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God's Design for Sex #2
Before I Was Born
Before I Was Born explains in age-appropriate language the basic nature of sexual intercourse between a husband and wife and discusses conception, fetal development, childbirth, and breastfeeding.
• For children ages 5 to 8
• For children ages 5 to 8
40 pages, Paperback
First published July 1, 1984
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
April 19, 2015
I cannot believe that we have reached the time of life when we are teaching our kids about the birds and the bees. Liz found this 4 book series at a garage sale about 3 years ago. She has already gone through the first 2 books with almost 10-year old Bridget and read Book 3 (recommended for Ages 8-11) to Bridget yesterday. I already read Book 1 to Jack about 6 months ago and yesterday I read Book 2 (recommended for Ages 5-8) to 8-year old Jack. Liz will start Book 1 (recommended for Ages 3-5) with 6-year old Evie next week.
The philosophy behind this Golden Medallion Book Award winning series is that Christian parents should introduce their children to a positive, Christian perspective on human sexuality as early as possible. "First messages are always the most powerful," the introduction states, "If we want to shape godly attitudes in our children about sex, why would we wait until they soak in the errors and misconceptions of the world and then try to change their attitudes? Why not instead build from the foundation up?"
Yesterday I took Jack to his favorite restaurant, Ryan's Bay, for lunch. I carried this book in my motorcycle jacket. I knew that I needed to read this book to Jack before I leave for 3 weeks in the US because he asked multiple times last week, "How do babies get out of a mommies belly."
We sat in a private corner of the restaurant. After ordering our sandwiches, I read the book to Jack while we sipped our sodas and waited for our food. I will warn you that this book speaks very explicitly about male and female anatomy and about sexual intercourse. Jack was enthralled. We paused at the end of every page of this short book and Jack asked many thoughtful questions. He could remember all of the words he was learning (sex, egg, sperm, vagina etc) but he understood the basic concepts love, marriage, intimacy, conception and birth. he also seems to have learned how sex is both solemn and good, something he can speak freely to his parents about but not something to talk to his friends about yet.
Our medical work in Tanzania has reinforced for us the importance of sex education. Every day we see young adults dying from sexually transmitted infections, particularly HIV. Sex clearly has the potential for both great benefit and great harm. We know that the world will tempt our children to destroy themselves with sex. We know our children will eventually hear these messages from the world but when they do, we want them to hear the world's perverted perspective on sex only in the context of a Biblical Worldview. Thanks be God who is Mighty to save them.
The philosophy behind this Golden Medallion Book Award winning series is that Christian parents should introduce their children to a positive, Christian perspective on human sexuality as early as possible. "First messages are always the most powerful," the introduction states, "If we want to shape godly attitudes in our children about sex, why would we wait until they soak in the errors and misconceptions of the world and then try to change their attitudes? Why not instead build from the foundation up?"
Yesterday I took Jack to his favorite restaurant, Ryan's Bay, for lunch. I carried this book in my motorcycle jacket. I knew that I needed to read this book to Jack before I leave for 3 weeks in the US because he asked multiple times last week, "How do babies get out of a mommies belly."
We sat in a private corner of the restaurant. After ordering our sandwiches, I read the book to Jack while we sipped our sodas and waited for our food. I will warn you that this book speaks very explicitly about male and female anatomy and about sexual intercourse. Jack was enthralled. We paused at the end of every page of this short book and Jack asked many thoughtful questions. He could remember all of the words he was learning (sex, egg, sperm, vagina etc) but he understood the basic concepts love, marriage, intimacy, conception and birth. he also seems to have learned how sex is both solemn and good, something he can speak freely to his parents about but not something to talk to his friends about yet.
Our medical work in Tanzania has reinforced for us the importance of sex education. Every day we see young adults dying from sexually transmitted infections, particularly HIV. Sex clearly has the potential for both great benefit and great harm. We know that the world will tempt our children to destroy themselves with sex. We know our children will eventually hear these messages from the world but when they do, we want them to hear the world's perverted perspective on sex only in the context of a Biblical Worldview. Thanks be God who is Mighty to save them.
