Asking About Sex & Growing Up: A Question-and-Answer Book for Kids

by Joanna Cole, Bill Thomas (Illustrator)

Overview

Joanna Cole's Asking About Sex & Growing Up is the perfect book to provide answers to preteens' questions about sex. Writing especially for kids ages 8-12, the author uses a question-and-answer format to offer straightforward information on a wide variety of subjects related to sex and puberty.

Information about sex is everywhere. But what kids learn from TV, movies, the internet, and friends is not always a healthy or accurate view of sexuality.

Now revised and updated with current facts, Asking About Sex & Growing Up is a safe, honest, friendly resource to share with preteens. The book is appropriate for both boys and girls. With the approachable, nonjudgmental Q&A format, this is a book that a preteen can read on his or her own. It's also likely to open up healthy, positive conversations with parents and caregivers.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780061923340
Publisher:	HarperCollins
Publication date:	11/24/2009
Sold by:	HARPERCOLLINS
Format:	eBook
Pages:	96
Sales rank:	588,544
File size:	2 MB
Age Range:	8 - 12 Years

About the Author

Joanna Cole is the author of the popular Magic School Bus series, I'm a Big Brother, I'm a Big Sister, and many other award-winning books. In Asking About Sex & Growing Up, she provides a reassuring blend of practical guidance and scientific fact for the audience that needs it most.

Editorial Reviews

Gr 4–6—Cole employs the same question-and-answer format and much of the same text as in her 1988 title (Morrow). She offers straightforward information about topics such as physical changes in puberty, masturbation, birth control, pregnancy, homosexuality, and STDs. Minor changes include lowering the age of the onset of puberty and substituting trendier names for characters (e.g., Olivia for Sharon). Sections on AIDS, birth control, and homosexuality have undergone more extensive alterations to incorporate new medical information and societal changes such as moves to legalize same-sex marriage. The most striking change in the book's appearance comes from the new black-and-white illustrations that replace the previous edition's line drawings. Thomas's wide-eyed preteens sport modern hairstyles and clothing. Most are Caucasian, and all are slim, attractive, and perky. The author continues to emphasize the importance of parent-child discussion, although she has eliminated her list of recommended resources. Libraries with the original book will want to replace it with this edition. Others should consider adding it as a source of basic information for curious preteens.—Kathy Piehl, Minnesota State University, Mankato

School Library Journal