ktxx22's review against another edition
3.0
Very dense, and until I can see how a 10-15 year old (depending on maturity and development for sure) responds to this book/workbook I think I need to leave it at a 3 star. This I can see being a pivotal bridge to talking to your kids about the difficult and occasionally embarrassing subject that is sex, their bodies, and how to respect yourself and others in the process. I will recommend this book to folks with appropriately aged kiddos that are seeking this sort of thing, but outside of them I would not because I think some folks would not know how to use the information appropriately or would overreact to the subject matter within…. Usually people who forget the bathroom convos of 5th grade revolving all sorts of explorative words, talk, and gossip.
crystal_reading's review against another edition
4.0
This book explains a lot of things, but what I appreciated the most was all of the questions at the end of the sections. Families reading it together would have lots of opportunities to discuss things that many kids are wondering and might be afraid to ask. Children reading it on their own would also understand that if they are wondering these things, they are obviously not alone and might actually venture to talk to someone they trust.
The illustrations look a lot like those of Todd Parr and his books are generally for the primary grades. That caused me to think this book was for a younger set initially. It definitely works for upper elementary, but may be borderline for middle school because they may think the same thing.
I wish I had books like this when I was growing up. School was inadequate and there were things in this book I definitely would have benefited from knowing at an earlier age.
The illustrations look a lot like those of Todd Parr and his books are generally for the primary grades. That caused me to think this book was for a younger set initially. It definitely works for upper elementary, but may be borderline for middle school because they may think the same thing.
I wish I had books like this when I was growing up. School was inadequate and there were things in this book I definitely would have benefited from knowing at an earlier age.
chandraleereads's review against another edition
5.0
I read this with my 11-year-old niece and am so glad that I did! This book is geared towards kids a bit younger than her, but she is a very private kid and loves graphic novels so I figured it was a good resource for us to talk about bodies and gender and sex. She said she would rate it a 4.5 (given her tween defiance I call that a complete win).
hereistheend's review against another edition
5.0
This book is immaculate. Sex is a Funny Word has been challenged due to the consideration that the title might be explicit, and that it includes sex and gender education, acknowledging pleasure. The illustrations are vibrant, colorful, expressive, and fun, depicting diverse kids acting like kids. The content breaks complex topics into simple, holistic, neutral, and loving terms. This book isn’t just about sex- it’s a primer on respect, trust, and justice too, covering relationships, gender, and body autonomy, as well as sex. As it should! It reminds even adult readers that sex is more complicated than an act; it impacts our agency, self and body image, our gender, our emotions, and our sense of justice.
finalefile's review against another edition
4.0
I think this is the only "feel-good" sex ed book I have ever seen! But it's not your traditional "sex ed" book--it focuses much more on body positivity, gender identity, feelings, and good touch/bad touch. It's written in a very gender-inclusive way and emphasizes that we all have different bodies and different feelings about things, and that our feelings are normal and okay. The people in the illustrations are wonderfully diverse--there are boys, girls, men, women, people whose gender isn't readily apparent, people of different races, different family sizes, visibly disabled people, people wearing varied types of clothing (including a hijab), etc.
Of course some parents/guardians/teachers will have problems with this book since it dares to mention the existence of non-straight and non-cisgender people (gasp!). But I felt that all the content was age-appropriate. I think all the topics covered are things that the intended audience (7-to-10-year-olds) are already thinking and wondering about. I would have loved to have a book like this as a kid to let me know it was okay to be curious about how bodies work, to be confused about growing up, to have crushes on people, to want personal space sometimes, etc.
I want to give the authors a high-five for including asexuality in the vocabulary list at the end of the book--it's wonderful to see the "invisible orientation" mentioned in a kids' book for once!
My only complaint about this book is that a few of the illustrations and some of the asides made by the characters were kind of weird and didn't add anything to the book's main ideas. For example, the person dressed in what I can best describe as a "patchwork cat outfit" on page 37--I didn't quite understand what they were going for with that visual. But overall, the book was great and I recommend it to anyone and everyone.
Of course some parents/guardians/teachers will have problems with this book since it dares to mention the existence of non-straight and non-cisgender people (gasp!). But I felt that all the content was age-appropriate. I think all the topics covered are things that the intended audience (7-to-10-year-olds) are already thinking and wondering about. I would have loved to have a book like this as a kid to let me know it was okay to be curious about how bodies work, to be confused about growing up, to have crushes on people, to want personal space sometimes, etc.
I want to give the authors a high-five for including asexuality in the vocabulary list at the end of the book--it's wonderful to see the "invisible orientation" mentioned in a kids' book for once!
My only complaint about this book is that a few of the illustrations and some of the asides made by the characters were kind of weird and didn't add anything to the book's main ideas. For example, the person dressed in what I can best describe as a "patchwork cat outfit" on page 37--I didn't quite understand what they were going for with that visual. But overall, the book was great and I recommend it to anyone and everyone.
aclopez6's review against another edition
4.0
An excellent starter resource for families and young kids (maybe 5 - 13? somewhere around that age range, though teenagers could definitely learn a thing or two as well).
Note - if an updated version was released in 2022 or 2023, I would likely rate it 5 stars, it just so happens that I'm reading it 7 years after the initial publication and some language and framing has shifted
Note - if an updated version was released in 2022 or 2023, I would likely rate it 5 stars, it just so happens that I'm reading it 7 years after the initial publication and some language and framing has shifted
intensej's review against another edition
5.0
An informative and thoughtful resource for children and parents. I liked the questions at the end of each chapter that allow the readers to interact with the material. The illustrations are helpful for providing context and are age appropriate. I wasn't a fan of the funky colors, but it probably helps make the book more appealing for younger audiences.
thebellsisatollin's review against another edition
inspiring
slow-paced
4.25
Great for children who are finding their identity!
rryep's review against another edition
**Commentary
>New Independent Reader
+Nonfiction
Main Topics: Biology - Human Anatomy - Sex/Sexuality, Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, LGBTQIA+, Education, Growing Up
+Author has a Masters degree in Education emphasis in sexuality and disability - founding member of the "Come As You Are Co"-operative
+lgbtQia+ Author
>New Independent Reader
+Nonfiction
Main Topics: Biology - Human Anatomy - Sex/Sexuality, Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, LGBTQIA+, Education, Growing Up
+Author has a Masters degree in Education emphasis in sexuality and disability - founding member of the "Come As You Are Co"-operative
+lgbtQia+ Author
gillianalice's review against another edition
informative
reflective
medium-paced
4.75
Inclusive and informative! I can see why the bigots are mad about it but this is a great way to start communicating with your kids.