Bound To Stay Bound

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School Library Journal - 04/01/2014 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 - Copyright 2014 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.

Booklist - 05/01/2014 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. - Copyright 2014 Booklist.

Bulletin for the Center... - 09/01/2014 Upon learning that he is going to become a big brother, a boy asks where babies come from and gets a variety of responses-his babysitter describes a seed that grows into a baby tree, his teacher tells him of a hospital, his grandfather brings up the stork, the mailman talks about eggs. Fortunately, his mother and father give him a concise yet thoughtful overview of the process, and the reflective child then realizes the truth of much of what he was told (“So, Olive was right about the seed. And Roberto was right about the egg. Mrs. McClure was right about the hospital. But Grandpa . . . I’m going to have to tell Grandpa where babies really come from”). Honest and accurate language combines with a rueful acknowledgment of the varied takes on the topic to make this a sound introduction to the “Where do babies come from?” question. The text remains kid-focused; the tone is steadily inquisitive, never pedantic, and the boy is particularly endearing in his curiosity. Blackall’s line and watercolor illustrations are winsome without being saccharine, and there’s considerable humor in their depiction of the various evasive explanations. The clean design draws on rhythmic, geometrically tidy but still interesting compositions, against fields of creamy white, and the final spread, depicting the boy happily pushing a pram, offers the perfect ending note. A more scientific and in-depth note at the end of the book provides detailed information about some of the more common questions young people may ask. Blackall effectively finds the sweet spot between practical and pleasant in this lovely new addition to the sex education shelf. HM - Copyright 2014 The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois.

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