The Baby Tree

by Sophie Blackall

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.

Genres: Picture Books, Family, Childrens, Banned Books, Humor, Parenting, Fiction

40 pages, Hardcover

First published May 1, 2014

Reviews

[Shaghayegh · Rating 3 out of 5]

اینکه به بچه‌ها، نه با ریزجزئیات بلکه به طور کلی و علمی یاد بدیم خیلی مهمه. اطلاعات غلط، موجبات کنجکاوی بیشتر و بیراهه رفتنشون رو ممکن هست رقم بزنه. حتی احتمالش هست که به واسطه‌ی چرت و پرت گفتن‌ بعضی از بزرگتر‌ها به قصد دست به سر کردن بچه‌ها، باعث ایجاد کلی تراما شن. متاسفانه همین کتاب فسقل هم سانسور داشته و اونجا که قرار هست به سوال عنوان به طرز درستی جواب بده، نزدیکی والدین محو میشه :/
و اینکه هیچ‌وقت علت تغییر عنوان اصلی کتاب رو توسط مترجمین نفهمیدم.

[Melki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute story about a young boy attempting to find out where babies come from . . . with a laugh-out-loud ending.

With adorable illustrations by the author.

[Jess · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think I would like to live in a world illustrated by Sophie Blackall. The clothes, the bedding, the rooms, the rosy cheeks - the whole thing. Apart from her aesthetic, the format of the story is a sweet way to address kids' questions about where babies come from, and the often confusing ways in which adults don't quite answer them honestly. As each older person answers the soon-to-be big brother's question, the facing page shows how he visualizes the answers. His teacher's answer, that they come from the hospital, has him imagining swaddled babies lining up to emerge from the door. The last line is a hoot - he discovers that there was some truth in each person's answer, but Grandpa's..."I'm going to have to tell Grandpa where babies really come from." Following the story (which provides the basic biology) is a page of suggestions for how to further explain reproduction to preschoolers. While it's nowhere as thorough as some other books out there, it could be a good jumping off point for introducing the topic or answering questions, even if a baby isn't on the way.

[Lynn · Rating 2 out of 5]

I like that at the end, the child observed that his babysitter, mailman, and teacher all had parts of the story right, but that he'd have to tell his grandpa.
I don't like the explanation in the backmatter that "...a man and woman lie close together...". But it will be helpful to some parents to use this page at least to get the conversation started, and that the difference in ages should help parents determine how much and what information to give to their inquiring child.
Soft, cute illustrations portray the various answers as the child tries to imagine what he's been told.

[Abigail · Rating 4 out of 5]

When his parents tell him that a new sibling is on the way, a young boy begins to wonder where babies come from, asking a number of people in his life to explain. Olive, the teenage girl who walks him to school in the morning, tells him that they come from a baby tree, his teacher tells him they come from the hospital, the mailman that they come from eggs, and his grandfather that they are delivered by a stork. Confused, the boy goes to his parents for clarification, and learns the real story...

An engaging story about a young boy who is attempting to make sense of an important piece of news - that soon there will be a new baby in the family - is paired with lovely artwork in a book that is both informative and entertaining. Although I really appreciated the incorporation of more fanciful ideas - that old chestnut about the stork! - in both story and artwork, because young people will inevitably run across some of these fantasies in searching for information about sexual reproduction and the birth of new human beings, I was happy that Blackall concluded her story with the real biological story. I also liked that a brief afterword is included, with age-appropriate information that parents and other adults can use to explain this topic to young children. I myself asked this question at age six, and was given the anatomically correct/biologically accurate story by my mother - a sign of respect that I have always appreciated. Recommended to anyone facing the age-old childhood question about where babies come from, as well as to the young children who are asking it.

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

Impulse from the library for "tree" prompt; even less relevant to that than I'd hoped. Turns out that 'from a tree' is only one of several answers the big brother gets to his question. There's also a helpful author's note that does use the words vagina and penis, but if you're not comfortable because your child is still young, the main story is easier for the squeamish to read.

Not that we should be squeamish about those things, in my opinion and in Blackall's.
Honestly, I do wish she'd used the word "womb" in the text. The note said "belly gets bigger" which enables those who can't make themselves say anything but "in the mother's tummy" which every child knows is ridiculous.

