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Unde-a dispărut Pișpirel?
„Plină de umor și duioșie, această carte amuzantă le povestește copiilor despre unul dintre aspectele cele mai intime și mai profunde ale identității lor.
Cu ajutorul istorioarei lui Pișpirel, care pornește în cursa de înot pentru a câștiga premiul magic – oul doamnei Browne –, părinții le vor putea explica celor mici cum începe viața!“ (OTILIA MANTELERS)
Cu ajutorul istorioarei lui Pișpirel, care pornește în cursa de înot pentru a câștiga premiul magic – oul doamnei Browne –, părinții le vor putea explica celor mici cum începe viața!“ (OTILIA MANTELERS)
24 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2004
12 people are currently reading
516 people want to read
About the author
Nicholas Allan
79 books7 followersNicholas Allan is the author/illustrator of over thirty children’s books.
When he was 12 he made a model of a galleon out of a walnut shell which was exhibited at the Royal Academy in London.
He wrote his first novel when he was 14, a story about a murder in a school. He sent it to Macmillan who, although they did not accept it, asked to see his next. Nicholas studied painting at the Slade School of Art. During this time he had his first radio play broadcasted by BBC Radio 4. He then completed an MA in Creative Writing at the University of East Anglia.
Nicholas worked as a waiter, three weeks in a publisher’s office, and as a part-time teacher of a life class before he published his first book, The Hefty Fairy (1989). Since then he has been a full-time writer and illustrator. Many of his books are bestsellers, including The Queen's Knickers, Father Christmas Needs a Wee, Jesus’ Christmas Party, Cinderella’s Bum, Heaven, and Where Willy Went. His books have won awards and been translated into twenty languages. He is also the author of Hilltop Hospital, a book that has been adapted into a BAFTA-winning television series for CITV. The series has been shown in over forty countries.
Nicholas has been the Chairman of the Society of Authors' Children’s Group and has made many appearances on television and radio. He is also the author of The Complete Guide To Gatecrashing and one novel, The First Time.
When he was 12 he made a model of a galleon out of a walnut shell which was exhibited at the Royal Academy in London.
He wrote his first novel when he was 14, a story about a murder in a school. He sent it to Macmillan who, although they did not accept it, asked to see his next. Nicholas studied painting at the Slade School of Art. During this time he had his first radio play broadcasted by BBC Radio 4. He then completed an MA in Creative Writing at the University of East Anglia.
Nicholas worked as a waiter, three weeks in a publisher’s office, and as a part-time teacher of a life class before he published his first book, The Hefty Fairy (1989). Since then he has been a full-time writer and illustrator. Many of his books are bestsellers, including The Queen's Knickers, Father Christmas Needs a Wee, Jesus’ Christmas Party, Cinderella’s Bum, Heaven, and Where Willy Went. His books have won awards and been translated into twenty languages. He is also the author of Hilltop Hospital, a book that has been adapted into a BAFTA-winning television series for CITV. The series has been shown in over forty countries.
Nicholas has been the Chairman of the Society of Authors' Children’s Group and has made many appearances on television and radio. He is also the author of The Complete Guide To Gatecrashing and one novel, The First Time.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 143 reviews
April 20, 2017
Not long ago, I was "reading" the shelves of the children's section at the local library where I work. Specifically, I was checking for grievous shelving errors, like all of Margaret Wise Brown's books being placed before all of Marc Brown's Arthur series. It happens. That's how I noticed this book, which featured what I assumed was a tadpole on the cover. But, but, wait . . . Willy is NOT a tadpole.
He is indeed a sperm, which means that somehow, in this Bible-banging town in which I live, a children's book about a sperm is residing peacefully alongside the books about pokey puppies and determined train engines. How can this be? Does this mean that somehow, despite those determined to censor, and remove, we can all just get along?
Nope. This sperm named Willy is indeed on the banned book lists. I'm guessing that though this copy does show wear and tear, the wrong people (book-burners) just haven't stumbled upon it . . . yet.
As the book tells us, Willy lives inside Mr. Browne, who does appear in a nude scene, though his hairless body is only slightly more anatomically correct than a Ken doll. As Willy and his 300 million compadres prepare for the Great Swimming Race, we get to study the inner workings of Mr. Browne and his good lady wife. These illustrations resemble treasure maps, complete with trade winds, compass signs, and pirate chests brimming with booty. (The only thing missing is a "Here Be Dragons" warning.) The lucky winner of the race gets the prize - a beautiful egg located inside Mrs. Browne.
