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It's Perfectly Normal: Changing Bodies, Growing Up, Sex, and Sexual Health
by
Robie H. Harris,
Michael Emberley (Goodreads Author)
An updated, fifteenth anniversary edition of the definitive book on kids’ sexual health brings this trusted resource into the twenty-first century.
Now offering a brand-new chapter focusing on safe Internet use — one of parents’ key concerns — this universally acclaimed classic by Robie H. Harris and Michael Emberley is a cutting-edge resource for kids, parents, teachers, l...more
Now offering a brand-new chapter focusing on safe Internet use — one of parents’ key concerns — this universally acclaimed classic by Robie H. Harris and Michael Emberley is a cutting-edge resource for kids, parents, teachers, l...more
Paperback, 96 pages
Published
September 8th 2009
by Candlewick
(first published September 5th 1994)
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This is a very concise, well-written book with accurate but non-threatening illustrations for the pre-adolescent set. I bought it at the same time I bought Usborne's What's Happening to Me? However, I held this one back for a couple of years, thinking that my son wasn't quite ready for all of the information in it at the age of nine, and that the Usborne book was perfectly pitched at him.
Alas, I think I waited a little too long. My boy had some questions recently that were addressed more fully i...more
Alas, I think I waited a little too long. My boy had some questions recently that were addressed more fully i...more
A condensed look at sexual education that looks at so much and answers questions all teens and tweens ask at this time in their life.
Plus it's a frequently banned book so I just HAD to read it.
As a librarian, a rule of thumb is when asked. "Is this appropriate for children?" or "all these books are okay for kids to read right?" is that these books are geared towards a juvenile audience, but they may or may not be appropriate for your child. Please read first as a parent and then decided base on...more
Plus it's a frequently banned book so I just HAD to read it.
As a librarian, a rule of thumb is when asked. "Is this appropriate for children?" or "all these books are okay for kids to read right?" is that these books are geared towards a juvenile audience, but they may or may not be appropriate for your child. Please read first as a parent and then decided base on...more
Feb 22, 2012
Rev. Mysterium
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
Everybody
Shelves:
alternative-lifestyles,
against-the-grain,
autonomy,
be-the-change,
behind-closed-doors,
birds-and-the-bees,
break-the-cycle,
blood-on-our-hands,
brutally-honest,
cant-wait-for-more,
character-building,
childish-things,
classics,
consenting-adults,
consistantly-great-author,
controversial,
creativity-at-its-best,
education,
empowerment,
equality,
express-yourself,
favourites,
female-anatomy,
gender-issues,
great-cover-art,
great-title,
growing-up,
health-healthy-bodies,
hard-to-put-down,
introspective,
learning-tools,
live-and-learn,
my-body-your-body,
non-fiction,
not-for-all-but-should-be,
open-your-mind,
parenting,
personable-author,
perspectives,
psychology,
reference,
self-discovery,
sex-education,
sexuality,
well-illustrated,
ya-appeal,
womens-health,
male-anatomy,
mens-health,
teach-your-children-well,
where-do-babies-come-from,
teachable-moments,
grandparenting-skills,
pre-teens,
teens
This is a beautiful book that addresses a topic that we all have gone through and will go through. Wonderful illustrations that are so open minded and well done, that all people will feel comfortable with this topic that sadly causes discomfort and embarrassment for so many.
Very straight forward discussions aimed at the 7-10 age group, but can be sued for any age that is emotionally ready to learn. I have found a few adults that have actually put the book down and exclaimed that they even learne...more
Very straight forward discussions aimed at the 7-10 age group, but can be sued for any age that is emotionally ready to learn. I have found a few adults that have actually put the book down and exclaimed that they even learne...more
Highly relevant health information for tweens, and teens. The subtitle is Changing Bodies, Growing Up, Sex, and Sexual Health. There are really humorous guides in the book - a parrot and a bee. They actually act more like tweens, bouncing questions off each other and asking all the questions that tweens might be thinking, but are too afraid to ask.
The new edition includes more info that informs readers about same-sex couples, IUD birth control methods, and HIV/AIDS. This makes the book extremely...more
The new edition includes more info that informs readers about same-sex couples, IUD birth control methods, and HIV/AIDS. This makes the book extremely...more
Summary: This book is a guide for parents to open a dialogue with their child about sex. It covers subjects such as sexual activity, birth control, gender issues, body parts, and puberty.
