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Cory Silverberg
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What Makes a Baby Hardcover – Picture Book, May 7, 2013

by Cory Silverberg (Author), Fiona Smyth (Illustrator)
4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 1,560 ratings
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Finalist for the 2014 Lambda Award for LGBT Children's/Young Adult

“What Makes a Baby is extraordinary! Cory is a Dr. Spock for the 21st century.”—Susie Bright

“A Truly Inclusive Way to Answer the Question 'Where Do Babies Come From?': The new book What Makes a Baby offers an origin story for all children, no matter what their families look like." —The Atlantic

"This is a solid, occasionally quirky book on an important topic."—School Library Journal


Geared to readers from preschool to age eight, What Makes a Baby is a book for every kind of family and every kind of kid. It is a twenty-first century children’s picture book about conception, gestation, and birth, which reflects the reality of our modern time by being inclusive of all kinds of kids, adults, and families, regardless of how many people were involved, their orientation, gender and other identity, or family composition. Just as important, the story doesn’t gender people or body parts, so most parents and families will find that it leaves room for them to educate their child without having to erase their own experience. 

Written by sexuality educator Cory Silverberg, and illustrated by award-winning Canadian artist Fiona Smyth, What Makes a Baby is as fun to look at as it is useful to read.
Previous page
  1. Reading age
    2 - 6 years, from customers
  2. Print length
    36 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Grade level
    Preschool - 2
  5. Lexile measure
    AD470L
  6. Dimensions
    9.3 x 0.4 x 9.3 inches
  7. Publisher
    Triangle Square
  8. Publication date
    May 7, 2013
  9. ISBN-10
    1609804856
  10. ISBN-13
    978-1609804855
  11. See all details
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From the Publisher

What Makes a Baby Como se hace un bebe Sex is a Funny Word You Know, Sex
What Makes a Baby ¿Cómo se hace un bebé? Sex is a Funny Word You Know, Sex
Customer Reviews
4.7 out of 5 stars
1,560
4.1 out of 5 stars
61
4.7 out of 5 stars
291
4.7 out of 5 stars
291
Price $14.96 $11.08 $22.35 $22.35
Age 3–7 years old 3–7 years old 7–10 years 10–14 years
Grade Level Preschool–2nd grade Preschool–2nd grade 2nd grade–5th grade 5th-9th grade
Length 36 pages 36 pages 160 pages 432 pages
Language English Spanish English English
Format Hardcover picture book Paperback picture book Hardcover, full color illustrations Paperback, graphic novel

See inside the book!

What Makes a Baby
What Makes a Baby2
What Makes a Baby
What Makes a Baby?

Editorial Reviews

Review

"The playful illustrations and simple but intelligent text illuminate the basic biology of reproduction while honoring today’s diversity of families, of genders and gender identities, and of how kids can come into a family." —Maria Popova, Brain Pickings

"This is a solid, occasionally quirky book on an important topic." —School Library Journal

“It’s an informative and entertaining read for kids of all parents, straight or queer. And, hey, even if your kids were conceived the old-fashioned way, they should know not everyone was—and why.” —Queerty

"What Makes a Baby aims to be just about the most inclusive sex ed book for kids you've ever come across[...] it has none of this mommy and daddy love each other and he watered her flower with his watering can and then a baby was born stuff; What Makes a Baby is for kids around four to eight years of age, teaching them about"conception, gestation, and birth" using really specific language." —Jezebel

"What Makes a Baby offers a combination so rarely captured in children's books; beauty and meaning, fact and nuance, and most importantly the opportunity for all of us to see ourselves in these pages." —Nadya Burton, PhD, Midwifery Education Program at Ryerson University

“The book talks about where babies come from in a way that encompasses kids who are adopted, conceived using reproductive technologies, through surrogacy, or the old-fashioned way, and regardless of how many people were involved, their orientation, gender, and other identity, or family composition. Author and sex educator Silverberg nails it, as does award-winning Canadian artist Fiona Smyth." —The Advocate

