Yes perhaps there is a liberal bias to the book, but the bottom line is that for parents who are too nervous to be honest with their children about these issues, this book is a high quality alternative option. My mom bought it for me when I confessed my fears of puberty, getting my period, and the fact that girls I knew had been masturbating since the age of six. I needed to know that masturbation was not going to send me to hell, and my mother certainly wasn't going to broach that subject. I also appreciated the take on normalizing homosexuality, a subject I was exceedingly curious about at the time. I needed the information on contraceptives and it provided it to me. Is it better to be ignorant and then end up pregnant at 14 or to be given the relevant information before experimentation starts? Keep in mind most kids begin experimenting with sex in the 6th grade... Conservative voices should remember that their kids are at risk too, and their kids deserve to be informed as much as anyone.

"It's Perfectly Normal" is an excellent sex education guide for older kids
and teenagers. It describes sex and sexuality frankly both in text and in
well-done cartoons. Only the most prudish would be offended by this book.

This book touches on more subjects than I had anticipated. I read the book with my daughter and at first I thought I would skip some areas, but know if my daughter does not hear it from me, she WILL hear it from someone else.

I'm concerned about some of the negative comment on this work. For example, sex will cause disease (without qualification.) If so, why doesn't it after a stable relationship, not necessarily marriage, is formed? If a parent writes this, then he/she is refuting his/her own argument. Why is he/she still alive after conceiving the child?
The abstinence ideal is only that - an ideal. Some keep to it (I did), others don't. The fear of death can't fight hormones. Teach sense, not blunt abstinence. Changes will be occurring anyway with puberty. Do you imagine young people don't notice? My first sex lesson, many years ago, I still remember: it was written, in crude terms, in crayon on a wall. I couldn't believe it, and didn't ask my parents. Consequence of ignorance: I was male-raped years later. I'd never had a girlfriend. My later marriage failed, again through overbearing religious creeds, preaching what was plainly total nonsense.
If it's open, so much the better. Are parents afraid of the subject? Mine were - with the above results. I didn't know, at 25, male rape was possible, and walked straight into a trap. What's so frightening about truth and fact, about openness? And above all, ditch one thing: moralising. Nature, like me, has no time for it and its rantings.

I checked out this book for my 17 year old son who was writing a paper on puberty. Most of the text content is great but the pictures are pornographic cartoons. I also have an 11 year old son and was planning on letting him read it. Once I reviewed it, it went straight into my car to be returned to the library. As far as the text goes, most of it was pretty informative and well written for the preteen age group but there were also plenty of references (with lots of pictures) of masturbation, homosexuality, etc. that were way too graphic for anyone under the age of 16 years. Fair warning here: don't buy it for any innocent kids especially ones that don't know anything at all!

It's Perfectly Normal: Changing Bodies, Growing Up, Sex, and Sexual Health (Robie Sex Books)
As the title states "growing up", that's what these people who give this book a poor rating should do. If you want your child properly prepared for the world ahead of them, this is the book. It clearly, and in a very cute way, states FACTS ! Of course, I want my children to grow up heterosexual, as I am. Of course I want my children to have a "healthy & proper" sex life ahead of them. THAT IS WHY I BOUGHT THIS BOOK. We cannot control who or what our children will become, we can only GUIDE them correctly, and let them know that THEY are okay, no matter "who" they are. When they enter the teen/adult years, this world will be twice as insane and confusing as when we did. Knowledge is POWER ! Yes, I wish life was easier and more carefree, as when I was a child; but many years of law enforcement (not metro/ but suburban & rural) have proven that kind of life no longer exists. These sheltered, simple minded, negative rating people, have NO clue as to not who, but WHAT, wanders among our children. No, I don't agree with every single thing portrayed in the book, but that's why I will tell my children to ASK, ASK, ASK, if you have ???'s, as I will ask them ???'s. This book is for an educated, informed, alert; parent who wants to give their child the freedom to learn & explore, health & sexuality. Let's give our children the POWER of knowledge & understanding to help them with their decisions. The book covers just about every aspect of sexuality, reproduction, health, emotions, etc. Much of the contents is nearly identical to the AMA versions, but in a friendlier atmosphere. I won't have my 9 year old daughter reading it for awhile, that's why I purchased "The Body Book for Girls"; but I'm sure my 13 year old son will find "It's Perfectly Normal," to be perfectly normal by our family values. Good luck everyone through this tough phase of parenting, as we try to REALLY prepare our children for the real world.

