Where do Babies Come From?

Pauline Oud, born in 1963 in Hilversum, The Netherlands, has been working as an illustrator for over 15 years now. After her graduation from art school in 1985 she worked as an artist and art teacher for a while before applying her knowledge to her first love; children’s books. Before she starts working, she likes to start her days with an hour running to clear her head and think about her drawings. She likes to collect children’s books, because they give her so much inspiration. When she is out of inspiration, she also likes to visit the Museum of medieval Art to stare at the books her colleagues have illustrated some 700 years ago. She currently lives in Utrecht (the Netherlands) with her husband and her two children Roos and Walt.

"Oud offers little ones an introduction to the ins and outs of human reproduction. The artwork depicts Mommy and Daddy under the sheets but groups unclothed adult and child figures of both sexes on the next page to show their differences; the art also traces a baby’s development in utero month by month. The information is presented in a mix of cartoon illustrations and frank, simple dialogues between little Noa and her parents, Noa and her friend Luke, Luke and his mommies (who explain how they used donated sperm to conceive him), and other children with friends or grandparents. Additional facts float alongside in easily digestible sidebars. Along with sex and development, topics touched on include doctor visits, twins, adoption, why children might look like or unlike their parents, premature birth…and then baby naming, care, and gear from playpen to bottles. Noa’s father is dark-skinned, while her mother is light-skinned, and Noa is tan-skinned. Luke and Mommy Lucy are light-skinned, while Mommy Ellen is tan-skinned. An adoptee, Mika, presents as Asian. The instruction takes on an interactive aspect toward the end, with young viewers invited to spot differences between two versions of a party for the new baby and identify whether toys and other items are meant for babies or for older sibs. The tone is warm and welcoming throughout. An excellent overview—clear, inclusive, and specific without sounding clinical."  -Kirkus Reviews