The race, and "the nasty," are accomplished under a yellow blanket, so there's really none of that "when a mommy and daddy love one another, the daddy puts his penis . . ." stuff. We see an interior of Willy burrowing into the egg which then divides and grows into a familiar shape. And, voila! A babe is born to happy, happy parents.
Nothing to get worked up about, though you know they will. All it's going to take is the wrong kid pulling Willy off the shelf, asking his mom if he can take it home, and the manure will hit the fan.
Ah, let 'em whine all they want. We librarians will prevail. Willy will stay!
PS - The book is dedicated to Rod Stewart, father of eight. Presumably, he knows something about sperm.
He is indeed a sperm, which means that somehow, in this Bible-banging town in which I live, a children's book about a sperm is residing peacefully alongside the books about pokey puppies and determined train engines. How can this be? Does this mean that somehow, despite those determined to censor, and remove, we can all just get along?
Nope. This sperm named Willy is indeed on the banned book lists. I'm guessing that though this copy does show wear and tear, the wrong people (book-burners) just haven't stumbled upon it . . . yet.
As the book tells us, Willy lives inside Mr. Browne, who does appear in a nude scene, though his hairless body is only slightly more anatomically correct than a Ken doll. As Willy and his 300 million compadres prepare for the Great Swimming Race, we get to study the inner workings of Mr. Browne and his good lady wife. These illustrations resemble treasure maps, complete with trade winds, compass signs, and pirate chests brimming with booty. (The only thing missing is a "Here Be Dragons" warning.) The lucky winner of the race gets the prize - a beautiful egg located inside Mrs. Browne.
The race, and "the nasty," are accomplished under a yellow blanket, so there's really none of that "when a mommy and daddy love one another, the daddy puts his penis . . ." stuff. We see an interior of Willy burrowing into the egg which then divides and grows into a familiar shape. And, voila! A babe is born to happy, happy parents.
Nothing to get worked up about, though you know they will. All it's going to take is the wrong kid pulling Willy off the shelf, asking his mom if he can take it home, and the manure will hit the fan.
Ah, let 'em whine all they want. We librarians will prevail. Willy will stay!
PS - The book is dedicated to Rod Stewart, father of eight. Presumably, he knows something about sperm.
August 22, 2022
This is a "where babies come from" book that's more silly than informational. Willy is a single sperm that's bad at math, but good at swimming. When he beats the other sperm to the egg he turns into a little girl who is also bad at math but good at swimming. A little dumb, but fun.
P.S. I found Where Willy Went on a banned books display. IMHO, it doesn't contain anything that would upset the average kindergartener. You can make out the outline of a penis a couple times and the MARRIED couple "join together" under the covers. Nah bigs. If I object to anything in this book, it's that it perpetuates a myth that the man puts a little person inside a woman, who is just a vessel for said person. Come on, people. We can educate our children a little better than that.
P.S. I found Where Willy Went on a banned books display. IMHO, it doesn't contain anything that would upset the average kindergartener. You can make out the outline of a penis a couple times and the MARRIED couple "join together" under the covers. Nah bigs. If I object to anything in this book, it's that it perpetuates a myth that the man puts a little person inside a woman, who is just a vessel for said person. Come on, people. We can educate our children a little better than that.
November 14, 2018
Oh Lord! This book is awesome to talk about reproduction with kids between 6 or 7 years (i guess). I'm the kind of person who thinks that you must talk about sex to the kids since they're little, giving the themes according to their age, and this book is awesome for that purpouse. Isn't si explicit but is clear enough.
Very recommended.
Very recommended.
May 25, 2018
Such an adorable way to explain birth process to kids!
January 5, 2012
This story is an inspiring tale. About a sperm who struggles with the daily problems of life.
A classic that should be cherished for generations to come.
A classic that should be cherished for generations to come.
December 27, 2017
Funny informative and not what I expected.
August 25, 2008
4-8 Informational book
Where Willy Went... is a banned book. Once I read it, the reasons are pretty obvious.
This story is about a sperm named Willy. It is a humorous and simplified version of 'where babies come from'. The story begins by focusing on Willie, the sperm, and moves on to how Willie lived inside Mr. Browne but moved into Mrs. Browne. Willie swims in a race to get out of Mr. Browne and enters into an egg where he lives and grows and grows until he is bigger than Mrs. Browne's tummy. This story has simple statistical information, diagrams, and pictures of a growing fetus. The story ends with how Willie disappeared and became Edna, a little girl, who had similarities to Willie.
