Book Review
A short overview of this book
Where Babies Come From by Rosemary Stones is an older book that is sooo good that I had to share it.
It is a little dated in regards to its binary approach (ie girls have a vulva and boys have a penis), it doesn’t talk about the other ways a baby can be made, and it is based around one family type (mother and family). But this is typical for books published over 20 years ago!
What I like about this book is it’s straight forward approach. It provides kids with the facts in a simple and age-appropriate way. It is the only book that I have found (for this age-group) that talks about how vulvas and penises can look different (and it shows them). Plus it has an actual diagram of the penis going into the vagina, and how the sperm travels to join the egg.
So it is a great book to use with kids that want more detailed information about how things work.
You can learn more on this page, about how to talk to kids about sex education.
Ideal Age
Ideal for children aged 6 to 8 years.
Buy this book
✅ Buy a copy of Where Babies Come From by Rosemary Stones 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, and I’m here to help you navigate the world of sex education. On my YouTube channel and website, I review books that can assist parents in talking to their kids about sex. Today, I want to talk about a book called Where Babies Come From by Rosemary Stones, illustrated by Nick Sharon.
Now, this book might be a little dated, but trust me, it’s still fantastic! You can actually find new copies of it if you’re interested. So, let’s dive into the review. The only thing it doesn’t cover is the different ways babies can be made, like IVF. However, it does provide a great description of sexual intercourse.
The book starts off by addressing the differences between our bodies, which is really cool. It’s one of the few children’s books that actually shows that genitals can be different. It also emphasizes the importance of knowing the proper names for body parts, which I think is lovely.
As we grow older, our bodies go through puberty, and the book explains the changes that happen both on the inside and outside. It touches on periods and the changes that happen in both boys and girls. These changes are all part of what helps make a baby, and this is where we get to the sex page. The book provides a clear and simple description of sexual intercourse, with illustrations that make it easy to understand.
It also talks about birth control and how it can prevent pregnancy. The book covers a lot of ground, but it’s presented in a straightforward and easy-to-understand way. It explains how when sperm and egg join together, they become an ovum, which can then develop into a baby. It even touches on pregnancy, birthing, and different types of babies.
The book acknowledges that sometimes babies need a little extra help coming into the world, and it mentions both vaginal delivery and C-sections. It also addresses the possibility of babies needing to spend time in the nursery if they come early. The book wraps up by discussing how babies are cared for, whether through bottle-feeding or breastfeeding, and reminds us that they cry a lot but eventually grow up, just like us.
Overall, I really like this book. It’s a gem that provides more information than many modern books do. However, it’s important to note that it does use gendered language, so keep that in mind. Remember, no book is perfect, but you can always add your own thoughts and information to the discussion. Feel free to adapt it to suit your needs.
I hope this review helps you out. If you have any questions or need further guidance, don’t hesitate to reach out. Take care!
