"An outstanding book. . . . Meets the needs of those in-between or curious kids who are not ready, developmentally or emotionally, for IT'S PERFECTLY NORMAL." — BOOKLIST (starred review)

How does a baby begin? What makes a baby male or female? How is a baby born? Children have plenty of questions about reproduction and babies — and about sex and sexuality, too. IT'S SO AMAZING! provides the answers — with fun, accurate, comic-book-style artwork and a clear, lively text that reflects elementary-school children's interest in how things work, while giving them a healthy understanding of their bodies. Created by the author and illustrator of IT'S PERFECTLY NORMAL, this forthright and funny book — newly updated for its fifth anniversary — covers similar territory but with an eye toward younger children's concerns.

The author explains everything very honestly without being judgmental, although he leaves room for a parent to explain his or her own values to a child. For example, while explaining masturbation he writes, "Every family has its own thoughts and feelings about masturbation...Some people and religions think it's wrong to masturbate."

The book covers a lot of information, but presents it in a fun and simple way. The cartoon illustrations are complete without being terribly graphic, and the small bird and bee throughout the book serve as "tour guides". This book will definitely be on my bookshelf when my daughter starts asking questions.

74 of 75 found the following review helpful:


What a wonderful educational tool and funny too  Mar 01, 2005 By J. Nutini
I bought this book for several reasons. I'm 23 years old but circumstances found me diving into the world of foster parenting. I needed a book that could help me talk to my foster son about all of the complex issues he had already faced at the young age of seven. I also bought this book because I work with an HIV/STI prevention youth program. I wanted a resource that was young person friendly and that could be used by both young children and teenagers alike. Then I stumbled upon this book here on Amazon while looking for parenting books.

I will say, this book does a wonderful job of explaining things like sex, sexuality, alternative families, sexual abuse etc. in a way youth can enjoy and understand. It takes an open-minded approach. The only thing I will say is that if you're thoughts tend to be very conservative then you may have a problem with some of the things in this book. However, I feel it takes a candid and loving approach to life, love and sexuality.

What makes this book so cool is that you can start by reading certain sections with your younger children that may be applicable to them or their age group. As they get older you can begin reading some of the other sections and eventually leave the book in their room to refer to if needed. Buy it! It's worth the money.

111 of 122 found the following review helpful:


Appropriate for older kids - suggested age too low  Mar 06, 2007 By SandyCB "sandycb"
I previewed this book at the library for use with my 7-year-old daughter. The reviewers who praise it for its completeness and no-nonsense approach are all correct. However, and it is a big however, it goes much further. I want my daughter to understand where most babies come from (discussions of assisted reproduction can wait a year or two). I'm not ready to discuss HIV, homosexuality, wet dreams, or really, much beyond the basics. These topics need to be dealt with, certainly, but at age 7? I might look this book up again in a few years, but for now I really feel advertising it for age 7 and up is pushing it.

39 of 40 found the following review helpful:


As a Stepmother with a 9 year old and 12 year old.....  Jun 06, 2001
A few months ago, my husband asked if I would have a talk with our two girls about growing up and the birds and bees. As their stepmother (for almost seven years), we are very close, but I was a little nervous about approaching this subject. To my relief, a coworker mentioned the "It's so Amazing" book and then felt compelled to lend me her copy for a few weeks so I could read it with my 9 year old. She'd highly recommended it after using it with her two pre-teenager sons.

Being able to share the experience of reading and talking about this subject together with Maddie (our 9 year old) was actually...a nice experience and now one of my favorite memories. We had quality time together and opened a whole new level of communication based on trust and open communication. I have to admit, I'd made some assumptions about what she may have learned from friends and school, but she knew less than I thought, and I think the timing was great because she was very curious and starting to ask questions like "where do babies really come from?", and "what are (tampons) used for"?

I used the book as a tool for our conversations, following Maddie's interests and curiosities. We read some chapters together, and skipped some others (for now), going at her pace. In our first sitting, she wanted to keep going for almost an hour!

I finally returned the book to my coworker, so am getting around to purchasing our own copy since I know Maddie and her sister will enjoy having it through their pre teen (and teen) years (I know I will).

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