Customer Reviews

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

5 star:		(32)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(18)

 

 

89 pages. Also published as "Let's Talk about Sex" in the UK.

This is the best sexuality education book for children I've seen (I have been looking at many). Visually, the book presents extremely well -- it's in color throughout, has enjoyable pictures (colored pencil drawings), and is not afraid of using nudity in pictures. It contains some great cartoons animating the processes of menstruation ("The Travels of the Egg"), ejaculation ("The Travels of the Sperm"), pregnancy ("The Further Adventures of the Egg and Sperm"), and birth ("What a Trip!").

The attitudes expressed are excellent, beginning with the bird and bee characters expressing different feelings about learning about sexuality -- the bird finds everything facinating and is very positive towards learning more; the bee feels more hesitant, wanting time to feel ready. The positive attitude towards nudity I've mentioned already; the attitudes towards (for example) homosexuality, non-nuclear families, race, and masturbation demonstrate an acceptance of difference, a respect for others, and a positive attitude to it all.

If you are going to get only one book about sexuality, growing up and adolescence, this is the book to buy. If you're going to get several books, this is the first book to get!

I've read and reviewed dozens of books on children's sexuality education. "It's Perfectly Normal" rates right near the top.

The text is clear and well-presented, and is broken into easily-understood sections. It might be a bit tedious for younger (or less skillful) readers, but numerous captions and illustrations will allow even these readers to understand the most important information.

The illustrations are somewhat cartoonish, but well-drawn, and are far better than the black line drawings used by so many children's books. Perhaps the most endearing illustrations are the characters who act as "guides" throughout the pages: a bird and a bee (naturally!). These two provide a little comic relief, but, more importantly, they act as a sounding board for many of the thoughts and feelings kids are likely to have about what they're reading. One is enthusiastic and very curious, while the other is reluctant, wishing that the whole topic would just go away -- until he has a question that he wants answered!

Some sections may be of little interest to younger readers, or, more commonly, some parents may wish to restrict children's access to some of the information. As with *any* book, I recommend that parents review the book themselves first, and be sure to clarify and present their own beliefs and values if they are at odds with what the book presents. [Specifically, I'm referring to the sections on contraception, abortion, STDs, but some may object to neutral factual information about masturbation, for instance.] A book is merely a tool to be used by a parent educating a child.

A very entertaining book, and the information is as accurate and clear as any I've found.

I purchased this book over a year ago when my daughter was nine. After a short perusal I decided it wasn't quite time to bring it out, but have kept it in the back of my mind for 'the right time'....it amazes me how quickly 'the right time' sneaks up.

This book is well organized into several sections and addresses the basics of various 'sex' topics: sex and sexuality, physiology, puberty, the 'scientific' side of reproduction, health issues, and family life. The discussion is both frank and appropriate; assuming your child has begun asking questions and/or started through puberty.

The chapter layout provides the ability to address topics one by one or as you see fit. Sensitive topics such as homosexuality, birth control, abortion, and STDs are covered (distinct sections if you are not ready to address them ) along with some history and varieties of public thought discussion.

The illustrations are commendable - all of shapes, sizes, ages, and colors. The author integrates the various slang body terms - addressing both their humor and/or disrespectfulness as well as discussing gossip, teasing, superstitions, and all the confusing things that abound. Many of the other positives are address in earlier reviews.

My one critiscm is lack of pronunciation guides or sounds like references. I think it's critical to provide confidence in saying the words correctly - for both children and parents! (Though a good incentive to promote use of the dictionary.)

I agree with all the posts so far about this book. It is very clear and a great attention-grabber for kids. The cartoon pictures are outstanding and show the range of body types and ethnic types. One note of concern however: To parents who belong to a religious faith that doesn't approve of homosexuality, this book does present a rather liberal view of the subject (even though it does state that people disagree over it). If this bothers you then be sure to supplement this book with other resources of your own choosing.

This is a great book for parents and can be for children. Its specific information that will make an awkward time easier, however, the text is very dry and may require some translation for younger children. I bought it for my 9 year old and was really impressed, but it needs to be screened because not all the sections are appropriate for any age. As always - work with your child, explain it to them and use this book as your guide.

I purchased this book over a year ago when my daughter was nine. After a short perusal I decided it wasn't quite time to bring it out, but have kept it in the back of my mind for 'the right time'....it amazes me how quickly 'the right time' sneaks up.

This book is well organized into several sections and addresses the basics of various 'sex' topics: sex and sexuality, physiology, puberty, the 'scientific' side of reproduction, health issues, and family life. The discussion is both frank and appropriate; assuming your child has begun asking questions and/or started through puberty.

