Asking About S*x and Growing Up: A Question-And-Answer Book for Boys and Girls is written by Joanna Cole. The illustrations are by Alan Tiegreen.

Parents and preteens have used this book since 1988. It is Joanna Cole’s desire to give young people an accurate view of sexuality. The book surpasses its goal. Preteens learn about the human body.

Asking About S*x and Growing Up supplies preteens with straightforward information about boys and girls. She discusses the pending changes to their bodies. Ms. Cole tells what to expect and when to expect these changes.

Joanna Cole does not want the external world to shape the preteen’s views on sex. Television, films and friends can give confusing and inaccurate information. She wants the parent to help the preteen. The parent and child are to discuss the chapters together.

In Asking About S*x and Growing Up, everything is in the form of question and answer. Each question is phrased the way a preteen would ask it which she follows up with an accurate answer.

She closes the book saying “S*x is about people and love, and those are two subjects no one ever knows everything about. You’ll keep on learning about sex all your life.”

There is an index of the book’s topics. There is also a pronunciation guide. Alan Tiegreen’s ink illustrations support the author’s text. Like her text the pictures are clear and straightforward.

If your child is approaching or is a preteen, Asking About S*x and Growing Up is a good book for the two of you to share. Use it to open discussion on this important subject. The book’s 86 pages are a quick and easy read.



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