"Designed for all kinds of children in all kinds of families, this will be particularly welcome in adoptive and non-traditional families but is, uniquely, an appealing and informative complement to early sex-education discussions with any child.” —Kirkus Reviews, starred reviews

"Silverberg’s quest to exclude no one means he omits much in the book – including any mention of sex. The point, he says, is to get children asking questions but letting parents answer them with however much detail they see fit." —The Globe and Mail 

"What Makes A Baby presents factual information on conception on a kid's level. With text that is open to personal embellishment, this book is sure to cater to many families and birth experiences.” —Green Parent Chicago

“The new book What Makes a Baby offers an origin story for all children, no matter what their families look like." —The Atlantic

“Our family needed this book. Your family needs this book. In fact, I can’t think of a family that doesn't." —Philadelphia Family Pride

"Now parents can have easy-going, straightforward, and (hopefully) painless discussions with kids about the miracle of birth!” —Parents

About the Author

Raised by a children’s librarian and a sex therapist, CORY SILVERBERG grew up to be a sexuality educator and writer. He received his Masters of Education from the University of Toronto, and was a founding member of the Come As You Are Co-operative. He teaches across North America on topics including sexual communication, sexuality and disability, technology, access, and inclusion. Cory is the Sexuality Guide for About.com and the co-author of The Ultimate Guide to Sex and Disability with Miriam Kaufman and Fran Odette. What Makes a Baby is the first book in a series of kid’s books Cory is writing for Seven Stories Press about sexuality, sexual health, and gender. He has eight nephews and nieces, all of whom know where babies come from.

FIONA SMYTH is a Toronto-based painter, illustrator, and cartoonist. Her first graphic novel, The Never Weres, was published by Annick Press in 2011. Fiona’s comic Cheez was published in Exclaim! magazine for almost ten years, and her comic Fazooz was in Vice for eight years. Fiona teaches illustration and comics at OCAD U in Toronto.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Triangle Square; 1st edition (May 7, 2013)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 36 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1609804856
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1609804855
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 2 - 6 years, from customers
  • Lexile measure ‏ : ‎ AD470L
  • Grade level ‏ : ‎ Preschool - 2
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 11.4 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 9.3 x 0.4 x 9.3 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 1,560 ratings

About the author

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Cory Silverberg

Cory Silverberg

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Raised in the 1970s by a children’s librarian and a sex therapist, Cory grew up to be a sex educator, and author, and a queer person who smiles a lot when they talk.

Cory received a master’s degree in education from the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education at the University of Toronto. He has developed and facilitated workshops for hundreds of agencies and organizations serving both youth and adults across North America on a range of topics including gender expression and identity, sexuality and disability, sexual pleasure, sexual communication, technology, and access + inclusion. He is the co-author of four books, including the ALA Stonewall Honor Book Sex Is a Funny Word, with Fiona Smyth, and most recently You Know, Sex. Cory's life is full of kids. All of them know where babies come from. Some know more.

Customer reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars
4.7 out of 5
1,560 global ratings
Not great for adopted kids
4 Stars
Not great for adopted kids
I understand how the non gendered language can make this feel more inclusive. BUT I think it’s not great for many adoptive situations. It asks questions that a lot of kids will never have answers too and somehow feels more painful? Just sits weird for some reason. I wish it was just the biology lesson cuz that part is so great!!
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Top reviews from the United States

