Best-selling authors Justin and Lindsey Holcomb tackle the often-dreaded question in a common sense, biblical way
“Where do babies come from?” This common question all too often leaves parents perplexed about what to say and when to say it. When children ask “where do babies come from?,” they ask because they are curious about where THEY came from. The question is not about sex. In God Made Babies: Helping Parents Answer the Baby Question, Justin S. Holcomb and Lindsey A. Holcomb offer an answer to the often-dreaded, sometimes awkward question in a common sense, biblical way.
“The baby question is a healthy and normal part of a child’s development. Many children around the age of three or four start to notice pregnant women, which then sparks their curiosity and questions. Children can understand that reproduction is a natural part of life, and that God made all living things to reproduce,” Justin Holcomb explains.
Drawing from the story of creation and how God made the living world to reproduce, God Made Babies helps children ages 4-9 to understand the gift of reproduction in the light of God’s goodness and care. The authors write, “God likes making things so much that he made living things able to make more things like themselves. The word for this is ‘reproduction.’ God made living things that can make offspring. It means that God’s creatures can join him in making other creatures like themselves.”
The Holcombs help parents start the conversation with their children about reproduction by giving them the basic tools to guide them—including specific biblical content and age-appropriate ways of talking to children at different stages. They explain the literal birds and bees that help make new flowers before moving into an explanation of how some animals such as turtles and birds lay eggs while other animals carry babies inside the mom. Then, God Made Babies introduces how people are made in the image of God and the stages of development for a human baby in the womb.
Instead of leaving this conversation to “experts” or to the culture, God Made Babies equips parents to answer questions about sex in the right way at the right time. “Please don’t treat this topic like a one-time conversation—such as ‘The Talk’—that you never revisit with your child. Instead, make an open-ended invitation for them to ask you questions, and for you to ask what they know and think,” encourages Lindsey Holcomb. “The younger the child, the less detail they need. This is a wonderful opportunity for you to become their main source for this information. Being open, safe, available, and prepared when they want to talk is very important.”
God Made Babies is part of the God Made Me Series, which equips parents to have important, impactful conversations with their children, helping them to grow in understanding of God, themselves, and others. The series now includes nine titles, including three written by the Holcombs (God Made All of Me, God Made Me in His Image, and God Made Babies). Each book in the series illustrated by Trish Mahoney contains a special section just for parents and caregivers that provides biblical guidance and offers additional information and resources for continuing the conversation. The back section of God Made Babies offers ten things to consider when answering the baby question.
Elyse Fitzpatrick writes, Don’t let those precious conversations with your little ones get away from you because you’re not prepared, over prepared, or wishing it wasn’t time for ‘the talk.’ My friends Justin and Lindsey are masters at helping you tell your children what they need to hear. Pick up a few copies of this book to give to your friends and your pastor. And then read yours to your sweeties. You’ll be glad you did!”
God Made Babies: Helping Parents Answer the Baby Question
by Justin S. Holcomb and Lindsey A. Holcomb, Illustrated by Trish Mahoney
September 19, 2022 / Hardback / Retail Price: $15.99
Print ISBN 978-1-64507-223-2
Religion / Christian Education / Children & Youth
About the Authors and Illustrator
Justin S. Holcomb, PhD, is a minister and professor of theology at Reformed Theological Seminary and Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. He has authored, coauthored, or edited more than twenty books on numerous topics, including abuse, biblical studies, and theology. Justin and his wife, Lindsey, coauthored the award-winning children’s book God Made All of Me, God Made Me in His Image, and God Made Babies.
Lindsey A. Holcomb, MPH, works in non-profit development and is an advocate for survivors of abuse. She is a former case manager at a sexual assault crisis center and a domestic violence shelter and is the cofounder of REST (Real Escape from the Sex Trade). Lindsey is also the award-winning coauthor of God Made All of Me, God Made Me in His Image, God Made Babies, Is It My Fault?, and Rid of My Disgrace.
Lindsey and Justin, conduct a variety of training seminars on parenting topics such as child sexual abuse prevention, body image, and how to talk about sex. They also provide trainings on how to prevent, recognize, and respond to child, sexual, and domestic abuse. The Holcombs live in Orlando and are parents of two daughters. Learn more at justinholcomb.com. Justin can also be found on Facebook (@justinholcomb), Twitter (@JustinHolcomb) and Instagram (@justinholcomb).
Trish Mahoney is a graphic designer and illustrator in Salem, OR where she runs The Mahoney Studio with her husband, Patrick, also a designer and illustrator. They have two children—both budding artists too. Trish illustrated The Beginner’s Gospel Story Bible and is also the illustrator for the God Made Me series.
For review copy and interview information, contact:
Audra Jennings – audra@newgrowthpress.com – 903.874.8363
Suggested Interview Questions
In the introduction you write that contrary to popular thought, when kids ask about where babies come from, they aren’t asking about sex. If that’s the case, what are they asking about?
You also make the point that the book is about reproduction rather than sex. Why is that distinction important?
What makes God Made Babies unique in how it approaches the answer to the baby question?
God Made Babies eases into talking about human babies. What progression does the book take to get to humans?
Scripture is incorporated throughout the book, even in middle of describing development in the womb. How can parents take advantage of the opportunity to go deeper into God’s Word with their children?
What are some things a parent can do to create a safe atmosphere for their children to always come to them with questions?
Can you tell us more about the back section of God Made Babies that is written to parents?
When a child comes to a parent with a question, why is it important for a parent to ask their child some questions, both before and after the conversation?
One of your tips is to not make things weird when these kinds of questions come up. Here’s a question kids of all ages can appreciate: What can parents do to be less weird?
God Made Babies is part of the God Made Me series. Can you tell us more about the series and other books that are available?
What Others Are Saying
“A delightful and engaging book that captures the attention of young children who look out into their world and raise questions about the life surrounding them. The authors elegantly attend to the concrete world of their young reader and establish a refreshingly balanced view and foundation that relates faith with life, skillfully and clearly setting the stage for conversations about childbirth. Most importantly, the book creates a springboard for establishing positive and ongoing conversations for parents to speak with their children about sexuality.”
~ John T. Chirban, Clinical psychologist at Harvard Medical School at The Cambridge Health Alliance; professor of psychology emeritus, Hellenic College and Holy Cross School of Theology; author of How to Talk With Your Children about Sex and Collateral Damage: Guiding and Protecting Your Child through the Minefield of Divorce
“Yet again Justin and Lindsey have created a resource that guides parents and caregivers to spark the most important conversations with their kids. As God Made Babies helps you connect with your kids and establish a foundation for many more conversations, your own eyes will be lifted to a Creator who shaped and formed you in his image and for his purposes.”
~ David Robbins, President and CEO of FamilyLife
“Now this is the ‘birds-and-the-bees’ book I wish I’d had as a kid—or as a parent of my four nearly grown children. Not only hitting the main biblical emphases, it’s really practical in answering the actual questions kids ask. God Made Babies is definitely best in its class.”
~ Michael Horton, Professor of Systematic Theology and Apologetics, Westminster Seminary, California; author of The Christian Faith: A Systematic Theology for Pilgrims on the Way and Core Christianity
