Who Has a Belly Button?

by Mary Batten

Belly buttons Everyone has one. Some are innies. Some are outies. And they always fascinate young children.
Why humans have belly buttons and why some animals do--and others do not--is the subject of this informative, fascinating look at the lifeline that attaches mammals to their mothers before birth. The book also depicts how humans and other mammals continue to nourish their young after birth, and looks at the special circumstance surrounding the births of certain animals, such as panda bears, African elephants, and blue whales.
Using simple but scientifically-accurate terms and anatomically correct illustrations, award-winning science writer Mary Batten and veteran natural-science illustrator Higgins Bond explain to children what umbilical cords are, how they help a developing fetus, and finally, how belly buttons (or navels) are created after the baby is born and the cord is cut.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1561452351
• ISBN13: 9781561452354
• Release Date: August 2003
• Publisher: Peachtree Publishing Company
• Length: 32 Pages
• Weight: 0.90 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 10.4" x 9.9"
• Age Range: 6 to 10 years
• Grade Range: Grades 1 to 5

Customer Reviews

Fabulous book

I read this book to my 2 and 3 year old children. We are expecting our 3rd child soon and my older child was entranced by the idea of what a belly button is. This was a great way to talk about the baby in mommy's tummy and also get an early intro to the idea that all mammals have belly buttons. My youngest loved the pictures, which are beautiful, and had fun pointing to the belly buttons on all the animals. This book could be a lead-in to the "where do babies come from" question, but for younger children, it is nice just to teach them about belly buttons. I actually learned something too--whales have belly buttons! I had never really thought about it before. This is an enchanting book and not too "sciency" for little kids. We all enjoyed reading it over and over. I recommend it to all of my friends.

Fun, informative and great springboard for conversation..

I read this to my 4 year old boy and he was totally engrossed in it. It provides a very natural springboard to other conversations regarding bodies, facts of life, etc. Plus the illustrations are great - good lines, colors. Multicultural and because it also shows other mammals, very attention-getting. Would recommend without hesitation.