Personal Reaction: I’d like to start by saying that I went to a bookstore and five libraries before I found this book, which is kept on reserve at Newton Grisham Library. Quite frankly, I don’t understand what the big deal is in regards to this book. Why is this a book that so many feel should be banned in most...more
Personal Reaction: I’d like to start by saying that I went to a bookstore and five libraries before I found this book, which is kept on reserve at Newton Grisham Library. Quite frankly, I don’t understand what the big deal is in regards to this book. Why is this a book that so many feel should be banned in most...more
Summary: This is the second time I've been asked to read this book as part of a graduate school assignment, and I was pleased to read it again. It is filled with a tremendous amount of factual information about sex, sexual health, the changes people go through during puberty, where babies come from, and personal health. Although it's very factual, the book is not dry or clinical. The two characters that guide the reader through the book (a bird and a bee, appropriately) offer their thoughts on e...more
It’s Perfectly Normal by Robie Harris and Michael Emberley
Summary:
All the things you wanted to know about growing up and so much more. This book covers topics like diversity in families, changing bodies, sex, birth, and internet safety. Each topic is presented at a level that is easy to understand, even for the recommended 10 years old. The facts are given is a straight forward manner and the illustrations help to answer any additional questions kids may have.
Reaction:
My first reaction to this b...more
Summary:
All the things you wanted to know about growing up and so much more. This book covers topics like diversity in families, changing bodies, sex, birth, and internet safety. Each topic is presented at a level that is easy to understand, even for the recommended 10 years old. The facts are given is a straight forward manner and the illustrations help to answer any additional questions kids may have.
Reaction:
My first reaction to this b...more
Nov 29, 2011
Lori Holbein-Gutierrez
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
nonfiction-puberty-sex
Summary:
Going through puberty can be a difficult, awkward, and challenging time for youth. It can also be difficult for kids to ask a trusted adult about what is happening to their bodies. Parents knowing when to start up the conversation and what they should say can also be trying.
This book does a great job of starting a conversation between a trusted adult and youth. It includes unbiased information that discusses the basics for younger children to understand and more in-depth scientific info...more
Going through puberty can be a difficult, awkward, and challenging time for youth. It can also be difficult for kids to ask a trusted adult about what is happening to their bodies. Parents knowing when to start up the conversation and what they should say can also be trying.
This book does a great job of starting a conversation between a trusted adult and youth. It includes unbiased information that discusses the basics for younger children to understand and more in-depth scientific info...more
This book provides a treasure trove of information about being an adolescent. It talks about their changing bodies and growing up in general. It goes into detail about sex, sexual relationships, families, and healthy habits. There are two cartoon figures that are seen throughout the books, a bird, who is not interested in discussing anything about puberty, and a bird who wants to know as much as possible. Their interactions are pretty funny. There are color drawings throughout the book; many of...more
It’s Perfectly Normal: Changing Bodies, Growing Up, Sex, and Sexual Health is a book for young adults about the physical and emotional changes one’s body goes through during puberty. Harris and Emberley also detail different perspectives on families and offer health advice.
It’s perfectly normal has very straight-forward text that could be easily grasped by younger middle school students. In fact, older students may feel patronized by the simplicity of the text. Illustrations of a bird and a bee,...more
It’s perfectly normal has very straight-forward text that could be easily grasped by younger middle school students. In fact, older students may feel patronized by the simplicity of the text. Illustrations of a bird and a bee,...more
This is a really great sex education book for ages 10 and up. It is the independent reading assignment at the junior high level for the Unitarian Universalist church's OWL (Our Whole Lives) sex education program. The authors did a good job of being inclusive of all lifestyles and body types. The book is succinct with 81 pages of actual reading material that has been distilled down to one or two sentences per concept, so it should hold your kid's attention. It covers the maturing body, healthy re...more
This book is a very specific explanation of sex and the changing body during puberty. The photos are specific, and it doesn't leave much to the imigination. The book has information for both boys and girls.
