Harris, Robie. It’s So Amazing. Illus. Michael Emberely. Cambridge, Mass.: Candlewick Press, 1999.One of the sex education books in Robie Harris's popular and frequently challenged collection, It's So Amazing provides in-depth kid-oriented information about sex, sexuality, birth, bodies, babies, HIV, and related topics for children 5-9. Perfect for parents and kids to read together.
Though the language is accessible, the book is more of an information resource than a quick picture book to be read aloud at a single sitting. Those with younger children may want to start with the more basic picture book by the same author, It's not the Stork. (For older kids, Harris also has It's Perfectly Normal, a book about puberty and changing bodies in the tradition of What's Happening To Me.)
Micheal Emberley's cartoon illustrations are fun, well-researched, frank, and appealing in their ability to be both anatomically precise and humorous at the same time. Our exploration of the facts of life is guided by Bird and Bee, who hover over the illustrations with their light-hearted banter, by turns explaining new terms and providing comic relief. Right from the front cover, their vastly different takes on the subject are clear: Curious Bird wants to know it all, "Every single thing about there babies come from is SO-OOO A-MAZING to me!", while embarrassed Bee is a slightly less enthusiastic, "Can we talk about something else? ANYTHING else?"
Since its publication in 1999, this book has been challenged and banned based on sexual content matter, nudity, and references to abortion, masturbation, and homosexuality. Despite critical success, including recognition as ALA notable book for Middle Readers in 2000, the book continues to be challenged.
Frankly, if a sex education book for children is challenged on the basis of nudity and sexual content, and for even mentioning topics like homosexuality or abortion, I am a little concerned about the content of sex education books that are not challenged. And it is heart-breakingly clear in this particular case that moving such a title to an adult or reference only section is a form of banning the book, since it is clearly aimed at children and will generally only be useful to adults in relation to children.
For a brief history of some of the situations in which the title was banned (access was denied or restricted) or challenged (a request was made to remove the book from a collection or restrict access), check out these links:
Marshall University Library's Banned Book Week webpage
Why Have These Books Been Banned/Challenged? (ALA)
