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Welcome With Love
A family helps Mom deliver her baby at home.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published March 1, 1999
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 52 reviews
January 2, 2021
A homebirth is seen through the eyes of the family’s youngest child.
On a winter evening, a family prepares for a home birth. The mother walks to help establish active labor. The father chops more wood for the stove. The youngest child is both nervous and excited, hoping this baby will be a boy like him. His older sisters help ready the house and await the arrival of their aunt and the midwife.
The midwife is standing by with all her equipment ready when the mother returns from her walk. Labor progresses very quickly, and everyone gathers round as the mother delivers a baby boy. After basking in the successful complication-free birth, the midwife and sister depart, and the family settles down to sleep in front of the fireplace.
This book has a lot of good things going for it. First of it, it doesn’t perpetuate the fear that usually surrounds childbirth, which is amplified for dramatic effect in literature and on film.
The midwife is depicted as a competent medical professional. In North America, physicians in the mid-1800s did such an excellent job vilifying midwives to force them out of business, thus eliminating their competition, that midwives are still seen as either illiterate hilljacks or charlatan practitioners of folk religions by mainstream society. It was so refreshing to see a homebirth midwife portrayed as a capable person with medical expertise. Both in the text and in the illustrations, her equipment, including resuscitation equipment, is shown and described.
I also loved how the midwife subtly lays down a chuck pad under the mother in the lead up to the birth scene. That is a great realistic detail. The midwife also calmly unwinds a loop of cord from around the baby’s neck, which is another nice detail. The cord is around a baby’s neck in roughly 30% of births, and it usually causes no problems whatsoever unlike what fictional depictions of birth would have one believe. The midwife practices detailed cord clamping, which is an evidence-based practice that is just now beginning to gain mainstream acceptance. In fact, the cord isn’t cut until after the placenta is delivered.
The mother gives birth in an upright position, which allows for maximum physiological function. In the illustrations, the mother gives birth standing up and leaning on her husband for support. Alternative birth positions are normally not even shown as an option as the standard for industrial medicine are lithotomy and semi-reclining because they are most convenient for the attending physician. Most doctors find sitting on the floor beneath their status, and as shown in the illustrations, midwife has to kneel on the floor with the mother in this position.
There is a lovely full page illustration of the baby as it fully emerges.
I liked that the mother explained to her children that she will make a lot of loud noises during the birth but that they shouldn’t worry or be scared. The older children are allowed to attend the birth as long as they stay out of way. Presumably, the reason the mother’s sister has been invited is to keep an eye on the older children, so they don’t get in the way, but aside from bringing food, she is just a spectator and does not actively provide any support.
I didn’t object to the co-sleeping, but I wish the newborn would have been swaddled or zipped into a sleep sack rather than covered with a heavy blanket due to the suffocation risk. When co-sleeping, a baby should never be covered with adult blankets because they can’t free themselves if their heads get covered.
This book was published in Australia, so it says “Mum” instead of “Mom.” But the story feels like it could also be taking place in the rural North America as well as the remote Australian outback.
This would be an excellent book to share with children whose parents are planning a homebirth.
On a winter evening, a family prepares for a home birth. The mother walks to help establish active labor. The father chops more wood for the stove. The youngest child is both nervous and excited, hoping this baby will be a boy like him. His older sisters help ready the house and await the arrival of their aunt and the midwife.
The midwife is standing by with all her equipment ready when the mother returns from her walk. Labor progresses very quickly, and everyone gathers round as the mother delivers a baby boy. After basking in the successful complication-free birth, the midwife and sister depart, and the family settles down to sleep in front of the fireplace.
This book has a lot of good things going for it. First of it, it doesn’t perpetuate the fear that usually surrounds childbirth, which is amplified for dramatic effect in literature and on film.
The midwife is depicted as a competent medical professional. In North America, physicians in the mid-1800s did such an excellent job vilifying midwives to force them out of business, thus eliminating their competition, that midwives are still seen as either illiterate hilljacks or charlatan practitioners of folk religions by mainstream society. It was so refreshing to see a homebirth midwife portrayed as a capable person with medical expertise. Both in the text and in the illustrations, her equipment, including resuscitation equipment, is shown and described.
I also loved how the midwife subtly lays down a chuck pad under the mother in the lead up to the birth scene. That is a great realistic detail. The midwife also calmly unwinds a loop of cord from around the baby’s neck, which is another nice detail. The cord is around a baby’s neck in roughly 30% of births, and it usually causes no problems whatsoever unlike what fictional depictions of birth would have one believe. The midwife practices detailed cord clamping, which is an evidence-based practice that is just now beginning to gain mainstream acceptance. In fact, the cord isn’t cut until after the placenta is delivered.