I was very surprised by this book. it is not what I expected. I did think it was very informative though. With two teenagers in my house, they are both very aware of sex, and we talk about it openly. I can see where this book could come in handy if they had not already known 'it all'. Many qu...more
I was very surprised by this book. it is not what I expected. I did think it was very informative though. With two teenagers in my house, they are both very aware of sex, and we talk about it openly. I can see where this book could come in handy if they had not already known 'it all'. Many qu...more
Waaay to graphic for a 10 year old, or even a young teenager. All of the written work is very good and scientific. But I do not think a 10 year old should have a step by step description of the act of sex. Also, it seems to take the view that you will see many different naked people throughout your life. There were waaaaaaay to many cartoons of naked people. I was uncomfortable with it. I don't think there is anything wrong with only seeing your spouse and children naked. It was just to much. Pe...more
Mar 29, 2009
Robert Beveridge
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
cuy-co-pub-lib,
finished
Robie H. Harris, It's Perfectly Normal: Changing Bodies, Growing Up, Sex, and Sexual Health 2/E (Candlewick, 2004)
I was a kid in the seventies, and at the time, sex-ed manuals for kids were pretty bland stuff. Sure, they had funny illustrations and got the point across, but information was the order of the day, and it was all designed to let you know that all those changes your body was going through were normal. You weren't alone. Robie Harris' controversial, but very entertaining, It's Perfect...more
I was a kid in the seventies, and at the time, sex-ed manuals for kids were pretty bland stuff. Sure, they had funny illustrations and got the point across, but information was the order of the day, and it was all designed to let you know that all those changes your body was going through were normal. You weren't alone. Robie Harris' controversial, but very entertaining, It's Perfect...more
Mar 03, 2011
Dan Thorson
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
young-adult-materials
This book is a highly useful resource for kids at the young end of the YA spectrum as well as parents and educators looking for a way to approach teaching children about changing bodies, sex, and love. The book covers everything imaginable related to sex ed in a frank and understandable manner. Topics such as homosexuality and birth control receive a neutral, fair discussion; judgement is not made against any such topic.
Naturally, sex ed is a tricky topic. Thankfully, the honest discussions and...more
Naturally, sex ed is a tricky topic. Thankfully, the honest discussions and...more
This is one of the best sexual education books for young adults out there. The book is very carefully researched and covers a wide variety of topics such as the men and women sex organs, masturbation, types of families, etc... It covers every topic that is associated with sexual health and it does it in a way that kids will understand. The book does a great job illustrating these changes through a comic strip about menstruation, and even using cartoons with nudity to show these changes. This wil...more
Sep 08, 2008
Tattered Cover Book Store
added it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
challenged-or-banned-books
This book is on the bibliography of books challenged, restricted, removed or banned in 2007-2008 put out by Robert P. Doyle and the American Library Association. More info at http://www.ila.org/pdf/2008banned.pdf
This book is about the “the birds and the bees” and is recommended for ages 10 and up. The book literally covers what the byline says: Changing Bodies, Growing UP, Sex, and Sexual Health. It also has a page devoted to “Praise from Experts”. Your guides throughout the book are a bird and bee. The bird is a little more open to what he’s hearing and seeing and the bee is a little more reluctant to what he’s hearing. The pages are illustrated with graphics, not photos, which makes the presentation o...more
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 thorough a...more
Oct 24, 2010
Kristin
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
j-fiction,
j-non-fiction
Positively reviewed. (www.denverlibrary.org)
Portraying a variety of ethnic groups, and using cartoon figures to demonstrate difficult ideas, this is the go-to book for young adults with questions about puberty and sex. It is thorough without being terribly awkward, and carefully but honestly addresses topics of sex, sexual health, abuse, and teen pregnancies. While this book is frequently challenged, it is a reliable, well-researched set of answers to pressing questions all young adults have.
Thi...more
Portraying a variety of ethnic groups, and using cartoon figures to demonstrate difficult ideas, this is the go-to book for young adults with questions about puberty and sex. It is thorough without being terribly awkward, and carefully but honestly addresses topics of sex, sexual health, abuse, and teen pregnancies. While this book is frequently challenged, it is a reliable, well-researched set of answers to pressing questions all young adults have.
