What's in There?: All About Before You Were Born

PreS-Gr 1—Nellie and Gus and their parents are expecting a new baby. In simple and clear language, Harris describes the pregnancy. With the family's daily routine as the backdrop, she explains that babies start out as just a few cells about the size of a pencil dot, continue to grow throughout nine months, and are finally ready to be born when they're around the size of a watermelon. Correct names for male and female anatomy are used throughout. The illustrations depict the passing seasons as the baby begins to grow and develop in utero. Westcott's illustrations are digitally produced, and a cut-away view of Mom's abdomen shows the baby's general growth during the interim. The text explains the changes the baby goes through; soon it can hear, grow hair, suck its thumb, etc. Before long, the big day comes and Gus and Nellie welcome their new brother. This book is suitable for young children who are just beginning to ask the question, "Where do babies come from?" Inquiring minds wishing for more information regarding conception and fertilization will need to look at the myriad other books on reproduction. However, What's in There?? is a good first book to recommend to parents.—Roxanne Burg, Orange County Public Library, CA