The mother gives birth in an upright position, which allows for maximum physiological function. In the illustrations, the mother gives birth standing up and leaning on her husband for support. Alternative birth positions are normally not even shown as an option as the standard for industrial medicine are lithotomy and semi-reclining because they are most convenient for the attending physician. Most doctors find sitting on the floor beneath their status, and as shown in the illustrations, midwife has to kneel on the floor with the mother in this position.
There is a lovely full page illustration of the baby as it fully emerges.
I liked that the mother explained to her children that she will make a lot of loud noises during the birth but that they shouldn’t worry or be scared. The older children are allowed to attend the birth as long as they stay out of way. Presumably, the reason the mother’s sister has been invited is to keep an eye on the older children, so they don’t get in the way, but aside from bringing food, she is just a spectator and does not actively provide any support.
I didn’t object to the co-sleeping, but I wish the newborn would have been swaddled or zipped into a sleep sack rather than covered with a heavy blanket due to the suffocation risk. When co-sleeping, a baby should never be covered with adult blankets because they can’t free themselves if their heads get covered.
This book was published in Australia, so it says “Mum” instead of “Mom.” But the story feels like it could also be taking place in the rural North America as well as the remote Australian outback.
This would be an excellent book to share with children whose parents are planning a homebirth.
April 29, 2009
This is a great picture book for kids about a baby being born into a family. It is from the perspective of the brother, who has up until now been the baby in the family. We like it because it shows things realistically, though in nice soft drawings, like the baby's head coming out of the standing mom's body. It shows the mom walking around in labor, leaning on the dad sometimes. It talks about the boy's emotions of fear, discomfort, jealously, in a comforting way.
We got this, and it is important for our family, because this baby is born at home. There are not many books that show a home birth in a nice, normal and normalizing way. Highly recommend for all young children, and especially children who were born at home or have siblings born at home.
We got this, and it is important for our family, because this baby is born at home. There are not many books that show a home birth in a nice, normal and normalizing way. Highly recommend for all young children, and especially children who were born at home or have siblings born at home.
October 2, 2009
This book also goes by the title 'Hello Baby' which is the edition that I have. It's about a little boy at his mother's homebirth and all the things they do to get ready for the baby. Jude loves it and it has sparked some interesting conversations. Love it.
November 19, 2023
Megható, egyszerű és szép történet egy kisbaba születéséről a testvére szemén keresztül.
December 16, 2017
Love love love this book. We loan it out to families in our clinic.
March 19, 2008
great book for the older sibling about homebirth
July 5, 2019
Hello Baby is a controversial book because some of the illustrations contain nudity and one of the drawings could be considered as graphic because Vivas illustrated the baby's head appearing through the mother's thighs. Jack and his sisters watch the entire birth take place, which also occurred with Overend's children when she herself gave birth to her fourth child. It is not common these days to hear of children observing their mother giving birth, so this aspect of the story could also be seen as controversial. Despite these controversies, I think that the story is good for older students to hear (most likely with parent permission) because it shows them that not all babies are born in a hospital. It also gives them a bit of an insight into how a baby is born, and introduces them to some specific vocabulary.
Overend writes the story in first person with Jack, the youngest child until the baby is born, narrating what he sees with his own eyes. As he is young and has never seen a baby being born before, he generally talks in a way that shows he is just describing what he sees and hears about an event he is witnessing for the first time.
A literary technique that Overend briefly uses is personification when Jack describes the bad weather outside. He describes the clouds as 'racing madly'. After the baby is born and they spend their first night with him, Overend conveys through Jack that he is feeling a bit left out. As he was previously the youngest, he was used to the attention that his parents are now giving his new brother. While this is not a literary technique, it is an important part to analyse because it suggests that Jack has a lot to get used to, which will be relatable to students who have younger siblings.
Overend writes the story in first person with Jack, the youngest child until the baby is born, narrating what he sees with his own eyes. As he is young and has never seen a baby being born before, he generally talks in a way that shows he is just describing what he sees and hears about an event he is witnessing for the first time.
A literary technique that Overend briefly uses is personification when Jack describes the bad weather outside. He describes the clouds as 'racing madly'. After the baby is born and they spend their first night with him, Overend conveys through Jack that he is feeling a bit left out. As he was previously the youngest, he was used to the attention that his parents are now giving his new brother. While this is not a literary technique, it is an important part to analyse because it suggests that Jack has a lot to get used to, which will be relatable to students who have younger siblings.