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

A thoughtful little boy wonders where babies come from after his parents tell him they are expecting. Different people in his life give him different answers (all *partially* correct) but man was I relieved when his mom and dad gave him the correct information at the end. I thought the way they described it was perfect!

[Jack & Lily Wills · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good, simple explainer for kids who are asking questions about where babies come from!

[Romelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very cute book about a little boy searching for an answer to the question, "Where do babies come from?" I liked the wacky and fun answers the babysitter, teacher, mailman, and grandfather give. Author and illustrator Sophie Blackall did a great job at putting the answers all together in a creative, gentle, and age appropriate way to explain reproduction. Blackall's illustrations are soft, lovely and sweet. It compliments the story well. My favorite art is the cover! Babies in trees. How adorable is that.

In the back of the book, Blackall go into detail and give suggestions on how to explain where babies come from in a Q & A. A nice book for the curious.

[Katt Hansen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Just not loving this one.

While the imagination with which the boy pictures the various scenarios he's given in answer to his question, I wonder if at the end the information comes a bit too...quickly and without much explanation at all. Meaning that no one is going to understand it anyway. Even the notes at the end feel confusing (so if you have two dads and they want to have kids, a woman gives one of the men her egg....huh...so who's carrying this baby exactly?) to the point where I just couldn't get on board with this book at all. There are seriously better books out there to explain the birds and the bees in an age-appropriate way.

[Yasaman · Rating 5 out of 5]

همینقدر منطقی و بدون حاشیه. نه لک لک. نه دعا. نه هرچرند دیگه‌ای که بچه‌های نسل جدید زیربارش نمیرن خداروشکر.
آخرش خیلی بانمک بود. میگفت باید برم به بابابزرگ بگم که کار لک‌لک‌ها نیست😂.
تصویرسازیشم خیلی خوب بود.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

that was ADORABLE. What a great book to help explain to younger ones where babies come from :)

[Robin · Rating 3 out of 5]

When a boy learns he is going to be a big brother, he is curious about the origin of the baby. Asking trusted adults, he receives mostly answers that are sort of right (in a roundabout way) until his parents put it all together for him.
A solid book to help kids seeking clarification on where babies come from but without too much graphic information.

[Jakub · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely illustrated book about from where babies comes from. Fun read with some nice suggestion of how to tackle the subject with our own kids

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think this little boy and I must share the same grandparents, thinking that babies come from the stork...does he also have 19 aunts & uncles?

[Melynda Wangsness · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ideal for those early questions regarding where babies come from. Can be used as a tool to build upon answers for children slightly older and with more questions or differing understandings. Beautiful illustrations make it a must buy!

[Fromwordstoworlds · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Every family is slightly different, but every single baby begins with a sperm and an egg."

Sooner or later each adult has to give an answer to children’s famous question: Where do babies come from?

My daughter was no exception, her father diplomatically avoided the conversation so, half serious, half amused, I explained that babies grow inside their mummies’ tummies and after nine months they are born. I also used the words love, family and joy several times and I think my explanation was satisfactory.

It would have been extremely useful to have Sophie Blackall’s book then, as The Baby Tree is enchanting. There is warmth, scientific information and realistic depictions of a child’s unique inner life. Not to mention the creative and beautiful illustrations.

The story is narrated by a little boy who is announced at breakfast that a new baby is coming. But what he really wants is to be explained where the baby is going to come from. As his parents are late for work, the boy asks other grown-ups. Olive, his teenage babysitter tells him that babies grow into a Baby Tree after you plant a seed. His teacher tells him that babies come from the hospital and his grandpa explains that babies are brought by storks. As the milkman thinks babies come from eggs and the boy is puzzled with so many variants, he finally asks his parents.

See full review on blog:
https://fromwordstoworlds.wordpress.c...

