Candlewick Press It's Not the Stork!, Paperback Review
A 64 page illustrated paperback from The Family Library series, written by Robie H. Harris and illustrated by Michael Emberley.
| Publisher | Candlewick Press |
|---|---|
| Author | Robie H. Harris |
| Illustrator | Michael Emberley |
| Binding | Paperback |
| Edition | Illustrated |
| Pages | 64 |
| Best for | Families wanting a lighter, more portable version of this family reference for everyday carrying between home and school |
Product Overview
This paperback edition is part of The Family Library series, according to the title's own parenthetical note, covering the specific subjects named directly in the subtitle: girls, boys, babies, bodies, families and friends.
The listing credits Robie H. Harris as author and Michael Emberley as illustrator, the same creative team behind the hardcover edition of this title.
At 64 pages, this is a substantial length for an illustrated children's reference book, matching the page count of the hardcover edition of the same title.
Published by Candlewick Press as a paperback Illustrated edition, this placement offers the same content in a lighter, more portable format than the hardcover printing.
Score Breakdown
This verdict is based on the manufacturer's stated specifications, the current Amazon listing and its product images, the confirmed materials and design, real buyer ratings, and our research into the product category. Scores are consistent editorial judgments, not laboratory measurements, and we did not receive a paid sample.
Key Features
Subtitle directly names girls, boys, babies, bodies, families and friends as the book's covered subjects.
Positions this title within a broader collection of related family-topic books.
Noticeably lighter than the equivalent hardcover, making it easier to carry between home and school.
Robie H. Harris writes the text while Michael Emberley provides dedicated illustrated artwork.
Matches the content length of the hardcover edition of this title.
Listing notes a Cream color for this particular paperback printing.
Design and Build Quality
Paperback binding keeps this edition noticeably lighter than the equivalent hardcover, making it more practical to carry between home, school or a classroom setting.
The stated dimensions describe a large, wide paperback footprint, slightly smaller than the hardcover edition but still giving Michael Emberley's illustrations generous page space throughout.
The listing specifically notes a Cream color designation for this paperback printing, distinct from the Multicolor designation on the hardcover edition.
At just under a pound, this is noticeably lighter than the hardcover edition of the same title, reflecting the practical weight difference between the two binding formats.
Performance in Everyday Use
The subtitle's direct naming of specific subjects, girls, boys, babies, bodies, families and friends, confirms this paperback addresses the same broad range of family and body-related topics as the hardcover edition of this title.
Being part of The Family Library series specifically positions this book within a broader collection of titles addressing related family topics, the same series context shared with the hardcover printing.
No feature text accompanies this particular listing, which means readers evaluating the book from the product page alone have only the title, subtitle, series note and contributor credits to go on rather than descriptive marketing copy about specific chapters.
The separate author and illustrator credits, Harris and Emberley respectively, confirm this paperback pairs the identical dedicated writing and artwork found in the hardcover edition, just in a lighter physical format.
Overall the edition data describes the same substantial, illustrated content as the hardcover edition, delivered in a noticeably lighter, more portable paperback binding.
How It Performs: The Evidence
| Decision factor | What we found | Evidence and measurement | Score | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Page count | 64 pages | Listing states the book runs to 64 pages | 8.8 | Matches the hardcover edition's content length in a lighter physical format |
| Binding | Paperback | Listing classifies the binding as Paperback | 8.6 | Noticeably lighter than the equivalent hardcover, making it easier to carry between settings |
| Illustrator credit | Emberley, Michael | Listing's byline information names Emberley, Michael in the illustrator role separately from the author | 8.8 | Confirms the identical dedicated illustrated artwork found in the hardcover edition |
| Author credit | Harris, Robie H. | Listing's byline information names Harris, Robie H. as author | 8.6 | Confirms the original written text matches the hardcover edition's single named author |
| Weight | 0.94 lb | Listing states item weight of roughly 0.94 pounds | 8.7 | Noticeably lighter than the hardcover edition, reflecting the practical weight difference between the two binding formats |
| Dimensions | 11.46 x 10.31 x 0.24 inches | Listing states height roughly 11.46 inches, length roughly 10.31 inches and width roughly 0.24 inches | 8.3 | Describes a large paperback footprint slightly slimmer than the hardcover edition |
| Color | Cream | Listing states the color as Cream | 8.0 | Distinct cover presentation from the Multicolor hardcover printing of the same title |
Who Should Buy It
- Families wanting a lighter, portable reference
- Carrying between home and school settings
- Parents discussing bodies and families with young children
- Fans of The Family Library series
- Readers who prefer paperback over hardcover
- Gift purchases for new parents
- Readers wanting the more durable hardcover format for long-term permanent keeping
- No feature text accompanies this specific listing
- Less durable than the equivalent hardcover edition
- Paperback cover may show wear faster with heavy use
- No stated age range guidance in the listing data
- Subject matter requires parental guidance for discussion
Full Specifications
How It Compares
| Feature | Candlewick Press | Typical option | Higher-tier option |
|---|---|---|---|
| Binding | Paperback | Hardcover | Paperback |
| Portability | Lighter, easier to carry | Heavier, less portable | Lighter, easier to carry |
| Weight | 0.94 lb | Heavier hardcover | Similar weight |
| Color | Cream cover | Multicolor jacket | Cream |
| Series context | The Family Library series | Standalone only | Series entry |
| Illustrator credit | Emberley, separately named | Unillustrated | Separately named |
| Page count | 64 pages | Shorter pamphlet | Similar length |
| Feature text provided | None | Detailed | None |
Alternatives Worth a Look
At 64 pages in this illustrated paperback, It's Not the Stork! covers the same broad set of family and body-related topics as the hardcover edition, with Robie H. Harris's text paired with Michael Emberley's illustrations, as part of The Family Library series. The lighter paperback binding makes this edition noticeably easier to carry than the hardcover, suited to families who want the same content in a more portable format. No feature text accompanies the listing, so expectations rest on the title, subtitle and contributor credits alone, but for a family wanting the lighter, more portable version of this reference, this paperback delivers exactly that.
Frequently Asked Questions
What topics does this book cover?
The subtitle directly names girls, boys, babies, bodies, families and friends, the same topics covered in the hardcover edition of this title.
Who wrote and illustrated this book?
Robie H. Harris is credited as author and Michael Emberley as illustrator, the same creative team behind the hardcover edition.
Is this part of a series?
Yes, the title's parenthetical note places it within The Family Library series.
How does this compare to the hardcover edition?
This paperback matches the hardcover's 64 page content length but weighs noticeably less, making it easier to carry between home and school.
What binding does this edition use?
Paperback, which keeps this edition lighter and more portable than the equivalent hardcover printing.
How heavy is this paperback?
The listing states an item weight of roughly 0.94 pounds, noticeably lighter than the hardcover edition.
Who publishes this book?
Candlewick Press is credited as the publisher of this paperback illustrated edition.
Does the listing describe the book's content in detail?
No, this particular listing provides no feature text, so evaluating the content from the product page alone means relying on the title, subtitle and contributor credits.
This review is based on the publisher's stated specifications for this edition, the current product listing and its images, the stated page count, binding, edition designation, dimensions, weight, color and contributor credits, plus our own general knowledge of how illustrated family reference books for children are typically structured. It is editorial analysis of the edition itself, not a review of the book's specific narrative content, and we have noted that no feature text accompanies this listing.