As an adult, I liked this book. I felt it was a new and interesting way to convey the same old "birds and bees" information. However, as a parent, I do agree with the banning of this book in public school libraries. I feel this book is too graphic for any and every child to be able to pull off the shelf. I think this book would be much more appropriate if used with parental consent and while I do not feel that this book provides incorrect information, I think that it should be the parents choice as to when and how their children come across this type of information.
I do not have any activities for a classroom that pertain to this book.
Where Willy Went... is a banned book. Once I read it, the reasons are pretty obvious.
This story is about a sperm named Willy. It is a humorous and simplified version of 'where babies come from'. The story begins by focusing on Willie, the sperm, and moves on to how Willie lived inside Mr. Browne but moved into Mrs. Browne. Willie swims in a race to get out of Mr. Browne and enters into an egg where he lives and grows and grows until he is bigger than Mrs. Browne's tummy. This story has simple statistical information, diagrams, and pictures of a growing fetus. The story ends with how Willie disappeared and became Edna, a little girl, who had similarities to Willie.
As an adult, I liked this book. I felt it was a new and interesting way to convey the same old "birds and bees" information. However, as a parent, I do agree with the banning of this book in public school libraries. I feel this book is too graphic for any and every child to be able to pull off the shelf. I think this book would be much more appropriate if used with parental consent and while I do not feel that this book provides incorrect information, I think that it should be the parents choice as to when and how their children come across this type of information.
I do not have any activities for a classroom that pertain to this book.
October 13, 2015
ছোটদের উপযোগী খুব মজার একটি ইলাস্ট্রেটেড বই। Willy নামের এক শুক্রাণুর কাহিনী। ফিকশনও বলা যায়, নন ফিকশনও বলা যায়। মূলত গল্পের ছলে শিশুদেরকে জন্মের রহস্য বোঝানোর চেষ্টা করা হয়েছে। আপনাদের মাঝে অনেকেই এমন ঘটনার মুখোমুখি হয়েছেন যেখান নিজের সন্তান বা আপনজনের কোনো ছোট সন্তান নিষ্পাপ জিজ্ঞাসু হয়ে জানতে চেয়েছে "আম্মু বাচ্চা কীভাবে হয়?" "বাবু কোথা থেকে আসে?" এই প্রশ্নের উত্তর আপনি জানেন, আপনি চাইছেনও শিশুটি জানুক জন্মের মূল রহস্য কী, কিন্তু মাথার শব্দ ভাণ্ডারে হাতরে এমন বাক্যগুচ্ছ তৈরি করতে পারছেন না যেগুলো দিয়ে এই নিরপরাধ আগ্রহী মনকে বোঝানো যায়। সুন্দর ও রুচিশীল ভাষায় শিশুদেরকে বোঝাতে এই বইটি (Where Willy Went) পড়তে দিতে পারেন, বা নিজে পড়ে শুনাতে পারেন। :) মজার একটি বই। [পিডিএফ]
November 24, 2019
I'm sure most parents wouldn't want to read this to their kids. But people like me who have no interest in hiding how sex and reproduction work will enjoy it.
There's no explaining sex though, just reproduction in a silly, yet true manner.
One problem: Shouldn't Edna just be an Ed? A male sperm would make a male baby.
"Yo, Edna!"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sqvOP...
There's no explaining sex though, just reproduction in a silly, yet true manner.
One problem: Shouldn't Edna just be an Ed? A male sperm would make a male baby.
"Yo, Edna!"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sqvOP...
November 29, 2018
"Where Willy Went" is awesome beyond words IMO. I came to know about it via a Facebook Post shared by one of my friends. I absolutely love the way how the author circumvents the taboo of sex education among children without using any explicit phrases or graphics contents. Would recommend this to anyone regardless of age! Absolutely adorable as well as insightful. Way to go beyond "Birds & Bees". :D
October 8, 2016
Extremely weird, but highly enjoyable.
Willy was just your average nut sac sperm and he swims and swims and swims to practice for the big day.
School is tough for Willy. He's horrible at math, but is the greatest swimmer.
The big day is here! He must swim through Mr. Browne and shoot out into Mrs. Browne to get to the goody prize.
And here he goes.... spew spew spew!!!
Mrs. Browne gets pregnant....but who won the race?