February 27, 2016
A couple of months ago Mom read this book to Ellie privately and then Dad read this book to Jacob privately. We liked the way it talked about God's design for sex in a very simple way for the kids to understand. Ellie picked up this book tonight and Daddy read it to us all before bed. This book brings up great family discussions..krb 2/26/16
September 16, 2019
Second in the Nav Press's God's Design for Sex series, the cover says this book contains information for 5 t0 8 year olds. I found the language too childish for an 8-year-old, but the content more than most 5-year-olds could handle. The emphasis is on marriage for life between one man and one woman. "God made their bodies so that they fit perfectly together." The details of sex are accurate, but understated. Sounds pretty blah. There is not much on fetal development except belly buttons and a dot for a fertilized egg. The lovely, realistic pastel illustrations include a direct view of a baby exiting a mother's vagina--excellent for a child asking questions, but not something I will jump to show my 7-year-old grandson. I love Carolyn Nystroms's Bible studies, but this left me wishing there were something with a Christian worldview, scientifically accurate, and showing the beauty and joy of God's special gift. This seemed to major on the sidelines like how nice a wedding is.
May 21, 2016
I read this with my son who will be eleven soon. The book suggests age 8 to 12, I believe. It definitely depends upon the child. I embellished a little too and also answered a lot of questions. We are not Christian. We are agnostic but leave room for our kids to explore their own beliefs. My kids tend to believe in God but don't subscribe to any religion. That said I liked the emphasis that two people are made for each other and should be married before sex. We talked about how he may want to have sex when he's a teen but he must realize the emotional issues that will come from that for himself and his partner. It was a good discussion.
August 30, 2023
3.75 I’ve been looking for books for our home “library” on puberty, sex, how babies are made, and healthy relationships. (My children are 7 and 9.) I’m noticing that different books have different strengths and will appeal to different households.
* For how babies are made, I appreciated The Science of Babies by Deborah Roffman and the detailed but accessible It’s Not the Stork! by Harris.
* For a guidebook on puberty (my daughter is 9.5), I enjoy the gentle, traditional advice of The Care and Keeping of You 1 (published by American Girl) as well as the (more modern) enthusiastic, body-positive Celebrate Your Body by Sonya Renee Taylor.
Missing from this growing library is something that introduces the significance of sex. I believe every person is worthy of love and full of potential, created by a loving God. I believe this loving God knows the trajectory of our lives and created us to live lives of purpose. God created us to experience true joy and satisfaction, to love and be loved, and to participate in his good creative work in our world. My child, it matters that you were born and it matters how you live. Sex was designed to be a good gift from a good God.
Through soft, sentimental illustrations and detailed but gentle text, this book puts the facts of sex (between husband and wife) in the context of God’s good design. It’s not a perfect resource, with its 1983 text (examples: the use of the term “womb” and the assumption that the mother is at home and the father goes to work) and its mostly-white-people illustrations (my kids have plenty of places to see diversity depicted, but it does point to the era in which the book was developed.)
I agree that it’s important for parents to talk about sex with their kids, and to frame it in positive ways and not as something shameful or embarrassing. From a Christian perspective, it makes sense to talk about sex in the context of a grown-up couple in a loving, committed relationship. For those looking for a resource that does this, this checks many of the boxes.
* For how babies are made, I appreciated The Science of Babies by Deborah Roffman and the detailed but accessible It’s Not the Stork! by Harris.
* For a guidebook on puberty (my daughter is 9.5), I enjoy the gentle, traditional advice of The Care and Keeping of You 1 (published by American Girl) as well as the (more modern) enthusiastic, body-positive Celebrate Your Body by Sonya Renee Taylor.
