It's Perfectly Normal: Changing Bodies, Growing Up, Sex, and Sexual Health
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A lot or a little?
The parents' guide to what's in this book.
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that the 20th-anniversary edition of It's Perfectly Normal: Changing Bodies, Growing Up, Sex, and Sexual Health is an unflinching and fully illustrated guide to sexual health for girls and boys that presents sexual activity as enjoyable but requiring mature, careful decision-making. It supports postponing and abstaining from sex but also provides information on contraception and abortion. Author Robie H. Harris and illustrator Michael Emberley (whose collaborations for younger readers include It's Not the Stork! and It's So Amazing!) use both scientific language and slang to ensure both accuracy and relevance. Plentiful graphic illustrations show female and male genitalia, sexual intercourse, masturbation, childbirth, and more. The text is comprehensive and detailed, describing different types of sexual behavior (including, briefly, oral and anal sex), explaining what orgasm feels like, and comparing the availability and effectiveness of various forms of birth control. Parents will want to review the content before sharing the updated guide with children, and be prepared to discuss.
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What's the story?
IT'S PERFECTLY NORMAL starts by defining sex: gender, reproduction, desire, and intercourse. It depicts different types of bodies and internal and external sex organs, then explains how girls' and boys' bodies -- and feelings -- change during puberty. The section on families discusses sexual intercourse, conception, pregnancy, birth, and other options for starting families (such as in vitro fertilization -- IVF -- and adoption). Another section focuses on making decisions about abstinence, postponing sexual intercourse, and using contraception, and outlines current U.S. laws regarding abortion. The final section covers online safety, sexual abuse, sexually transmitted infections, HIV/AIDS, and making healthy, responsible choices.
Is it any good?
Human sexuality is timeless but not unchanging -- and this fresh update of Robie H. Harris' 1994 classic helps guide kids coming of age at a time when digital media can be both a blessing and a curse. It's Perfectly Normal aims to arm kids with knowledge to make informed, thoughtful decisions about their sexual behavior and relationships, and it does so with a frankness that some families will find refreshing while others may feel it's inappropriate.
Harris and illustrator Michael Emberley take a straightforward and inclusive approach, portraying a diverse range of ethnicities and body types, discussing different religious and personal beliefs, and encouraging respect for individual preferences. They also dive into contemporary concerns about cyberbullying, respecting boundaries, sexting, and online pornography and misinformation. Parents should review it first to make sure it's right for their children and to prepare for follow-up conversations.
Talk to your kids about ...
Families can talk about why people often are uncomfortable talking about sex and whether It's Perfectly Normal makes it easier. Are you more comfortable talking about sex with your family, or do you prefer learning from books like this?
Have you come across sexual content online or in talking with friends that's upsetting or confusing?
Do you have unanswered questions after reading this book? If so, talk to your doctor or another trusted adult.
Book details
- Author: Robie H. Harris
- Illustrator: Michael Emberley
- Genre: Body Awareness
- Topics: Great Boy Role Models, Great Girl Role Models, Middle School, Science and Nature
- Book type: Non-Fiction
- Publisher: Candlewick Press
- Publication date: August 8, 2014
- Publisher's recommended age(s): 10 - 18
- Number of pages: 112
- Available on: Paperback, Nook, Hardback, Kindle
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