{{Short description|Book by Robie Harris}} {{Use mdy dates|date=May 2024}} {{Infobox book | name = It's Perfectly Normal: Changing Bodies, Growing Up, Sex, and Sexual Health | image = It's Perfectly Normal.jpg | caption = | author = Robie Harris | illustrator = Michael Emberley | country = United States | language = English | series = | subject = Human sexuality | publisher = Candlewick Press | pub_date = 1994, 2004, 2009, 2014, 2021 | pages = 89 | isbn = 978-1-56402-159-5 | oclc = | dewey = | congress = | preceded_by = }} '''''It's Perfectly Normal: Changing Bodies, Growing Up, Sex, and Sexual Health''''' is a children's book written by Robie Harris and illustrated by Michael Emberley. The purpose of the book is to inform preadolescent children about puberty by exploring different definitions of sex.<ref name=":4">{{Cite journal|last=Barrett|first=Ann|date=1995|title="The article reviews the books "IT'S PERFECTLY NORMAL: CHANGING BODIES, GROWING UP, SEX AND SEXUAL HEALTH," by Robie Harris"|journal=Canadian Journal of Human Sexuality|volume=4|pages=207–208}}</ref> It was first published in 1994 by Candlewick Press and has since been updated several times with new information.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|title=Happy Anniversary: It's Perfectly Normal|url=https://www.hbook.com/?detailStory=happy-anniversary-its-perfectly-normal|last=Flynn|first=Kitty|website=The Horn Book|access-date=2020-05-08|archive-date=2020-08-04|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200804222509/https://www.hbook.com/?detailStory=happy-anniversary-its-perfectly-normal|url-status=live}}</ref> It's also been published under the title ''Let's Talk About Sex'' in the UK. Harris was prompted to write ''It's Perfectly Normal'' by her editor so young individuals would understand aspects of sexual health.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|title=My Story » Robie H. Harris, Children's Book Author|url=http://robieharris.com/?page_id=13|website=robieharris.com|access-date=2020-05-08|archive-date=2020-05-19|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200519213806/http://robieharris.com/?page_id=13|url-status=live}}</ref> The book has won multiple accolades and appraisal for its accurate information and its normalization of body changes and human sexuality.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Review - It's Perfectly Normal - Child & Adolescent Development: Overview|url=http://wyomentalhealth.org/poc/view_doc.php?type=book&id=2483&cn=28|website=wyomentalhealth.org|access-date=2020-05-08|archive-date=2020-08-05|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200805050120/http://www.wyomentalhealth.org/poc/view_doc.php?type=book&id=2483&cn=28|url-status=live}}</ref> However, it has also been a source of controversy because of its graphic images that some consider inappropriate for the targeted age range.<ref name=":8">{{Cite web|title=It May Be 'Perfectly Normal', But It's Also Frequently Banned|url=https://www.npr.org/2014/09/21/350366435/it-may-be-perfectly-normal-but-its-also-frequently-banned|last=Hersher|first=Rebecca|website=NPR.org|language=en|access-date=2020-05-08|archive-date=2020-05-14|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200514034133/https://www.npr.org/2014/09/21/350366435/it-may-be-perfectly-normal-but-its-also-frequently-banned|url-status=live}}</ref> Many of Harris' books, including ''It's Perfectly Normal'', have appeared on the American Library Association's Most Challenged Books list frequently since 2005.<ref name=":9">{{Cite web|title="It's Perfectly Normal" tops ALA's 2005 list of most challenged books|url=http://www.ala.org/news/8220its-perfectly-normal8221-tops-alas-2005-list-most-challenged-books|last=admin|date=2007-02-26|website=News and Press Center|language=en|access-date=2020-05-08|archive-date=2022-01-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220118162659/https://www.ala.org/news/8220its-perfectly-normal8221-tops-alas-2005-list-most-challenged-books|url-status=live}}</ref> ''It's Perfectly Normal'' has additional anniversary editions that were published in 2004, 2009, and 2014, with another newly-revised edition being published in 2021.<ref name=":3">{{Cite book|last=Harris, Robie H.|title=It's perfectly normal : changing bodies, growing up, sex, and sexual health|others=Emberley, Michael|date=9 September 2014|isbn=978-0-7636-6997-3|edition=Twentieth-anniversary new|location=Somerville, Massachusetts|oclc=889221575}}</ref> The book has also been translated in 27 languages.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Answer - Sex Ed, Honestly -- Author Robie Harris Talks Candidly to Children About Sex|url=http://answer.rutgers.edu/blog/2009/07/08/author-robie-harris-talks-candidly-to-children-about-sex/|access-date=2020-05-08|archive-date=2018-01-29|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180129215609/http://answer.rutgers.edu/blog/2009/07/08/author-robie-harris-talks-candidly-to-children-about-sex/|url-status=live}}</ref>
== Background == Although Robie H. Harris never intended to become a children's book author, Harris has always been writing books and working with children.<ref name=":0" /> She became an elementary school teacher at the Bank Street School for Children in New York City, where she taught children how to write.<ref name=":0" /> Later, she started to work at Bank Street Writer's Laboratory with two other children's book authors, Irma Black and Bill Hooks.<ref name=":0" /> Harris has said that her mother's work in a biological laboratory may have influenced her to write books about "early childhood development, gender, puberty, reproduction, cells, genetics, viruses, nutrition, health, and sexual health".<ref name=":0" />
