The Cartoon Guide to Sex

This book takes so much pressure off when it's time for "the talk" As a single mom, I knew how to talk to my daughter about sex, but I had panic attacks trying to figure out what to say to my son! He never knew his father, and my dad is so old school I've never even heard him say the "S word." This book made it so easy to discuss really hard topics with both of my kids, as it describes things correctly, openly, and honestly in a fun way that makes you all laugh and get over the awkwardness. It is a lot to take in at once, but it is a great tool for those times when your kid wants to ask you a question but they don't exactly know how to ask, whether they should, or if it's appropriate, etc. This single mom is very glad she found this book. It will stay in my bookcase for kids' friends, kids, grandkids for generations to come

this is a funny and well put together book, I gave it to a friend as a gift and he thought to was great, makes for fun party quotes too!

Larry Gonick is famous for his cartoon approaches to education, especially his books on history and science topics. In this book he teams up with sex educator Christine DeVault. The combination produces a good introductory text on sexuality that is lots of fun to read. Narrated by a cartoon Mother Nature and a cartoon fairy called The Etiquette Elf, the book covers reproductive biology, sexual anatomy, developmental biology, gender roles, gender identity, interpersonal communication about sex, romantic love, the sexual act, birth control, health issues, STDs, non-consensual sex, and sexual function problems. All of this is done in delightful cartoons that are clear yet not overly explicit. Although the book is cartoon in format, the information provided is professional at an introductory level. The end of the book contains two pages of further readings, a list of journals devoted to sexuality, and eight resource organizations. An index allows you to find just what you need when you need it. This is a valuable addition to the library of anyone who is sexually active or has plans to become so. Readers who expect Gonick's humor to dominate this book may be disappointed, but people who are looking for a good introductory sex manual will be overjoyed.

If you are skittish about delving into the mechanics of reproduction with a pre-teen or new teen (probably because they would rather talk about this with a parent even less than...well, any other thing in the freakin' universe), this is a perfect book to surreptitiously leave on a bookshelf. I bought it and had it in my bedroom to review before turning it over to my son. A couple of days later, I realized that it was missing, and found it hastily tossed beneath the bed -- so the Theory of Pubescent Auto-gravitation to Sex Information definitely works. However, this is a last resort. If you find it difficult to talk directly, the best alternative is really a balanced "abstinence PLUS full disclosure" seminar run by people the kids can talk to. My church offered one like this and I believe the kids respond much more positively to being treated with respect regarding serious subjects. This book has that same idea behind its surface goofiness.

Thought-provoking, educational, and very funny! All of Gonick's books are top-notch and this one is no exception. Gonick handles sensitive topics with humor and clarity, without dumbing down or trivializing the message. Truly a book that will teach you about things you might have been afraid to ask about! The parts regarding sexually transmited diseases and sex-crimes can be a bit rough, but Gonick's style disarms some of the tension here.

I usually love Larry Gonick's work, but I found this to be rather outdated. This isn't his fault; I'm sure the text was quite progressive when it was first published, but a LOT has changed in the last 15 years, especially when it comes to sex and sexuality. If you want an educational textbook, I suggest getting something more recent.

We bought this to help our teenagers (who are already getting free sex Ed online😣). It is like an encyclopedia of everything you ever needed to know (and everything you never knew you didn't know👀) on the subject. It's helpful for a teenager, sure, but frankly most adults (maybe men*cough cough* should have a read). 😁😉

Another brilliant blending of the funny and the factual from Larry Gonick. Worth reading, even if you think you already know it all. You can't know it all until you know the funny side. Of course, some aspects of sex have no funny sides. At times this book is more text book than comic book. But still, cleverly done.