Book Review
A short overview of this book
Does This Happen to Everyone by Jan Von Holleben and Antje Helms is a book that answers questions tweens have about puberty, love, sex and relationships.
This is a German book that was originally published with support from the Berlin Family Planning Centre – Balance. It was translated to an English audience in 2014.
I am a huge fan of European sex education books as they are very open-minded and very frank ie the get straight to the point and give you the facts. And I really like this book. So much that I think it will become one of the books that I always recommend to parents.
This book is basically a question and answer book, with detailed answers to 70 of the most common questions that tweens ask about growing up. I run a Youtube channel for tweens, Puberty Talk, where I answer their questions about puberty, and the questions that I am asked are very similar to what I see in this book. Today’s tweens are exposed to a lot of information about sex, and this book satisfies their curiosity by providing them with honest age-appropriate answers.
So it talks about topics like porn, falling in love, having sex, like a boy or a girl (or both), having a boy or girlfriend, condoms, contraception, pregnancy, birthing, masturbation and much more. It also covers all the usual stuff that you would expect in a puberty book ie the physical changes that happen as well as periods, wet dreams, erections, pimples, bras, etc.
So if you’re looking for a puberty book that also talks about love, sex and relationships (without giving kids too much information), then this is the book to grab!
Ideal Age
Ideal for children aged 11 to 14 years.
Buy this book
✅ Buy a copy of Does This Happen to Everyone by Jan Von Holleben and Antje Helms from Amazon.
Video Transcription
A transcription in case you are more of a reader than a listener
Hey there! I’m Cath Hak from Sex Ed Rescue, and I just had to share this amazing book with you. It’s all about puberty, love, sex, and relationships, and it’s perfect for helping kids understand these topics in a way that’s just right for their age.
So, this book is originally from Germany, but luckily it’s been translated into English. I stumbled upon it online and ordered my own copy. Let me tell you, I’m so glad I did! German European books have this wonderful way of being straightforward and honest about these topics without being afraid to provide age-appropriate information.
What’s really cool is that this book was actually contributed to by a family planning organization in Germany that has been providing sex education to teens for a long time. So you know it’s based on real experiences and knowledge. And guess what? Many of the questions and answers in this book are the same ones I see on my Tween channel. It’s like they read my mind!
The book is called Does This Happen to Everyone? and it’s written by Jan Von Holleben and Antje Helms, with beautiful photographs to accompany the text. The photos feature a diverse group of tweens, and I love that there are no labels or brand names on them. It’s all about capturing the essence of puberty without any distractions. And let me tell you, the photos are absolutely stunning!
The book is structured as a Q&A, with around 70 questions answered. The kids featured in the photos are all in that transitional phase between childhood and adolescence, and they’re going through the same changes and questions that many tweens have. It’s relatable and comforting to see that we’re all in this together.
The book covers a wide range of topics, from what breasts look like on the inside to dealing with acne. It even talks about gender, although it uses more traditional language since it was written a few years ago. But you know what? Sometimes simplicity is key when discussing these things.
One section I really love is about crushes and falling in love. It’s so important for kids to understand those feelings they’re experiencing and why they’re happening. This book does a fantastic job of addressing those emotions in a way that’s easy to understand and relatable.
And yes, it even delves into the topic of kissing and sex. I know, it can be a bit uncomfortable for some parents to talk about, but this book handles it with grace and age-appropriate explanations. It covers everything from what sex is to the importance of safe sex practices. And the photos accompanying these sections are just delightful!
The book also touches on important subjects like same-sex relationships, sexually transmitted infections, and even cancer prevention. It’s really comprehensive and covers all the questions that kids might have during this time of their lives.
I can’t help but gush over this book. It’s truly a gem. I wish I had written it myself! I’m actually considering adding it to my list of recommended puberty books because it tackles love, sex, and relationships in such a positive and reassuring way. It’s a great resource for parents who might struggle with explaining these topics to their kids (trust me, I’ve been there too!).
The underlying message throughout the book is that everything is okay and that we all go through these changes. It can be overwhelming at times, but that’s totally normal. And the photos in this book really add to that comforting vibe.
I’m going to pass this book along to my 13-year-old daughter and see what she thinks of it. I know she’s a bit tired of all the books I throw her way, but I have a feeling she’ll appreciate this one.
So, if you have kids going through puberty, I highly recommend having this book on your shelf. It’s a fantastic resource that normalizes these topics and provides the support and information that kids need. Alright, that’s all from me. Cheers!