This is my favorite book for kids 10 and older. It covers everything pre-teens and teens need to know about sexuality, puberty, birth control, STD/HIV, and relationships! Robie Harris tackles this subject with warmth and humor - she understands her audience and your kids will return to this book over and over.

Parents will appreciate her tone and the matter of fact way she handles the complex and confusing world of adolescence and puberty. Be sure to read it yourself before handing it off to your kids - while there probably isn't anything you didn't already know, you want to be sure it reflects your values.

And remember, this should supplement the ongoing conversations in your family and isn't a replacement for the information and values your kids want and need to learn from you. Especially as they start to date and sexual activity is truly on the horizon. When parents are open about sex, love and relationships, kids do better.

I bought this book to help get through 'the talk' with my daughter. It was very blunt and to the point, but I think that is a great thing.

this book is one of the top 10 most highly questionable books in 2007.
it ranked #9.
i think parents should explain these things. your child should hear it from you.

This book is just what every parent of a preeteen needs. It covers all the "taboo" topics many parents are uncomfortable discussing with their kids. I feel better knowing my daughter is armed with facts as she enters her teen years.

What I love about this series of books (we also own "It's So Amazing") is that they give enough information to answer the questions your kids may have about growing up and sex, but they don't overwhelm them. The characters of "Bird" and "Bee" also reinforce the fact that learning about the subject matter can be both interesting (Bird's perspective) and kinda uncomfortable/gross (Bee's perspective)...and that either feeling is not only okay, but normal.

My daughter and I read this book together, so that I can answer any additional questions that may come up. I highly recommend this book as part of your child's sexual education.

Let me start off by saying that I'm a 26 year old guy, single, with no kids. I hear about this book from a conservative watchdog group and to satisfy my curiosity I read it for myself. I was surprised to find it in my local library in the juvenile section considering how controversial this book is.

The content itself is not that much different than what I learned in 5th, 8th, and 11th grade. It describes the biological differences between men
and women, the changes that occur in puberty, and the process of birth. The section on abortion is politically balanced -- which is surprising for a book promoted by Planned Parenthood. The author also reiterates thought out the book that sex can be dangerous and should only be done when you are mature enough for it. She says that the only safe and guaranteed way to avoid STD's and pregnancy is abstinence, which is what I learned in school.

However, the book has a lot of things that are inappropriate for 10 year olds. It gives way too much information on the use of contraception. It also graphically shows the naked male and female body, including an erect penis, repeatedly. It shows a boy and a girl masturbating. It also shows a couple having sex twice in the books. It condones homosexuality and makes no mention of marriage. I'd be concerned that kids mike think they are "mature enough" before they really are given this information and imagery.

Personally, I would not consider giving it to anyone under 13 or 14 to read, if even that. I would not want to have it in my personal library, and I might not even want my kids to read it at all. Other people might think that this material is appropriate for their children, and that's okay. That is their right as parents. In my mind the book doesn't necessarily deserve 1 star but it doesn't deserve more that two.

I ordered this book for my 5th grade daughter. The title of this book looked harmless and full of information that I was seeking, so I purchased it. I was not aware that is was considered "perfectly normal" to engage in homo sexual activities as a part of adolescence. Unfortunately this book was full of other "normals" that I was not prepared for, let alone comfortable sharing and teaching my 5th grader (or High School student for that matter!).

I ordered this from a book club, so I was unable to thumb through it. Had I been, I would not have boughten it! When I was age 10 (heck 17 for that matter), I didn't know what it looked like for two people to have sex or what a man's naked organs look like. I turend out okay. I was a virgin until age 18 and by then I learned enough in high school health class to know about birth control etc.. I agree with what others have said that this is a how-to guide and the pictures are way too graphic for a kid. I also don't see whats wrong with letting our kids be kids a little longer. Do they really need to see this at such a young age. Also, I am against abortion and homosexuality, which this book does nothing but promote!

