Book Review
A short overview of this book
Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes by Mem Fox & Helen Oxenbury is a lovely book for talking to young children about love, diversity and bodies.
Mem Fox is a popular Australian children’s author, and her books are always a delight to read. So this board book is a great one for talking about diversity as the babies are ethnically diverse, and for talking about love.
You can learn more on this page, about how to talk to kids about sex education.
Ideal Age
Ideal for children aged 1 to 3 years.
Buy this book
✅ Buy a copy of Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes by Mem Fox & Helen Oxenbury from Amazon.
Video Transcription
A transcription of the book review
Hey there! I’m Cath Hak, and welcome to Sex Ed Rescue. This is where I help parents find an easier, simpler way to talk to their kids about love, sex, relationships, and growing up. Today, I want to share a fantastic book with you that can help you have those important conversations with your little ones.
Now, I’m in the process of reviewing a bunch of books about love, and this one caught my attention. It’s called Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes by Mem Fox, with beautiful illustrations by Helen Oxenbury. I absolutely adore both of these talented individuals. Helen’s illustrations are always stunning, and Mem Fox has written some amazing books. I used to read them to my own kids when they were little. Plus, it’s always great to support Australian authors!
Now, I have to mention that there was a bit of controversy surrounding Mem Fox and her partner, but let’s focus on the positive here. Her books are still lovely, regardless of any rumors. So, let’s dive into this book!
What I really love about Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes is that it’s interactive. It starts off by telling the story of two babies who were born on different days but both had ten little fingers and ten little toes. The illustrations are just adorable, and you can’t help but want to cuddle and kiss those babies.
As the story progresses, it touches on different situations, although it doesn’t talk about disability, which is a shame. I would have loved to see more representation. However, keep in mind that this book was written a while ago, and diversity wasn’t as widely recognized back then. But it does celebrate different skin tones and hair colors, which is a step in the right direction.
Towards the end, the book becomes interactive. It introduces a baby that’s a little different, and this is where you can join in the fun. The next baby born is described as truly divine and the child of the narrator. And guess what? This little baby also has ten little fingers, ten little toes, and three little kisses on the tip of its nose. How sweet is that?
So, you can actually give your child three little kisses on their nose while reading this part. It’s a lovely way to engage with the story and show your child some extra love. Overall, this book is a great tool for discussing love, diversity, and bodies with your little ones.
If you’re not familiar with Mem Fox, I highly recommend checking out her other books. She’s got a lot of really good ones. And anything illustrated by Helen Oxenbury is fantastic too. So, go ahead and give Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes a try. I hope you find it helpful and enjoy reading it with your kids. Cheers!
