Boy talk A survival guide to growing up

It is hard not to like a book that titles a section on penis development Where There's a Willy, There's a Way! This jaunty entry into the Growing Up series (don't miss out on Girl Talk, 2011) is just the thing to hand to a young male waiting for the glorious gifts of puberty: zits, a cracking voice, inopportune erections well, the list goes on and on. Using a colorful design featuring Dickason's wacky, mugging cartoon characters, this is about as appealing as a book on these topics can get, and it maintains a mildly funny, usually frank, and always healthy tone. There is a whole lot about hair where it grows, how to clean it, lice, dandruff, shaving, and more and plenty about what to expect in the genital area, including a constant refrain of you're normal! Lists, sidebars, and balloons break things up into easily digested pieces, and the format welcomes browsing. Homosexual feelings are mentioned only briefly but supportively. Good for parents to purchase and helpful for libraries to stock.--Kraus, Daniel Copyright 2010 Booklist

Gr 3-6-Two great sources of basic information. Both books open with the five stages of puberty and go on to discuss physical and emotional changes, tips for good health, and the importance of cleanliness. Sex is briefly mentioned, but the emphasis is really on adolescence. The riotously colored cartoon illustrations on every page keep the tone light. Plaisted also discusses maintaining strong family relationships and making healthy friendships. The books take a firm anti-bullying stance, but the emphasis on emotional health is somewhat contradicted by the use words like "stupid" (e.g., there is a sidebox in Boy called "Stupid Siblings"), however, if the tone keeps readers hooked long enough to learn something, it's worth overlooking. (c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.