This book is just what I was looking for to further explain the facts of life to our two daughters.

This is the perfect book for a parent wishing to be completely open & honest about sex with their child. Yes, the cartoonish images are very graphic, but this book is not meant to be just handed over to your child. 'It's Perfectly Normal' talks about puberty, good hygeine, new feelings, masturbation, sexual intercourse, birth control (including abstinence!), peer pressure, STD's, homosexuality, & sexual abuse. If you would rather have your child find all this out on their own, whether it be from friends or by experimentation, than don't bother. I, myself, would prefer that my children learn about all this from me. When my 11 yr old asked me last week what a condom was (because she heard about them from a friend), I couldn't get to a bookstore quick enough for this book. I had no idea where to start without making both of us feel awkward & this book saved the day! Wake up folks! Your child is going to find out all about everything in this book... do you want them to have the right info & be able to sit & talk about it, or do you want them to find out on their own & be mis-informed? I can guarantee you that your relationship with your child will be better off if you're open & honest. In the end, your child will know they can come to you with anything & get an honest answer.

Kids start to ask questions about sex at a young age. A great book for the littler kids is "Hair in Funny Places." When they are ready for the next level up, you can't find a better book than It's Perfectly Normal.

Some reviews think this book is inappropriate unless your kids are teens. Did you know that studies show 13% of females and 15% of males aged 15-19 in 2002 had already had intercourse for the first time before age 15? An NBC News poll reports 14% of 13 to 14 year-olds are already sexually active. Not my kid, you say? Better safe than sorry, experts reply. Waiting until your kids are teens could be too late.

My child is 8. He's started asking questions that go beyond how babies are made. This book is an outstanding resource. I don't just hand it to him, it's a supervised, interactive conversation and he only reads what he's drawn to - I never push more information than he wants and he always puts it down when he's had enough.

When sticky subjects come up, this book is where I go to have a conversation with him...it reduces my embarrassment and helps him understand what I'm saying w/o opportunity for miscommunication.

If you live in the real world, you need this book for your kids. Or you can hide your head in the sand...and wait for a Juno situation in your family.

This book is full of information for both boys and girls and while my sons chuckled when I first gave it to them the book is well worn and they have answers to the questions I never wanted them to ask. I dont recommend it for children under the age of 10 or you will wind up with more question than answers. Some of the drawings were a bit much but truthful. Overall I think all "tweens" would benifit from this book. It is straight to the point and answers question they might not want to ask an adult or that an adult might not want to answer.

My oldest son says he read the book, It's Perfectly Normal" by Robbie Harris the first night it arrived. He seemed very interested in it. It covers far more topics than the "changing body." Sexual orientation, birth control, HIV, and abortion are all covered. The cartoons are detailed. While I would have been happy with a book to just explain hairy armpits and erections and not necessarily all the other topics, I am glad we have the book in the house. I am leaving it on the book shelf so they can access it anytime. I have also clipped a few articles of particular interest and let my sons know I tucked it in the book for whenever they want to read it.

I ended up with two copies of the book. I put one in my waiting room at the office. As a physician I feel its my repsonsibility to lead parents in the right direction with their pre-adolescents. I have had a few comments from parents about the graphic contents. They way I see it is, if my 9 and 11 yo are talking about "gay" and "desire" and "man boobs" and "penis'" etc..., they need to have access to factul information.

I liked how it discussed the realistic problems with sex including pregnancy and infection. My boys watch lots of movies and they need to know its not all glamour.

I've used this book as the text for a 5th-grade Sunday School course in sexuality. And, I've used it to teach both my son and daughter, now ages 19 and 16. The book is perfect for kids who are below the age of consent, but are beginning to experience puberty and be aware of changes in their own bodies and those of their peers. The graphics are line drawings; there is no photography. The book does a good job of illustrating a wide range of body types of both young and old people, which is great for kids who may be worried that "normal" people look like TV and movie stars.

"It's Perfectly Normal" is a great looking book aimed at informing children about their natural sexual development. I give the author Robie H. Harris and illustrator Michael Emberley credit for creating a book with appeal for a wide range of ages, though it certainly invites ire from those who have a distorted view of human sexuality and wish to deprive their offspring of information, in the same way (no doubt) that they were so deprived.