Missing from this growing library is something that introduces the significance of sex. I believe every person is worthy of love and full of potential, created by a loving God. I believe this loving God knows the trajectory of our lives and created us to live lives of purpose. God created us to experience true joy and satisfaction, to love and be loved, and to participate in his good creative work in our world. My child, it matters that you were born and it matters how you live. Sex was designed to be a good gift from a good God.
Through soft, sentimental illustrations and detailed but gentle text, this book puts the facts of sex (between husband and wife) in the context of God’s good design. It’s not a perfect resource, with its 1983 text (examples: the use of the term “womb” and the assumption that the mother is at home and the father goes to work) and its mostly-white-people illustrations (my kids have plenty of places to see diversity depicted, but it does point to the era in which the book was developed.)
I agree that it’s important for parents to talk about sex with their kids, and to frame it in positive ways and not as something shameful or embarrassing. From a Christian perspective, it makes sense to talk about sex in the context of a grown-up couple in a loving, committed relationship. For those looking for a resource that does this, this checks many of the boxes.
June 30, 2025
I was unsure of the best way to read this book with our children. I have been putting this off for the past year out of fears about doing it "the wrong way."
But at the dinner table the other night, our older children were asking questions about moms and dads and babies. My wife looked at me and said, "Do you want to read that book with them?"
I ended up reading this book to all our five children (ages from 10 down to 3). For the younger two children, they didn't track everything, but they still looked at the pictures and stayed engaged in the story.
We kept it light and casual (as opposed to The Talk my dad had with me in 2nd grade), and that seemed to work well with our children. Having a story format makes a world of difference vs. me just explaining the facts to them.
Our children had lots of questions, and they weren't grossed out or scarred at all from learning these new facts and ideas.
In our home, we've always named body parts properly and have been open and positive (and low-key) about the way God made our bodies. I think that background helped our children to listen to this book and not be caught offguard at all.
But at the dinner table the other night, our older children were asking questions about moms and dads and babies. My wife looked at me and said, "Do you want to read that book with them?"
I ended up reading this book to all our five children (ages from 10 down to 3). For the younger two children, they didn't track everything, but they still looked at the pictures and stayed engaged in the story.
We kept it light and casual (as opposed to The Talk my dad had with me in 2nd grade), and that seemed to work well with our children. Having a story format makes a world of difference vs. me just explaining the facts to them.
Our children had lots of questions, and they weren't grossed out or scarred at all from learning these new facts and ideas.
In our home, we've always named body parts properly and have been open and positive (and low-key) about the way God made our bodies. I think that background helped our children to listen to this book and not be caught offguard at all.
March 15, 2021
This is part of a 4 set series of books that are Christian based and talk about sex. I've used all 4 of these with my kids, finally finishing the last one with my oldest so I thought it was time for a review. Loved these. Had no idea how to approach sex and health in today's ever increasing confusing world about what's right and wrong in this area. Each book is for a different age group and while I loosely adhered to these, I chose a time for each child based on their maturity. I'm a homeschooling mom so we set up a health class each week to discuss topics with each child individually and gave them a notebook to write down any questions during the week they might discuss.
In this second book, it goes a little deeper into the functions of body parts, reiterating the correct names for the body parts, and how sex actually happens. Tastefully done. Highly recommended.
In this second book, it goes a little deeper into the functions of body parts, reiterating the correct names for the body parts, and how sex actually happens. Tastefully done. Highly recommended.
February 5, 2023
I'm a Christian and my Mom read this to me when I was 11 to teach me about sex. (Yes, at 11. I was sheltered.) This book for ages 5 to 8, and it works well for that age group. It teaches how sex works in a Christian worldview, that it is for a Mom and Dad in a committed relationship, particularly meant for marriage.
It teaches how God created sex when he created Adam and Eve, and how sex was intended for marriage. Then the book explains that boys have a penis and that girls have a vagina, and illustrations show what they look like so kids can understand. (Remember, they are drawings!)
Then it explains how sex works and how a baby develops, from conception until birth, all in an age-appropriate manner.
If you are a Christian parent, and you want a book to help teach your child about sex, this is the book!
