130,000+ Books, Games & Puzzles in-stock πŸ‡³πŸ‡Ώ

Overnight NZ-wide delivery πŸš€ | Visit our Auckland bookstore β€’ Open 7 days, 8:30am–5pm

40 Weeks

What Humans and 81 Other Species Expect When They're Expecting
By Anna Blix
0.0 (0 reviews)
Brief Description
Matrescene meets the Golden Mole - discover what the animal kingdom expects when it's expecting It takes 40 weeks to grow a human baby. And the relationship between a foetus and a pregnant woman is a little like that of a parasite and its host. One... Read More
Format: Paperback / softback
$3999
AVAILABLE WITH SUPPLIER Ships from our Auckland warehouse within 4-6 weeks

Found a better price? Request a price match

Matrescene meets the Golden Mole - discover what the animal kingdom expects when it's expecting

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description
Matrescene meets the Golden Mole - discover what the animal kingdom expects when it's expecting

It takes 40 weeks to grow a human baby.

And the relationship between a foetus and a pregnant woman is a little like that of a parasite and its host. One takes and takes, while the other continues to give, risking their health in the process.

Is there a better way?

The Komodo dragon can reproduce via pathogenesis - fertilising its own eggs, so no male is needed.

The Surinam toad harbours live babies in craters under its skin - until they're ready to burst out into the world.

And the hyena . . . Well, best not mention the hyena . . .

Anna Blix takes the reader on a fascinating journey through her own pregnancy, introducing us in each of the 40 weeks to other creatures who have just delivered their next generation into the world.

This fun, informative and personable book provides evolutionary comfort throughout the long haul of pregnancy, and an explanation as to how we ended up here: as the smartest species with a tiresome, but perhaps not so bad, way to reproduce. It could always be worse. Just ask the hyena.

Translated from the Norwegian by Nicola Smalley

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781529434811

Publisher: Quercus Publishing

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 13 March 2025

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: MacLehose Press

Illustration: 21 b/w illustrations

Contributors:

  • Translated by Nichola Smalley
  • Translated by Nichola Smalley

Audience: General / adult, Tertiary education, Professional and scholarly

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 26.0mm

Width: 134.0mm

Height: 214.0mm

Weight: 299g

Pages: 304

Collections

Anna Blix Biography & Memoir Education & Reference Health & Wellness Non-Fiction Parenting & Family Science & Nature Self-Help & Personal Development

About the Author

Anna Blix is a biologist, author and political advisor at the Norwegian Parliament. She has long experience as a writer and communicator, and writes a regular column about science for the newspaper Morgenbladet

