Sexo En Español

by Barbara Bibel -- Críticas, 1/15/2006

Teaching children about sex or answering their questions about bodily changes, sexual relations, sexually transmitted diseases, and other related topics can be difficult for parents and educators in any language. Most grownups remember "the talk" as an uncomfortable moment and comedians often make fun of it in their skits. But all jokes aside, talking to children about sex should be an ongoing dialog that begins when they are young and continues with increasing sophistication as they grow. Fortunately, there are plenty of books available for adults seeking advice on how to approach the subject and for children of all ages who may want to learn for themselves. Here is a selection of recommended titles:

YOUNG ADULT FICTION
	Fox, Paula. La cometa rota. (The Eagle Kite) tr. by Amalia Bermejo. Spain: Noguer y Caralt, dist. by Lectorum. 1997. 120p. index. ISBN 84-279-3213-8. pap. $9.99. Gr 5-YA-Award-winning children's author Fox provides a stunning portrait of a family devastated by AIDS. Liam, a high-school freshman, refuses to believe that his father contracted the disease from a blood transfusion. Although he never told a soul, three years before, during a family vacation, he saw his father on the beach with another man. As readers follow Liam and his family through anger, grief, separation, and reconciliation, they will learn a great deal about the importance of honesty and communication.
CHILDREN'S NONFICTION
	Amos, Janine. ¿Qué cambios produciría el embarazo en el cuerpo y mente de Elena? (Is Helen Pregnant?) tr. by Alberto Jiménez Rioja. Spain: Editorial Everest, dist. by Lectorum. 2004. 34p. illus. index. ISBN 84-241-8704-0. pap. $6.50. Gr 7-YA-Through the story of how 13-year-old Elena becomes and copes with being pregnant, this brief book introduces teens to puberty, peer pressure, and the dangers of unprotected sex. It offers basic information about sexual development, birth control, and pregnancy tests. The referral hotlines are in Spain, but the websites are useful.
	Beyer Ruiz, María Emilia. La enfermedad del beso. (Kissing Disease) illus. by Margarita Sada. Mexico: Ediciones Castillo, dist. by Holtzbrinck (La Otra Escalera). 2005. 36p. illus. ISBN 968-5920-82-6. pap. $9.95. Gr 6-YA-Although kissing is not the only way to contact infectious mononucleosis, this condition is known as "the kissing disease." In this beautifully illustrated book, Mexican biologist Beyer Ruiz provides clear and simple explanations of the cause, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of mononucleosis. The book also covers current vaccine research with promising early results.
	Cole, Babette. Mamá no me contó... (Mummy Never Told Me) adapt. by Marta Ansón Balmaseda. illus. by author. Spain: Serres, dist. by Lectorum. 2004. 32p. ISBN 84-8488-117-2. $17.50. Gr 2-4-This charmingly illustrated book discusses many of the questions children often ask. "Mummy never told me that life is full of secrets," says the young protagonist before he begins to ask questions. From "what is my belly button for?" to "why do I have to go to school?" to "what do mom and dad do when they close the bedroom door?" this book offers a humorous, honest, and sometimes explicit approach to life's tough questions. There are no actual answers, but the book ends with the reassuring note that "Mummy will explain it all when the right moment arrives."
	Harris, Robie H. Sexo: ¿Qué es? Desarrollo, cambios corporales, sexo y salud sexual. (It's Perfectly Normal: Changing Bodies, Growing Up, Sex, and Sexual Health) tr. by Irene Saslavsky. illus. by Michael Emberley. Spain: Serres, dist. by Lectorum. 2005. 89p. ISBN 84-8488-181-4. pap. $12.99. Gr 6-YA-One of Críticas's best children's books of 2005, this translation of Harris's award-winning introduction to sex and sexuality retains the simple presentation and charming illustrations of the original. Topics covered include puberty, abortion, teen parenthood, HIV, STDs, masturbation, and same-sex dating. Clever cartoons enliven and expand the text by portraying an array of body types and ethnic groups for readers to come away with a healthy respect for their bodies. Harris's emphasis on taking responsibility for one's health further enhances the volume.
