📖 Overview
It's So Amazing! presents facts about reproduction, sexuality, and human development for children ages 7 and up. The book features illustrations by Michael Emberley and uses two characters - a curious bird and a squeamish bee - to guide readers through the material.
The content covers pregnancy, birth, puberty, families, and relationships in clear, straightforward language. Educational diagrams and anatomical drawings help explain complex processes, while the narrative addresses common questions and concerns about growing up.
A 2014 updated edition added information about internet safety and modern family structures. The book maintains scientific accuracy while remaining accessible for its young audience.
The text serves as a comprehensive resource for families seeking to discuss reproduction and sexuality with children in an age-appropriate way. Its approach balances factual information with sensitivity to its readers' developmental stage.
👀 Reviews
Parents and educators value this sex education book for its age-appropriate explanations for children ages 7-10. Reviews highlight the scientific accuracy, clear illustrations, and matter-of-fact tone that helps normalize conversations about bodies and reproduction.
Readers appreciate:
- Uses correct anatomical terms without being clinical
- Bird and bee cartoon characters add humor
- Addresses adoption, sexual orientation, and consent
- Includes diverse family structures
- Answers questions kids actually ask
Common criticisms:
- Some parents feel content is too mature for younger children
- Conservative readers object to LGBTQ content
- A few note the cartoon style feels dated
Ratings:
Goodreads: 4.34/5 (2,100+ ratings)
Amazon: 4.6/5 (1,300+ ratings)
Sample review: "Perfect balance of facts and accessibility. My 8-year-old read it cover to cover and it sparked great discussions." - Goodreads reviewer
"Clear illustrations that inform without being graphic." - School Library Journal review
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The Care and Keeping of You by Valorie Lee Schaefer A guide for girls about body changes during puberty from the American Girl Library.
What's Going on Down There? by Karen Gravelle A book for boys about puberty that addresses physical changes, emotions, and relationships with scientific accuracy.
What's the Big Secret? by Laurie Krasny Brown, Marc Brown A straightforward guide for younger children about bodies, gender, and reproduction using child-appropriate language and drawings.
Sex Is a Funny Word by Cory Silverberg A comic book exploration of bodies, gender, touch, and relationships for children ages 8-10.
The Care and Keeping of You by Valorie Lee Schaefer A guide for girls about body changes during puberty from the American Girl Library.
What's Going on Down There? by Karen Gravelle A book for boys about puberty that addresses physical changes, emotions, and relationships with scientific accuracy.
🤔 Interesting facts
🔹 The book's illustrator, Michael Emberley, comes from a family of children's book creators - his father David Emberley is also a renowned illustrator who created the "Ed Emberley's Drawing Book" series.
🔹 "It's So Amazing!" has been translated into 27 languages and has sold over 1.5 million copies worldwide.
🔹 Author Robie Harris spent five years researching and consulting with scientists, educators, and healthcare professionals before writing the book to ensure accuracy.
🔹 The bird and bee characters were specifically chosen to play off the phrase "the birds and the bees," a common euphemism for conversations about reproduction.
🔹 The American Library Association named "It's So Amazing!" as one of the best children's science books of 1999, despite some controversy over its frank discussion of sensitive topics.