Perhaps in an effort to maintain the status quo and not raise issues with children who have been cut, the information presented here about male circumcision is to an astute reader highly questionable. The author states, "Some babies have their foreskins removed a few days after they are born, by a doctor or a specially trained religious person." The very curious structure of this sentence appears to put the infant in control of the situation. Quite the opposite of the reality of infant circumcision, in which the child has no say in the matter.

Harris goes on to state, "Although a circumcised penis looks different than an uncircumcised penis, both work the same way and equally well."

The falseness of that statement is readily apparent to anyone with even a rudimentary understanding of male genital structure and function. The natural penis has a mobile shaft of its own erogenous skin to facilitate maximal pleasure and function. This highly enervated skin is very dense with specialized nerve endings. For a genitally intact boy the investigation and discovery of his glans as his foreskin begins to naturally retract is part of his normal sexual development. For a boy who has been circumcised there is no such discovery, in fact he will have to accommodate the information that someone, who felt they knew better than nature, cut off the movable part of his penis.

Findings from a recent penile sensitivity test concluded that circumcision ablates the most sensitive parts of the penis. Fathering Magazine reported, "Depending on how "tightly" one was cut 20 to 80 percent of the sexually sensitive tissue was removed."

Given the author's ability to discuss other potentially controversial topics, (she devotes a whole chapter to abortion) the few words on circumcision are severely lacking; perhaps she is even being deliberately obtuse. Had she devoted her considerable skills to fairly and honestly presenting the issues around infant circumcision with the same care she gave abortion this book would have received a much higher rating from me.

To me it seems that the PURPOSE of this book is to ENCOURAGE YOUR CHILD TO HAVE SEX, show them how to have sex, and that anything they feel like doing is "perfectly normal" (with the aid of "harmless" cartoons). I took a look at this book and was dismayed how both graphic and slanted it was, especially considering that this book is supposed to be for 10-year-olds (who comes up with these recommended ages anyhow?)! Definitely will NOT be showing it to my daughter!

I believe that the use of cartoons to promote sex to children is akin to the Joe Camel advertisements for cigarettes...cartoons appeal to children. Just like cigarettes are not appropriate for a 10-year old, neither is this book. The reason I make this comparison is because this book is used as a free promotional item by organizations and corporations (such as Planned Parenthood) which profit from providing health services chiefly to people who engage in sex...the riskier (it's perfectly normal) the more profitable, and if an unwanted pregnancy occurs...$$$). This book is deceiving and is really advertising aimed at your child. Why do I think believe this?

This book is chock-full of things I would not want to show a child including people having sex, masturbating, a girl squatting and bent over with her genitals exposed and just scores of drawings throughout of naked people (I might add also that the drawings are poorly executed).

This book will show your child how to use just about any method of birth control but unlike a truthful source makes no mentions of the risks involved with hormonal birth control and I found it misleading at best to liken an STD to a cold or flu.

I also observed that out of the 28 topics, only one (#24) did not show any cartoons at all...abortion. It also lists 9 reasons why a woman should get an abortion but not one why she shouldn't. I see some bias here (which is undoubtedly why the nation's largest abortion provider gives this book away to children free of charge).

A strange aspect of this book is that the author finds it necessary to state that "the ancient Greeks thought that love between two men was the highest form of love" and goes on to explain that homosexual warriors were most feared (p. 17). Ironically neither in this section nor the sexual abuse section (#25) does the author mention that the MOST COMMON form of homosexual relationship in Greece was "paiderastia" or a man having sex with a boy. I think if the author wants to use the ancient Greeks as an example they should explain the situation a little more accurately.

Please, when it comes time for you to teach your child about sex, don't just hand them a book (especially this one). Please, sit down and TALK WITH them. Don't let Joe Camel fool your child into thinking that just any type of behavior is perfectly normal...

I love this book! I purchased it for my almost 11 year old granddaughter.

It speaks frankly and is very easy to understand. The drawings are anatomically correct without being lewd. The material is presented in a "no nonsense" way which promotes understanding but is not judgemental.

Wish I had this when I was a young girl.

