Rating: 
Summary: we were all amazed
Review: Ah, what a relief it was for me to find this book to share with my two sons -- aged 8 and 10 at the time -- a book that is not only informative and engaging to young readers interested in sex and sexuality, but also one that actually "includes" all of the members of our family. I would very strongly recommend this book for alternative families -- the book gracefully included information about adoption and gay parenting without trying too hard (as some books do) or sticking it in as an afterthought (as many books do).We read the book out loud as a family, all the way through, several times before it went upstairs to "live" with the boys' other books. Doing so allowed us to talk through the information, and really allowed me to see where my kids were in terms of information and understanding. Now, I see the book out every couple of months -- mostly being read by my older son, who will be 13 this summer. It's So Amazing is an amazing book -- it manages to meet the entertainment AND informational needs of its young readers. I highly recommend it for your inquisitive kid.
Rating:
Summary: Let's talk about sex
Review: As a home-schooled child, I wasn't privy to the scientific explanations of sexual reproduction and intercourse. For twenty-nine years, the stork and basket were the extent of my sexual knowledge. I knew that I had a penis, and women had a vagina, but beyond that, I was lost.
Up until recently, I've never really had a female companion (except for a few gorgeous ladies that I chat with online every Wednesday night), so you can imagine how nervous I was when my new girlfriend told me that she was ready to have sexual intercourse ("sex") with me.
On the day of our "big date", I spent some time doing research in the library. The nice lady at the front desk recommended "The Joy of Sex", so I found a secluded spot and started reading. Truthfully, I was disappointed in this book. While the copy was informative, the illustrations of the long-haired, mustached man and flower-power woman made the material extremely dated. I couldn't help but wonder if this old book failed to mention some of the new-fangled sexual techniques practiced by today's youth, so I looked elsewhere.
After passing over some filthy books, I came across "It's So Amazing! A Book About Eggs, Sperm, Birth, Babies and Families". Designed for young children -- who, like me, know little to nothing about sex, reproduction and love -- this book contains stories and pictures that leave nothing to the imagination.
The story of sex is told by a talkative bird and a bashful bee, who both add light-hearted comedy to some of the more horrific subjects -- like child birth. Not only did I learn about sex, but I learned why my special place started to get hair when I was 13-years old. My mother said it was because I didn't eat my vegetables. Boy, was she wrong. The bird and the bee also did a great job of telling me about sexually transmitted diseases, so I made sure to ask my girlfriend if she had any before we had sex.
"It's So Amazing" is an excellent resource for sex novices. Thanks to this book, I was completely prepared for sexual activities with my girlfriend, and everyone was left very satisfied.
Rating:
Summary: FAR more than what I expected!!!
Review: First off you need to know this is a large book. It's huge. The picture does not at all convey how huge this book really is. It's about two times the size of a normal size book. I really don't think the description is adequate. I expected this to be a basic story book. It is far more than that. This is a very scientific book. It is a lot like the book "A Child is Born" only geared for kids. By this I don't mean watered down or talking down to kids. It is perfect. In fact I would venture to say you could actually use this as your primary educational tool when teaching your kids about sex for the first time. I originally got a book that was advertised as being the best book to read to your kids when telling them about sex. Actually I think this is 1000 times better b/c it has pictures, it tells it graphically but in cartoon style. It is FAR less traumatic for those parents who don't feel comfortable broaching this subject. I will be using this as my primary book from now on. I am fully impressed. It is really underrated if you ask me.
Rating:
Summary: FAR more than what I expected!!!
Review: First off you need to know this is a large book. It's huge. The picture does not at all convey how huge this book really is. It's about two times the size of a normal size book. I really don't think the description is adequate. I expected this to be a basic story book. It is far more than that. This is a very scientific book. It is a lot like the book "A Child is Born" only geared for kids. By this I don't mean watered down or talking down to kids. It is perfect. In fact I would venture to say you could actually use this as your primary educational tool when teaching your kids about sex for the first time. I originally got a book that was advertised as being the best book to read to your kids when telling them about sex. Actually I think this is 1000 times better b/c it has pictures, it tells it graphically but in cartoon style. It is FAR less traumatic for those parents who don't feel comfortable broaching this subject. I will be using this as my primary book from now on. I am fully impressed. It is really underrated if you ask me.
