It's So Amazing!: A Book about Eggs, Sperm, Birth, Babies, and Families

The Family Library

by Robie H. Harris, Michael Emberley (Illustrator)

From the trusted team of Robie H. Harris and Michael Emberley, this classic resource for younger children receives its most ambitious update yet.

How does a baby begin and how is it born? How did I begin? Why are some parts of kids’ bodies different from some parts of other kids’ bodies? Most younger kids have questions about reproduction, babies, love, sex, and gender too. Some also have concerns. For over twenty years, It’s So Amazing! has provided children age seven and up with the honest answers they’re looking for through age-appropriate, reassuring words and accurate, up-to-date, inclusive art. Throughout the book, two cartoon characters, Bird and Bee, are the voices of kids. They talk together to help children feel that they are not the only ones wondering how we all began. Rigorously vetted by experts and featuring updated and new facts on pregnancy, birth, adoption, bodies, sexuality, gender identity, OK touches, not-OK touches, straight and LGBTQ+ families and people, and many other topics, this comprehensive resource for kids, parents, librarians, teachers, booksellers, and healthcare providers is the book that can help younger kids and their families talk together and find answers to their many questions.

Genres: Parenting, Nonfiction, Childrens, Science, Health, Banned Books, Picture Books

88 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1999

About the author

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.

Reviews

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

My six year old daughter loves this book so much that she woke me up at 7 am this morning for more. This is a positive sign after last night, when as we read the two page spread on the penis, she stopped me half way though the text and asked if we could stop. I asked if she wanted to stop reading the book, but she only wanted to turn the page. When I asked why, she said it was making her feel weird, like she was trying to keep from going to the bathroom. How very specific! I told her she put it very well how many of us feel about the subject.

As to content, it has a very child friendly, comic-book style with a friendly format and pages that they love to look at, such as pictures of naked females and males from infancy to old age. The factual content is being constantly commented on by, (who else?) a bird and a bee. The bird is quite taken with the whole topic, spouting off how interesting it all is, while the bee would quite like to be doing something else, anything else. As mentioned elsewhere, the book covers topics like homosexuality in a non-judgmental way, which allows for the parent to take up this topic and others in a way that reflects their own values.

I bought this book from a woman who does seminars in Seattle to teach parents how to talk to their kids about sex. This book makes it easy to do, even without the seminar. One potential problem that was discussed in that seminar is that kids will go to school and tell their friends. I did tell my daughter that all mommies and daddies know about this subject and prefer to tell their children themselves, and that she should let them do that because it IS such an amazing subject. So, don't let me down - start talking to your kids or mine will do it for you ;)

[Dlmoore83 Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

so, 8 year old boy in the house and it was time....and good timing. i've always loved this book. he found it incredibly interesting AND amazing! now, he looks at all things squiggly and sees sperm.

he loved all of it. at the genetics/DNA section, he turned to me and said "So, did i get my Barack Obama ears from you?" Quickly I pulled my hair back and said "no! definitely your dad's side of the family! Wait'll i show you your dad's elementary school pictures!"

he's a kid who memorizes facts. One night at supper (after reading part of the book that day) he announced to his sisters that he would be going through puberty somewhere between 9 and 11. (They are not quite as open as my son and I.)

just beginning to understand where things come from...check it out....and share....

[Frieda Vizel · Rating 5 out of 5]

The most incredible book on all things related to the subject of the "birds and the bees". The book is presented as the funny cartoon conversation between a curious bird and a grumpy, easily grossed-out bee. Together they investigate where babies come from, sex, the maturing body, types of love (family vs sexual, etc). The book covers everything my son asked about in a very accessible way, in a way that celebrates the child's curiosity. My son was fascinated by the process of fertilization and seemed to absorb the more delicate subjects of masturbation and sex without thinking too much about it. The book really removes all judgement from the subject and teaches the child with clarity and openness, with the right vocabulary words, and with explanations as to what is safe and what isn't.

