Parents' Guide to

It's So Amazing!

By Carrie R. Wheadon, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 7+

Engaging, straightforward guide to sex ed basics for tweens.

Book Robie H. Harris Body Awareness 2004
It's So Amazing! Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this book.

Community Reviews

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age 10+

Based on 3 parent reviews

Elysse M.
Elysse M. Parent of 2, 8 and 10-year-old
August 29, 2020
age 7+

great book about human bodies and how they work

it may feel strange to introduce these topics to a kid that's 7 or 8. but by that time, they will likely start hearing about some mature topics from peers, at school or older kids at the playground. as a parent/family member you have an important choice: do you want your kid(s) to learn YOUR values around sex, or someone else's? if you don't start the conversation before they finish elementary school, you've chosen the latter. this book presents 100% scientifically-accurate information about human physiology, birth control, HIV, masturbation and sexual abuse in language appropriate for older elementary-school kids and tweens. it can be tricky to figure out how to start sex education conversations with your kid(s) in middle childhood. this book is a great place to start! I always recommend Robie Harris's books whenever I do a presentation to parents.

This title has:

Educational value
Great messages
Great role models
MomTeachRead
MomTeachRead Adult
June 17, 2019
age 14+

Such better books out there

I am 100% in favor of being completely honest with kids about life science. Don't buy the hype about this book, however. There is "honest," and then there is "unnecessary." Kids age 7 and up absolutely should be told the truth about where babies come from. But do they need to learn about contraception? Have it reiterated to them that abortion is ending a pregnancy, and consequence-free? For a book supposedly about how "amazing" reproduction is, it glosses over birth, and focuses entirely too much on every detailed aspect of physical relations you can think of--again, for 7+. There are much better books out there.

This title has:

Too much sex
See all 3 parent reviews

What's the Story?

Starting with a chapter called "Curious? Embarrassed? Confused?" and explaining to kids that "it's perfectly normal" to feel that way about where babies come from, even if they think they know a few things already. IT'S SO AMAZING! then launches into all the big sex-ed questions: where babies come from, how boys and girls are the same and different and what male and female sexual organs actually do, how the sperm gets to its destination, what pregnancy and birth is like, and even the basics on chromosomes and genes. It also covers topics like different kinds of love (including homosexual love), different kinds of families, adoption, HIV/AIDS, birth control, what touches are "okay" and "not okay" and how to tell someone about "not okay" touches, and why growing up is "so amazing."

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (3 ):
Kids say (1 ):

This book does what it sets out to do in a very straightforward manner that all kids will appreciate, and it doesn't talk down to them for a second. It's So Amazing! covers even more ground than Robie H. Harris' It's Not the Stork, and gets where tweens probably are in their knowledge about such things: They've gathered a few facts and some half-truths and some things that aren't so true and are embarrassed to admit that they can't tell the difference, with some kids even deciding that they don't want to really know at all, and what's the fuss all about anyway? The bird and bee cartoon characters that are present throughout do a good job of expressing both common kid viewpoints, and kids' reactions to these characters will help parents start good conversations with kids about what they're thinking. If you're only looking to discuss certain topics at certain times, the table of contents lays out each section very clearly.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about any questions they may have after sharing It's So Amazing! What did you know already? What do you want to know more about?

  • Why are these topics hard to talk about? What do kids find embarrassing? What do parents find embarrassing? Are you less embarrassed now that you know the facts?

  • Do you think the things the bird and bee cartoon characters say express how kids feel and what they might wonder about?

Book Details

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