Mummy Never Told Me was written and illustrated by Babette Cole, who has a wicked sense of humour. It is a picture book narrated by a little boy who says his mother never told him that "life is full of little secrets".
This book will not be to everyone's taste. There is some nudity and a lot of silliness. Cheeky illustrations explore topics such as childbirth, school, hair loss, cosmetic surgery, sex and homosexuality. It doesn't purport to answer children's questions about these issues. Instead it's a starting point for talking about them with your child. The boy concludes "I'm not worried. She'll tell me when the time comes!" My two year old didn't understand much of it but loved the pictures as much as I did.
Rated 7/10
We got our copy from the Lifeline Book Fair, but it is available from
The Book Depository.
If you enjoy this one you may like
Princess Smartypants, the story of a princess who doesn't want to get married, also by Babette Cole.