The book is very progressive. It describes all sorts of families, including gay parents and adoptive couples and in vitro fertilization and single parents. The important lesson: kids can grow up in all sorts of happy homes.

[Monica · Rating 5 out of 5]

We recently gave this book to our 9 year old son (after previewing a copy ourselves, from the library). Its partial comic book style is perfect for him - keeps things somewhat light, approachable, not intimidating...while still being very thorough and informative. He really enjoyed thumbing through it and then reading more about topics that interested him. We debated about whether to read it to him, or read it all together, but in the end decided to give it to him to read on his own. (He's already a voracious reader, like his momma!). It's given us a comfortable avenue for him to ask questions, which he's already started doing. (He liked it so much that he wants another book mentioned on the back cover by these same authors, called "It's Perfectly Normal."). Also, the authors do a good job of addressing homosexuality without judgement. The book says that it's designed for ages 7 and up but I think we'll wait until 9 again before sharing with our 6 year old daughter. Definitely some mature topics in there - but handled very well.

[Pamela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great vehicle for opening discussion regarding puberty, where babies come from, birth, sex and other topics. Promotes dialogue in a safe manner. The cartoon birds and bees voice the questions, reactions to what many children may be thinking. Uses appropriate terminology and simple descriptors in the context of love and is easy to understand. My child gives this a 2 star because in her words it is "weird and disturbing". Makes me feel as though I was 100% on target. We have openly discussed terms and this topic since she was little. She has read this book independently previously, but reading together opened discussion further.

[Laurie Neighbors · Rating 5 out of 5]

In honor of the other Anna being here, I'm going to kick down my favorite kids books.

This book rocks! It's got drawings of lesbians canoodling, is racially inclusive, talks about all manner of ways of becoming a family, and has some nice intro SDI talk.

My kids were obsessed with this book for years. And I can see why. It's wry and ironic and corny! Great for read-out-loud time before dinner! And did I mention -- lesbians canoodling!

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

What I love about sharing this with my kids is that the parts they find most fascinating are not necessarily what I'd expect (twins and multiples for L and how the baby gets out for A). Provides a clear and accessible foundation on the birds and the bees for elementary aged kids.

[Dianne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall, this is a very high quality book that explains sexuality in an age-appropriate and engaging way. My nine-year-old liked the punny humor of the cartoon characters who make running commentary on the factual information. (There are a bird who is fascinated by the subject, and a bee who is a bit squeamish. I myself found the bee to be overdone - I get that some kids find the subject offputting or embarrassing, but I think that could've been acknowledged and then let go off rather than endlessly repeated and reinforced.)

The book is very comprehensive and covers not just the joining of sperm and egg and the growth of a baby in the uterus, but also a very brief but sufficient overview of the mechanics of heterosexual sex, as well as touching on other ways families can welcome a child into their lives: sperm donors, in vitro fertilization, and adoption. The book also does a good job of explaining LGB relationships. Transgender is also covered, but the language used is a little weak. Masturbation is discussed briefly. There is a short but useful chapter on safe vs. unsafe touches.

Michael Emberley's illustrations are detailed and clinically accurate, but rendered in a color palette that makes them appealing rather than intimidating. One exception to his usual level of detail is the illustration of the vulva, which is accurate but honestly seems a little blurry. The meeting of sperm and egg seems to cry out for personification - sperm swim and compete, the egg secretes chemicals that attract a particular sperm - and Emberley really has fun illustrating this as though it is the most exciting adventure of a lifetime. And I suppose, if sperm and eggs had feelings, it would be.

I hope that this book and others like it will contribute to the growth of a sexually informed and sex-positive next generation.

As an aside, my approach with all non-fiction books is to provide the book and let my kid choose when to read and what questions to ask. This works very well with books about sex, too.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

What I liked:
1) Easy for kids to understand.

2) The bird and the bee help keep things light and comfortable. They help guide adults in terms of approaching this topic with kids, and they help keep kids engaged.

3) This book is thorough. You have something specific that needs to be addressed, this book will probably cover it.

