The Joyful Mysteries of Life

Rating:
Summary: Puts sex in its place
Review: This book is perfect for the 5-6th grade child. It is gentle and honest, and unfolds the awesome beauty of "the two shall become one flesh," because it explains why this act belongs in the context of marriage. No other "birds and bees" book comes close, and I have read many! Do not worry that there are no graphic pictures and it is not clinical. It is exactly what a child this age needs. Children really "get it." Everyone should read it with your child (mother/daughter or father/son). How to make it work? Read a chapter at a time, on mom/dad's bed with the door closed; take turns reading each paragraph; make it a special time, with a cookie or brownie!

There are 2 words in the entire book which might make a child roll his/her eyes: "mummy"-used twice (sounds foreign in the U.S.) and "tummy" (sounds juvenile in U.S. at this age). Otherwise a perfect book. It even has questions for discussion at the end of each chapter (which will not make anyone blush).

Rating:
Summary: pro-life sex education!
Review: This book paints a wonderful picture from a CATHOLIC point of view of what God intended for love and sexuality. Appropriate for pre-adolescents to read, I would suggest all parents read it before giving it to their children. Some parts contain obvious opinions rather than Catholic doctrine, so parents need to be cautious. It stresses the importance of respect and reverence for children's own bodies, and those of the opposite sex. Perfect book for a pro-life, Catholic family who is seeking guidance on how to explain to their children about sexuality.