The chapter layout provides the ability to address topics one by one or as you see fit. 'Sensitive' topics such as homosexuality, birth control, abortion, and STD's are covered (distinct sections if you are not ready to address them ) along with some history and 'varieties of public thought' discussion.

The illustrations are commendable - all of shapes, sizes, ages, and colors. The author integrates the various slang body terms - addressing both their humor and/or disrespectfulness as well as discussing gossip, teasing, superstitions, and all the confusing things that abound. Many of the other positives are addressed in earlier reviews.

My one critiscm is lack of pronunciation guides or 'sounds like' references. I think it's critical to provide confidence in saying the words correctly - for both children and parents! (Though a good incentive to promote use of the dictionary.)

I am a 14 year old now. My mom bought this book when i was around 10 or 11 and just left it in the shelf. I read every page of this whole book alone. I never really discussed it with my mom, but I don't remember feeling uncomfortable or anything. Some lady wrote about erections being something a preteen should know about?!?! Crazy?!? The pictures are cartoons...if your kids watch MTV, that is much more graphic then this website! Many video games have sexual seens in them as well. You get 10x more graphic and explicit stuff just going to school everyday! Kids these days are so much more exposed to sexual things then when you were kids. So if you think your kid will think too much of this your probably wrong. I know many kids in 6th and 7th grade who started looking at pornography on the internet already. This book explains everything in a good way, and has some humor. BUY THIS!

Length:: 1:53 Mins

Parents please be aware that there is a lot of information in this book that MAY not be appropriate for your child. You need to know how mature your child is and what he/she is able to understand. There are illustrations in this book of people having sex and various stages of puberty. The illustrations are very . If you have had conversations with your child about sex and their bodies prior to purchasing this book then this book may be appropriate for your child. Otherwise I suggest that you go to Barnes and Noble and flip through this book before you purchase it online ( because I know it is cheaper online).

Filled with dozens of informative yet lightly humorous pictures, _It's Perfectly Normal_ answers the questions about developing human bodies, growing up, sex, and health in general.

The inclusion of multicultural models is one of the first commendable comments to make about _It's Perfectly Normal_. Evidence of this can been seen on pages 20 and 21. Not only are many cultures included; the book's pictures of wheelchair bound people, aged people, skinny people, fat people, in short, the entire gamut of humanity is close to being covered.

The humor established on page 8 where the bird and the bee converse about the two different science books they're reading sets a relatively relaxing tone of humor used throughout the book.

The inclusion of lifestyles, despite its controversial content, is discussed from a historical and forthright position, even to the degree of stating, "Some people disapprove of gay men and lesbian women."

The approach to the book's overall topic is fascinatingly discussed from both the physiological and the psychological angles. The physiological pictures explaining and showing the moment the egg is preparing to meet the sperm is one such example as is the picture of boy on page 26 and the girl on page 23. From the mental point of view Chapter 15 contains a line that can answer a question asked since the beginning of time. It states, "Kids wonder about the individual body parts. The truth is-whether small, medium, or large-the size of a person's body parts has nothing to do with how well they work."

The topic of sexuality and sexual development is a difficult one for some people to approach, be they the inquisitive young person or the wanting-to-explain-parent. _It's Perfectly Normal_ should help either individual with the situation they may feel they're in.

This book is a wonderful book for boys AND girls who are learning about their bodies. I thought the information was excellent and the way it was presented was very understandable..and more importantly READABLE for children. There were ALOT of pictures drawn with a cartoon-ish and colorful manner...very attractive and appealing. Even though the pictures were done in a cartoon format they were frank enough to provide clear information...( some parents may find them *too* frank... but i think it is information that children need) I especially liked the *mascots* of this book. 2 cartoon caracters that are seen thrughout the book...a bird and a bee (cute :) one really likes the info and one seems kind of less thrilled....sometimes not interested...sometimes bored...sometimes amazed... many feelings that kids will have. I think he is an imprtant little character and gives my son *permission* to feel different ways about the info he is reading... Besides giving excellent over-all information about growing up, sex and sexual health...the books over-riding message is that "you are okay" and i think children really need to hear that. The book does it with words and pictures (cartoons showing different people and how they all look different and are all just fine the way they are) I gave this book to my son and he didnt read it cover to cover...he read what intersted him...passed on the rest...picked it up some other day...read more... picked it up on another day.... etc. I like that he has a book like this available to have when he has a question and for some reason doesnt want to ask me or feels that i didnt give him an answer that wasnt what he was looking for. sometimes i think he gets embarrassed to ask *exactly* what he wants to know...and the questions are asked a bit crypically... and are hard to figure what he wants to know... if i cant make out what he is asking...and dont quite answer the right thing...i am glad that he has this book to go to