoming inclusive.
The book also talks about how different organisms grow at different rates. Some grow quickly to take advantage of good times, like plants and fish. Others grow slowly to withstand tough times, like trees and clams. It’s fascinating to think about how our bodies have evolved over time, even though we’re far from our caveman days. We still have those flight or fight instincts ingrained in us.
Growing isn’t just about size, though. It’s about change. Seeds don’t grow into bigger seeds; they grow into plants and trees. Caterpillars transform into beautiful butterflies. And guess what? You too grew from a tiny blob inside your mom’s tummy. Your body didn’t just get bigger; it changed shape and became more complex, allowing you to do new things. And guess what? You’re still growing and changing as you become an adult. Your body knows what to do, it’s programmed that way.
All these instructions for growth and development are written in a special code called DNA. It’s like a secret language that determines things like your eye color, hair color, and even your personality traits. Half of your genetic code comes from your biological dad, and the other half comes from your biological mom. That’s why you might look a little bit like both of them. It’s what makes you unique!
Scientists are studying these codes to figure out who’s related to who. Your genetic code is one-of-a-kind, just like animals and plants have their own unique codes too. Did you know that our closest relative is a chimpanzee? It’s pretty amazing how DNA connects us not only to each other but also to our ancestors from the beginning of time.
This book is packed with interesting information, like cell division and evolution. I absolutely love it, and I’m thrilled that I stumbled upon it at the library. I hope you find it just as helpful and enjoyable as I did. Cheers!