4) It was non-judgemental, acknowledged diversity, and did not pretend that human sexuality and reproduction only means natural reproduction and childbirth, and that human families are only headed by married heterosexual couples. Families of any make-up have a strong chance of seeing their family reflected here.

What I didn't like:

1) This book was thorough, and sometimes I got little surprises as I read to the kids. The brief discussion about abortion in a book aimed at elementary school kids kind of caught me off guard, and the words to this passage were on my lips before I could even register that this was a topic I needed to clear with my sister before I read it to her kids. Masturbation was also given some ink. Fortunately, I was able to omit this discussion just as the first sentence was coming out of my mouth. The book was thorough, but on occasion, considering the target audience, sometimes it was a little too thorough. The adult reader cannot let their attention wane while reading this book, because that very next passage might have the effect of snapping your attention right back into place!

[Laura · Rating 2 out of 5]

I've been discussing sex with my 4 and 6 year old boys a lot lately and thought some visuals might be helpful, so I picked this up from the library. For the most part it's tasteful and full of good, detailed information. Still, it's nothing I hadn't already told them.

My biggest problem with the book is that a lot of the drawings are too silly and unrealistic. The egg and sperm have faces and the egg is shown bouncing down the fallopian tube like it's a water slide. Instead of helping my children understand the reproductive process, these drawings became a source of confusion. My four-year-old kept explaining everything all wrong even though he knows how it really works, he was just trying to make sense of the pictures.

I don't have an opinion on all the content of the book because I didn't read it all. I got it for the drawings, not the full extent of content. Instead of getting a cartoonish book like this, I'll stick to discussions and our BodyWorks Organs ipad app when I need visuals.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

So I decided to read this book after reading her other book "It's Perfectly Normal" for teenagers. I'm curious if this book has been banned as much as the other one based on the content and also how they explain things to younger children. I really like this book, better than "It's Perfectly Normal." I like all the little cartoons that they use to explain the chapters, with our friends the excited Bird & squeamish Bee. She really simplified it for this book, though she still skims the surface on issues such as masturbation, HIV/Aids, birth control, and abortions (but she doesn't push it down your throat like in the other book). I thought it was well done and fun to read actually. The book is oversized so you and your child could look at the book together and explain anything that needs extra information while you're reading it. Recommended for ages 5-9 according to Carol Hurst's website.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got this as a companion book to It's Not the Stork!: A Book About Girls, Boys, Babies, Bodies, Families and Friends. I read that book to my six-year-old, and had my nine-year-old read it as I sat next to her. I then had her read this one.

Everything I liked about the first one goes for this as well: it's just the right level (7 and up) and it's basically the first book but with an added level of detail. For example, in the first book, there's an illustration that shows an age progression for both sexes - except they have their clothes on. In this book, they're naked - sagging breasts and all.

The comic strip characters of the Bird and the Bee are in this book too, injecting levity when needed, and the overall tone is just right. The book covers all the important things.

My daughter actually ended up reading this in segments because of time issues, and kept asking when she could finish the book - she was that interested.

Highly recommended!

[Aphie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Bought this as a companion to "where did I come from?" and "What's happening to me?"
Covers a little more - same-sex relationships and caesareans most notably. But both of these have tiny mentions, and miss out an awful lot, IMO; as a slice and dice baby arrival and with a son who got here the same way, I'd like more than a single page devoted to it, amongst the pages and pages on natural, and the mention of same-sex relationships uses the word "gay" only (which these days has been almost entirely co-opted to mean male relationships IMO), and never mentions bisexuals, or trans people, or asexuals. Which are all real parts of our social circle, and which it'd be nice to see represented in a child's book purporting to be a basic guide to human sexuality and development.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was great. It brought up a lot of conversations and was direct and easy enough for my child. My child has reread parts on their own and then asked me questions. It has helped reduce anxiety surrounding puberty and it has helped guide conversations on sex and the human body. I felt the images were clear and appropriate for a child.

