Book Review
A short overview of this book
It’s Totally Normal. An LGBTQIA+ Guide to Puberty, Sex and Gender by Monica Gupta Mehta and Asha Lily Mehta is an inclusive sex education book for teens.
Now, there is no shortage of sex education books for teens, but books that are inclusive for gender and sexually diverse teens are uncommon. Written together by a mother and teen, this is a great book for ensuring teens get reliable facts that are relevant for them.
This is what the Publisher has to say about this book…
Does fingering count as losing my virginity?
How do I know if I am ready for sex?
Does penis size actually matter??
Mother and teen duo Monica and Asha Mehta work together to answer your most pressing questions. Forget the penis-in-vagina basics – this is a queer friendly guide that’ll have you rethinking the very definition of sex. Combining expert advice with the personal experiences of teens all over the world, prepare to plunge into the topics they don’t cover in sex ed. Masturbation, pornography, fetishes – if you’re not afraid to ask, they’re not afraid to answer.
You can learn more on this page, about how to talk to kids about sex education.
Video Transcription
A transcription in case you are more of a reader than a listener
Hey there! Welcome to Sex Ed Rescue with Cath Hakanson. Today, I want to tell you about an awesome book that’s all about inclusive sex education. It’s called It’s Totally Normal: An LGBTQIA+ Guide to puberty, sex and gender by Monica Gopdae Meytar and Asha Lilley Meytar. And guess what? The illustrations inside are done by Mother, daughter, peer, and Fox Fisher!
Now, let’s get real. As kids grow up, it’s important for them to have resources they can turn to. But a lot of the sex education books out there assume everyone is heterosexual and don’t include same-sex attraction. They also tend to focus only on girls being attracted to boys and vice versa. Not cool, right?
Well, this book is different. It’s written for a wider audience and it’s actually pretty great. I was pleasantly surprised! It covers everything from puberty to sex, consent, safe sex, gender and sexuality, LGBTQIA+ and allies, and even relationships. It’s not just a phase, it’s about understanding and accepting who you are.
Now, I haven’t read it cover to cover, but I did a skim power read (you know, where you look for the good stuff). And let me tell you, this book has a lot to offer. The language is inclusive and the diversity of bodies is fantastic. It even points out when a penis is circumcised, which is something most books don’t bother mentioning. It’s all about giving you accurate information and breaking down stereotypes.
So, if you have a gender diverse, queer, or non-conforming child, this book is definitely worth considering. It’s also a great resource for parents like you who want to gain more insight and understanding about diversity in sexuality and gender.
I hope this review has been helpful. Cheers!
