"It's Perfectly Normal" by Robie H. Harris
Harris, Robie. (2014). It’s Perfectly Normal: Changing
Bodies, Growing Up, Sex and Sexual Health. Somerville, MA: Candlewick. ISBN:
978-0-7636-6871-6
I have
to admit that the amount of nudity in this book threw me for a loop at first.
It seemed excessive but the more I flipped through it and read, the more I
realized that it answered real-life questions that real-life kids have. It does
say on the front, “for age 10 and up” and that makes sense. That seems to be
the age where children have anxiety over things they don’t understand and are
also developing in a way they might think is abnormal. It’s really important
for them to understand that what is happening to them is normal, but that “normal”
looks different to some people. This book definitely does its part to fight body
dysmorphic disorders.
Topics
such as body development, pubescence, proper bathing, sex, pregnancy, babies and
families are tough subjects for some parents. I have a 3-year-old and we’ve
already had the talk about how some families have a mommy and a daddy, or 2
mommies, or 2 daddies or just a mommy, or just a daddy. I want my kids to be
open minded but there are some topics I have no idea how to broach!
For those
other awkward parents like me, this book exists! From the moment I found out I
was pregnant at week 4, I started wondering what I was going to teach my child
and how I was going to do it. None of the plans ever work out quite like you
think they will and I’m still dreading the “birds and the bees” talk that is
inevitable. Honestly, I’m keeping this book and giving it to her in 6.5 years.
I think it, with its description, friendly cartoon bird and bee (of course),
and images can explain SO MUCH better than I ever could. Parents, meet your new
best friend!
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