May 12, 2023
I've been reading this with my 3 year old and we love it! I'm planning a homebirth and this is such a beautiful little story from a child's perspective about getting to see his little brother be born at home. The illustrations do have some nudity (the naked new baby, mom giving birth) but nothing overly graphic or inappropriate. Just a beautiful birth depiction! I would absolutely recommend it for any young families planning a homebirth, especially if you want your other children with you. My daughter loves it and has asked all kinds of questions, and find the umbilical cord especially fascinating!
June 7, 2018
I bought this book for my homebirth daughter and now at 3 1/2 she’s finally let me read the whole thing to her.
It’s factual, accurate and really portrays the energy and atmosphere of a homebirth. There is a little too much detail to keep young readers attention but a great way to show the steps in the progression of labour.
The anatomically correct and warm illustrations really make this beautiful story.
It’s factual, accurate and really portrays the energy and atmosphere of a homebirth. There is a little too much detail to keep young readers attention but a great way to show the steps in the progression of labour.
The anatomically correct and warm illustrations really make this beautiful story.
December 2, 2019
A wonderful book. I think it's something all ages can enjoy and learn from, I remember reading it when my mother was pregnant with my younger sister and it was very educational. I definitely think some prior knowledge of the subject is required or else some of the illustrations could be a little startling. One thing I want to point out is it has some nude images(being a book about birth) I know that can be disturbing to some parents. Very good book, I highly recommend.
October 19, 2022
A story about a home birth, attended by a midwife, the husband/father, 3 children, and the mother's sister. It introduced vocabulary that children might not often hear. Illustrations were of the actual birth and placenta, which could create a good topic of discussion with your little one.
It did depict cosleeping which we do not plan on introducing to our little one, so we will be donating this book.
It did depict cosleeping which we do not plan on introducing to our little one, so we will be donating this book.
June 3, 2019
I was hesitant to read this to my toddler. While the pictures are beautiful, they're also pretty revealing... But Im glad I did. The text and the pictures allowed for great discussion. And now its one of my toddlers favorite anytime reads. A great tool to prepare young kids for what to expect during a home birth.
July 29, 2018
Gorgeous book about the birth of a baby. Wonderful story and absolutely beautiful illustrations.
March 5, 2020
Awww. A homebirth picture book. Made me remember my homebirth with fondness and warm memories. This would have been perfect to read to my older kids back then.
October 27, 2022
A great book about child birth!
February 10, 2025
The best book for planned home birth. Beautiful illustration from the same illustrator who brought us Wilfred Gordon McDonald Partridge.
July 21, 2010
This is a beautiful natural parenting children's book. It features a little boy named Jack who witnesses the home-birth of his little brother. This book is not for everyone, as it shows a couple of nude illustrations of the mother while she is giving birth. I love this book because it shows children exactly what to expect when mommy gives birth in the home setting. So many "I'm a big brother/sister now" books show mommy going to the hospital and then coming back with a baby, which is what the majority of children experience. It was refreshing to find this book that tells the story my own children will likely experience. Many details are addressed to help prepare children who may witness the birth. The aunt comes to help with the kids. The midwife sets up her oxygen "in case the baby needs it", and tests her Doppler on the little boys chest. The mother paces the floor and leans on dad for support, occasionally yelling and screaming, which is okay, because that's what its like when babies are born, and mommy will feel better if she does. After the baby is born, the mother nurses him, and the midwife says that the placenta was very healthy. The only thing I'm worried about after my children have read this book 1000 times is that now they are expecting us to all sleep in the living room on a giant family bed on the night of the birth, and I don't know if I really want to do that. My 3-year-old likes to bring all of the blankets and make a big bed after we read this book. This is also my 1-year-old's favorite book, and we read it often. I don't know yet if I want my children to witness our upcoming birth, but either way, the book tells children what birth is, how it works, and what to expect when it happens, and that birth is a beautiful thing that they don't need to be afraid of, which is really helpful.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 14, 2011
Read this to my then two year old when I was pregnant with her brother, and then to the both of them when we were expecting number three. It helped prepare them for what a homebirth would be like, and what they could expect to see when I was in labour and what they might feel and experience when the baby was born (e.g. awe, happiness, a bit of jealousy when they see the new baby cuddled up to mum). They were both fascinated by the book, and they loved the beautiful pictures. When the time came they really did handle the birth/s so well, and this book was definitely part of the reason why. Even if I wasn't going to have a homebirth, I would still think this book was great, I would just explain I was going to give birth in a hospital rather than at home, and explain to them what that would entail. Strongly recommend to expectant mothers with other children!
