“Where Do Babies Come From? and other questions 8 – 12 year olds ask” is a treasure trove of accessible information and unforgettable comics. It empowers tweens with accurate, age-appropriate answers in a world overflowing with misinformation. It’s the resource every curious mind, and their parents will appreciate.
$27.95 AUD
ABOUT THIS BOOK
“Where Do Babies Come From? and other questions 8 – 12 year olds ask” is a treasure trove of accessible information and unforgettable comics. Endorsed by leading medical, parenting, and education professionals, this book empowers tweens with accurate, age-appropriate answers in a world overflowing with misinformation. It’s the resource every curious mind—and their parents—will appreciate.
You can expect:
- The latest science. You can count this book to give you medically accurate information tailored for a tween audience. Some of the latest discoveries in research are fascinating!
- Consideration of developmental. Tweens are curious learners who think concretely. This book breaks down complex topics, anchors them in values, and prioritises your child’s safety every step of the way. I’ve included a little about body safety and online safety too!
- Loads of fun. Packed with comics and humour, this book will engage even the most reluctant readers. It’s designed to spark meaningful conversations you’ll treasure forever. You can thank me later, parents!
what's in this book?
Here is a summary of each section in detail.
Section 1: Let’s Get Started
This section is all about communication preferences. It introduces your kids as the boss of the book. They get to map their course, and communication preferences with trusted adults. It also discusses how to ask trusted adult’s questions about sex, different family’s talking styles and what to do if they hear something that doesn’t sound quite right!
Section 2: The Basics
Here is where they get to meet the book’s superstars – Zen Den, Ellie the Egg and Swiftie the Sperm. Our stop watch, Sir Halt asks for 5 short minutes to explain sexual intercourse, and how the egg and sperm meet. We also talk about DNA, multiple babies and bust some myths about sex with some very fun comics. Note: You will see below the format Michelle has chosen to visually represent sexual intercourse.
Section 3: Other Ways Babies Are Made
This section is all about assisted reproductive technology. We discuss IVF and ovulation stimulation, spermbots, egg and sperm donation, surrogacy, as well as egg, sperm, and embryo freezing. This section ends with some quizzical questions that kids ask.
Section 4: You and Your Family
Not all kids live with their biological parents, so this chapter is all about reinforcing the important role of family. Family are the people who live with us and use their superpowers to look after us every day. Kids also have extended family. These are the people who are a regular part of their lives but may not live with them. I personally think they are significantly underrated so they get a mention! We talk about adopted families, and foster families and kids get to answer 50 questions about them.
Section 5: There is More to Know
This section gives kids additional practical information about sex that they need to know. We talk about male and female orgasms, contraception, sexually transmitted infections, staying safe online and sexual consent. It’s a shorter section with deeper content that tweens can head to when they feel they are ready to explore these topics.
Section 6: Crazy, Cool Facts
Many kids love hearing about babies, and all the cute, interesting details about how they grow in the womb. This section is beautifully illustrated, very funny, and full of medical facts and comics that help tweens explore the journey babies are on as they grow. We explore three trimesters and then a range of quizzical questions kids have.
Section 7: How Babies Enter the World
This section starts with some five star entertainment to bust myths about how babies enter the world. We talk about birth plans, vaginal births, caesarean births and how babies have a mind of their own.
Section 8: Important Stuff
This section is a recap of reproductive body parts, so kids have a reference point for any of the body parts I mention in the book. I also cover the menstrual cycle and link that to how babies are born. There is a quizzical questions section where we cover the difference between biological bodies and the gender someone might choose as they grow, and they will find a short vocabulary guide.
SOME Pages You Might LIke TO View
To help you get a feel for the tone of the book, I have chosen a few pages for you to view.
Page 46 and 47. And here’s a little more! You might notice Sir Halt in the corner. He’s given us 5 short minutes to get through the more awkward content.
Page 57 – 60. Every parents wants to know how this book explains sexual intercourse! I have deliberately chosen to use diagrams instead of sketches of people. Hopefully this will be a soft introduction, and an easy way to open conversation. There are a lot of children’s picture books you can access that you can add to this if you’d like to.
Page 82. This section is all about assisted reproductive therapies (ART for short). ART refers to medical procedures that help families have babies. Things like IVF and ovulation stimulation, spermbots, egg and sperm donation, surrogacy, as well as egg, sperm, and embryo freezing are all part of ART.
