Biographical note:

Robie H. Harris says, "My challenge in writing IT'S SO AMAZING! was to weave the fascinating and complicated science facts about reproduction and birth into the story of the egg and the sperm, and to communicate to children in an honest and simple way how amazing this story really is!"


Michael Emberley says that while creating the illustrations for IT'S SO AMAZING!, he "tried to delicately balance age-appropriateness, absolute accuracy, honesty, and just plain fun."

Country of final manufacture:

US

Main description:

"An outstanding book. . . . Meets the needs of those in-between or curious kids who are not ready, developmentally or emotionally, for IT'S PERFECTLY NORMAL." — BOOKLIST (starred review)

How does a baby begin? What makes a baby male or female? How is a baby born? Children have plenty of questions about reproduction and babies — and about sex and sexuality, too. IT'S SO AMAZING! provides the answers — with fun, accurate, comic-book-style artwork and a clear, lively text that reflects elementary-school children's interest in how things work, while giving them a healthy understanding of their bodies. Created by the author and illustrator of IT'S PERFECTLY NORMAL, this forthright and funny book — newly updated for its fifth anniversary — covers similar territory but with an eye toward younger children's concerns.

Review quote:

"IT'S SO AMAZING! is the amazingly upbear and caring book that children have been waiting for — because it answers the many quetions most children have about babies, bodies, love, sex, reproduction, and family. This book is totally child-friendly and the perfect read-aloud book for children and families. Try if for the best-ever depiction of the real meaning of family." — Penelope Leach, Ph.D., author of YOUR BABY AND CHILD and CHILDREN FIRST


"This thoughtufl, innovative, and comprehensive book helps children with issues that are on their minds anyway — and gives all of us the language we need to share with them." — T. Berry Brazelton, M.D., author of TOUCHPOINTS: YOUR CHILD'S EMOTIONAL AND BEHAVIORAL DEVELOPMENT

As a pediatrician, I know that children have many questions about reproduction, birth, bodies, babies, and families. Finding the answers, in a comfortable, appropriate, and interesting way, is an essential part of growing up healthy in body and mind. This book provides an opportunity for children to find answers to their quetions with clarity of explanation, fabulous illustrations, and humor, together with an all-important sense of wonder." — Perri Klass, M.D., Medical Director of Reach Out and Read, Boston, MA

"An excellent resource on sex education for young children, presented in a lively and engaging style for both kids and parents. A book every family should own." — Alvin F. Poussaint, M.D., Clinical Professor of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School; co-author of RAISING BLACK CHILDREN: TWO LEADING PSYCHIATRISTS CONFRONT THE EDUATIONAL, SOCIAL, AND EMOTIONAL PROBLEMS FACING BLACK CHILDREN