It’s an inevitable rite of parenthood– answering the age-old question, “Where do babies come from?” Accomplished author/illustrator Sophie Blackall tackles this question in a beautifully rendered new picture book, The Baby Tree.
Now, let me tell you that I absolutely love this book. I’m already a huge fan of Blackall’s illustrative style, ink and watercolor pictures with a soft quality that immediately conveys tenderness. In this story, a young boy’s parents tell him that a new baby will soon be joining their family, and in his surprise, he is unable to respond immediately with anything other than asking for more cereal. Only later does he realize that he has a question, and he decides to ask a few other people in his life. He poses the question, “Where do babies come from?” first to his babysitter, then his teacher, followed by his grandfather, and finally, his mailman. The answers that he gets vary, and he ends up more confused than ever.
Thankfully, the boy’s parents respond to his question with respect and love, providing factual information that is appropriate to his developmental level and easy to understand. Following the story is another page for parents to read as guidance or with their children to provide more specific, kid-friendly information about human development. As a parent, I’ve always been quite forthright with my own kids’ questions, using real terminology with them from a young age about body parts and answering their questions with true information at a level they could understand. As the parent of a teenager now, I’m a huge advocate for on-going, open chats rather than one big “talk.” As an educator, I truly appreciate the developmental appropriateness of this book, especially because it manages to be both entertaining and factual, a great story alongside Blackall’s beautiful illustrations.
My eight-year-old daughter and I especially enjoyed this book, and we recorded some of our reactions in a video full of giggles, in the style of the official book trailer video (which definitely made us laugh, too!).
Enter to Win
Our giveaway today is two-fold, and I couldn’t be more excited for the potential winner. Not only will the winner receive a copy The Baby Tree, but the prize also includes a custom Sophie Blackall print, chosen from one of these eight designs, with the option to personalize with a name. Enter using the widget below. Giveaway open to U.S. residents only, please.
Also, be sure to:
· Visit the author’s website
I’d love to win because I am currently pregnant with my first little one 🙂
I would love to win this because it looks like a lovely book.
I would like to win this because my oldest is just starting to ask questions that I am still not sure how I am going to answer.
looks cute to read share with my kiddos
I’d like to win because I know my daughters would love this
I’d love to win cuz this book looks super cute and it’d be a great one to add to the collection!
My youngest son and I love finding new books to read. We would love the chance to read this one!
I’d like to win because I know my girls would love this!
I want to win this one for my friends little one for her birthday.
This is a great book to have for kids to learn more about where they came from, I’d love it for myself or as a gift!
Because I recently had a baby and it would be good for my son to know where it came from
Would love to win for my toddler
I would love to win for my cousin who having her first baby.
I love children’s books!
This would be the perfect gift for my friend who is trying for her second; it would be something for the big sister and a lovely piece of nursery art, too.
I’d love to win for my 5 and 2 year old who are full of questions!
I would love to win because my daughter would like it.
So cute! I’m 32 weeks pregnant with our rainbow baby and this would be so fun to display!
I would like to win this book and print because my son is at the age where he is starting to ask these same questions =) And I have a new grandbaby on the way. the print would be awesome in the nursery.
I want to win because this looks very cute and would be a great gift for my daughter.
I’d love to win because the book looks adorable and I’m pregnant. My 5 year old is very excited about the baby and I think this would be fun to read with her.
We would love to win because this is one of our favorite books. We’re expecting a new baby in our household so this is read over and over and over again. 🙂 It would be so lovely to have our own copy. Thank you for the chance. 🙂
I think this would make a great gift for a expecting friend.
This looks like a darling book and would make a nice gift for my expectant friend. Thanks.
This would make an adorable gift for my friend.
I would love to win this fo my daughter I think she would love this
Our family would enjoy this book
id like to win to have this at my house to read to the grandkids
I would love to share this book with my kids!
iD LOVE THIS BECAUSE MY GRANDDAUGHTER WOULD LOVE IT
I would love to win this for my daughter as she would enjoy it!
andysavi.mom@gmail.com
I’d like to win because I know my daughters would love this! 😀
Would love to win for my toddler! 🙂 Thank you!
This would be meaningful, important and extremely beautiful to own and introduce to the children.
how adorable! I would love to win because i am expecting our second child and my first is all about babies right now