	Menéndez-Ponte, María & Isabel García Santiago. Yo digo amor, tú dices sexo: Jóvenes y sexo. (I Say Love, You Say Sex: Teens and Sex) Spain: SM Ediciones (Tú Verás). 2005. 173p. ISBN 84-348-3189-9. pap. $12.95. YA-This attractive book combines a short novella on teenage sex followed by a section of statistics, FAQs, and a self-test. The fun fonts and highlights of catchy sentences in the novella make the intimidating topic accessible and inviting. Though initially some readers may have problems following the Castilian dialect, most vocabulary is comprehensible by context. The second part of the book is laid out as in a magazine with short sentences and highly stylized design to make the information more accessible.
	Ochoa, Anabel. Los anticonceptivos explicados a los jóvenes. (Contraceptives Explained to Teens) Mexico/U.S.: Aguilar: Santillana. 2005. 269p. ISBN 970-770-227-3. pap. $14.95. YA-Well-known Mexican sex educator Ochoa offers the latest information on contraceptive methods for teens. She explains the advantages and disadvantages of the pill, the patch, the vaginal ring, injections, implants, IUDs, male and female condoms, diaphragms, sponges, and spermicides. She also discusses sterilization, natural birth control, and emergency contraception, and provides ongoing research on new products. Illustrations would have helped explain how to use some products, but this is not a major drawback as the text is clear and easy to understand.
	Ochoa, Anabel. Mitos y realidades del sexo joven. (Teen Sex: Myths and Realities) Mexico/U.S.: Aguilar: Santillana. 2003. 172p. ISBN 968-19-0909-7. pap. $14.95. YA-Here Ochoa addresses common teenage concerns regarding masturbation, sexual orientation, virginity, sexual abuse, teen pregnancy, and internet sex. Ochoa tells teens what to expect when visiting a physician, discusses sexual attraction, and reminds teens of the responsibility associated with sexual activity.
	Villegas, María & Jennie Kent. Cosas de niñas. (Girl Talk) illus. by Ivette Salom Safi. Colombia: Villegas Editores, dist. by IPG. 2005. 336p. ISBN 958-8156-69-6. spiral. $14.95. Gr 3-6-Teen guides Maia and Fiona lead adolescent girls through the changes of puberty, explaining growth and development, menstruation, and the changes associated with them. Fun activities, recipes, remedies, and quizzes provide a great deal of information on health and fitness, nutrition, beauty, etiquette, relationships, and a bit of astrology and numerology. The illustrations are charming and the advice is sound. The spiral binding is the only disadvantage.
	Woods, Samuel G. Todo lo que necesitas saber sobre las enfermedades de transmisión sexual. (Everything You Need to Know About Sexually Transmitted Diseases) tr. by Mauricio Velázquez de León. U.S.: Editorial Buenas Letras: Rosen Pub. Group. 2002. 64p. bibliog. glossary. illus. index. ISBN 0-8239-3580-9. $19.95. YA-Woods, a freelance writer specializing in YA literature, provides an overview of STDs along with basic information about their epidemiology. Topics include AIDS, syphilis, gonorrhea, herpes, and human papilloma virus. Woods emphasizes the importance of prevention and responsible behavior. The illustrations are decorative. Anatomical diagrams would have been useful additions.
ADULT NONFICTION
	Berdún, Lorena. ¿Cómo le explico eso? Guía breve para educar en sexualidad a los hijos. (How Do I Explain This? A Brief Guide to Educating Children About Sexuality) illus. by Helio Vicent. Spain/U.S.: Aguilar: Santillana. 2003. 151p. bibliog. ISBN 84-0309-357-8. pap. $14.95. Adult-Berdún, a well-known Spanish sexologist with a degree in psychology, offers parents sound advice for discussing sexual issues with children of all ages. She includes information about anatomy and physiology, sexual orientation, sexuality, sexual abuse, and AIDS. Bullet-point lists and Q&As make this an easy-to-read and direct guide. A brief bibliography, which is somewhat dated, and referral sources offer more information. The resources are in Spain, but they have websites.
	Domènech, Montserrat. Padres y adolescentes: ¡Cúantas dudas! (Parents and Teens: So Many Questions!) Spain/U.S.: Aguilar: Santillana. 2005. 193p. bibliog. glossary. ISBN 84-0309-523-6. pap. $19.95. Adult-Adolescence can be a difficult time for kids and their parents. While teens deal with changes in their bodies, parents must try to find new ways to communicate with them and set limits. Spanish child psychologist Domènech offers useful advice for parents navigating these rough waters. Her book covers a wide range of issues: single-parent families, only or adopted children, and grandparents raising children. Information about sex, drugs, school issues, eating and sleeping disorders, mental illnesses, and teen music make this a comprehensive manual. Domènech even includes pages from actual teen diaries to show how they look at the world. A glossary and an extensive bibliography complete the work.