It teaches how God created sex when he created Adam and Eve, and how sex was intended for marriage. Then the book explains that boys have a penis and that girls have a vagina, and illustrations show what they look like so kids can understand. (Remember, they are drawings!)
Then it explains how sex works and how a baby develops, from conception until birth, all in an age-appropriate manner.
If you are a Christian parent, and you want a book to help teach your child about sex, this is the book!
March 22, 2024
Part 2 of a 4-part series, this one is aimed at kids ages 5–8, and meant to be read with and discussed with their parents. This book continues themes from book 1, but also goes further and explains the basic facts about sex, pregnancy and birth. "For ages 5–8??" Yes, for ages 5–8, which fits with most recommendations that I've seen that parents should be giving explicit instruction and starting dialogue with their kids far earlier than they would think, and more than parents are usually comfortable doing. Which is why having a book to read together and discuss that lays it all out can be such a helpful resource.
July 17, 2018
We had the talk with my 2 oldest kids 7 and 9 and used this book. It went a lot better than I thought it would. We added our religious beliefs with what this book said as well since not everything we agreed with. The kids listened well through out and it was great to get their thoughts on what some of things meant already. I recommend this book if you have no idea on how to start bringing this topic up. I'm interested in the other books in this series.
October 12, 2023
If you as the parent don't teach your children about this from a Christian worldview, they'll hear the world's take now sooner than later. This is a great way to bring it to their level in an age-appropriate way that honors the Lord by being truthful and not hiding behind euphemisms or other ways to mask the truth. Recommend!
February 21, 2024
As with the previous book review, I think it's just too graphic for this age. Probably not public schoolers, but I think that's why we have such a crisis in our culture- kids learn things too fast, too early and not appropriately. I feel I could get the same information across not so... graphically.
March 26, 2017
Beautiful pictures depicting the differences between boys and girls, how boys' and girls' bodies change during adolescence, and God's plan for sex, pregnancy and birth. It seems like this book would be a good way for parents to help their children understand the beauty of sexuality in an appropriate way, and in general good for others as well to think about the beauty of what we often find shame in because of sin's effect on our world.
October 13, 2017
A nice, Christian perspective teaching reproduction for kids. For "regular" school kids, the age range of 5-8 is probably entirely appropriate, but as homeschoolers, we're going to read it during the 8-10 range instead.
December 28, 2019
Took me three years to sit down with our daughter and read the first two books in the series. On a roll now. My advice is don’t wait. Read them often when your child is at the right age. Beautiful illustrations.
November 24, 2020
Such a helpful book with specifics presented tastefully and yet accurately. Didn’t love how boy and girl activities are presented stereotypically and how sex is really only discussed in terms of procreating, but this did open up good conversations with my 9-year-old.
November 1, 2018
Great for reading with my 7 year old daughter who has been asking lots of questions lately. Covered all of the big bases in a way that was minimally uncomfortable for me as the mom.
March 28, 2019
Great series to take your kids through explaining the miracle of life and God’s plan for sex
July 22, 2019
uncomfortable but good to read with the kids. glad i did
November 11, 2021
A great Christian view
July 23, 2023
Easy to read and comprehend for elementary aged children. Even if I disagree with the birth practices. Those things are easier to talk through.
August 22, 2025
🫳🫨🤔🤔🤔
January 25, 2023
Working through sexual biology basics with all of our kids, and these books handle it all really well, and introduce really good conversations.
October 21, 2011
We used this book as a companion to "How to Talk to Your Child About Sex," by Linda and Richard Eyre, instead of the picture book that they suggested. I loved the Christian approach and the beautiful watercolor pictures in this book. It clearly but reverently describes male and female anatomy, the act of sex, the development of a fetus, and the birth of a baby. It also incorporates God's plan for men and women to love each other and marry. I loved this part: "God has a special gift for new husbands and wives. It is called sex. God's rules say that only people who are married to each other should have sex. It is God's way of making families strong." The approach to teaching sex in this book is positive and emphasizes love and commitment.
