Sex Is a Funny Word

Starred review from June 22, 2015
Silverberg and Smyth follow What Makes a Baby with a highly visual introduction to sex education for older readers, featuring four characters between the ages of eight and 10 with skin in a rainbow of crayon-box colors. Full-page artwork and comics sequences follow the students as they react to discussions of gender, bodies (including what Silverberg calls “middle parts”), touching, and the emotions that lead to sexual contact; the book stops short of getting into the mechanics of intercourse. Throughout, Silverberg invites readers to consider their own feelings through activities and questions (“Why do you think people want to know if a baby is a boy or a girl?”). Emphasizing the importance of trust, respect, justice, and joy—as well as open communication—it’s a thoughtful and affirming exploration of relationships, gender identity, and growing sexual awareness. Ages 7–10.

Starred review from March 1, 2016

Gr 2-6-Silverberg and Smyth follow up their book for younger readers, What Makes a Baby (Triangle Square, 2013), with this engaging introduction to gender, bodies, and relationships. A diverse cast of cartoon kids-in terms of appearance, ability, and point of view-explore the multiple meanings of the word sex with their teacher, friends, and family members. There is a heavy emphasis on the importance of thinking for oneself and developing one's own opinions. The language is conversational and accessible, as well as direct, fastidiously accurate, and entirely gender-neutral. Each section ends with conversation-provoking questions, reinforcing the suggestion that the book be read and shared in conversation with a trusted adult. What makes this volume exceptional is its introduction of the subjects of transgender identity, intersex conditions, and masturbation. The quality text is enhanced and brought to life by comics drawn with bold lines on bright, full-bleed pages. Smyth's illustrations are interactive, fun, and edifying, presenting a range of body types and diversity. Despite the title, the topic of sexual intercourse is not covered; but Silverberg prepares readers for this information by introducing concepts such as respect, trust, and joy. VERDICT Exciting, enlightening, and innovative, this book addresses timeless questions about sex for a new generation of kids who are increasingly aware of the broad spectrum of gender and sexual identities.-Clara Hendricks, Cambridge Public Library, MA

Copyright 2016 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

April 15, 2015
Moving up in target audience from their explanation of reproduction, What Makes a Baby (2013), Silverberg and Smyth explore various meanings for the word "sex." In their own ways, Zai, Cooper, Mimi, and Omar respond to information in chapters about bodies, "Boys, Girls, All of Us," touch, language, and "Crushes, Love, and Relationships." With skin tones in unlikely shades (blue! purple! green!) and wildly diverse crowd scenes, chances are good that any reader can identify with someone in these pages. Refreshingly, these crowds are diverse in a way that does not appear assembled by checklist. Lively design, bright, clashing colors, cartoon-style illustrations, comic strips, and plenty of humor support the informal, inclusive approach. Each chapter ends with questions to think and talk about. The author's respect for different approaches to the subject comes through. No actual sexual activities are described except for masturbation, in the chapter that also deals with "secret touches." The gender chapter tells how gender is assigned but notes "there are more than two kinds of bodies." The character Zai doesn't identify as either boy or girl. Illustrations show body parts of kids and grown-ups (nipples, breasts, bottoms, and parts biologically specific to boys or girls) demonstrating wide variety. Puberty will be addressed in a third title. This carefully thought-out explanation may surprise but should be widely appreciated. (glossary) (Nonfiction.7-10)

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