[Robert J · Rating 4 out of 5]

We've all heard that you can't judge a book by it's cover but The Baby Tree by Sophie Blackall is certainly an exception. The title and front cover picture let you know that an amusing tale and beautiful illustrations await. The Baby Tree is a wonderful book for the parent that struggles with the "where do babies come from" question. (and what parent doesn't?) I remember our boys telling EVERYONE that their baby sister was on the way and was in "mommies belly." I don't know if I've ever seen eyes as big as theirs when they got the chance to feel the baby kick. The illustrations are both visually pleasing and significant in their message. Young or old, boy or girl, Black, White, Hispanic or Asian everyone in The Baby Tree has the same rosie cheeks telling us we are more alike than we are different. The baby tree pictures are the most notable but the picture of the little boy sitting in Grandpa's lap explaining where babies come from holds the most meaning in my heart. The love between them and the level of engagement is evident in their smiles and eye contact. Our children had that type of bond with my wife's father and still miss him today. I really like this book. On a side note the picture with the father holding a copy of Locomotive was a nice tribute to Brian Floca if intended as such.

[Amy Seto · Rating 5 out of 5]

It seems like a normal morning for this young black haired boy, but then his parents tell him there’s a baby coming. He tries to figure out exactly where babies come from, but he gets conflicting information from his teenage sister, teacher, Grandpa, and Roberto the mailman. Luckily, his parents are able to answer all of his questions. Written in first person from the boy’s point of view, this humorous story will be helpful for caregivers looking to answer their child’s questions about babies. The parents in this book have a short, but informative explanation of how a baby is made accompanied by preschool appropriate illustrations (a sperm and egg meeting in a red circle, a baby inside the womb, and a newborn baby). The back matter includes suggestions for answering the question – where do babies come from? – for children who are curious about the details. Blackall's answers are scientifically correct without being graphic. The illustrations are whimsical and fun, especially the images that the boy conjures up as he hears different explanations of the origin of babies.

Full Review at Picture-Book-a-Day: http://picturebookaday.blogspot.com/2...

[Stephanie Croaning · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very unique book and I applaud Sophie Blackall for writing it! In picture book format, appropriate for ages 4-6, THE BABY TREE follows a young child on his journey to find out where babies come from. He has just learned he is getting a new brother or sister and has lots of questions. As he asks the adults around him where babies come from, they provide the usual vague, and sometimes silly, responses -- a hospital, an egg, a seed, the stork, etc.

The purpose of this book, as Blackall states in the questions and answers at the end, is to provide accurate and age-appropriate responses to children when this question comes up. Blackall ties up the story in a wonderful way with a family discussion between the parents and the boy that is accurate and provides just enough information for the child's age, and it shows that almost all of the vague, silly answers he got earlier are right to some degree.

This would make an excellent gift for a child who has just learned he is getting a baby brother or sister. Wouldn't recommend this one for a read-aloud though! The independent reading level is 4.6.

[Dione Basseri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ideal for those first questions on where babies come from. After being told there will be a new baby, a young boy begins asking everyone where they come from, each time getting evasive and not entirely false answers (and one outright wrong one). In the end, he gets a scientifically accurate (though, of course, a bit toned-down) answer from his parents.

I really enjoyed how this story was structured. All the adults are trying to avoid the question, but also avoiding lying, which leads to this strange construction of truths. I think it's very important to be honest with your little ones regarding sex, but this book does emphasize that it's the parent's decision on when to tell the truth, and how much to tell.

The artwork is pretty charming, as well, as each false story is imagined. The colors are soft and the people simplified, but not in an entirely cartoonish manner.

A good pick if you've got a second (or third or more!) on the way and you are looking for how to broach the subject with your child (or perhaps niece or nephew).

[Kifflie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A young boy finds out that his family is getting a new baby, and he tries to find out where the baby is coming from. He asks various people in his neighborhood, and he asks his grandfather, but none of the responses seem quite right. So he asks his parents, and gets the right answer.

The story is nicely paced, and the illustrations are cute, but not *too* cute (I did get a chuckle out of the "baby tree" and the hospital made of babies). What I especially liked was the straightforward text at the end that explains how human reproduction happens, using the actual names of the body parts, and even mentioning that some families have two dads or two moms. I love how matter-of-fact the tone is here.

This is one of the better picture books about "the facts of life" that I've seen in quite some time.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

A refreshingly honest answer to the question of "where do babies come from?" When a young boy is told he is getting a sibling, he asks the question and gets a wide variety of answers. Finally, he goes to his parents and gets a direct and easy to understand response. Blackall's lovely ink and watercolor illustrations match the text's straightforward tone and gentle humor. This is a special book because of the way it takes a child's question seriously. Parents will appreciate this approach and wonder why they ever found the question difficult to answer.

