What's the Big Secret?: Talking about Sex with Girls and Boys

Just the right amount of information, without overwhelming parents or kids with too many medical terms, etc. I am a registered nurse with two boys, ages 7 and 9, and this book was a great starting point to our conversation about the birds and bees.

This is a wonderfully illustrated, easy to understand, easy to read, unintimidating book. It's intended audience is Pre-School thru Grade 3 which I feel is critical information for anyone looking into buying this book. It is a wonderful book for those parents who want their children to learn at an early age the correct names of body parts and the basics of where babies come from. This book has been on my children's (ages 4-9) book shelf since the oldest one was two years old! It sits on the shelf right along-side all the other 100's of bedtime books. They go back to it time and time again either to read to themselves or to be read to. From the start they learned the accurate words for body parts, understand the basics, and take in more and more information/digest the information as they grow older. As the oldest (9) has questions she openly asks them. I either go over it again from the book or we talk openly. Parents who wait to discuss the topics until age 9 will find this book to be an untimidating first book -- very good. As the children grow older (puberty thru teens) I intend to add more detailed (less cartoonish illustrations) books to our discussions.

I bought this book for my 6 year old step-daughter. She's started asking questions about what a boy looks like and why I won't be having a baby with her daddy (she thinks it just happens because you get married). The pictures in this book are just right for a 6 year old, and there isn't too much information. It certainly settled her "need to know" crisis, and The "I'll show you mine if you show me yours" incident on the playground that I had a nightmare about.

I read this with my 8 year old daughter. She loved the book, and understood the information without being embarrassed. I really liked how it explained the differences between good, loving touches; and bad, uncomfortable touches. I would say this book is best for children over the age of 6. It may be too advanced for the younger ones.

Last summer I read this book to my then just turned 7 & just turned 4 yr old and the youngest was completely clueless as to what I trying to get across. The oldest understood somewhat, wasn't all that interested, but still managed to let a few giggles out. She took the book and read it herself. When I later asked her if she had any questions for me, she had none but commented that it was "embarrassing". The book was put away to age a little longer.... Earlier this week I re-read the book to both of them, now almost 5 and almost 8. The 5 yr old is still clueless and bored with all of it. The 8 yr old seemed a bit more interested and less embarrassed. She took the book and again read it to herself and asked a few "why" questions but nothing I couldn't handle.In my opinion, this book is great for 7 - 10 yr olds (1st - 3rd grade), not the pre-school - grade 3 that it is catagorized. Enough for 7 - 10 yr olds to comprehend and enough for this age to know. Not overwhelming in technical terms or detail nor is it written in baby terms. I agree with a previous reviewer. When the teen years arrive, more information, terms & detail will need to be divulged but for this pre-teen age. For pre-teens, this book is perfect.