Banned Book: "Where Did I Come From?" by Peter Mayle

It's funny how uptight people are about their bodies in the U.S. In Europe, they think nothing of nudity, but are horribly offended by violence. In America, violence is okay, but show any amount of skin and the people are up in arms.

Where Did I Come From? is a very familiar book for me. My mom had it at her house, and I remember looking at it as a child, especially when my mom was pregnant with my younger brothers.

It's a great source of truth, and I was pretty much the only one in my class who was not badly misinformed about how babies were made. Also about Santa Claus, but that's another story.

My mom did not believe there was anything wrong with this book, and I don't either. It's honest and to the point without being lewd. They are rather specific about the male and female sexual organs and how sex happens, but really, do you want your kids to think french kissing makes babies? Because most of the kids I knew had been told that by their parents.

Maybe my mom was in the minority (after all, when I got my first period, she gave me a copy of What You Always Wanted To Know About Sex, But Were Afraid To Ask), but I must be in the minority too. My daughters know the correct term for all of their parts, no calling them "private parts" or "stuff" in my house. I believe that kids need correct information, but it needs to be given in an age-appropriate manner. I was about 10 when I first read this book, and I do think that's a good age.

Because of the terms used and the pictures involved, a lot of parents object to this book. I do not agree with them wanting it banned. It would be great if parents sat down with their children and were honest if the kids had questions, and did not let the kids learn misinformation from classmates. Here are two of the more graphic pictures, with boxes on the sex organs, just in case your kiddos are at the pc with you, and you do not want them to see this kind of thing.

Bottom line, it is up to each parent to choose what they are comfortable with their child being exposed to, and this book should not be banned. If someone doesn't like it, they can choose not to show it to their kids.