Thi...more
This is the best book to give anyone who is suffering the times of change that most adolescents go through. Filled with great illustrations and real-world information, this book holds nothing back. Is it too graphic? I don't think so. Is it too much for younger kids? You bet it is, but for those who are entering puberty and past, this book should be in their hands immediately. Every library should have this book in their collection to help youngsters understand their bodies. And personally, if y...more
This book is a great reference and helps adults speak to their children. Children have a hard time talking to us but in the same sense, sometimes we are not sure what exactly to say to them. With this book, It's perfectly Normal, It gives kids unbiased, anatomically correct, scientificly correct info. I know I was a curious, squeemish child and now adays, kids are going through puberty at younger and younger ages, this book helps them understand that this is not just happening to them, that it h...more
This book has absolutely fantastic text: affirming, honest, precise, and open-minded. I loved that some of illustrations gave relative size of organs and the cartoons drawings help make body processes more understandable. There are a lot of different shape and sizes of real bodies. And they actually show sexual intercourse, which is amazing because it looks a little bit silly and still natural. I think the bird and bee narrators might be okay for eight-ten crowd, but might be annoying or just un...more
This is the quintessential book about growing up and body changes. The text is easy to understand and there is a fun little dialogue between a bird and a bee add some levity to subjects that are often embarrassing or touchy.
I had a hard time deciding what age group would be appropriate for this book. While it is very straight-forward and the language is child-friendly, I had mixed feelings about some of the pictures. They're cartoons and they aren't necessarily graphic, but some of them made me...more
I had a hard time deciding what age group would be appropriate for this book. While it is very straight-forward and the language is child-friendly, I had mixed feelings about some of the pictures. They're cartoons and they aren't necessarily graphic, but some of them made me...more
Aug 30, 2009
Rachel
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
nonfiction,
young-adult
So this book was really interesting. On one hand I was kind of embarrassed looking at all the nude people and rather graphic though cartoon-y images(granted it was in a library) and on the other hand, I thought it was funny and really well done. Now I wish they had something like this when I was a kid. My sex ed class in middle school was laughable and didn't teach us anything. My mom's idea of sex ed was pulling me aside at 11/12 and showing me the PBS special "The Miracle of Birth" which shows...more
Oct 22, 2008
Erica
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
young-adult,
non-fiction
Michael Emberley (Illustrator)
Publication Date: 2004
Publisher: Candlewick Press, Summerville, MA
Publishers Weekly
( January 29, 1996 ; 1-56402-159-9 )
In a starred review, PW said, "this intelligent, amiable and carefully researched book... frankly explains the physical, psychological, emotional and social changes that occur during puberty." Emberley's watercolor and pencil art "reinforces [the] message that bodies come in all sizes, shapes and colors-and that each variation is `perfectly normal.'...more
Publication Date: 2004
Publisher: Candlewick Press, Summerville, MA
Publishers Weekly
( January 29, 1996 ; 1-56402-159-9 )
In a starred review, PW said, "this intelligent, amiable and carefully researched book... frankly explains the physical, psychological, emotional and social changes that occur during puberty." Emberley's watercolor and pencil art "reinforces [the] message that bodies come in all sizes, shapes and colors-and that each variation is `perfectly normal.'...more
This book has really great information, the newest edition includes bisexuality, talks about abortion rights and contraception and has really thorough but not graphic illustrations (cartoons).
There were a few things I didn't like:
Sometimes the three-column text format and spliting the chapters without moveing to a new page made the flow of reading a little awkward.
The gender discussion does not include transgendered individuals and instead says the male and female are genders.
The terms "feeli...more
There were a few things I didn't like:
Sometimes the three-column text format and spliting the chapters without moveing to a new page made the flow of reading a little awkward.
The gender discussion does not include transgendered individuals and instead says the male and female are genders.
The terms "feeli...more
I'm glad this book exists. I wish I would have known about it when I was growing up. Puberty and sex questions can be hard for parents to discuss with their children. I think this book would be great to have available when you finally decide to sit down and have "that chat". I was concerned about the number of naked body illustrations. It's not surprising to me that this book was not in the collection at my school. I appreciate the unbiased representations.
read this at home, embarrassed by the thought of reading it on the train. i like that it is careful to devote exactly the same detail, length and depictions to both male and female issues. sort of just turned through the last few pages. can totally see why this wasn't in any of the libraries i requested from - who didn't love tiny illustrated genitalia when they're in the target age demo for this book?
This is a book that parents of kids, pre-teens and teens should buy for their kids because it explains complicated issues about sex in a easy to read and understand format. The idea of why people have different bodies and what that means for you is important for kids to understand and why. It covers everything that both girls and boys wonder about in a cartoon fashion.
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Robie H. Harris has written many award-winning books for children of all ages, including the definitive Family Library about sexuality: IT'S PERFECTLY NORMAL, IT'S SO AMAZING!, and IT'S NOT THE STORK! She lives in Massachusetts.
More about Robie H. Harris...
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Feb 28, 2011 08:56pm