It's Perfectly Normal: Changing Bodies, Growing Up, Sex, and Sexual Health

Book review by Darienne Stewart, Common Sense Media
It's Perfectly Normal: Changing Bodies, Growing Up, Sex, and Sexual Health Poster Image

Common Sense says

age 12+

Informative, updated, explicit sex ed book.

Robie H. Harris Body Awareness 2014
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Parents say

age 14+

Based on 9 reviews

Kids say

age 11+

Based on 6 reviews

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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.

Community Reviews

funny1833
funny1833 Adult
October 26, 2020
age 11+

Kids are curious

Kids are curious. They think about sex a lot (not the younger kids but the older kids.) Most kids are curious about bodies and sex. If you know your kid is curious about sexual acts, but won't use this book for sexual acts then let them read this. your kid may be doing sexual acts already (Masturbation.) and kissing, if they have a boyfriend/girlfriend.

This title has:

Educational value
Nev360
Nev360 Adult
August 30, 2020
age 16+

Mixed - Misleading

This is not for a 9 - 15 year old. It's arguable to have it for a 16 year old due to a few bits of content. This is a very odd publication and the marketing flawed. You have this in a young reader cartoon style but the content is not for Children under 16 in it's entirety. Abortion, Anal sex, Masturbation.... put forth in cartoon style and marketed as 10-12 year old material is highly problematic. Promoting and proliferating sexual activity in this way, but sneaking it in as what a child should know and explore is troubling. This is not school curriculum material. Completely inappropriate to have on the shelves in the library. However, to have access to counselors to discuss with those individuals who need help in this arena due to unique situations (case by case basis) is very essential. There are children out there who need help, have abusive situations, and other unique experiences and require curated attention. This book has a bit of info that is age appropriate for 10-12 year old but then turns around and has added info that is completely inappropriate to be proliferated among our children under 16. This is not the way to introduce this content. Very poor execution of content and audience. Sexualizing children across the board like this is outrageous and there's really no getting around that fact. This is too much, and it's more dangerous than helpful. The entities behind pushing this material in this fashion are very troubling. Sex Ed is very important, and this all-in-one "dump" book onto 10-12 year olds is a fail. (I'm a teacher/parent and have never been a "pearl clutcher" ...just sayin'. I'll also say again, Sex Ed is very important. Age appropriateness when making anything "standardized" needs to be revisited and more programs available to help individuals on a case by case basis is essential. School funding has gone way down therefore the "standardizing" of information like this is only a cover for the real word here "lazy, flawed and irresponsible". )

This title has:

Too much sex
Too much consumerism
See all 9 parent reviews

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

Our Editors Recommend

For kids who love puberty books and healthy body image stories

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