All About Vulvas and Vaginas: A Learning About Bodies Book

by Dorian Solot, Marshall Miller, Tyler Feder (Illustrator)

Overview

"Educational and approachable" – Publishers Weekly

Head, shoulders, knees, and . . . vulvas and vaginas! Young children are curious about all body parts.

With bright illustrations, readable language, and a matter-of-fact tone, this guide offers readers the information they need to understand how bodies work.

All About Vulvas and Vaginas is a book that embraces body diversity, reassures kids, and provides caregivers easy ways to answer the common questions that children have.

Additional guidance for parents and caregivers includes more information on being an askable parent and how to talk to young children about sensitive topics.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781250852571
Publisher:	Henry Holt and Co. (BYR)
Publication date:	04/30/2024
Pages:	32
Product dimensions:	9.40(w) x 9.30(h) x 0.35(d)
Age Range:	3 - 7 Years

About the Author

Dorian Solot (she/her) and Marshall Miller (he/him) are nationally‑recognized sex educators who are passionate about increasing people's knowledge and comfort with their own bodies. They have presented over 1,000 programs on sexuality topics at universities, businesses, high schools, national conferences, churches, and adult education centers over the past twenty years.

Graduates of Brown University, Solot and Miller's media appearances include CNN, NBC, the New York Times, National Public Radio, Time, Cosmopolitan, and hundreds of other newspapers, radio, and television shows.

Dorian Solot (she/her) and Marshall Miller (he/him) are nationally‑recognized sex educators who are passionate about increasing people's knowledge and comfort with their own bodies. They have presented over 1,000 programs on sexuality topics at universities, businesses, high schools, national conferences, churches, and adult education centers over the past twenty years.

Graduates of Brown University, Solot and Miller's media appearances include CNN, NBC, the New York Times, National Public Radio, Time, Cosmopolitan, and hundreds of other newspapers, radio, and television shows.

Editorial Reviews

02/05/2024

In this early title in the Learning About Bodies series, educators Solot and Miller take a straightforward approach, eschewing gendered language to introduce vulvas and vaginas. Brightly hued, textbook-like drawings and diagrams by Feder (Bodies Are Cool) portray variously inclusive bodies while employing defined line work to depict the vulva, inner and outer labia, urethra, vagina, anus, and clitoris alongside spot-art illustrations (an adult changes an infant’s diaper, a child sits on a toilet). Emphasizing that “however they look is just right for that body,” the authors briefly detail each part’s function (the clitoris “has lots of nerve endings inside it”), then delve clearly into concepts of privacy and consent (“It’s okay to touch these body parts when you’re in private”; “It is always okay to say no if someone wants to touch these private parts”). Educational and approachable, this engaging read offers up age-appropriate definitions of these “private parts” while describing them as “just parts of the body, like elbows, chins, or toes” as well as “pretty special” components that “do things that no other body part can do.” Includes information for caretakers. Publishing simultaneously: All About Penises. Ages 3–7. (Apr.)

Publishers Weekly

A Chicago Public Library Best Book of the Year

"Educational and approachable, this engaging read offers up age-appropriate definitions" – Publishers Weekly

"A concise, no-nonsense primer on bodies." –Kirkus

"I was super excited to discover that we finally have some books for young children that teach them the proper names, are diverse, inclusive, and talk about a part of their body in a factual way, but also throwing in some body safety educational stuff as well." - Cath Hakanson, Founder, Sex Ed Rescue, and author of The Parents' Guide to Explaining Sex

"This simple, lively, inclusive guide identifies and discusses female genitalia in a way young kids can understand...always keeping an upbeat, respectful, encouraging tone. ️️️️️★★★★★" -Common Sense Media

From the Publisher

10/18/2024

Gr 1–3—An inviting tone settles the advanced, anatomically correct words of this informative book into an approachable format designed to support younger readers' growing knowledge about bodies; in this volume of the series, topics ranging from the form of the vulva to the basic functions of the vagina to cleaning care are introduced. This book is not suited for a whole class read-aloud experience due to an imbalance between the younger age group it is intended for and the subject matter introduced; however, this book can support a health and body-related discussion between a parent and child, who may feel more confident to ask questions and express themselves openly about the language and illustrations presented. The bright tone but high vocabulary of the book allows more advanced readers to set the pace in a one-on-one setting and settle younger readers after chuckles at the idea of talking about private body parts by encouraging a fact-based line of thinking about the body, not the person. Feder deftly applies defined lines and basic shapes to create a diverse cast of anatomically female figures and a focus on specific body parts, using generalized forms and colors, as they are named in the text, such as labia and urethra. VERDICT Readers will require a counselor, parent, or guardian close by to make sense of the health- and body-related vocabulary and topics of this book that is designed to foster a private conversation for discussion.—Rachel Mulligan

School Library Journal

2024-02-17
“Lots of people have vulvas!”

“Maybe you’re curious to learn more about vulvas and vaginas,” the authors of this upbeat text note. They go on to offer direct explanations about anatomy, with some information about topics such as bodily autonomy. Multiple pages of diagrams point out different parts, such as the inner and outer labia, the clitoris, and the vagina. Childbirth is briefly examined, with a somewhat manic use of exclamation points: “When a grown-up has a baby, most of the time the baby is born through their vagina! Some babies are born other ways, and that’s fine too!” A caregiver’s note at the end explores vaginal and cesarean births in more detail. Solot and Miller employ gender-neutral language throughout, though they don’t cover gender identity. They briefly address unwanted touch, letting readers know that genitals are private parts (“If you aren’t sure about someone touching you or you feel mixed-up, you may decide to talk to a grown-up you trust”). The note at the end for adults discusses preventing sexual abuse, as well as intersex bodies, masturbation, and “How to be an askable parent,” while a note at the beginning stresses the importance of providing accurate, age-appropriate info on genitals. Feder’s bright, cartoonish illustrations depict racially diverse characters.

A concise, no-nonsense primer on bodies. (Informational picture book. 4-7)

Kirkus Reviews