Blue
5.0 out of 5 stars Perfectly gender neutral and educational for all ages!!
Reviewed in the United States on November 18, 2018
Verified Purchase
I got this book for my 2 year old. There is no mention of gender in this entire book. The book does not show genitals or sex in any way. It says "some bodies have sperm in them, and some do not." With a picture of a completely androgynous person, with a little picture of a sperm close to where the sperm would really be in their body. I recommend this book for every kid in the world and stress that there is no such thing as being too young for this book. Older kids may like it as well, it isnt cheesy and uses real words.
The only mention of genitals in this is the word "vagina" but it does not show one. It only talks about the fact that "some babies are born by coming out of a part of the body most people call the vagina" and it shows a picture of a midwife taking a baby out of the vagina in a birds eye view, so that we dont see the vagina. The opposite page shows a c section and explains that the doctor makes a hole, takes the baby out, and closes the hole. The picture is not scary and shows zero blood or gore, but is realistic and easy to see what is happening.
There is a picture of the baby upside down inside of a person's body with the umbilical cord. They show a picture of a uterus and explain that some bodies have uteruses and some do not, and that babies grow inside the uterus. There is a picture with lots of people, and some of those people have a uterus and some do not in the picture. Again I stress that there is no gender in this book which is fantastic.
The pictures are very colorful and fun, yet informative. The single only complaint I have is that it doesnt talk about the sperm going into the egg, but just the sperm dancing with the egg. After we read the words on that page I just always add "and then the sperm goes in the egg." I think thats all that's really needed.
This book started a really nice conversation between my little one and I and now if I ask, my two year old can tell me which parent had an egg, and which parent had a sperm to make my little one and who had a uterus where my little one grew and got bigger and bigger (the book shows pictures of the stages of development) and then came out and how.
This book also does not talk about "mommies and daddies" which is great since we have a Daddy and Shoey in our house, and no Mommy. I would recommend this book for families who adopted or had a surrogate, etc. It just talks about a sperm and an egg, but doesnt say anything about what kind of people "should" have a sperm or an egg or a uterus. There is no mention of male or female or intersex or man or woman, etc. It also shows a lot of different families, family members, and babies, but they are very diverse and a lot of them are very androgynous. I haven't looked too much but there may or may not be obviously gay couples, nonbinary couples, and families with 3 or more parents. Super duper inclusive.
I love this book. It is absolutely perfect for our family. Perfect for your queer kids and gaybies too. xD
174 people found this helpful
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Bpags2
5.0 out of 5 stars Great age-appropriate conversation starter
Reviewed in the United States on February 22, 2024
Verified Purchase
One small incorrect detail in the book: the non-pregnant uterus is not “below the belly button in the soft squishy part” it is nestled safely inside of the bony pelvis structure. Other than that, it deserves five stars! Such a great starting book to teach kids about where babies come from while also introducing the amazing, beautiful spectrum of human bodies.
2 people found this helpful
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G. Walker
5.0 out of 5 stars Great for families with nonbinary folks
Reviewed in the United States on November 18, 2023
Verified Purchase
This book is perfect for my 4 year old son, who has learned a bit about babies and families in UPK and had lots of ideas about babies and how many more I should be having lol

What I love best about this book is it doesn't talk about gender OR sex at all. It just talks about how some bodies have eggs and a uterus and some bodies have sperm. The bodies are clearly people but with no discernable features. The people with features in other parts of the book have a variety of gender expressions, including neutral.

This book talks about how the egg and sperm join but doesn't mention how they join which is perfect for preschool age, those details are unnecessary at this stage and would just be more confusing.

it's a little shirt but that's fine. Overall a great book and I'm very happy with it.
4 people found this helpful
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RCL
5.0 out of 5 stars Inclusive & a bit vague, but an essential starting point
Reviewed in the United States on July 30, 2019
Verified Purchase
This book is not without some minor flaws, but I still LOVE IT.

By way of comparison...we have "It's not the stork" and have been reading parts of that to my 5-year-old for a few years now. And parts of that book are incredibly useful...but it's just really invested in linking everything to male/female anatomy and binary gender identity. "What makes a baby," though, is just about people--some of whom have sperm, some have eggs, and some have uteruses.

I agree with some of the other reviewers that some parts of book are vague and maybe too whimsical--the idea that the sperm and the egg "dance together" and share stories of the bodies who made them is a bit fanciful. (But it's certainly easy enough to connect "the stories of our bodies" to DNA and genetics...it just might take a bit of explanation to get there.)

