Book Review
A short overview of this book
Is it Just Me? by Shinsuke Yoshitake is a gentle book that explains to children that sometimes pee does dribble out onto your underpants, after going to the toilet.
This is what the Publisher has to say…
A humorous new book from the acclaimed author-illustrator Shinsuke Yoshitake.
Everyone has something that makes them feel self-conscious. It might be the smell of your breath, the size of your nose, or the way your shirt sleeves bunch up under your jumper. At the centre of this story is a little boy who has a small but embarrassing problem: every time he pees, a few drops dribble on to his underpants. Curious, he asks other children if they have the same issue. He soon discovers a simple life lesson: everyone is battling some kind of irritation.
You can learn more on this page, about how to talk to kids about sex education.
Ideal Age
Ideal for children aged 3 to 6 years.
Buy this book
✅ Buy a copy of Is it Just me? by Shinsuke Yoshitake from Amazon.
Video Transcription
A transcription in case you are more of a reader than a listener
Hey there! I’m Cath Hak, your friendly Sex Ed Rescue expert. Today, I want to talk about a book that’s a little hard to categorize. It’s called Is It Just Me by Shinsuke Yoshitake. Now, bear with me if I mispronounce the name, but I just had to share this gem with you.
So, my lovely local librarian sent me this book because she thought I might enjoy it. And boy, was she right! It’s a simple and lovely book that takes me back to my own childhood. The artwork is charming and the story is relatable.
Let me give you a quick summary. The book is about a little boy who has a bit of an embarrassing issue. You see, every time he pees, a few drops end up on his underpants. It’s a nuisance, and his mom gets a little cranky about it because he goes through a lot of clothing. But here’s the thing, he’s not alone.
Curious, he starts asking other kids if they have the same problem. Some react rudely, others talk about their own issues like itchy tags or falling socks. It’s a journey of discovery for our little protagonist. He realizes that everyone has their own private battles, even if they’re not visible on the outside.
He used to have a friend who had the same issue, and they would just play and have fun without caring about it. But sadly, that friend moved away. Now, he’s left feeling a bit down, checking if his underpants are dry. But then, his grandpa comes to the rescue!
Grandpa tells him that it’s no big deal. It’s just a tiny dribble, and nobody really notices once you pull up your trousers. Plus, grandpa even admits that he sometimes has a wet patch too. The little boy’s face lights up with happiness and excitement.
So, what’s the book really about? Well, it’s all about normalizing the fact that sometimes, when you have a penis and you pee, a little bit of urine might be left in the urethra. And as you walk around, gravity does its thing and it drips out. There’s no valve at the end of the penis, you know? Once it’s out of the bladder, it’s out.
This book does a fantastic job of letting children know that if this happens to them and they’re worried, there’s no need to be. It’s just a natural thing that happens sometimes. Isn’t that great?
Now, I have to admit, I’m not quite sure which category to put this book in. It’s a bit unique, so I might have to create a few new categories just for it. But hey, that’s the beauty of discovering new and wonderful books, right?
I hope you found this review helpful. Cheers, and remember, you’re not alone in your little battles!
