It's So Amazing! A Book about Eggs, Sperm, Birth, Babies, and Families by Robie H. Harris

Harris, R. H. (1999). It's so amazing! A book about eggs, sperm, birth, babies, and families. Boston, MA: Candlewick Press.

This nonfiction book explains thoroughly about sperm, eggs, birth, babies, and families. It explains these concepts to children in an honest and simple way using cartoon looking illustrations and in a funny dialogue format. It provides parents, teachers, and health providers with the language needed to discuss these issues with young children. It definitely answers questions children may have about reproduction, birth, changing bodies, body parts, adoption, heterosexuals, as well as homosexuality.  

This book could be used in a health lesson: After reading, explaining, and analyzing the themes in this book ask students to orally summarize one important theme/issue they learned after reading this book. Then provide one of the topics (different than the one the student orally summarized) discussed in the book and have the students write a summary of their understandings. The teacher may create a list of the topics discussed in the book and the student may choose one or two topics of their choice to write his summary. The student may also write about and describe the structure, functions, and interdependence of major body systems. He can also identify and describe changes in male and female anatomy that occur during puberty. If student needs additional research allow him to do so.

TEKS: 

(2) In addition to age-appropriate information about personal health habits, students in Grade 5 are taught about the human body and the changes that come with puberty. Students are taught how to maintain healthy body systems and prevent disease. Students also learn how technology and the media influence personal health and how to apply problem-solving skills to improve or protect their health.

(b) Knowledge and skills.

(2) Health information. The student recognizes the basic structures and functions of the human body and how they relate to personal health throughout the life span. The student is expected to:

(A) describe the structure, functions, and interdependence of major body systems; and

(B) identify and describe changes in male and female anatomy that occur during puberty.