The real test will be my granddaughter's comments when she reads it.

I, too, was really surprised by the scattered negative reviews of this book. My husband, daughter and I have read less than half of it together, but have enjoyed its friendly, informative style and already the parent-child lines of communication are solidly set and wide open.
I purchased the book several months ago for my 8 yo daughter in anticipation of questions I could already feel coming. Not a month afterward I discovered our pediatrician has a copy in her office and recommends it to other parents. I admit to being a little apprehensive about showing my 8 yo some of the more graphic drawings (they are cartoonish, but still correct), but we have been able to share many deep conversations that started with one basic question.
This is not a book you hand over to your child and offer to answer any questions later - share it, read it, discuss it together and enjoy knowing you have reinforced reliable information, a positive self image and a strong relationship with your son or daughter.

WOW - this is a fabulous book - I found it at my local library when searching for something balanced and informational for my husband to show my 10 year-old step-son.

I think the illustrations, while accurate, are not lewd or pornographic, and quite frankly I'm stunned by the negative reviews of this book. The fact that it has been listed to be banned amazes me.

I believe that the best deterrent to unwanted teenage pregnancy, abortion, STDs, etc., is educating young people about positive human sexuality.

I highly recommend this book. It is informative, interesting, presents an up-front and broad perspective, and leaves the moral message to the families. My boys, now 9 and 13, found it fascinating and poured over it for hours. A great resource for both the facts and for reassuring the kids that they are, in fact, normal - and that there is a very wide range of both normal and healthy: a necessary message for children in a phase where they believe that they are the only ones who...

This book came to me through the Our Whole Lives faith and sexuality curriculum. It has two partner books, for older age groups. All three are excellent, and have been "tested" with several friends' families.

I highly recommend this book, and its "younger siblings," It's So Amazing and It's Not the Stork. Check out all three, then look for a church or organization that offers Our Whole Lives!

Wonderful book! Perfect for teaching children about sex and a wholesome, healthy way.

Well what *IS* normal anyway? If normal to you is giving your child a book with lots of comic style nudity, directions for masterbating, exactly HOW to have sex (etc.) then you might want to grab this and run! If your child is average to above average intellectually he or she will have a full understanding of how to pleasure him or herself and how to perform the deed by the time they are finished. Of course there are warnings of pregancy, sickness (STD'S), and death (AIDS) if they are to do this while unprotected, so no worries there. You'd have to see the book to believe it. I was shocked when I started looking through it, and was doubling over with laughter that I had actually considered giving this to my 10 year old son. Actually, I did hand it to him in the car before I actually looked at it and he was shocked by the second page, gave it back and said "I think this is WAY too old for me Mama", and it turned out he was right! I'll never hand him something like that again without looking first.

Well what *IS* normal anyway? If normal to you is giving your child a book with lots of comic style nudity, directions for masterbating, exactly HOW to have sex (etc.) then you might want to grab this and run! If your child is average to above average intellectually he or she will have a full understanding of how to pleasure him or herself and how to perform the deed by the time they are finished. Of course there are warnings of pregancy, sickness (STD'S), and death (AIDS) if they are to do this while unprotected, so no worries there. You'd have to see the book to believe it. I was shocked when I started looking through it, and was doubling over with laughter that I had actually considered giving this to my 10 year old son. Actually, I did hand it to him in the car before I actually looked at it and he was shocked by the second page, gave it back and said "I think this is WAY too old for me Mama", and it turned out he was right! I'll never hand him something like that again without looking first.

I received this book as a gift. There are quite a few books on this subject on the market and this one is the best. I too could not put it down and finished it in 3 days. It's a huge book, a great resource that is well researched and written.. I have a few friends who've purchased this book and really loved it too. I can highly recommend this book

Author of
The Truth About
Caffeine

I purchased this for my 11 year old son. I am so thankful that I read this book before giving it to him or going straight to discussing it. The pictures are hand drawn but graphic. Far too much detail for the target audience. Kids need to know about sexuality but they don't need to know EVERYTHING before they are even teen-agers. I would be upset to find this in a school library. This book definitely needs to be used with supervision. I returned this book as I believe its content is inappropriate for the cover advertised age of 10 years old.