[Aneesa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Our favorite of the three. Just the right level for my 8yo.

[Make Your Move! Missoula · Rating 5 out of 5]

Harris and Emberly fill the pages of this book with so much helpful information about sexual anatomy and reproduction. This book is written for late elementary school students (age 7+) and provides a lot of accurate knowledge about sex and relationships.

The authors have done a good job addressing and normalizing adoption, abortion, and masturbation. They normalize different types of love (platonic, familial, romantic) and attraction (straight, gay, lesbian). There is also a great age appropriate introduction to birth control and condoms.

That said, the text does not address peer to peer issues as well as it address child/adult relationships. So, while they talk about saying no to adults and what to do if an adult is causing abuse - there is very little discussion about how to navigate consent and healthy relationships with friends and crushes. They book does not demonstrate how to initiate (like asking for a hug/kiss) or dealing with rejection.

Finally, the authors could make the book a bit more inclusive. Bodies are described within the binary based on anatomy, and therefore exclude trans people. There are also very few depictions of POC or folks with visible disabilities.

[Devin Frunzi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read the book, It’s So Amazing!, by Robie Harris and Michael Emberley. The book explains sexuality and sexual reproduction to children. It gives the anatomy of the two sexes, sexual attraction, the act of making love, and what happens if a baby is born. I think this book is important for students and children, because it is able to go into depth about sex, whereas it might be awkward for parents and their children to talk about the “birds and the bees”. I don’t think this is a book for children of all ages, but it is good for children who are hitting puberty and would like to understand more. This book is banned because it talks about conception of children. I do not think this book should be banned, but I believe it should be restricted to a specific age of students with parents’ permission. I personally would not use this book in my classroom without parent permission. I believe this book is a decent read, and I would recommend it for intermediate students.

[Tyra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this with Roo. She's fascinated and really enjoyed it. The book sticks to the facts with enough detail to be useful, but not so much detail that one might be offended. It does mention things like miscarriage and abortion without value judgement, which I thought appropriate. Good for the kids to know what the words really mean so you can talk about it, and their peers can misinform them.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you for the recommendations. This has been a life saver helping answer questions and explain the details. The library has several copies thankfully, bc we have had it for several weeks now. There is a lot she is curious about!

[Jamie · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's good at what it does, but I want it it to be less cis-normative. Another minor beef is that it has a whole big two-page spread on HIV/AIDS, which my kids have never heard of and it just old news.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent - informative with enough humor from the bird and bee, but also an understanding that this might be an uncomfortable topic. Well one.

[Denise · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is geared for 7-9 year olds to explain things in an age appropriate discussion. It's a companion volume for the book "It's Perfectly Normal," which is geared for 10-15 year olds. I first skimmed that book to review for my twins, who will be turning 9 soon. However, they are definitely not mature enough yet, so I borrowed this book on Libby to review instead. It is much more appropriate for their maturity level.
For the most part, it is straightforward and gives much information, but not too much so as to overwhelm them. I have two comments, though.
The first is that I read an older version, which equated sex and gender and did not mention transgender or nonbinary. I placed a hold for the updated version, which is only available through my library in print, but it hasn't come in yet. I hope this inaccuracy is corrected in the later edition, and will update my review when I can confirm that it has been.
The second comment is regarding the chapter on menstruation specifically. While it is accurate and relatively thorough regarding the general concept, it does not go into great detail. For example, it doesn't mention cramps. Girls can enter puberty as early as 8-9 years old, which is my main motivation for researching this now. "It's Perfectly Normal" contains much more information about what to expect each month and how to deal with it. So, my plan, I think, will be to purchase both books, and start with reading "It's so Amazing" cover to cover with both my son and daughter. Then, as they enter puberty and things start to happen, I will use the other book as a reference, reading the relevant chapters with each of them as the need arises. So my daughter will know what to expect when she gets her first period, and we can delve into the specifics at that time.