More from Parenting & Family

View all
  • Raising Human Beings
    Raising Human Beings by Dr. Ross W. Greene, renowned child psychologist and bestselling author of Lost at School and The Explosive Child, presents a transformative approach to parenting that helps foster strong parent-child relationships while nurturing key traits such as empathy, honesty, resilience, and independence. This insightful guide is not only a manual for good parenting but also a roadmap...
    By Ross W. Greene
    Paperback
    $3799
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • Dad, I Want to Hear Your Story (Expanded Edition)
    Honour his legacy with the greatest gift of allβ€”his story. The Official Hear Your Story Collection Your dad's story is more than just memoriesβ€”it's a journey filled with wisdom, experiences, and defining moments that shaped his life. Dad, I Want to Hear Your Story is a guided journal that gives him the chance to share those stories in his own...
    By Jeffrey Mason
    Paperback
    $1999
    Elsewhere:
    $2600
    (1)
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • Hold on to Your Kids
    Hold on to Your Kids by Gabor MatΓ© and Gordon Neufeld presents a transformative approach to parenting that aims to foster a deep and enduring bond between parents and their children. This groundbreaking book delves into the modern challenges faced by today's parents, particularly the influence of peer culture, which can often overshadow parental guidance and values. In a society...
    By Gabor MatΓ© and Gordon Neufeld
    Paperback
    $3100
    Elsewhere:
    $3500
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • The Explosive Child [Sixth Edition]
    The Explosive Child by Ross W. Greene, PhD, now in its revised and updated sixth edition, delves deeply into a revolutionary, research-based approach to understanding and parenting children who frequently display severe fits of temper and other challenging behaviours. Penned by a distinguished clinician and pioneer in addressing the needs of children with social, emotional, and behavioural difficulties, this ground-breaking...
    By Ross W Greene, PhD
    Paperback
    $2300
    Elsewhere:
    $3299
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • Matrescence
    A revelatory account of the transition into motherhood and how it affects the mind, brain and body A New Statesman and Daily Mail Book of the Year During pregnancy, childbirth, and early motherhood, women undergo a far-reaching physiological and psychological metamorphosis. There is no other time in a human's life course that entails such dramatic changeβ€”other than adolescence. And yet,...
    By Lucy Jones
    Paperback
    $2500
    Elsewhere:
    $3000
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • The Modern Dad
    New Release
    The Modern Dad
    A love letter to modern fatherhood and being a stay-at-home dad by one of NZ's most popular storytellers. Louis Davis (Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Whātua) is one of Aotearoa's most popular storytellers, with a combined global audience of three million people tuning in to see his heartfelt and funny videos about fatherhood, fishing, and whānau life. But even with three young childrenβ€”and...
    By Louis Davis
    Paperback
    $3199
    Elsewhere:
    $3999
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • The Whole-Brain Child: 12 revolutionary strategies to Nurture Your Child's Developing Mind
    Are you often left bewildered by your child's outbursts or stubborn behaviour? Do you find it challenging to understand why they seem to act irrationally? The Whole-Brain Child: 12 Revolutionary Strategies to Nurture Your Child's Developing Mind by esteemed neuropsychiatrist Daniel J. Siegel and parenting expert Tina Payne Bryson provides enlightening answers to these common parenting dilemmas. This groundbreaking and...
    By Tina Payne Bryson and Daniel J. Siegel
    Paperback
    $2800
    Elsewhere:
    $3500
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • Mum, I Want to Hear Your Story
    Give Your Mum a Beautiful Gift of Legacy, Love, and Lasting Memories Mum, I Want to Hear Your Story is the fun and delightful way for you to discover everything from your mother's childhood memories to the profound turning points in her life. Featuring specially selected questions in an easy-to-use layout, each intentional section gives Mum a place to share...
    By Jeffrey Mason
    Paperback
    $2099
    Elsewhere:
    $2600
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • Why Men Love Bitches
    Why Men Love Bitches by Sherry Argov is an eye-opening and empowering guide for women who are ready to transform their dating and relationship habits. This insightful book delves into the dynamics of male-female relationships and teaches women how to embrace their inner strength, confidence, and independence to attract and keep the man they desire. Avoiding conventional advice, Argov offers...
    By Sherry Argov
    Paperback
    $2600
    Elsewhere:
    $4300
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • Good Inside
    β€˜The voice of reason for a generation of… mums and dads’ – The Guardian Wildly popular parenting expert Dr Becky Kennedy shares her groundbreaking approach to raising kids in a way that feels good. Over the past several years, Dr Becky Kennedyβ€”known to her followers as β€˜Dr Becky’—has been sparking a parenting revolution. Millions of parents, tired of following advice...
    By Dr Becky Kennedy
    Paperback
    $3000
    Elsewhere:
    $3799
    (1)
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • Attached
    Is there a science to love? In the revelatory book Attached, psychiatrist and neuroscientist Amir Levine and psychologist Rachel S. F. Heller delve into the world of attachment theory, offering illuminating insights and practical advice on navigating relationships. Pioneered by psychologist John Bowlby in the 1950s, attachment theory posits that our behavioural patterns in relationships stem from one of three...
    By Amir Levine and Rachel Heller
    Paperback
    $1999
    Elsewhere:
    $2499
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • We Are Shiz (Universal Pictures Wicked)
    Elphaba, Glinda, Fiyero, Nessarose, and Boq star in this Little Golden Book based on Universal Pictures' blockbuster film Wicked! Welcome to Shiz University, where knowledge meets magic! Meet Shiz students Elphaba, Glinda, Fiyero, Nessarose, and Boq, as they star in this Little Golden Book based on Universal Pictures' Wicked! Little Golden Books enjoy nearly 100% consumer recognition. They feature beloved...
    By Mary Man-Kong
    Hardback
    $500
    Elsewhere:
    $699
    In Stock
    Ships today

Why buy from us?

Book Hero is not a chain store or big box retailer. We're an independent 100% NZ-owned business on a mission to help more Kiwis rediscover a love of books and reading!

Service & Delivery

Service & Delivery

Our warehouse in Auckland holds over 100,000 books, toys, board games and puzzles in-stock so you're not waiting for your order to arrive from overseas.

Auckland Bookstore

Auckland Bookstore

We're primarily an online store, but for your convenience you can pick up your order for free from our bookstore, which is right next door to our warehouse in Hobsonville.

Our Gifting Service

Our Gifting Service

Books make wonderful thoughtful gifts and we're here to help with gift-wrapping and cards. We can even send your gift directly to your loved one.

Parenting & Family lists from the team

Explore our curated lists from our heroes to find your next read!

The Latest at Book Hero

View all