In an interview with ''Booklist'', Harris said that an editor at St. Martin's Press proposed the idea of writing a children's book about HIV/AIDS.<ref name=":1">{{Cite book|last=release|first=COVID-19 Announcement: Access to Booklist Online is free during this unprecedented time Read the press|url=http://www.booklistonline.com/The-Booklist-Interview-Robie-Harris-Stephanie-Zvirin/pid=1728751|title=Booklist Interview: Robie Harris, by Stephanie Zvirin {{!}} Booklist Online|access-date=2020-05-08|archive-date=2022-05-22|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220522185908/https://www.booklistonline.com/The-Booklist-Interview-Robie-Harris-Stephanie-Zvirin/pid=1728751|url-status=live}}</ref> Harris agreed to the idea, but believed that children needed to learn more about healthy sexuality than just HIV/AIDS, leading to the development of ''It's Perfectly Normal''.<ref name=":1" />
== Publication == First published in 1994, ''It's Perfectly Normal'' has constantly been updated for the three anniversary editions in 2004, 2009, and 2014.<ref name=":2" /> According to Dell'Antonia of ''The New York Times'', Harris, with the purpose of teaching young individuals accurate and resourceful information about sex, had consistently included details of sexual intercourse and the events leading to pregnancy as well as the aftermaths of birth in each edition.<ref name=":5">{{Cite web|title=20 Years After 'It's Perfectly Normal,' What's Changed?|url=https://parenting.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/09/17/20-years-after-its-perfectly-normal-whats-changed/|last=Dell’Antonia|first=Kj|date=2014-09-17|website=Motherlode Blog|language=en-US|access-date=2020-05-08|archive-date=2020-07-19|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200719094626/https://parenting.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/09/17/20-years-after-its-perfectly-normal-whats-changed/|url-status=live}}</ref>
BEE Production Inc. copyrighted the texts and illustrations of 1994, 2004, 2009, and 2014 editions.<ref name=":3" /> ''It's Perfectly Normal'' is in hardback, paperback, and electronic editions.<ref name=":3" /> The book was also translated into 27 different languages.<ref name=":6">{{Cite journal|last=Becker|first=Beverley|date=2002|title=Hit List for Children 2: Frequently Challenged Books|journal=American Library Association|pages=21–22}}</ref>
== Summary == ''It's Perfectly Normal'' is divided into six parts with individual chapters. The book starts with an introduction that shows two characters – the curious bird and the disgusted bee – that act as the hosts of the book.<ref name=":4" /> These two characters are meant to provide humor with their silly actions and comments as well as to reflect the many different feelings children often have about sex.<ref name=":4" />
In Part One, "What Is Sex", Harris introduces sex with different definitions; she writes that sex is a part of gender, sexual reproduction, sexual desire, sexual intercourse, and sexual orientation.<ref name=":6" />
In Part Two, "Our Bodies", she further explains that there are different types of bodies in respect to size, shape, and shade between females and males.<ref name=":7">{{Citation|title=It's Perfectly Normal by Robie H. Harris {{!}} BOOK REVIEW|date=2017-03-04|url=https://sexedrescue.com/its-perfectly-normal/|language=en-US|access-date=2020-05-08|archive-date=2020-08-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200810021119/https://sexedrescue.com/its-perfectly-normal/|url-status=live}}</ref> Harris also includes thorough information of female and male internal and external reproductive organs.<ref name=":7" /> Additionally, Harris explains that everybody talks about sex and body parts with different reactions; some people are uncomfortable and some individuals make jokes about it.<ref name=":7" />
In Part Three, "Puberty", Harris touches on the transition of female and male bodies and feelings during puberty.<ref name=":7" /> Harris explains the purpose of puberty as well as sharing information of what to expect and how to take care of the body.<ref name=":7" /> In this part, she introduces masturbation as a result from sex hormones.<ref name=":7" />
In Part Four, "Families and Babies", gives a detailed explanation that there are different types of families and that having a baby is a huge responsibility.<ref name=":7" /> Harris shares how a baby is conceived by explaining genes and chromosomes.<ref name=":7" /> Then, she further explains the aspects of pregnancy, which includes the development of the baby as well as birth.<ref name=":7" /> In this section, there is an explanation that there is more to sexual intercourse like kissing, hugging, and holding hands.<ref name=":7" />
In Part Five, "Decisions", it focuses on the choices of delaying sex, abstinence, birth control, and abortion.<ref name=":7" /> In this section, the current laws of abortion in the United States are explained as well as who can and cannot have one.<ref name=":7" />
In Part Six, "Staying Healthy", Harris ends the book by discussing online safety, sexual abuse, sexually transmitted infectionsーsuch as HIV/AIDSーand making healthy choices.<ref name=":7" />
In the 2014 anniversary edition, Harris introduces new topics like sexual identity by sharing homosexuality and heterosexuality.<ref name=":5" /> She expands her discussion with new terms that describe the LGBT community such as transgender, queer, and questioning.<ref name=":5" /> Harris also touches on online safety by opening discussion of sexting and online bullying.<ref name=":5" />
