Where Did I Come From?
written by Peter Mayle
Illustrated by Arthur Robins
Designed by Paul Walter
Lyle Stuart, 1973
I had this book when I was little. Is it actually how I learned where babies come from? Probably not, but that doesn't mean it didn't teach me a thing or two about the mechanics. Still in print after 38 years, if you're looking for a book to show your little one about the birds and the bees, there is no other. At least, no other that tells the story with such wit and candor and awesomely silly illustrations of naked people. I can't think of a better way to introduce your child to all those things you are probably too embarrassed to talk about.
This book is all about you.We wrote it because we thought you'd like to know exactly where you came from, and how it all happened.
The blurb on the back of my 1979 printing from Dr. Spock reads: I give this book top grades for humanness and honesty. Some parents will find that its humorousness helps them over the embarrassment. Others may be offended.
Needless to say, my son hasn't yet had the honor of perusing these pages, but I do keep it handy for when the day finally arrives. Everything is confronted here. The facts of life uncensored. Describing the "you know what" as a sneeze... It feels a bit like this, but much better. Ha! Slang names for body parts. Eggs and their buddies the sperm. Breast feeding. Nothing is left to chance and all the mystery is wiped away. (Visit my tumblr site for an uncensored scan.) Eighty thumbs up. A classic.
(Gotta love these end pages.)
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This was how I learnt about the birds and the bees in the mid-1980s. And then my Mum lent the book to all my friends' Mums too. We also enjoyed the follow-up, "What's Happening To Me?"
ReplyDeleteOh I remember!!! We had this book when I was little; I read it many times, very puzzled! Now I get it :)
ReplyDeleteIs it appropriate for adopted children?
ReplyDeleteone time, in high school, me and my friend found this book in the library. We proceeded to make a video of us dressed up as old ladies reading this. oh, it was the best of times.
ReplyDeleteOh my god, I totally remember this book!
ReplyDeleteIn my family, we read "So That's How I Was Born." It also had darling pictures adorned with flowery frames filled with birds and bees. Ha.
ReplyDeleteI adored this book growing up. My psychologist mother had stacks of books like it for us did you ever read "It's My Body?" It's another classic. I just ordered it for my oldest daughter. Visiting you from Cup of Jo. :)
ReplyDeleteThis book is inappropriate!!! Too much detail for kids.
ReplyDeleteWhat a shame ... this book has been recently banned in Malaysia!
ReplyDeleteI wish we'd had this when I was growing up. It would have made "the talk" so much less uncomfortable and scary!
ReplyDeletewww.thefoolishaesthete.blogspot.com
this book is not right for kids that are to young to be learning about s-e-x but the book is helpful but the pictures are just not right.
ReplyDeleteI can see it was quite a while ago that Positively Orphaned (above) asked "is it appropriate for adopted children" - well, as an adoptee who had this book as a child, I say yes, and particularly if you have "Why Was I Adopted" which is in the same series.
ReplyDeleteis this a book for a 6-yr-old boy?
ReplyDeleteHow can I get a copy of the original book. The latest edition is a little to for my 5yr
ReplyDelete