Customer Reviews

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

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

I received this book from my parents when I was 10 or so. Like many kids, I was not big on talking to my parents about sex. Or rather, it was hard for me. It's hard to talk to your parents about something like that. I was a smart, curious kid who had nowhere to turn and I'm so thankful to my mom for buying this for me.

I'm 24 now, but this book still is with me in thought, which is why I'm here to review it. "It's Perfectly Normal" taught me to be okay with myself. How I looked, how I felt, who I was attracted to. It was frank on how sex worked and the importance of safe sex.

I know it's hard for some parents to look at this book and think about giving it to your kid when it talks about masturbation, birth control and types of sex other than vaginal. But you do not want your kid learning about oral and anal sex, or that the pull out method is birth control or anything like that from the internet or whispers in the locker room. This book teaches these things maturely and with respect. Kids are curious, best to have them learn from the right source.

I truly hope if any parents, teachers or guardians are looking for a sex education book for a child in their lives, that they pick up this book. It'll help the kids come to term with such a confusing time in their lives and answer questions they have but don't want to ask.

It's left me feeling perfectly normal.

This book is now 15 years old, and it is still the best available book of sexuality information for the preteen age group. The information on body parts, puberty, reproduction, birth, diseases, and the emotional swings that accompany adolescence is presented simply and matter-of-factly. There are no photo's. Instead, there are explicit drawings of both internal and external body parts. For entertainment, two cartoon characters, a bird and a bee, give a running commentary on the material on almost every page.

This book is a perfect aid for teaching responsible sexuality to preteens.

I was impressed with the first book in this series my daughter read two years ago - "It's Not The Stork". Well written, well illustrated and a great way to introduce concepts in sexual development - a good basis to start discussions and education in our home with our daughter. I disagree with the age recommendations on the the titles - the first was appropriate for 7-8 (not 4 y/o) and this one seems appropriate for 13-14 y/o. I'll keep this book tucked away for about 3 years before introducing it to my daughter, but will buy the second ("It's So Amazing") for her to read now.

while i like the way the book is written in general, there is information in here that I can't see showing a 10 year old. when it talks about the details of the sex act, it also mentions oral and anal sex. it also discusses birth control options in detail, some help with putting on condoms, and discussion about why people get abortions.

This is an ideal book for a young boy about to enter his teen years. It covers information about changing bodies and emerging sexuality honestly and neutrally in simple language that will promote understanding, acceptance and tolerance. Its treatment of alternative orientations is presented as just part of human reality without judgement, sensationalism, or highlighted emphasis. It is treated with the same neutral explanation as the appearance of body hair, or the need for exercise. In this day when bullying is at a peak, and when sexual orientation is at the forefront of the political and social debate it is great to see how simply the subject matter can be presented. It should be a great comfort to any parent with kids transitioning to their teen years as a guide to handling their own conversations about what it means to be entering this complex time of their lives. It doesn't have to be hard or embarrassing or intimidating. This book shows just how simple these conversations can be. It not only guides an emerging teen through all the physical aspects of their transition, but also the emotional changes they are likely to experience. I wish a book like this had been given to me. I would not have had to rely so much on school yard yarns and guesswork of my friends. Thank you American Medical Association.

This is a great book to discuss sex with who your child going into puberty. At first my son did not want to use the word sex. However this help him realize its NOT a bad word and it had diffrent meanings. It also help me with the discussion of where children come from and how is was conceived. I really like the book and it help with the " sex " conversation as well as helping him understand what is happening with his body as he gets older.

I have been reading the first book in this series "It's NOT the Stork" to my 6-year old son. My 10-year old has worked his way from that one through "It's So Amazing" to now starting "It's Perfectly Normal". It was on my husband's nightstand for us to preview for a month and our son was so eager for the new information that he asked for it multiple times.

As with anything related to child-rearing, it is up to parents to determine what their child is ready for. He is doing great with it and is asking tons of excellent, insightful questions that show us he's able to handle the information and is taking it seriously. Ten year olds are surrounded by kids whose bodies are changing, even if theirs isn't yet. My son's best friend's voice has changed and he's clearly entered puberty already. Kids want to understand what's happening with their friends and what's coming for them. I think that as soon as a child is ready to handle this information it's great to share it -- best to do so when they're old enough to understand but young enough to ask tons of questions without embarrassment.

I absolutely love this series and recommend it to every parent I know!

I was so worried about having to have the talk with my older son and dreading it. A friend of mine told me about this book and I looked it up and bought it. I gave it to my 11 year old and so far, so good. No questions yet, but he knows he can talk to us about anything. I looked through this book and it is very informative and age appropriate. Thank you.

I was very pleased with this book. It did a good job of explaining things in a factual, not overly scientific, yet still very concise and educational manner.
I would recommend this book for both boys and girls who are in the preteen stage.

I had my daughter read this book first, and then we went out for a nice dinner, just the two of us, and had her ask me any questions that she had about what she read. The pictures and information and perfect for the recommended age level. I am very pleased with this entire series.