I purchased this for my 11 year old son. I am so thankful that I read this book before giving it to him or going straight to discussing it. The pictures are hand drawn but graphic. Far too much detail for the target audience. Kids need to know about sexuality but they don't need to know EVERYTHING before they are even teen-agers. I would be upset to find this in a school library. This book definitely needs to be used with supervision. I returned this book as I believe its content is inappropriate for the cover advertised age of 10 years old.

As a parent you should READ IT FIRST! If you are not comfortable with it's approach, then look for another book. We read it first and then discussed it with our son when we gave it to him. A few days later we asked him if he had any questions (or comments) about the book and a wonderful discussion ensued. He has had it for almost two years and we still discuss subjects as he finds changes occurring with his body.

We are able to discuss our religion's doctrine as it applies to sex and sexuality using facts. This book is not a substitute for parental guidance, it is a reference book worded for young inquisitive people. This is a book he refers to often and if he has questions or comments we discuss them. It provides us the information and topics for discussions that are addressed openly and factually. Wish this had been around when I was growing up!

Marina Kushner
Author
The Truth About Caffeine: How Companies That Promote It Deceive Us and What We Can Do about It

This is one of the best books on the subject of sexuality for children. Presented in plain talk with nicely drawn illustrations, it's neither too graphic nor too cartoonish for the 10-12 year old set. It covers a lot of topics they need/want to know about, and it's handled very tactfully.

I would recommend this as a great supplement to the actual talk parents have with their kids - it's a whole lot less embarrassing! Both my kids had a copy, and both thanked me for it.

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.

Some of the negative reviews of this book are based on the following premises:

1. If you simply don't talk about sex with your children, they'll never develop any interest in the subject on their own.
2. Providing information about contraception, homosexuality, and sex in general is the same as condoning it.
3. If you are uncomfortable sharing anything in this book with your children, then you have a right to demand that it be removed from library shelves so that NOBODY'S children can read it.
4. Planned Parenthood profits from providing abortion services, so they promote books such as this one to make sure that as many young people as possible will get one.
5. Providing information about homosexuality will turn your child into a [...].

Now, for the parents out there who are sane and rational: This book is a great starting point. It presents sexuality in a straightforward way that is accessible to children.

Personally, any discussion I would have with my child regarding sex would definitely include the emotional, psychological, and physical health hazards. This book does not have a lot to say about responsibility.

However, there is not a book out there that could ever be the first and last word on this subject. As I said, this is a great starting point.

This book is absolutely disgusting! Oh it'll teach your kids how to have sex alright! It will also teach them the "fun and friendly" way to masturbate have group sex and different sexual positions all in full color pictures!! It will teach them that they can have sex, whether normal or perverted, without any fear of consequences. But perhaps the worst atrocity of this book is that it teaches girls to abort their babies. It even gives nine 'perfectly normal' reasons why a girl should abort. Of course they fail to mention all of the consequences and after effects post-abortive women go through. Not to mention killing their own child. Please! Please! Do not subject your children to this piece of garbage!

This book tells it how it is, it does not glamorise the process of puberty or sex in any way, it tells it how it is.
Wake up and smell the roses children are beginning to experiment at a younger age nowadays and the responsible thing that we as adults should do is to provide them with the necessary information. It is a learning process that will take several years but it is our job to ensure that our children know what is happening to their bodies and how to prevent unwanted pregnancies and or disease. Knowledge is empowerment!

The book is colourful and informative and every pre-teen should read this with their parents.

All I can say is shame on you for rushing our children into areas they are not emotionally ready for. Obvious to me that the author has never seen the "normal" effects of a teenager who had an abortion. The internal struggle and depression that "normally" follows. Where are your cartoon pictures of that? Where are the cartoon representations of the child's spirit that is dying while they seek out the "normal" pleasures this book proscribes. America wake up!

My husband picked up this book while we were searching puberty books several years ago. Together, we sat at the books store and looked through the whole book. We were so impressed with the message it gives, with the education it provides.

A few years later, I enrolled our oldest daughter into a sexual education class O.W.L, Our Whole Lives, provided by a local UU church (we are not even affiliated with the church). Much to my surprise, part of their program was using this book.

