Ellen GiangiordanoWonderfully Made! Babies: A Catholic Perspective on How and Why God Makes Babies (for ages 9 and up)

This book is exactly what I was looking for: perfect scientific and catholic perspective for how babies are made in the sacrament of matrimony as God intended. I highly recommend this book to all!

I really liked this as I flipped through it. It shared good information for initially going over the subject without going overboard... UNTIL it lists many ways people refer to making love... and goes into great detail, with two pages of illustrations and explanations, that the word SEX stands for Spiritual EXercise and even makes a weird symbol involving the trinity and SEX. What even? Why? Why not say something much more simple and sticking to the basics like the rest of the book? I would just tear those two pages out, but there are words and illustrations on the back so that it wouldn't flow naturally. I just think it's so strange.... SPIRITUAL EXERCISE? I'm sorry, but that makes me think of prayer, communion, participating in sacraments.... not sex. I don't want to teach my child to associate the word SEX (so misused in our society) with spiritual... so when they hear "sexy" are they supposed to think that's something religious? When they hear spiritual they associate it with sex, no thank you. That whole bit is just incredibly off, unnecessary, and reaching, and ruined an otherwise great little book.

Read this to my 8 year old. Conversations about sex need to start earlier than ever given the fact that kids are exposed to so much today so early no matter how much you try to protect their innocence. This book allowed me as a parent to be the first to explain these things and how God intends them to be. Very well written. Beautiful illustrations that are educational and tactfully done. So happy to have a sound resource that is specifically Catholic as well. Definitely recommend as a starting point for young children on how and why our bodies are created and the meaning of sex and marriage. The purpose of this book is not to explain puberty and the changes a tween body goes through. If that is what you are looking for you need to find a different book.

I have read the book over and plan on reading it to our oldest soon. Beautifully written!

Children are curious, especially about their sexuality, but what they want to know most, is the truth. "Wonderfully Made Babies" tells the whole truth, in clear language, based on the Bible but paired with accurate science. It sets an expectation that marital love has a purpose beyond that of the mere sex of the animal world. Sex is portrayed as a beautiful gift, an enjoyable activity, a blessing that shares in the very act of creation itself. And, God has a role to play in this creation--providing the person's soul. This person then has his/her own special gift--I really liked the reference to the present. Comparing the gift of sex to a birthday gift, that we reserve, even hide, until it's time to give it to the right person is something children can relate to. The illustrations are beautiful, whimsical, all-embracing-- like the child in the wheelchair included in the family welcoming the new baby home. These gorgeous images made Mrs. Giangiordano’s copy come to life. I hope many parents will read this to/with their children; I hope to share this book with my grandchildren someday.

This book was really well done. The pictures are simple and not overly graphic. I appreciated that common language was used as well religious language. I also felt the author was clear about the relationship between man, woman, and God and why marriage is important. I recommend that you set aside about an hour and read through the entire book at once -- I couldn't imagine trying to break it up and it's really not necessary. The only reason this didn't get 5 stars for me is because I wish there had been more information about menstruation/body changes for girls and body changes and natural things to expect with boys -- maybe a couple of follow-up books would be in order. With that in mind - I think this book for my kids would have been ok at age 7 or 8 vs. the recommended age 9 -- but it's certainly parent/child dependent. Again, overall, it was a great way to start those conversations and something I know that we will revisit from time to time as they learn and have more questions.

I now recommend this book to all Christian parents. What a beautiful portrayal of biblical sexuality, marriage and family that is clear, thorough and honoring.

It is a book that needed to be written. But more importantly , it is a book that needs to be read by everyone who is 9 years and older that cares about the importance of children and adults knowing why and how God created us the way he did. Youngsters will really appreciate this book if their parents will take the time to read it with their children. This book will explain to children in a wonderful way what most parents are unwilling to discuss with their children as they grow up in the world we all live in today.

Loved it and and barely noticed that on pg. 19 it mentions that “To Eve, God gave breasts and a vagina, which were visible on the outside of her body. On the inside of Eve’s body, God connected Eve’s vagina to a uterus (where a baby can grow), which He then connected to two Fallopian tubes.”We read this part quickly and then I explained in my own words where things were on the diagram (which is simple but accurate and effective for this purpose). We have always used correct anatomical names for their private parts (vulva/penis) so this was not an issue and easily explained.It would be great if another edition of this book would come out with this part corrected because the rest of the book works so well as a Conversation STARTER to explain the act of sexual intercourse.I used it for my ten year old (almost 11). And (at least on my end) did not feel awkward reading this with her and answering any of her immediate questions. She also did not shy away from reading it with me and I encouraged her to ask any questions she may have. In one sentence it states that the penis needs to go into the vagina to deliver sperm to the egg. The one sentence that probably most parents find the most awkward to talk to their children about. The language and information is simple, age appropriate, and effective.This book does not cover changes in her body, but that’s ok because this is meant to be a conversation starter and not a full on biology lesson. We can cover those topics easier now and with less awkwardness because of this book.What was wonderful about this book is that it sets the scene with Adam and Eve, and compares conception with the holy Trinity. So throughout the reading of this book, it feels like the Holy Spirit is present and guiding the discussion along to remove awkwardness and to make this the most natural thing to be talking to your child about.I recommend this book (even more so if they ever edit the inaccurate parts).

Nice over all but a bit too much detail and the message gets a bit lost on young readers

Bellissimo libro! Adatto davvero a tutti "oltre i 9 anni" per scoprire o riscoprire che "siamo fatti che è una meraviglia". Spero sia presto pubblicato in Italiano.Wonderful book! Really suited for all above 9 years old to discover or find out in a new way that we are wonderfully made! I hope it will soon be available in Italian !