How You Came to Be

Starting from the moment “a wiggly little cell from another/ joined with a round little cell from me,” and written from the intimate perspective of a gestational parent speaking to their fetus, this fact-filled, lyrical book takes young readers month by month through the stages of prenatal development. Gerber leans on comparisons of gestational age to fruits and veggies; at first “lighter than a raindrop,/ softer than a feather,” the embryo soon grows “as big as a pea” in month one, then a kidney bean, lime, and so on until month nine sees the fetus, “big as a melon—/ finally, you were large enough/ and strong enough/ to come out into the world.” Chalabi’s bold digital renderings stand out against black backdrops; paired with large, shapely graphics of produce such as pineapple and butternut squash are miniatures of faceless parents-to-be with varying skin tones and growing bellies. A loving and encouraging intro to birth for kids. Back matter includes a glossary, facts about gestation and birth, and a selected bibliography. Ages 2–4. (Apr.)