How You Were Born

Publishers Weekly - Publisher's Weekly

Revised in 1993, this photo-essay describes a baby's conception, fetal development and eventual birth. PW called Miller's photographs ``models of sensitivity and frankness.'' Ages 4-up. (May)

Children's Literature - Dr. Judy Rowen

The processes of fetal development and birth are explained in simple text and black and white photographs. Rather than a detached, clinical tone, the book emphasizes the love parents have for a baby even before it is born. All children are curious, especially if a new baby is expected. This book will help answer their questions sensitively. A School Library Journal Best Book. 1994 orig.

School Library Journal

PreS-Gr 3-- Appealing new packaging of an old favorite. As in the earlier edition Morrow, 1984, Cole relates the process of conception and birth in a personalized manner. The text reads as though the author were talking to a child, skillfully integrating the illustrations with the narration. Revisions are slight: ``uterus'' replaces ``womb'' throughout; sentences have been rephrased; paragraphs have been restructured. Parents are told in the introduction that ``Children born by cesarean need to know that theirs is simply another way to be born, and that the important parts of birth . . . are the same.'' All further explanation of the procedure has been omitted. Also left out are the diagrams of the male and female reproductive systems and the comment that ``during labor, your mother had to work hard.'' In all, the changes facilitate the flow of the story and eliminated potentially disturbing topics. Vibrant full-color photos have replaced the original black and white; they depict a variety of families. Diagrams have been watercolored and refined, but with one exception, duplicate those in the original. While several other titles on the topic are currently available, Cole's book continues to set the standard. --Denise L. Moll, Lone Pine Elementary School, West Bloomfield, MI