== Genre and style == ''It's Perfectly Normal'' can be classified as a health manual for upper-elementary and middle school audiences.<ref name=":2" /> According to the ''Booklist'', Harris and Emberley associated a clear and accurate illustration with every description.<ref name=":1" /> However, the illustrations were also designed to be humorous so the book could be suitable for children.<ref name=":1" /> For example, in the panels that show female fertilization eggs traveling through the fallopian tubes into the uterus, Harris shows the eggs screaming in joy as they travel.<ref name=":6" /> Harris and Emberley worked closely together on books specifically on sexual health because of the sensitivity of the topic, to ensure that each drawing would be clear and well-made.<ref name=":2" />
The ''Horn Book Magazine'' states that the illustrations are done in a friendly style.<ref name=":2" /> Whether the person drawn is kissing or is participating in sexual intercourse, they are shown with a happy expression.<ref name=":2" /> On the other hand, this is one of the reasons why the book is constantly involved with controversy.<ref name=":2" />
== Reception ==
=== Praise === ''It's Perfectly Normal'' has received many positive comments from various sources. The book has been praised for its frequently updated information.<ref name=":8" /> Robie Harris and Micheal Emberley constantly visit parents, teachers, librarians, doctors, nurses, psychologists, psychoanalysts, scientists and clergy for every new edition of the book published.<ref name=":2" /> Specifically, Harris makes sure that new details of AIDS prevention, birth control laws, gender, and sexual abuse are presented accurately in the book.<ref name=":8" /> Harris also mentioned that she talks with these specialists of what should be healthy and age appropriate for these children to stay informed and make healthy choices; she does this with the text and illustrations.<ref>{{Cite web|title=CCBC Meet the Experts|url=https://ccbc.education.wisc.edu/authors/experts/harris.asp|website=ccbc.education.wisc.edu|access-date=2020-05-08|archive-date=2014-06-22|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140622051451/http://ccbc.education.wisc.edu/authors/experts/harris.asp|url-status=live}}</ref> Harris stated that she does this for the safety of adolescent children that want to learn more about their changing bodies and feelings.<ref name=":8" /> Although the internet is available for searching these topics, she says that there are many creepy and dangerous websites that are unfortunately accessible.<ref name=":8" />
Not only was the book praised for its reliability, but it was also commended for bringing awareness to children of puberty. According to ''Kirkus Reviews'', it is a source of education that is slowing the spread of sexual diseases and ignorance.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/robie-h-harris/its-perfectly-normal/|title=IT'S PERFECTLY NORMAL {{!}} Kirkus Reviews|language=en|access-date=2023-11-08|archive-date=2023-06-13|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230613233434/https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/robie-h-harris/its-perfectly-normal/|url-status=live}}</ref> Other reviews said that the book is a useful resource that shares accurate information with a positive message about body changes and human sexuality.<ref name=":4" />
=== Criticism === ''It's Perfectly Normal'' has also been a source of controversy. Many sources believe that the book portrays sexual content that is not age appropriate, including illustrations of nudity and sex, homosexuality, abortion, and religious viewpoints.<ref name=":8" /> According to the American Library Association, ''It's Perfectly Normal'' has been one of the most frequently challenged books of the past two decades.<ref name=":9" />
The book has been challenged and, in some cases, removed from public libraries because of its content.<ref name=":9" /> For example, it was removed from school district library shelves in Clover Park, Washington, and in Charlestown, Pennsylvania, at the Chester County Public Library.<ref name=":6" /> Many critics have called the book "child pornography".<ref name=":6" />
Most of the parents who challenged the book disagreed with the concept of the book because they thought sexual education was not age appropriate for their children.<ref name=":8" /> Many of them also believe that children should not encounter texts or illustrations of specific body parts, sexual identity, and sexual well-being yet, especially if their children are not supervised.<ref name=":8" />
=== Awards === ''It's Perfectly Normal'' won the following awards:<ref name=":6" />
* American Literature Association Notable Children's Book in 1995 * Booklist Editor's Choice in 1994 * Boston Globe–Horn Book Honor Book in 1995 * The New York Times Best Book of the Year in 1995 * School Library Journal Best Books in 1994 * Wilson Library Bulletin Favorite Reads in 1994
==See also== {{Portal |Children's literature}} * {{annotated link|It's So Amazing|''It's So Amazing''}}
== References == {{Reflist}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:1994 children's books Category:American children's books Category:Candlewick Press books Category:Children's non-fiction books Category:Children's books about sex education Category:Children's books about interpersonal relationships