If I had a kid, I'm not sure I would want them to look at this book. A little on the graphic side, but a great educational tool for explaining the birds and the bees mystery.
Willy was just your average nut sac sperm and he swims and swims and swims to practice for the big day.
School is tough for Willy. He's horrible at math, but is the greatest swimmer.
The big day is here! He must swim through Mr. Browne and shoot out into Mrs. Browne to get to the goody prize.
And here he goes.... spew spew spew!!!
Mrs. Browne gets pregnant....but who won the race?
If I had a kid, I'm not sure I would want them to look at this book. A little on the graphic side, but a great educational tool for explaining the birds and the bees mystery.
October 13, 2012
What an inspiring story about a young sperm (who isn't very good at math) who grows up to be a little girl! I learned so much about the facts of life from this book. It's a real eye opener.
November 26, 2020
The best book I've ever read. The story was thrilling and the artwork is better than van gogh. I strongly recommend this book for anyone wanting to know where willy went. I have showed it to all my friends (3) here's what they said:
1. "this book gave me hope to find where willy went. It really showed me where he was. the artwork was outstanding because, it looked like my sperm (outstanding)" - Phil mCracken
2. "im going to be straigth with you a few months ago i was in a dark place and was thinking of just ending all my suffering but then just a few days ago my pal introduced me to where willy went by nicholas allen this boook cured my depreshun alone i th ehumer is so utterly supreme i was put into cardiac arrest with laughter i no longer attend therapy or take anti depressants this book was gifted by the gods" - Alfie Murray
3. Sadly, my friend, moe lester, passed in a car accident. The doctors pronounced him dead from severe head injuries. I was at his funeral last weekend and read this book to him. we heard knocking coming from the incinerator to conclude my statement this book is so spectacularly funny my dead friewnd was revived from the deepest depths of hell.
i strongly recommend this amazing book.
1. "this book gave me hope to find where willy went. It really showed me where he was. the artwork was outstanding because, it looked like my sperm (outstanding)" - Phil mCracken
2. "im going to be straigth with you a few months ago i was in a dark place and was thinking of just ending all my suffering but then just a few days ago my pal introduced me to where willy went by nicholas allen this boook cured my depreshun alone i th ehumer is so utterly supreme i was put into cardiac arrest with laughter i no longer attend therapy or take anti depressants this book was gifted by the gods" - Alfie Murray
3. Sadly, my friend, moe lester, passed in a car accident. The doctors pronounced him dead from severe head injuries. I was at his funeral last weekend and read this book to him. we heard knocking coming from the incinerator to conclude my statement this book is so spectacularly funny my dead friewnd was revived from the deepest depths of hell.
i strongly recommend this amazing book.
April 21, 2019
The book "Where Willy Went" is a challenged book because it discusses the process of conception at a younger age level. The book is geared towards the ages 5 to 6, however, I don't think this is an appropriate age to discuss this subject within the classroom. Although this is an important subject that needs to be taught, I think it is important that the students parents have the option to teach them. I believe that if the book is used within the classroom, parents consent must be given first.
This book was censored because of its association with sex. Although the information the book is relaying is associated with sex, the book was not written in an inappropriate context. The characters within the book make it easier for a younger mind to grasp the concept of conception. Although this is a serious subject, the playful characters make the subject more appealing and easier to understand to a young mind.
I feel as long as the teacher has parental consent, this book could be used as a great learning opportunity. As teachers, we can ensure that students are properly educated on the subject of sex and conception. This way students are not confused in future situations such as science class or real-life situations that they may encounter.
This book was censored because of its association with sex. Although the information the book is relaying is associated with sex, the book was not written in an inappropriate context. The characters within the book make it easier for a younger mind to grasp the concept of conception. Although this is a serious subject, the playful characters make the subject more appealing and easier to understand to a young mind.
I feel as long as the teacher has parental consent, this book could be used as a great learning opportunity. As teachers, we can ensure that students are properly educated on the subject of sex and conception. This way students are not confused in future situations such as science class or real-life situations that they may encounter.
June 25, 2017
After seeing this book on the banned list, I wanted to find out what it was. I found I did not enjoy the book very much at all. The pictures were very nice but I felt like the book was trying to get information across while still talking to children and it seemed too strange. I think the thought of getting pregnant is a very tough thought to tackle as children. I am not sure anyone has found a great way to share this with children yet. I would think about using this book in a classroom because it is not too graphic, but I would feel that I would need to add more of a lesson with it. It needs more explanation.
