Cleverly revealing the basics of reproduction in an age-appropriate way, award-winning Sophie Blackall has created a beautiful picture book full of playful details to amuse and engage readers. Sooner or later, every child will ask, Where do babies come from? Answering this question has never been this easy or entertaining! Join a curious little boy who asks everyone from his babysitter to the mailman, getting all sorts of funny answers along the way, before his parents gently set him straight.
From School Library Journal K-Gr 2—A delightfully age-appropriate way to give young children the facts about conception and birth. A baby is coming, and the soon-to-be big brother has many questions, his most persistent one being 'Where do babies come from?' After gathering partial answers from his babysitter, his teacher, and his grandpa, he is more confused than ever. The boy has heard that babies come from a baby tree, the hospital, and special delivery by stork. Feeling dissatisfied with these answers, he finally asks Mom and Dad, who lovingly sit down and explain exactly where babies come from. In one page, they relate the truth, explaining that an egg comes from the mother, a seed from the father, resulting in the growth of a baby—an explanation that satisfies the protagonist"s curiosity and makes him realize that there is a bit of truth in every story. Well, except for Grandpa"s. He just may have to explain to him where babies really come from. The story smoothly sails from tale to tale as the main character searches for answers. The back matter goes into more detail for children who would like more information. The Chinese ink and watercolor illustrations are beautifully crafted and designed in a manner that shows movement. Each page is adorned with soft colors and crisp, clear pictures that enhance the story. Another wonderful contribution from Blackall.—Amy Shepherd, St. Anne"s Episcopal School, Middleton, DE From Booklist How does one go about “getting” a baby? A young brother-to-be ponders that question after learning an infant will be joining his family. He asks a number of people and receives a wide variety of responses, leaving him more confused than enlightened. He finally questions his parents, who tell him what he wants to know, simply and without fanfare. Engaging illustrations in Chinese ink and watercolor vary in size from large double-page spreads to several small vignettes on a page. Each response to the question stimulates the boy’s imagination as revealed in the pictures: a stork making a delivery, a baby tree bursting with buds and babies, and infants hatching from eggs in a nest. The characters appear to be vigorously healthy with their florid cheeks and ever-present smiles, and the antics of the family’s black cat are entertaining. “Answering the Question ‘Where Do Babies Come From?’” concludes the book and contains age-appropriate responses. An appealing book for children preparing to welcome a new baby or who are simply curious. Preschool-Kindergarten. --Maryann Owen
소피 블랙올은 브루클린에 거주하는 호주 출신 작가입니다. 그녀는 아이비와 빈 시리즈를 포함하여 45권이 넘는 어린이 책에 그림을 그렸으며, 2016년 《파인딩 위니》와 2019년 《헬로 라이트하우스》로 랜돌프 칼데콧상을 두 번 수상했습니다. 또한 성인을 위한 책을 쓰고 그림을 그리기도 했습니다. 블랙올은 애니 배로우즈, 케이트 디카밀로, 룩사나 칸, 메그 로소프, 주디스 비오르스트 등 많은 유명 작가들과 협업해 왔습니다. 그녀의 삽화는 뉴욕 타임스, 월스트리트 저널, 워싱턴 포스트, 뉴욕시 교통국(MTA), MoMA 디자인 스토어 등에 실렸습니다. 그녀는 유니세프와 세이브 더 칠드런과 협력하여 국제적인 보건 및 문해력 증진 활동을 펼치는 예술가이자 옹호자로 활동했습니다.