In my continued effort to be better acquainted with commonly banned and “controversial” children’s books, I dug into three sex ed books by Robie H. Harris and Michael Emberley. It’s Perfectly Normal is the book that is most commonly banned among the three, because it is the most comprehensive and progressive. But I was curious to see how each book differed, as they are aimed at specific age groups. It’s NOT the Stork is for ages 4 and up, It’s So Amazing is recommended for younger elementary aged children, and It’s Perfectly Normal is recommended for ages 10 and up.
Read together, it is clear how thoughtfully these books were written as a set. I read them in order of the age recommendations, and each book is a deliberate advancement from the last, while providing comforting crossover characters and a similar organization. The books feature a cartoon bird and bee who act as a child-like reflection of the information presented. The bird is a little more goofy, free and easy, and curious, while the bee is more nervous, analytical, and squeamish. They could be read together over a child’s life, or you could pick the one you’re ready to introduce to your kid when the time is right.
The tone of each book is straightforward and kind. The books have been revised several times over the years to make sure information is as up-t0-date as possible. Sadly, no one can keep up with the news cycle these days, so even the 2021 edition of It’s Perfectly Normal is already outdated in a couple of its subjects. But it’s still an excellent resource for families seeking sexual education resources.
The big differences between each book, of course, is the amount of information and the topics explored. Each book addresses reproduction, bodies, and relationships at various levels. As they progress, they get into more nitty gritty than the last. It’s Not the Stork mostly discusses the mechanics of reproduction and baby growth, and the differences between “boy and girl” bodies. It’s So Amazing adds in introductory concepts to relationships, STIs, safety, and family issues like adoption. It’s Perfectly Normal delves deeply into topics like LGBTQ+ and gender, sexual abuse, abortion, internet safety, and more.
The books are still fairly binary-gendered, though the third book is very inclusive. Trans and intersex bodies are defined and acknowledged, and the illustrations in this volume are largely gender-neutral. I loved that many of the couples depicted could go in any direction for gender. I expect if they revise this again, Harris will go further into gender-neutral language.
The illustrations are wonderful, and progress similarly to the text in terms of medical and anatomical detail. This series is my first recommendation to families seeking information for their child. The books work well as a shared tool, but are also accessible to children who want to read on their own.