Children's Books2012 · Age 3 - 9
Where Did I Come From?
Dag O. Hessen
This is an illustrated fact book about a girl who,one evening when she is going to bed, asks her dad: ‘Where did I come from?‘ Her dad explains: ‘You know you came from your mummy's tummy, we've spoken about it before’. ‘But before that?’ ‘Then you were just a little seed.‘ Then her father tells her about reproduction. ‘But before that?’ ‘Mummy came from Granny and Grandpa.’ ‘But before that?’ Her father tells her about Great-Granny, and her mother, and so on. ‘But before that?’ asks the girl.
So we are taken back to our ape ancestors, and further and further back in evolutionary development, with material that always ends with the girl's insistent question ‘but before that?’ all the way back to the beginning of life. But it does not stop there – because what was there before that?
An original and ambitious picture book explaining one of our greatest existential questions for younger children. An exciting and fascinating journey back in time and into the core of our own existence.
Fantastic about evolution – one of the ten best children’s books of 2012This is the history of the entire universe, told in a clearer, fresher, shorter and more useful way than ever before. Hurray for biology professor Hessen and illustrator Markhus that takes us on this beautiful journey. A must-have book!MAGASINET MAMMA
This book is really well done, the illustrations combine the best elements from science books with the freedom of expression that can be found within picture books.AFTENPOSTEN
I am so thankful that there are writers like Dag O. Hessen. With his writing he brings the joy of enlightenment, taking the discoveries of scientists to the people. The book is engaging to both the one reading, and the child being read to.ROMERIKES BLAD
It ought to come as no surprise that Hessen can introduce subjects through analogies, principles and models… and the topic is given an appealing human touch… Rune Markhus’ illustrations are important. The father is charmingly modern, and Frida is bright, but above all it is the system, principles, food chain and array of animals that impress.DAG OG TID