I was happy with the class and happy with the book.

Who would find it necessary to show a ten year old pictures of naked people, from infants to teens to old gray haired people? Why would they need to see a picture of a girl and a boy masturbating? Not only is this simply unnecessary, but when one considers that Planned Parenthood (who is the largest abortion provider) supports this work, it becomes obvious why the book spends no time talking about why not to have sex...but instead simply talks about how much fun it is and how good it feels. And of course it talks about 9 or so reasons a girl might decide to have an abortion. And abortions are perfectly safe, of course! Are the people of America so blind and ignorant that they cannot see behind this corporation's thinly veiled tricks? Do people crave to pretend that morality is a fable so much that they will ruin their children's lives? This is downright horrible.

Oh yeah...they have pictures for EVERYTHING...except for the sections on STDs and abortion. Don't you think it would be more appropriate to show pictures of STDs rather than every other perverse picture they could imagine? And of course it suggests that it is "perfectly normal" for children to experiment with heterosexuality and homosexuality. Wow!

Who would find it necessary to show a ten year old pictures of naked people, from infants to teens to old gray haired people? Why would they need to see a picture of a girl and a boy masturbating? Not only is this simply unnecessary, but when one considers that Planned Parenthood (who is the largest abortion provider) supports this work, it becomes obvious why the book spends no time talking about why not to have sex...but instead simply talks about how much fun it is and how good it feels. And of course it talks about 9 or so reasons a girl might decide to have an abortion. And abortions are perfectly safe, of course! Are the people of America so blind and ignorant that they cannot see behind this corporation's thinly veiled tricks? Do people crave to pretend that morality is a fable so much that they will ruin their children's lives? This is downright horrible.

Oh yeah...they have pictures for EVERYTHING...except for the sections on STDs and abortion. Don't you think it would be more appropriate to show pictures of STDs rather than every other perverse picture they could imagine? And of course it suggests that it is "perfectly normal" for children to experiment with heterosexuality and homosexuality. Wow!

For the young and the younger, this book in an excellent choice to learn and find out more about the changing or bodies, growing-up, sex, and sexual health.

It contains cartoon panels to explain the changing such as menstruation, fertilization of an egg, childbirth. To know more about abortion, birth control, and many others.

Excellent and recommended!

For the young and the younger, this book in an excellent choice to learn and find out more about the changing or bodies, growing-up, sex, and sexual health.

It contains cartoon panels to explain the changing such as menstruation, fertilization of an egg, childbirth. To know more about abortion, birth control, and many others.

Excellent and recommended!

I love this book. It is perfect for young children curious about their own bodies as well as other people's bodies and about sex in general. Education is power and I want my kids to be empowered to get the best information about these topics before they hear misinformation from their peers (which they will). This book presents information in an age-appropriate way with no biases.

I love this book. It is perfect for young children curious about their own bodies as well as other people's bodies and about sex in general. Education is power and I want my kids to be empowered to get the best information about these topics before they hear misinformation from their peers (which they will). This book presents information in an age-appropriate way with no biases.

Bought this and was very disappointed, the cartoons and illustrations are just plain silly. If the child reading it needs illustrations like that to feel comfortable with the subject matter then they aren't not old enough to be reading it in the first place. I am much happier with the way this subject is handled in the book "What's Happening to my Body, for Boys"

Bought this and was very disappointed, the cartoons and illustrations are just plain silly. If the child reading it needs illustrations like that to feel comfortable with the subject matter then they aren't not old enough to be reading it in the first place. I am much happier with the way this subject is handled in the book "What's Happening to my Body, for Boys"

God, I came across this book when I was baby-sitting the neighbors' kids and was sort of horrified and amused at the same time. It was the same book I'd read when I was a kid. Parents, this is what a sex-ed book should be and it's a fantastic starter for your kids. It's very honest, very to the point, and from what I remember, it's not biased. Of course, at the decrepid age of eighteen, it's embarassing to look at it, but I'm just being an old codger (and it is nothing what Josh is whining about. Educate your kids so they don't run off and find out about STDs and pregnancy the hard way. For the record, I turned out fine and have been extremely well behaved.)