Rating:
Summary: A perfect companion to their first book
Review: Harris and Emberley have done it again! "It's So Amazing!" is a much-needed follow up to their prior book, "It's Perfectly Normal." The text is clear, while maybe a little advanced for the younger solo reader -- this would be a good one for parents and kids to read together at first. Numerous captions and illustrations help children understand the material more fully, and are entertaining, to boot. The bird and bee characters are back, too, speaking many of the feelings, doubts, and questions real kids may have when mulling over the information. They provide some comic relief, but their function as a sounding board is more important than many people realize. This can be confusing (and hard to believe) stuff. There is much more in-depth material on the actual mechanics of reproduction and birth than in "Normal," but it is nicely balanced by the sections on how families are formed, how families relate to and love each other, and what makes each person unique. This would make a perfect teaching tool for a kid who has a basic understanding of anatomy and physiology, but is ready for some behind-the-scenes details as to how babies are created, and how they grow into children who then grow into adults -- and start the whole process over!
Rating:
Summary: mom of 3
Review: I originally ordered 4-5 books in this category and none of the others could compare. The comic relief offered by the two characters in the sidelines is absolutely wonderful. My 7 year old son could release any discomfort with the topics through laughter (often laughing harder than he would normally). After loaning this book to friends who were all extremely happy with this book, I've decided I need another copy.
Rating:
Summary: IT's So Amazing!"
Review: I purchased this book for my daughter who has autism, as she is entering junior high next school year, and was starting to ask questions. It was very descriptive and had some fun "visuals" that made this serious subject a much lighter topic to discuss. It described "sex" used in several scenarios, one example being used as if completing a job application (writing in M or F). I found the book very concrete in some ways, and very, very amusing as it's illustrations can lighten the mood for even the shyest of parents discussing this subject. It also explains the feelings that go with the various sections. I highly recommend this book and I have already to many people, but I would also suggest the adult read it in entirety to make sure their child is emotionally ready to receive this information first. A great book for kids to read WITH their parents BEFORE they hear it at school or from their friends.
Rating:
Summary: It's So Amazing
Review: Since our nine year old son is the result of donor insemination within a two mom family, he is pretty well informed on how a baby is biologically created. All those questions and more were answered in a humorous way in this book. A child can take this book and read a page or a chapter at a time by himself or with his family. It allows him to feel comfortable with the whole factual human sexual process through humor and easy to understand child-text. I would recommend this book to any family that wants their children to understand all types of relationships, families and the unique process of conception and birth.
Rating:
Summary: Learn about sex with a bird and a bee
Review: Subtitled "A Book about Eggs, Sperm, Birth, Babies, and Families," this book is an oversized comic book addressing where babies come from, growing up, anatomy (inside and out), love, and more. Narrated by an eager, awe-struck bird and a reluctant, uneasy bee, the tone will put children at ease with their own feelings about the subject. The book does not require any prior knowledge, though does address children's misconceptions and relates information to what children may have heard elsewhere. The coverage of the book is comprehensive and will answer most questions a child from ages 7 through 11 have about sex, sexuality, their bodies, and their feelings, in language they can understand (including terms such as "pee," "poop," and "balls"). Sensitive subjects such as masturbation and homosexuality are handled frankly and without being judgmental. For instance, the text reads, "Every family has its own thoughts and feelings about masturbation. Your family may feel differently from your friend's or cousin's or neighbor's family about whether it's okay, or not okay, to masturbate." This treatment makes the book a perfect way for parents to raise these subjects and talk about them with their children. The book also covers topics such as adoption, sexual abuse, and AIDS. This broad range of subjects will address the diversity children find in their own families, or in the families of their friends or classmates. The material is organized into 22 two-page chapters, which can be read in order or browsed according to a child's interests or curiosity. The text can be read aloud by a parent, but children may also study the illustrations closely on their own. The illustrations are cartoonish, but also accurately represent human anatomy - the chapter on pregnancy includes actual-size illustrations of the developing fetus. The book includes a helpful index, helpfully explained by the bird and bee.
Rating:
Summary: Straight talk with plenty of humor
Review: The best part about this book is the organization; it's easy to skip around and address the speifics that your child has questions about. The beginning parts are a perfect introduction to "How babies are made," and acknowledges all the mixed feelings kids might have on the subject. It's a good book to leave around for your child to "find"; kids have an idea of what they're ready to deal with. (As a 13-year-old, I picked up my parents' copy of "The Joy of Sex" and quickly put it away because I wasn't ready for that!) I like "It's so Amazing" better than "It's Perfectly Normal" (acknowledging that you will need a more advanced book for your older children to "discover"); "Normal" is thorough about anything a preteen could possibly want to know; unfortunately, some of the pertinent info you have to discover by accident while reading other sections of the book. Also, "Normal" equates having a crush with "sexual attraction" - I'm not comfortable with that assumption. Note: "Amazing" is not a sufficient resource for your reaching-puberty boy or girl; you should have a boy-or-girl-specific book for that 9-12 age. I'll be on the lookout for a knockout book for graduates of "It's So Amazing!" Maybe we need a really advanced teenage book that tells it all about contraception, bodies, and sexual risks in a way a 9th grader can relate to - after that it may be too late!
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