But aside from the occasional wobble, this book succeeds at delivering an incredibly inclusive account of reproduction that fits many different bodies, many different genders, and many different kinds of families. In this way, it's a great starting point for additional conversations--which might include anatomy (which this book does not), gender identity, various ways to make a family, etc.

I also love the illustrations, which are bold, colorful, and inclusive. Sure, they're not "anatomically correct" or always clearly gendered. But as a starting point for bigger, more detailed conversations, they don't need to be in this particular book.
4 people found this helpful
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Amanda G
5.0 out of 5 stars Neutral, simple explanation
Reviewed in the United States on October 16, 2023
Verified Purchase
My six year old began asking how babies are made. I tend to give too much information so I asked her to wait a few days while I ordered a book 😅 This book was perfect. It explained that an egg, a sperm, & a uterus are required. There was no mention of gender or sex, which really simplified things, and prevented me from overloading my daughter with more information than she was seeking.
6 people found this helpful
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Dani and Christopher
4.0 out of 5 stars As a future IP (Intended Parent) it's good
Reviewed in the United States on January 20, 2024
Verified Purchase
I collect children's books because I'm a teacher and intended parent. I have high standards. This text is good. I would have loved higher level vocabulary to be used like "genes" in addition to "stories".
One line is, "Just like eggs and just like sperm,..." I want my future kiddos to be exposed to more grammatically correct language when they read informational texts, "Just like eggs and sperm,..." would have been more grammatically correct.
I think the book is good, I just think it could easily be great and it's not quite there yet. There's only one sentence on each page. I think more content would have explained even more. I'd still recommend it and buy it.
One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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Tomoko
5.0 out of 5 stars Great inclusive book for curious kids!
Reviewed in Canada on October 6, 2023
Verified Purchase
My daughter has many friends with many diverse family structures and we value inclusion of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. This was a great book that answers the question, “what makes a baby?” It used proper terminology. It keeps feelings and relationships out which was great as some of her friends are adopted, conceived via donor, conceived via surrogate, etc.
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giulia
5.0 out of 5 stars La riproduzione senza genere, biologicamente corretta
Reviewed in Italy on January 13, 2024
Verified Purchase
Ho apprezzato Silverberg in "Il sesso è una parola buffa" e ho voluto vedere anche questo libro. L'ho apprezzato molto e regalato anche ad altre famiglie che lo hanno gradito. Vengono spiegati i tre ingredienti biologici necessari per fare un essere umano (ovulo, sperma, utero) senza dimenticare che ci sono tante altre persone coinvolte nel processo e felici della nascita. Poetico, biologicamente corretto, inclusivo verso tutti i tipi di famiglie (anche con donazione di gameti, con gpa, adozioni, polifamiglie etc, ma senza la necessità di nominare in modo esplicito tutto questo), adatto a tutte le età. Bello bello bello.
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Frau Schmalz
5.0 out of 5 stars Great book
Reviewed in Germany on October 9, 2023
Verified Purchase
My 3 year loves this book. We've read it so often it fell apart. Its perfectly aimed and kids explains things v clearly
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Bríd Byrne
5.0 out of 5 stars Great for little ones
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 16, 2023
Verified Purchase
Great to introduce the facts of life to little ones... Essentially a sperm and an egg make a baby... No reference to genitalia or their coming together. Good for inquisitive young minds, they'll know you're a good source of information and hopefully will always come to you with questions instead of other ill-informed sources.
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Marie Mestre
1.0 out of 5 stars This book doesn't explain anything
Reviewed in France on February 15, 2022
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If you want to find a book to explain or discuss sexual life and pregnancy with your child, don't buy this book. The drawings are really nice but, it wants to be politically correct so it doesn't explain the slicest difference between sex... You only see aliens blue or green. No breast, no hair. Nothing about secondary sexual body's parts. How a toddler can catch anything with blue uterus floating on pink or green shapes? You need the basics to understand something. And understanding the differences doesn't mean you're going to hate or not be open-minded....I don't recommend this book
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