Book Review
A short overview of this book
So That’s How I Began by Gina Dawson is perfect for kids who want to understand sex. Especially those kids who are at that age where they find picture books too babyish. But they’re not quite ‘mature enough’ for a book that has no pictures. As it has minimal pictures and lots of age-appropriate explanations.
I really like this book but it is out-of-date in regards to how it refers to gender and biological sex. It makes the assumption that you are a girl if you have female reproductive organs and a boy if you have male reproductive organs. So just be mindful of this, when reading, as you will need to adapt your language. Hopefully, it is something the author will address.
Other than that, I like this book as it pretty much chats about everything in a straight forward manner.
You can learn more on this page, about how to talk to kids about sex education.
Ideal Age
Ideal for children aged 8 to 12 years.
Buy this book
✅ Buy a copy of So That’s How I Began by Gina Dawson from Amazon.
Video Transcription
A transcription in case you are more of a reader than a listener
Hey there! Welcome to Sex Ed Rescue, I’m Cath Hak, your friendly sex educator. Today, I want to share my thoughts on a book called So That’s How I Began, The Facts About Where Babies Come From by Gina Dawson. This book is a great resource for kids who are a bit too old for picture books but still want more information about where babies come from.
Now, I have to mention that this book is a bit conservative in its approach. It doesn’t delve into the diversity of families or different ways babies can be made, like the Corey Silverberg books do. But don’t worry, it’s still a safe and informative book that I often recommend to parents.
The book covers a lot of ground, from debunking myths to explaining the basics of how babies are made. It also touches on the different types of families out there, whether it’s a mom and dad, two women, or two men. It’s important to note that the book doesn’t show explicit pictures of body parts, but it does talk about them in a straightforward manner.
The book also discusses couples and the love and care they have for each other. It doesn’t specifically mention marriage, so you can add your own values if you believe that sex should only happen between married couples. It’s worth mentioning that the book is culturally diverse, which is a big plus.
When it comes to the actual process of making a baby, the book uses a bit of humor, like a dog hiding under the bed, to lighten the mood. It starts with a description of how sex happens and how baby-making works. It also mentions that sometimes babies are made differently, like through IVF.
The book covers pregnancy, the birth of a baby, and even touches on how to care for a newborn. It concludes by briefly mentioning twins and triplets and the curiosity about whether they are boys or girls.
Overall, I think this is a good book, but it could use some updates to be more inclusive and accurate. You can always adapt the language to better suit your child’s understanding. Remember, every child is different, and it’s up to you to decide what information is important for them to know.
I hope this review was helpful! If you have any more questions, feel free to reach out. Cheers!
