It's Perfectly Normal

April 15, 2021
A groundbreaking text gets updated. Harris and Emberley's title has been a controversial staple of the sex-ed genre since its first edition in 1994. This iteration will look familiar in structure and language, and Emberley's spot illustrations throughout still show various bodies, often naked, sometimes engaging in discreetly covered sexual activity. In this outing, readers will find more information about the internet, an update on legal developments around abortion access, and more inclusive language around gender identity and sexuality. Of especial note are new illustrations highlighting same-sex relationships, both in and out of bed. As has been a feature since the beginning, a bee and a bird pipe up throughout; the bird is interested in everything about sexuality and puberty, and the bee expresses more discomfort and disinterest, mirroring how different readers might respond. While Harris continues to deliver accessible yet clinical messaging around the realities of puberty and the risks and rewards of sexual activity, this book falters significantly in its attempts to include intersex, trans, and nonbinary readers. It switches confusingly between "a pregnant person" and "pregnant women," acknowledges gender-neutral pronouns but resorts occasionally to "his or her," and labels bodies as "female" and "male" without referencing the limitations of or any reasoning behind that usage. The illustrations of human beings similarly fail to include any medically gender-transitioned bodies in an otherwise diverse array erroneously titled "All Kinds of Bodies." Still a useful resource, but it doesn't meet the needs of many readers. (index) (Nonfiction. 10-14)

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Starred review from August 29, 1994
In this intelligent, amiable and carefully researched book, Harris ( Before You Were Three ) frankly explains the physical, psychological, emotional and social changes that occur during puberty--and the implications of these changes. Taking a conversational, relaxed tone, Harris also discusses such subjects as sexual orientation, sexual reproduction, pregnancy, birth control, sexually transmitted diseases and sexual abuse. The author intentionally and effectively repeats certain crucial information, especially on the subject of the possible consequences of sexual intercourse. Alternately playful and realistic (and occasionally graphic), Emberley's ( Ruby ) watercolor-and-pencil art reinforces Harris's message that bodies come in all sizes, shapes and colors--and that each variation is ``perfectly normal.'' Cartoon panels illustrate various complicated processes (e.g., menstruation, the fertilization of an egg, childbirth). Appearing on each spread are two characters--an easy-going bird and an apprehensive bee--whose comments add levity to this solid volume. Ages 10-14.

January 29, 1996
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 message that bodies come in all sizes, shapes and colors-and that each variation is `perfectly normal.' " Ages 10-14.

January 1, 2021
This fifth edition of the classic sex-ed compendium for tweens and young teens updates the 2014 edition, most notably revising the text throughout to use more gender-inclusive language and less binary thinking. Harris lays the groundwork in the first chapter, e.g., providing definitions for sex and gender and acknowledging that for some people the labels assigned at birth "do not describe who they are." Many pages have been redesigned to accommodate added text and reconfigured chapters. The addition of new illustrations better reflects diversity in all its forms. A welcome -- and welcoming -- edition.

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