Robie H. Harris (1940–2024)

Okay, so I thought nothing would make me blush when it comes to talking to my son about sexuality, but this one challenged me. I actually didn't even give it to my son, who is totally the right age for it, because I couldn't handle one little thing...I'M HORRIFIED at myself! But there's an illustration of mom and dad having sex, and, well, I just don't want him visualizing me in that position. Is this awful of me? I think it is, but I can't get past it. The information in this book is show more thorough and perfect, but that was just a little too much. If I could eliminate that page, I'd hand it right over to him. Thankfully, there are plenty of other resources out there for him. show less

"It's Perfectly Normal" by Robie Harris and Michael Emberley provides information about sex and sexuality. Targeted for ages 10 and up, it is an excellent guide, not only for adolescents, but for adults as well, especially when discussing these topics. I highly recommend this book.

Information is given in a straightforward, honest manner. The style is to present things with easily understandable "technical" terms and explanations, but to also include some of the terms that children might have show more heard. For example, when addressing testes, there is an explanation why these might also be called balls or nuts. The authors do not avoid topics such as oral or anal sex, but also they do not dwell on them in great detail. It's important to note that the authors repeatedly emphasize personal responsibility, such as avoiding unwanted pregnancy and avoiding sexually transmitted diseases, as well as ways to do so.

In light of the 2022 Supreme Court decision overturning Roe v. Wade, that section of the book is now in need of revision, but aside from that, I found this to be an excellent book. show less

I can see why this book may be deemed "offensive" by some. It is very blunt in how it addresses sexuality. There are many drawings of naked people of all ages and shapes and races; I don't see this as a bad thing, though. Everything builds towards the message of the very title of the book--it's perfectly normal to have a body with these parts, and have them do certain things, or to have intense dreams with bodily responses, etc. This is intended for a middle grade audience, and offers a show more simply-stated approach to try to alleviate kids' fears.

Even when the artwork shows people straddling each other, it's the kind of thing you'll see on midday TV these days, only this book introduces information about sexual consequences like STD and pregnancy, too. I see It's Perfectly Normal as a good starting point for an honest conversation where a family can then discuss their beliefs and answer questions. This book was certainly more informative and honest than the sex ed course I took back in high school (which came too late for a lot of kids, anyway). show less

I minored in human sexuality, and have read through many books about sex and sexuality, including a few explaining "how babies are made" for kids. This book is hands-down one of the BEST that I have seen; not only was it written through a collaborative process with doctors, educators, parents/grandparents, scientists/researchers, and coordinators of all kinds of children's programs, amongst other individuals, but it is the first in a series of books designed to grow with your child in terms show more of their questions concerning babies, bodies, and sexuality. This is the first book (the second is "It's So Amazing," for ages 7 and up; the third is "It's Perfectly Normal," for ages 10 and up.) and answers the question of where babies come from in a way that doesn't center on one specific gender or ethnicity - both boys' and girls' bodies are illustrated in a very simple and factual manner, and all races and body types are illustrated. There are also chapters titled "All Kinds of Families" (discusses different numbers of children, parents, adoption, stepparents, foster parents, divorce, same-sex parents, etc.) and "Okay Touches, Not Okay Touches" (what/where your "privates" are and who can/can't touch them, etc.).

I bought this book for my nieces a few years ago, as they were coming up on that age when they were starting to have questions about the differences between boys and girls (as far as they were concerned, "girls have eyelashes, and boys have none!"). I've also re-examined the resources our parents used for when we were their ages, and was kind of horrified to see what they used (pretty misogynistic) and what was available at that time. For full disclosure as well, I worked in a bookstore, and was able to look through some of what was available and at hand, and I really couldn't find anything better than this book! For a topic that is as important to a child's development as this one, I would personally purchase this one for my children (if I had them).

I know that for some, the matter of circumcision is important, and the entirety of the discussion in the book is short, and is as follows: "The loose skin at the end of the penis is called the "foreskin." Some baby boys' foreskins are removed a few days after they are born. Some baby boys' foreskins are not removed. That's why some penises look different from other penises."

These authors also have other books that explain other life lessons in a "Let's Talk About You and Me" series that I haven't read but would only assume to be just as great as the others: "Who Has What?: All About Girls' Bodies and Boys' Bodies," "Who's In My Family?: All About Our Families," "What's in There?: All About Before You Were Born," and "What's So Yummy?: All About Eating Well and Feeling Good." show less