Changing You!: A Guide to Body Changes and Sexuality by Gail Saltz, Lynne Avril Cravath (Illustrator)

From the Publisher

An honest and reassuring guide to puberty for elementary school children

Puberty can be an exciting—and confusing—time for children. In the follow-up to her bestselling Amazing You!, Dr. Gail Saltz navigates the curiosity and confusion that youngsters feel as they start to notice the changes their bodies undergo. She also talks about reproduction and emerging sexuality all with her renowned brand of warmth and candor. This refreshingly accessible picture book also includes an author's note to parents.

Children's Literature

In a book about sexuality for children, it is critical that the information be authoritative, accurate, and yet accessible; this book qualifies on all counts. Dr. Saltz is both a professor of psychiatry and a practitioner. Targeted for seven to ten year olds, this is her second book for children on the topic, and is clearly intended as a guide for parents—a read-along rather than a read-alone work. The focus here is on the physiological changes accompanying puberty and reproduction. A "Note to Parents" opens the book and encourages treating questions from children as opportunities for parents to become the authoritative source of information about sexuality. Needless to say, that means the relevant adults should read this ahead of time to familiarize themselves with the anatomical language, increase their comfort level with the subject, and prepare to frame the presentation—which places sexual behavior strictly in the context of procreation—within their own moral/behavioral expectations and values. Brightly colored illustrations are humorously drawn and reflect internal and external anatomical details for different ages and with some moderate representation of racial diversity. A closing page of guidelines advises parents to respond to the specific information needs of the child rather than overwhelming them with unsought information, and to present information about key changes (such as menstruation) in advance of their occurrence. The accurate textual and visual information and the friendly tone of the writing make this book appropriate for middle school libraries as well; although the picture book format may make it feel too young for readers in this age group.Reviewer: Paula McMillen, Ph.D.

School Library Journal

Gr 3-5- This is an introduction to puberty and sexual intercourse in the context of a loving relationship between a man and woman. The book covers topics that kids often inquire about, such as bodily changes and how babies are born. Bright, cartoon illustrations of the human body at different stages and ages and labeled diagrams fill the pages. The clear, straightforward text uses language that young children can easily grasp while the running commentary that accompanies the art takes a lighter, more conversational approach. The book concludes with suggestions for discussing sexuality with children.-Donna Atmur, Los Angeles Public Library

Kirkus Reviews

In the note to parents that precedes this chatty offering, Saltz says, "By [ages seven to ten, children] know that the sperm is in Daddy and the egg is in Mommy, so naturally they are wondering, ‘How does one get to the other?' " The answer is here, in nicely anatomically cross-sectioned detail, along with an introduction to the changes that come with puberty leading up to the egg-and-sperm moment, and a brief discussion of the pregnancy that may well follow. In both its address to parents and children, the text is appropriately reassuring and matter-of-fact (much care is taken to use medical vocabulary for genitalia), although much is missing. There is no discussion of birth control or STDs, and it assumes a values system in which sexual intercourse and having babies are linked, without marriage as a prerequisite. Cravath's cartoon illustrations are accurate and amusing, and take some care to depict a multiethnic cast. In comprehensiveness, frankness and warmth, however, the whole cannot hold a candle to the Robie H. Harris/Michael Emberley trio of sex-ed books and must therefore be considered an additional purchase. (Nonfiction. 6-12)

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