bea_666's review against another edition
5.0
A very educational and LGBT+ inclusive picture book aimed at children that explains different ways a baby can be made. The book discusses a multitude of ideas and scenarios, like sex, gender, IVF, miscarriage, cesareans, and premature births. It was informative, and is the best (simplified) explanation of conception and birth I have ever read!
arthur_pendrgn's review against another edition
I read this book as it is one of five that some are trying to ban from the public library. I wanted to see what all of the fuss was about. I am not its audience, so I'm not giving stars.
It is inclusive--the title makes that clear. If you don't want to expose your child to inclusive language, ideas, or pictures, then don't choose this book.
This is not a book about biology, anatomical parts, or puberty. This is not a book to teach about penis and ovum. This information is included, but to give background. This is a book about how families--whatever their makeup--are made.
There is no overt pontificating for any particular family makeup.
However, if an adult wants to discuss IVF or surrogacy with their child, then this book will serve that purpose. It also does address gender at birth in the beginning of the book and transitioning near the end of the book.
As for the illustrations, which appears to be another sticking point here, the author and illustrator are both British. Europeans are stereotypically more comfortable with nudity than Americans, so there are naked people. There is a picture in a fitness (?) shower room with naked people. The people are of different ages. Perhaps people in American fitness shower rooms do not shower naked. In other countries, such as England, they do. There is, quite frankly, less nudity in this book than I have found in an American book on this topic. The nudity is not titillating.
The anatomical pictures are confusing, and I doubt a child would understand them.
There are pictures of all kinds of couples, as the title indicates. I have seen other reviews saying that there are no trans parents. I don't know how you would know a trans parent, but there are several illustrations of the gender-neutral variety (I thought).
Would a child pick this book up on their own? Maybe--the cover is inviting, brightly colored, and has babies. Would a child want to keep it after flipping through it? I doubt it. The book cover would most likely attract pre-readers and the pictures inside aren't that age group.
My response to this book's opponents is the same as it nearly always is: If you don't want your child exposed to the material in this book (song, film, show), do not read it to them. You are the parent, after all. However, you are the parent of *your own* child(ren). I am the parent of my child(ren). Your choices are yours; you have no right to impose your choices on my child(ren).
It is inclusive--the title makes that clear. If you don't want to expose your child to inclusive language, ideas, or pictures, then don't choose this book.
This is not a book about biology, anatomical parts, or puberty. This is not a book to teach about penis and ovum. This information is included, but to give background. This is a book about how families--whatever their makeup--are made.
There is no overt pontificating for any particular family makeup.
However, if an adult wants to discuss IVF or surrogacy with their child, then this book will serve that purpose. It also does address gender at birth in the beginning of the book and transitioning near the end of the book.
As for the illustrations, which appears to be another sticking point here, the author and illustrator are both British. Europeans are stereotypically more comfortable with nudity than Americans, so there are naked people. There is a picture in a fitness (?) shower room with naked people. The people are of different ages. Perhaps people in American fitness shower rooms do not shower naked. In other countries, such as England, they do. There is, quite frankly, less nudity in this book than I have found in an American book on this topic. The nudity is not titillating.
The anatomical pictures are confusing, and I doubt a child would understand them.
There are pictures of all kinds of couples, as the title indicates. I have seen other reviews saying that there are no trans parents. I don't know how you would know a trans parent, but there are several illustrations of the gender-neutral variety (I thought).
Would a child pick this book up on their own? Maybe--the cover is inviting, brightly colored, and has babies. Would a child want to keep it after flipping through it? I doubt it. The book cover would most likely attract pre-readers and the pictures inside aren't that age group.
My response to this book's opponents is the same as it nearly always is: If you don't want your child exposed to the material in this book (song, film, show), do not read it to them. You are the parent, after all. However, you are the parent of *your own* child(ren). I am the parent of my child(ren). Your choices are yours; you have no right to impose your choices on my child(ren).
pib003's review against another edition
4.0
Very informative. A bit visually overwhelming. I wish some information on biological sex (eg intersex) had been given earlier in the book, instead of at the very end
roseandisabella's review
Read this for a health education thing I'm doing here are some of my notes:
-Book that's meant to be read with your kids
-Does show drawings of reproductive anatomy
-Explains what sperm and eggs are
-Describes the different ways of making a baby
-P in V Sex
-Artificial insemination
-IVF
-Lab baby
-Embryo implementation
-Surrogacy
-Adoption / Fostering
-The development of babies during pregnancy
-Twins
-Labor and delivery process
-Even shows a home birth
-C-section
-Has a section about miscarriage
-Also a section about premature babies
-Also a section talking about intersex babies / trans identity (briefly)
-Book that's meant to be read with your kids
-Does show drawings of reproductive anatomy
-Explains what sperm and eggs are
-Describes the different ways of making a baby
-P in V Sex
-Artificial insemination
-IVF
-Lab baby
-Embryo implementation
-Surrogacy
-Adoption / Fostering
-The development of babies during pregnancy
-Twins
-Labor and delivery process
-Even shows a home birth
-C-section
-Has a section about miscarriage
-Also a section about premature babies
-Also a section talking about intersex babies / trans identity (briefly)
esselleayy's review against another edition
4.0
Is it time for the talk? Or should I say, the first of many talks? This was a really great introduction that covers the basics for younger elementary school kids and is pretty darn inclusive. Yes, it tells the kids what penis-to-vagina intercourse is (my son said it should be called "Making Your Kid Embarrassed"). There is even a mention of consent. Then it moves on to all the other ways people create families. This certainly isn't the end of the conversation, but it's a good starting point.
ness's review against another edition
informative
lighthearted
slow-paced
3.0
Disappointed in the way gender was treated (babies with a penis are called male; babies with a vagina female) without any discussion of transgender identities until the end of the book (and poorly done there, too, imo). Disability rep was also disappointing.
Content Warnings
Minor: Transphobia
rose_reads_'s review against another edition
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
4.0
itsawonkyfaintthing's review against another edition
5.0
My partner bought this for me and I can’t wait to read this with our child one day. Super inclusive, really informative and accessible. The illustrations were beautiful, the realities of child birth weren’t smoothed over but presented in a reassuringly matter of fact way. The language was extremely gender inclusive. As a gay woman, reading this book, I felt seen, comforted and less uncomfortable/ anxious about my future position I will take on in parenthood.