[Nicole Keenan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I selected this non-fiction book because a lot of children get confused when they find out they are going to have a sibling or when they see a women carrying a baby. This book explains the process of having a baby and describes what makes a baby a boy or a girl. This book will inform children that have questions about babies and sexuality. The book is very generic and simple. This book is aimed for primary aged children. The book I correlated with it is called I Used to Be the Baby by Robin Ballard. I chose this fiction book that is primary aged level because it is a story about his mom having a baby boy. After the mother has the baby, he now understands that he is not the baby anymore but the big brother that has to share all of his toys. These books go well together because the non-fiction books inform children about having children and their sexuality and the fiction book goes through a child's story of his mom having a baby and discovering it is a boy.

[Krystina Schuler · Rating 4 out of 5]

We've reached an age here in our house where it's time for the talk. This will be a good starting place for my 10-year-old. The book is matter-of-fact, detailed enough without going overboard for the 8-10 year-old set, and will set the stage for more in depth discussions in the next few years.

This book covers all kinds of love and all kinds of families. It also discusses, briefly, birth control, including abortion. (It's an age-appropriate paragraph.) If any of this clashes with your world view, this isn't the book for you and your family. Find another book. Do not get this one and then leave a bad review about how the authors talked about homosexuality and abortion. That's not fair. You've been warned.

I haven't shared this with the child yet, but I think the comic-book style for much of the storytelling will keep it light and accessible. Here's to puberty!

[raccoon reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay, so not the easiest topic to discuss so I'm so thankful for a book that leads you through it. My seven nearly 8 year old son has been reading these books with us and by himself. I don't think I could have these discussions without help from books like this one. Thank you! Sex ed was not really a thing when I was a kid and I just want him to be educated and for it not to be weird. I just want him to know the facts and not be uneducated (like I was to a certain degree). I also want him to know he can ask questions about anything related to sex. So having these discussions young, before it becomes "awkward" is vital to me and my parenting style. Highly recommend the books by this author/this series.

[Lindsay Smith-Munoz · Rating 5 out of 5]

We started my son on Robie Harris's book for even younger kids, "It's Not the Stork" and then when that seemed too simple, moved him up to this. It is a great book. We found "It's So Amazing" to be a bit too much information for a 7-year -old and stuck with "It's Not the Stork", but now that he's almost nine this really fits the bill. It is matter-of-fact and clear and full of information. The cartoon elements are a bit too silly, but I think a bit of humour helps overcome the potential awkwardness associated with the subject matter. I am really, really glad these books exist.

[Sloane Sylling · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a great book. The cons: the book equates visually seen sex organs with gender. This is outdated information as we now know that gender and biological sex are not the same thing and do not form at the same time and place in utero.
I wish the book had information about common intersex people are born. The book Seeing Gender has excellent information on this.
I wish the book had a section about lgbtq bodies and brains. My kids were frustrated and upset that non-binary people weren’t even mentioned.

[Beth Kakuma-Depew · Rating 5 out of 5]

All the details, often in cartoon format, in language that is clear to 2nd to 4th grade. For parents who DO want to teach their kids about the birds and the bees, this book is the gold standard. Just the illustrations of different genders and races, maturing from infants to old folks, is amazing! Kids are curious about their naked body and what growing up means beyond just getting taller. This book allows kids a private, safe window to learn about themselves.

[Knox · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has been a great resource for our family. My child will sometimes use this book as a way to ask questions on their mind. I think my child also feels empowered and more informed about their body due to having terminology and foreknowledge of what to expect as puberty gets nearer.

As a parent, I find this book helpful as well as a tool in responding to some of the questions that come up.

[Christine · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this to my 9 yr old who knows more about all this than most kids her age. I've always been open and honest. This book went into way more than I think is appropriate. So we skipped some sections. I do not agree with some of the gender ideology presented here either. I wish I had known the author took such a liberal stance on things. The info about being gay/lesbian was fine. Not too detailed. As a conservative parent, I would recommend you look elsewhere.