August 12, 2009
This lovely book from Australia is about a family welcoming baby #4. Told from the perspective of Jack,(child #3) the story begins in the A.M. with Jack's Mama in early labor (so she goes for a walk outside) then shows a very beautiful, relaxed and natural, though noisy homebirth(Mom, Dad, Jack, Jack's two big sisters, Auntie, and a midwife), and ends that night with the whole family on one great big makeshift bed in front of the living room fireplace for the special occasion! This is my very favorite book for little children about birth and/or the arrival of a younger sibling, it is very warm, sweet, and honest about childbirth, also my family could relate to it, unlike a lot of books out there.
April 20, 2010
Wow an illustrated children's book about home birth...how could I not love it? I thought it was beautifully done,Told from the perspective of the youngest boy. Gives just enough information to help preschool/school age kids understand labor and birth and see the family welcoming the new baby in a very cozy way...sleeping bags by the fire after the birth. It does have a couple illustrations of naked mommy giving birth, One with baby's head coming out..didn't bother me or my kids :-) but some people might be a little surprised. Excellent if you are planning to have your kids at a birth of a sibling, but great sex ed if they just want to know how babies are born. The illustrator, Julie Vivas, also did The Nativity, and I love her work.
January 10, 2013
I love this book! I borrowed it from my local La Leche League library first. I read it to my four year old. She loves it! Her comment after we read it and looked for a bit at the pictures was, "It's beautiful!".
It depicts a homebirth which is something I've never seen in a kids book before. The illustrations are lovely. For those who may be a bit prude there are two pictures of the mama naked one shows the baby being born but not in a scary, graphic way.
We are expecting our ninth in a couple of months and will be having a homebirth so this book is a perfect way to introduce the little ones to what to expect. :)
It depicts a homebirth which is something I've never seen in a kids book before. The illustrations are lovely. For those who may be a bit prude there are two pictures of the mama naked one shows the baby being born but not in a scary, graphic way.
We are expecting our ninth in a couple of months and will be having a homebirth so this book is a perfect way to introduce the little ones to what to expect. :)
May 29, 2011
YOU GUYS, THIS DOES NOT MEAN I'M PREGNANT! Just saw it on Soule Mama's blog today. No false alarms!
***
An ideal version of a homebirth, like probably how it should go. I hope it does go like this, and I understand the merits of presenting the best case scenario, but it was a little too warm & fuzzy to be as realistic as I'd hoped. Which is probably dumb, because it's a kid's book, so whatever. But still a cool book.
***
An ideal version of a homebirth, like probably how it should go. I hope it does go like this, and I understand the merits of presenting the best case scenario, but it was a little too warm & fuzzy to be as realistic as I'd hoped. Which is probably dumb, because it's a kid's book, so whatever. But still a cool book.
January 9, 2012
Wow. Gorgeous illustrations and a beautiful story about a home birth --with enough detail that a 2 year old gets some sense of what to expect from beginning to end. Wonderful wonderful book. It is rare to find such a book --and it was difficult to get my hands on this. Published in Australia, it is not available through my usual routes.
May 25, 2012
I was looking for a good book to read with the kids that might help them be excited and ready for when the baby comes from a natural/homebirth perspective. This book was not only great for the kids but for my husband and me as well. It depicts the beauty and simplicity of birth without any fear or anxiety--the way it is meant to be.
March 8, 2014
My 2 year old randomly pulled this off the shelf at the library. My 4 year old has been fascinated by this book. It's started a lot of really good discussions about when she was born, how childbirth works, what the mom feels, how the baby grows inside, how sometimes mommies and babies need help from a midwife or doctor, how boys and girls are different, etc.
August 16, 2015
This is a really good picture book about birth. Even if you're not planning a home birth (I'm not), it demystifies the birth process for a small child. It is very crunchy :) They all co-sleep and the baby is born in front of a wood fire. Anyway. Julie Vivas' illustrations are as always absolutely gorgeous. I really liked this book a lot.
October 19, 2007
this may be the most honest look at childbirth i've ever had.. (short of watching a child be born) the pictures really compliment the story.. its a quick short read and i would imagine this would be a great book for expecting mothers to read with their other children
February 8, 2009
I definitely worried that this book would be corny after reading some of the books about breastfeeding for kids. It wasn't at all. It still, was to some degree a medical birth - and it still portrayed birth as painful. Still, it's probably the best book on birth for children I've seen thus far.
November 11, 2009
What a great book! We checked this out of the library on recommendation of our midwives. It gives such a natural view of homebirth and welcoming a sibling into the family from the child's point of view. So much great information is imparted in such a gentle, loving way. Loved it!
Displaying 1 - 29 of 52 reviews