It's Perfectly Normal: Changing Bodies, Growing Up, Sex, and Sexual Health (The Family Library)

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Editorial Reviews:

Product Description
"Alternately playful and realistic, Emberley's . . . art reinforces
Harris's message that bodies come in all sizes, shapes, and colors — and that each variation is 'perfectly normal.'" — PUBLISHERS WEEKLY (starred review)

When young people have questions about sex, real answers can be hard to find. Providing accurate, unbiased answers to nearly every imaginable question, from conception and puberty to birth control and AIDS, IT'S PERFECTLY NORMAL offers young people the information they need — now more than ever — to make responsible decisions and to stay healthy. Already used as a trusted resource in twenty-five countries around the world (and translated into twenty-one languages), IT'S PERFECTLY NORMAL marks its tenth anniversary with a thoroughly updated edition that includes the latest information on such topics as birth control, hepatitis, HIV, and adoption, among others. This definitive new edition also reflects the recent input of parents, teachers, librarians, clergy, scientists, health professionals, and young readers themselves.

Customer Reviews: Read 57 more reviews...

5 out of 5 stars

Excellent choice! October 16, 1999
116 out of 134 found this review helpful

I hardly know where to start in praising this book! The writing is very frank, and may provide more than some parents wish their kids to know at this stage. The drawings are cartoonish, but still realistic enough to make sense and appeal to kids. Two friends, a bird and a bee, appear on every page to make comments on the text, and provide every reader with someone to identify with - the bird is excited about growing up, while the bee is embarrassed and not as interested. Boys and girls will appreciate knowing that they are learning the same stuff (there aren't two copies for either gender). Just about every topic is addressed, if briefly: reproduction, homosexuality, physiology, menstruation, erections and ejaculation, changes in body shape and smell, changes in emotions, masturbation, families and pregnancy, birth control/family planning, sexual abuse, STD's and AIDS - everything! The best part, though, is the two page spread of drawings of different types of naked bodies: fat, thin, tall, all colors, all ages, even people in wheelchairs. These two pages alone are worth the price of the book.

5 out of 5 stars

It's Perfectly Normal January 7, 2001
80 out of 98 found this review helpful

Kids talk about sex A LOT. The problem is they often pass on incorrect information. This book is perfect to make sure that what they learn is correct, accurate and healthy. I read 1/3 of this book to my 9-year-old daughter and despite the late hour, she was mesmerized. The pictures are explicit, but is necessary so that children make no mistake about what is being discussed. It also has funny cartoons that address people's attitudes about sex, and which a kid can relate to. I like the part where it covers the various definitions of sex: gender, desire, reproduction, intercourse and homosexuality. Kids really do get warped concepts of sex and this book covers all the ways people talk about it (silly jokes) and their attitudes about it. The book also covers anatomy, puberty, families and babies, birth control, and staying healthy. It's well organized, well-written and concise. I recommend every parent who hears the word sex uttered from their child's lips, read this book to him/her. Even teenagers can benefit from this information.

2 out of 5 stars

A manual guide to why Abstinence is best....um, I think :P May 30, 2006
73 out of 99 found this review helpful

We have "It's So Amazing" and I was looking for something more puberty specific for my daughter to read. I was reading it last night and I was SHOCKED at how blunt the book is. Now, I consider myself to be a relatively liberal & laid back person, and openness about sexuality is not a problem at our house. However this book reads like something out of an abstinence manual. It starts off with the basics....the hows and whys....then slowly moves on to pregnancy....uh, huh, yep....then it starts spiraling downward from there. Want to have sex? You'll end up pregnant and need an abortion. Still think sex is fun? Well look at ALL THE STDs you can get from having sex, and lets go in to it in the most graphic detail we can. Haven't had enough? Well, have sex and you'll get AIDS. That's right, we've even included a picture of you, in the hospital, hooked up to an IV because you're dying of AIDS.

My take on the book? Just don't have sex. You'll get pregnant. And it will kill you.

Seriously, all humor aside....this is a book that is supposed to be for children 10 years and up, and the subject matter is just WAY too intense for a young child. Some of that stuff is info you will learn as you are older and can emotionally and mentally process it. I am not too sure WHY the author felt the need to be so blunt....it starts off as though the reader has no concept of puberty and sexuality and quickly moves on to abortion and STDs. In the reviews at Amazon.com a lot of people complained about "questionable morality" issues in the book. Quite the opposite, I think this a great book for those who support abstinence.....I think.

1 out of 5 stars

Not for preteens... January 25, 2003
58 out of 132 found this review helpful

I personally do not think that I would use this book at all for any age child or teen, but I am very concerned that its "recommended" age range is 9-12. I wouldn't want my 9-year-old child seeing drawings of naked men and women, learning how to put on a condom, and reading about how scientists are "working hard" to make the abortion pill available to the general public. This book treats abortion very lightly, making it appear to be something not serious that people do casually, not the life-altering and painful decision that it is. If you really want to use this book at all, I would wait at least until your children enter high school.

3 out of 5 stars

A middle schoolers piont of veiw May 7, 2000
52 out of 64 found this review helpful

I have to say I haven't completely read this book, but I stumbled across it while doing some research at my school library. Personally, I think it's great that this book is so open...sex shouldn't be hidden away in the closet. In this day and age, it's important to talk about sex, and books like this are helpful. Many kids my age have sexual encounters, but still don't know all the basics. I live in an international community, and some parents leave their children in the dark. Further more, no matter how well a parent educates their child, there are ALWAYS questions, trust me. It's good for anyone, to be able to get answers, because talking about sex with your parents is very rarely comfortable. However, a lot of the illustrations in this book disturbed me. I know at my age it's not nessary to be embarresed, but some of the pictures were...too detailed...too graphic. It's great to be open about sex and love....just make sure it doesn't go too far.

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