Scan barcode
A review by arthur_pendrgn
Making A Baby: An Inclusive Guide to How Every Family Begins by Rachel Greener
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).