LSSL 5385- IT'S PERFECTLY NORMAL

Harris, R. H., & Emberley, M. (2004). It's Perfectly Normal: A Book about Changing Bodies, Growing Up, Sex, and Sexual Health. Candlewick Press.

It's Perfectly NormaI provides scientific information regarding sex and puberty that answers questions for teens and young adults regarding sex, contraception, physical changes, STDs, and more. It's an important guide for parents to discuss difficult subject matter regarding staying healthy and making hard decisions facing the pressures of teenage life. The best part of this book is the light-hearted but scientifically accurate approach. The illustrations set a tone that make it less awkward to open up about very personal subject matter, and I think it's so important to open up these discussions with teens and young adults so that they have all the answers to their many questions regarding sex and puberty.

I definitely think this book is for home, and not for the classroom, unless perhaps it's specifically for sex education courses and parents are aware of the content discussed. It's so important that these subjects are covered thoroughly, but also that we make sure parents have the ability to discuss them at home. I think some of the more graphic depictions were a little distracting from the content, and while I understand the importance of being up front with kids about the truth and realities of sex, I'm not sure the step-by-step pictures are necessary. That being said, I appreciated the cartoon nature. Another book to consider in regards to this subject matter is What's Happening To Me? A Guide to Puberty by Peter Mayle. When discussing these topics, I think it's important to not rush the subject matter and take it day by day, over the course of some time, and to allow kids to ask questions without judgment. This book does a good job of providing a guideline of how to do that.