Where+Willy+Went


 * Book:** Where Willy Went


 * Author:** Nicholas Allan


 * Genre:** Children’s Literature/Picture Book/Fiction


 * Developmental Age Appropriateness:** The content of this story is more appropriate for teenagers that are reaching maturation and could be used as a tool to launch into a more specific discussion regarding human reproduction. However, the picture book format makes one think that the target audience would be a much younger kindergarten to third grade audience. The story is cute and funny. The pictures are nonthreatening, but the content of the story is questionable for the picture book age-group.


 * Book Description**: The story begins discussing the fact that Willy is a great swimmer. He practices every day with his archenemy for the "great race." Then, making sure not to be found without his goggles, Willy and 300 million other sperm swim furiously for the "prize" which just happens to be an egg waiting to be fertilized inside Mrs. Browne. At the end of the story, his hard work pays off as he wins the race and tunnels his way into the egg where it grows into a baby girl. This is an entertaining book and the line and watercolor illustrations are beautifully done. The information is accurate although very incomplete and will not likely resolve questions that a child or an adolescent might have about how a baby is conceived.


 * Questionable Content:** This is a picture book generally designed for children ages 2 through 8. On the cover there is a sperm in goggles and the content of the story is how to create a baby. Most people’s objections to this book are simply the targeted audience. The content is not particularly graphic. The question has just been raised, is this a developmentally appropriate for the ages that typically read picture books (Banned Books, 2011).


 * History of Censorship:** The book has been a source of concern for many educators and librarians as they feel that it is a parental right and responsibility to have these types of discussions. Also the targeted audience is felt to be more appropriate for 12 to 16 year old children rather than the normal picture book audience (Good Reads).


 * Public Opinion:** Most who read and reviewed this story liked the artwork and felt the content was humorous and not offensive giving the book 4.5 stars on the Amazon website. However, this was only based on 11 reviews (Customer reviews). Many reviews on Good Reads included statements like "hilariously funny" and "original." Those that object to the book do on moral grounds stating that children should not be subjected to "swimming sperm."

//Banned Books//. http://www.banned-books.org.uk/sections/corrosive
 * References:**

//Customer reviews//. (n.d.). Retrieved from [|http://www.amazon.com/ http://www.amazon.com/Where-Willy-Went-Story-Little/dp/0099456486/ref]

//Goodreads: Where Willy Went//. (n.d.). Retrieved from www.goodreads.com/book/show/998256.Where_Willy_Went // Banned Books 2001 //.

Allan, N. (2004). //Where Willy Went//. New York, NY: Doubleday.

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