Here, in her warm, wise, forthright, and unmistakable voice, Dr. Ruth Westheimer talks to kids about what concerns them most: the inevitable changes, both physical and emotional, that are a part of growing up. She tells boys and girls exactly what will happen to their bodies and why. She tells them about the new, perhaps turbulent, feelings they may have. And she discusses sex openly, with the philosophy that the more kids know, the better able they’ll be to deal with sexual issues. She isn’t afraid to state her position about kids and sex, either: It’s such a powerful experience,
she says, that no teenagers I know are ready for it. Dr. Westheimer takes special care to cite the possible dangers of sex - not only unwanted pregnancy, but also sexually transmitted diseases, including the fatal AIDS. And she does not fail to address the problem of sexual abuse. Of course she covers the topic of contraception, telling kids that the only foolproof method is abstinence. Clearly, Dr. Ruth does not try to protect kids from harsh realities. On the other hand, her energy, optimism, and sheer joie de vivre are evident throughout, and always contagious. In the end, she tells readers that Dr. Ruth believes it is everybody’s obligation to try to have a happy life. Her presentation of the facts, and her advice and compassion, coupled with accurate and sensitive drawings by the esteemed children’s book illustrator Diane deGroat, are intended to help kids do just that.