[Pam · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book cracked me up. Poor older brother knows his parents are expecting a new baby but he has no idea where babies come from. After asking his babysitter, teacher, mail carrier and grandpa and getting all the wrong answers, he finally asks his parents and they set him straight. Great and fabulous illustration by Sophie Blackall (of course)

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

funny, readable, honest story about where babies come from for the younger elementary school set. notes in back include common questions children have on this topic, using correct anatomical words for body parts.

[Emily Briano · Rating 4 out of 5]

Though Catherine is a little young to be explaining where babies come from, this is a cute and clever way to explain it to young children in a way that's accurate and age appropriate.

[Hapzydeco · Rating 3 out of 5]

In this quirky picture book, Sophie Blackall answers the age-old question - Where do babies come from? The appendix explains the most important facts.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The ending made this book <3

[QNPoohBear · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wondered why this was banned so even though I loathe babies, I picked it up to review. In typical Sophie Blackall style, she illustrates a lot of diverse babies as she tells the story of a boy who is about to become a big brother and wonders where they're going to get the new baby. Mom and Dad didn't get a chance to tell him so he asks everyone from his teenage babysitter who walks him to school to his granddad. He gets a variety of different answers like seeds, eggs, the stork, the hospital! It's very confusing for him until he asks Mom and Dad.

That's where it gets to the "objectionable" content. Mom and Dad explain "babies come from inside their mom. They start off really tiny, almost too small to see. They begin with a seed from their dad planted in an egg inside their mom. The baby grows in there for nine months until it runs out of room and it's ready to be born." The illustrations show a tadpole like seed and a smiling circle egg, a baby attached in the umbilical cord inside the womb and a new baby swaddled in a blanket.

The backmatter explains in more clinical terms with an FAQ derived from expert advice. She uses the anatomically correct terms sperm, penis and vagina. The explanation of how the "seed" is "planted" consists of "Usually a man and woman lie close together and the sperm swims through the man's penis into the mom's vagina to meet the egg. Of all the sperm only one can get inside to fertilize the egg, and that's when the baby begins to grow.

The explanations are simple and age appropriate. I don't see a problem here. If a very young child picks the book off a shelf, I doubt they can READ the words, let alone the backmatter. It's up to the parents to look through it and decide if they want to read the book together and how to answer the child's question. Just don't read the backmatter if you really don't want your kid to know but personally I think it's best to follow the expert advice and be honest before they pick it up from friends and classmates - or Siri/Google because yes kids do know how to ask Siri.

It's been on the banned lists since publication in 2014.

Sophie Blackall has a well-reasoned response to that:
http://sophieblackall.blogspot.com/20...

[MBNS Director · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a children's book. Rather, this is a funny and beautifully illustrated book for adults or older children expecting a sibling on reassessing and hopefully correcting the misinformation many of us were raised with. This book is a humorous tool to be used for adults as we prepare to discuss "where do babies come from" . Let's get started before the new baby comes!

Many of us have likely heard these stories told by the adults in our lives as they albeit lovingly attempt to avoid discussing love, intimacy and the sexual lives of humans. Pretty funny the efforts adults have undertaken in order to both avoid the "delicacies" of where babies come and the stories that come from those efforts: storks bring babies, babies grow on trees, they come from eggs somehow, you can get pregnant from a toilet seat, or they miraculously are available at your local hospital...

While I appreciate the tongue-in-cheek attempt at humor, an image is worth a thousand words and that is why I really feel that this book is best for adults rather than adding more confusing images for children. It is a way for us as adults to laugh at our discomfort. It is a way for us as adults to prepare ourselves for the questions that children come up with and perhaps to laugh along with them once they are clear on the true story ( it lightly touched on for young children in the very back of the book and again under the list of questions)...maybe young adolescents would laugh along too, but you will need much more info that this book presents. Perhaps it is a good book for new parents as they find out they are pregnant and can practice the awkward but important conversations that many us have not practiced until a child asks, or we have a second or third, etc....or we become siblings ourselves!