May 19, 2017
THIS BOOK IS AMAZING
It tells of the story of Willy...
...and of how we all came to be.
When it's time to tell the kids about the birds and the bees, I would 10 out of 10 recommend this book.
It tells of the story of Willy...
...and of how we all came to be.
When it's time to tell the kids about the birds and the bees, I would 10 out of 10 recommend this book.
November 18, 2018
I chose to read the book, “Where Willy Went” by Nicholas Allen because of the book cover’s illustration. It captured my attention because I was able to quickly understand why the book would be controversial based off of the title and the illustration. However, I still wanted to further understand why it would be banned. After doing some research, I found that it was basically banned due to its sexual content, which was a no brainer from the front cover alone. I read the book and thought it was actually kind of cute. It did leave out a lot of information, which would leave readers questioning if Willy simply just morphed into little Edna. Overall, if it weren’t for some of the very explicit illustrations, I would say the context alone is suitable for students going into high school, and should only be introduced in a health/sex ed class where additional questions can be properly answered.
September 11, 2017
The best part is how the kid is just as dumb as Willy.
May 2, 2019
Not what I expected! But would be a great book to use with children as it’s informal and comes at the topic from a different perspective
November 18, 2018
4 stars for the humor
November 20, 2018
Good way to introduce reproduction to kids.
Read
January 15, 2023Text to teaching connection. This book was the list of banned books. It was the first book on the list and I read it out of curiosity. The book surely got my attention because it was funny and a creative to teach conception to childern from preshool to third grade. This book could be a useful tool to teach sex education in the classroom but I think that it should be used in the higher grade levels. I also understand how it's under censorship because of the parental concerns.
November 15, 2018
So I honestly think it is stupid this book is banned, but I am not going to talk about, instead I am going to talk about how this book is cute but I hate how on the maps page the male map is far more accurate then the female map. I also think that its stupid that they made the sperm and the little girl both be bad at math but very good at swimming. I think teaching children about puberty and reproduction are great and fine but I want it to true and accurate. I understand why they did what they did in the book because if its a story the kids are more into it and I would so read this book to kids but I would definitely be putting my own words also into it.
May 30, 2024
Best book ever loved pictures
September 16, 2008
This book is about a sperm named Willy that tells you about how babies are born. It is very graphic.
Activities:
This book would be good for science if you were talking about the reproductive system.
Genre: biography
Grades: 5-8
Banned or challenged book.
I believe that this book was banned or challenged becuase it is very descriptive about how babies are born. Several parents would not want their studetns finding this information out by reading a book all by themselves.
Activities:
This book would be good for science if you were talking about the reproductive system.
Genre: biography
Grades: 5-8
Banned or challenged book.
I believe that this book was banned or challenged becuase it is very descriptive about how babies are born. Several parents would not want their studetns finding this information out by reading a book all by themselves.
January 20, 2016
Willy নামের এক শুক্রাণুর গল্প। শুক্রাণুর গল্পে বিজয়ের কথা।
যে কষ্ট করে জয় তারই হয়। মেধার জোরে জয় হয় না।
তার মানে এই না মেধা থাকলে জয় হবে না।
সাফল্য আর সার্থকতা তো আলাদা। পৃথিবীর সকল শুরুর জয় হল সাফল্যের জয়। সার্থকতার নয়।
শুক্রাণুর কাজ সফল হওয়া।
ছোট্ট বই। ইলাস্ট্রেশন নির্ভর।
The easy thing to learn: 'Life is practical'
যে কষ্ট করে জয় তারই হয়। মেধার জোরে জয় হয় না।
তার মানে এই না মেধা থাকলে জয় হবে না।
সাফল্য আর সার্থকতা তো আলাদা। পৃথিবীর সকল শুরুর জয় হল সাফল্যের জয়। সার্থকতার নয়।
শুক্রাণুর কাজ সফল হওয়া।
ছোট্ট বই। ইলাস্ট্রেশন নির্ভর।
The easy thing to learn: 'Life is practical'
October 14, 2012
This book has helped me, and many of my friends, learn how we came into this world. It is both informational and entertaining. I would highly suggest this boomtown anyone who wishes to know more about sperm.
October 13, 2012
Probably the best book in the history of the world.
January 12, 2018
I think I'm still confused as to why, if the sperm determines the sex of the baby, Edna (female) is born when Willy was presented as male throughout the book.
May 28, 2018
for those who need to find out where babies come from
Displaying 1 - 30 of 143 reviews