Let's Talk About Sex

"my son, aged 9, has been asking for several weeks if we could have 'the chat' but i had no idea where to start or where to stop. This book gives a clear yet simple overview of the whole subject whilst making it sound so normal and part of everyday life- which of course to an adult it is- but to a child it may seem totally unreal. As a child I was thrown a leaflet and left to it but this gives openings for discussion and answers questions that a child may find awkward. Healthy sex is such a large part of life now not just the pregnancy fear that I grew up with. This is talked about without putting an unrealistic fear into the child. WELL DONE!!! and thank you..."
~ Written on 2007-06-21

"I bought this for my 9 year old daughter and now my husband wants to read it! It is well written and easy for a child to read and I would recommend it to anybody trying to work out how to explain the facts of life to their children. My only problem is keping it away from my 7 year old!"
~ Written on 2004-01-13

"I bought this book for my granddaughter aged 13 (going on 17). She found it really cool and took it to school where her teacher copied from it to use in their sex education discussions."
~ Written on 2002-12-27

"Our family think this is a brilliant book. It would be appropriate for children from ages (8), 9, 10 or 11 depending on maturity etc to about 14 years. The book covers "growing up, changing bodies, sex and sexual health" in a factual and accurate but often light-hearted way, recognising that children can be very embarassed about these topics, but do need to know the full facts and the context. It has been written for them as individuals and is aimed at their level of interest and understanding.

The illustrations are entertaining - accurate but cartoonish and the "bird" and "bee" comments at the margins are brilliant. The bee finds everything excruciatingly embarrassing and says so, but the bird loves it all and comments accordingly. Children can relate well to both characters and their thoughts at different stages of their development. They also begin to realise that the bee may be silly in being so prudish about natural matters and may adapt their own comments and behaviour in the light of this. We have used these characters to instigate family or individual discussions about these important topics - for example, prompting a discussion by saying "I can see you feel like the bee and find this very uncomfortable to talk about - would you like to look at the book again?" or "the bird loved this bit" and discussing more openly.

The approach taken in the book means that children go on to read chapters eg sexual health which they might not otherwise have read because they like the style of writing and the "aside" comments from the bird and bee. My children (two girls and a boy) read bits of the book avidly from the ages of about 9 or 10. They continue to dip into it as the months go by and as they realise the possible relevance of chapters which were a mystery to them previously. I still find it tucked in one or other of their bedside tables from time to time and would expect to do so for some years to come."
~ Written on 2002-11-30

"we gave the book to our eldest child how knew the basic;s and let him read it in his own time and have been able to share it with him when he has had questions our wanted to talk about issues raised. the book has been on loan to several friends who have also gone on to buy it. great for children age 9 and up . all art work is child friendly and not out to give mum and dad red faces when reading as a family. also covered some issues some families may not feel able to talk about such as wet dreams' periods' body shape' what's normal on my body. great book!!!!!!!."
~ Written on 2001-04-27