Page 80. And there is endless fun… as well as a deep dive into information about babies that I know tweens are completely fascinated with.
Page 135. We do have a few pages dedicated to staying safe online after we talk about body safety and sexual consent.
COMMON QUESTIONS About the book
Any sexual health books you give your kids needs to be an extension of you, not a replacement of you. Consider this book a comprehensive, solid start point that you will layer further information on as your child grows.
Is this book suitable for a neurodivergent tween?
Absolutely yes. This book is very inclusive and includes the step by step clarity that many neuro types need. The visual elements of this book also help to keep kids’ attention. We are very lucky to have many stockists who specialise in inclusive education and neurodiversity who recommend Michelle’s tweens books. See below for some….
How do you talk about sexual intercourse?
This book doesn’t use illustrations of adults having sex but instead uses diagrams of the anatomy to show how the egg and sperm meet. This book hopes to provide an easy, comfortable visual for parents and kids to discuss the topic.
How do you talk about sex and gender?
This book refers uses the words male and female and refer to the biological sex a person is born with. It also explains the difference between biological sex and gender.
Does this book talk about dating and romance?
This book is not a deep dive into sexual feelings, romance or dating. That’s a whole other conversation. We touch very briefly on sexual consent.
Does this book talk about puberty?
We briefly recap on reproductive body parts and menstruation to enable the content in this book to be understood. However, content on puberty can be found in Michelle’s A Guy’s Guide to Puberty or A Girls’ Guide to Puberty.
If you have further questions you can always reach us at shop@michellemitchell.org. We are here to help!
PRAISE FOR THIS BOOK
Michelle Mitchell has created another outstanding book for young people and their families. In a world where credible information about bodies, babies, and sexual activity can be hard to find, Where Do Babies Come From? is an invaluable resource. This book provides vital knowledge to young people in an engaging, age-appropriate way and supports parents to have meaningful and important conversations with their children.
Dr Jacqui Hendriks – Sexuality Educator and Academic
PhD PGradDipSexol PGradDipHltProm BSc
This book needs to be in every home! Kids are naturally curious and this delightful book written by the wise, wonderful Michelle Mitchell brings all the awkward facts about sex in a light, easy to read manner. The quirky, funny illustrations make the information so easy to understand and remember.
Maggie Dent – Parenting Educator and Resilience Specialist
Michelle Mitchell has crafted a remarkable book that encourages children to explore this essential topic at their own pace. For our wonderful children with ADHD, this book’s style honours their agency and empowers them with the necessary information, using real terms in a simple, engaging, and fun way. It makes the learning experience both enjoyable and impactful. Her work is a gift to both parents and young readers alike.
Sharon Collon – Certified ADHD Coach and founder of The Functional Family
I would love to see “Where Do Babies Come From” on every bookshelf in every family home.
We parents need to get in first to arm our kids with accurate, safe and age-appropriate information instead of them learning harmful rubbish on the internet or from someone’s big brother in the playground.
Kasey Edwards is a columnist and author of Raising Girls Who Like Themselves.
What to see some Parents Reviews?
I would like to thank you for not making it awkward and weird. I loved how you made it funny so that we did not feel embarrassed. I also love the book that you wrote. It really explains things very well. I like the little pictures in it. They are very funny. Finn G 
I intended to read this with my 9 year old son but he loved it and read it himself before I knew it! Rachel R
Just finished this with my 12 year old. It was brilliant and helped us communicate and discuss topics openly. We had a laugh and my son who has mild ID learnt so much and got over some of the more uncomfortable bits. Thank you for a wonderfully informative and fun book.
Amanda C
So glad we ordered this book! My 12 year old is currently reading it and we are having such great, open discussions. He has ASD and the idea of puberty/body changes etc has always made him very anxious, but he is really enjoying the book and taking it all on board.
Thank you. Bron S
My 10 yr old son and I are reading together. Great explanations and lots of laughter that cuts through the awkwardness. Ali M
These books are great. I purchased one of each and they get a big thumbs up in our household. They have broadened the discussions with our kids. I often recommend them to friends with tweens. Thanks for creating such a great resource. Nicola A
My 10yr boy loves your book…he has even openly showed his friends. Rebecca L
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