'Hello Baby' by Julie Overend

[Cassius2]

I just thought that I would put out a recommendation for this book for parents that are expecting a new baby and have a curious older child.

The book follows the story of a young boy who shares the birth experience of his mumma who is having the baby at home. It is a simple, beautifully illustrated story that explores all the exciting and intriguing facets of watching mumma go through labour (from the need to take a long walk, to watching papa chop up wood for the fireplace, to waiting for his Aunty to arrive and greeting the midwives at the door and playing with the doppler, to getting the clothes out and ready for the baby when he/she arrives).

here is the blurb:

On a winter night, in a cottage far away from the town, Mum's baby is ready to be born. The midwife arrives and the whole family prepare for the home birth. In this honest and moving portrayal, Jenni Overend and Julie Vivas celebrate the birth of a baby at home with warmth and joy. This is a book for the whole family to share in preparation for a home birth or the arrival of a new baby.

What makes this book so special is the simplicity, and the illustrations are just divine (Julie Vivas, the illustrator has done other books including 'cuddle time' etc). the book also won an Australian Children's Council book award!

DD just loves it and so do we!

[Nai]

I second that! DD1 loved that book when I was pregnant with DD2.

[RoyaUK]

Our family loved that book too. In fact I realised how important it was to my DD1 when i had prelabour - 10 minutely contractions for 6 DAYS.

After the first 'noises' from mummy she kept looking at me saying 'baby's coming mummy' and 'thirsty work having babies' and offering me drinks and massages. What a supportive 3 yr old!! And she learnt it all from the book. It really helped to keep her & her younger sister calm.

It's a really beautiful book.

[jackrose]

After the first 'noises' from mummy she kept looking at me saying 'baby's coming mummy' and 'thirsty work having babies' and offering me drinks and massages. What a supportive 3 yr old!! And she learnt it all from the book. It really helped to keep her & her younger sister calm.

Oh, that is just divine!!

I love this book too. I bought it on the recommendation of a friend. I found it a bit tricky to locate but then found it for sale here on BB!

I'm having a homebirth this time so I'm so glad to have this book.

Not only has it been a lovely read for DD (2yrs) but it has also been helpful and educational for my DH!! We had a cs for DD so he never saw the birth of our baby's head. The illustrations of the birth are so lovely and he was a little confronted at first. Glad he has an image now though!

I don't know if it is my pg hormones, but I can't get through it without getting all choked up.

[Cassius2]

I don't know if it is my pg hormones, but I can't get through it without getting all choked up.

ha ha! i am the same...gosh i am emotional atm!

[AnyDream]

Well I cried the first time I read this, didn't help that I was standing in the ABC shop at the time !

Lovely book, big Julie Vivas fan here!!