What's Inside Your Tummy Mommy? by Abby Cocovini

What's Inside Your Tummy, Mommy? by Abby Cocovini.

Reading level: Ages 4-8
Paperback: 20 pages
Publisher: Henry Holt and Co. BYR Paperbacks (April 15, 2008)
ISBN-10: 0805087605
ISBN-13: 978-0805087604
Source of book: Review copy from publisher



Hey! It's Nonfiction Monday, and I'm offering up a book for expectant parents to share with their children as the new baby grows inside mom's tummy. As described on the cover What's Inside Your Tummy, Mommy? by Abby Cocovini, is "a nine-month guide for parents and kids to share." The book itself is oversized and organized into 2-page spreads, one for each month of gestation.

Each spread contains a true-to-life sized picture of the growing fetus and gives interesting facts about its development during that month. For example, in month two, "the baby is as big as a baked bean," and "the baby has grown and changed shape. It has a big head and a body. But it also has a tail. It looks a bit like a tadpole!" In month four, "baby is getting fatter and its hair is growing." It also, "pees 15 times a day!" The final month culminates with the birth and a surprise flap that shows a life-size newborn.

This book is a fun way to get children excited about the new baby and also help them understand what is happening as mommy's tummy gets bigger and bigger. I can imagine looking at the book every month to see what's going on and also using it to preview the months ahead. The illustrations are captivating, and Cocovini does an exceptional job of explaining the baby's development in ways that a small child can easily digest.

If you are expecting a baby and have young children, I highly recommend this book. The entire family will enjoy it.

Here's a parent's guide from Henry Holt's website that gives more suggestions for preparing kids for the arrival of a new sibling.

What Other Bloggers are Saying:

Young Readers: "...as informative as the book may be, where it really delivers is in the illustrations...I'd definitely recommend this one for those with expanding families." (read more...)


Get more great nonfiction recommendations at Picture Book of the Day!