The Baby Tree
What’s inside...
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.
Age
2-5
Length
40 pages
Text complexity
Character compass
The Boy
Discussion points
Why do you think the little boy in the book is curious about where babies come from?
How did the different characters in the story answer the boy's question? Which answer did you find the most interesting?
How do you think the boy felt when he got different answers from different people?
What have you learned about where babies come from after reading this book?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their thoughts and feelings about the story. Listen attentively to their responses to understand their level of comprehension and curiosity.
Use the illustrations in the book to guide the conversation, pointing out details that might help explain the concept of where babies come from.
Relate the story to personal family experiences, such as the birth of a sibling, to make the discussion more relatable and meaningful.
Praise your child for their curiosity and willingness to learn about complex topics, reinforcing that it's good to ask questions.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Understanding Family Dynamics
Explanation: The Baby Tree' subtly introduces the concept of family roles and dynamics as the young protagonist seeks answers about where babies come from, consulting various family members.
Real-World Application: Children can learn about the importance of family communication and the different perspectives that each family member can offer, fostering a sense of belonging and understanding within the family unit.
Example Lesson: Seeking Knowledge
Explanation: The story encourages curiosity and perseverance in seeking knowledge as the main character goes through a journey of asking questions and understanding complex topics.
Real-World Application: Children are inspired to ask questions and seek answers, nurturing their curiosity and developing their research skills which are essential for academic and life success.
Example Lesson: Understanding Human Biology
Explanation: Through the protagonist’s quest for knowledge about babies, the book introduces basic concepts of human biology in a child-friendly manner.
Real-World Application: This helps children understand their own bodies and the natural world in a respectful and age-appropriate way, laying a foundation for future scientific learning.
Example Lesson: Dealing with Confusing Information
Explanation: As the protagonist receives different answers from different sources, the story portrays the confusion that can arise from conflicting information.
Real-World Application: This can teach children the importance of patience, critical thinking, and cross-verifying facts, aiding them in navigating through misinformation.
Example Lesson: Emotional Openness
Explanation: The book promotes openly discussing emotions and questions that might seem difficult or embarrassing, through the protagonist’s candidness in seeking answers about babies.
Real-World Application: Children learn the value of emotional expressiveness and the strength in vulnerability, which is crucial for emotional development and building healthy relationships.