On the cover this book is recommended for children ages 5-8. For me personally it seems appropriate only for age 8 and above, but it would depend on the child and what they're exposed to. I think it works well for ages 8-11. Also, this book is second in the series, "God's Design for Sex." I bought books 1 and 3 as well and they're okay, though the age ranges are off as well. But this book is the real winner.
On the cover this book is recommended for children ages 5-8. For me personally it seems appropriate only for age 8 and above, but it would depend on the child and what they're exposed to. I think it works well for ages 8-11. Also, this book is second in the series, "God's Design for Sex." I bought books 1 and 3 as well and they're okay, though the age ranges are off as well. But this book is the real winner.
July 15, 2008
This book covers human sexuality from a Christian perspective. It gives the basic facts about male and female bodies, including the production of sperm and eggs. It alludes to, but does not specifically mention, menstruation. It matter-of-factly states what the sex act is, and discusses it as being a gift from God for married couples. It has a picture of a woman giving birth which isn't overly detailed, but is pretty clear where the birth canal is.
The book suggests an age range of 5 to 8. I think if my child were in a school system and I thought he or she might be exposed to children with permissive parents, this would be okay for that age range. But my somewhat sheltered homeschooled children are not prepared to receive this sort of information at that age. I think it would be more appropriate for ages 8 to 11.
The book suggests an age range of 5 to 8. I think if my child were in a school system and I thought he or she might be exposed to children with permissive parents, this would be okay for that age range. But my somewhat sheltered homeschooled children are not prepared to receive this sort of information at that age. I think it would be more appropriate for ages 8 to 11.
January 22, 2016
Second book in a very age appropriate series of book for parents teaching their children godly viewpoint about their bodies and sex. This second book is for ages 5-8 and I feel like together the first and second has set them up perfectly for having heard words and learned what they mean without being graphic or inappropriate or embarrassing. I would definitely suggest the parents read through it first to know exactly what it is going to say so that you can cut through any issues of nerves that you might have talking to your children about these things. Although the next book is the one that I might have to control my blushing. Good thing I have a few years before that one!
June 23, 2015
This book is intended for children ages five to eight. It focuses on the idea that sex and gender are part of God's plan. It introduces the ideas of sex and reproduction.
It has a very religious slant; I love how it is so positive about sex. It says that it is a gift from God for husbands and wives. "It is God's way of making families strong."
I definitely recommend this book for parents who's beliefs are similar to mine. I do recommend you read this alone before you read this with your child.
It has a very religious slant; I love how it is so positive about sex. It says that it is a gift from God for husbands and wives. "It is God's way of making families strong."
I definitely recommend this book for parents who's beliefs are similar to mine. I do recommend you read this alone before you read this with your child.
June 22, 2010
Sex ed 101 for ages 5 to 8. Beautifully written and framed in a Christian perspective, with our bodies as pleasing to God and with sexuality as a gift for husband and wife. Very matter-of-fact about technical names for body parts and how our bodies change with age.
Verdict from the perspective of my 5- and 8-yr-old: didn't spark the dialog I had expected but certainly answered questions they raised prior to hearing the book.
Verdict from the perspective of my 5- and 8-yr-old: didn't spark the dialog I had expected but certainly answered questions they raised prior to hearing the book.
July 8, 2011
Beautifully written and illustrated. The sex-ed information is direct and matter-of-fact, and couched inside a nice story about how babies are created and what marriage is. Although it is suggested for kids ages 5-8, I wouldn't recommend it for a child of less than seven or eight unless they were quite mature or already asking questions, as it's quite detailed. Parents know their children the best and should just read it first to see if it is appropriate.
April 25, 2020
Liked it more than the first one. Husband read the “boy” parts and I read the “girl” parts. Luckily for our comfort the kids didn’t really seem to get it yet. So we didn’t have to answer any questions yet. But the topic has been introduced!
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