LET'S TALK ABOUT IT

An illustrated sexuality and relationship education resource for teens.

A multiethnic set of realistic teen cartoon characters representing a wide diversity of body types (sizes, abilities, genders) have illuminating and honest conversations in this informative guide. The first chapter focuses on what sex is, how varied sexual expression can be, and what consent means. The second chapter nonjudgmentally explores various kinds of relationships, including monogamous, polyamorous, open, and companionate. Subsequent chapters discuss gender and sexuality (with joyful and varied illustrations), body image (featuring loving representations of many body types), anatomy (including outstanding drawings that are inclusive of trans and intersex people), masturbation (with how-to ideas presented), and thorough coverage of birth control and STI prevention. The book is rounded out with chapters on what to think about before having sex; orgasms; ground rules for sexting; kinks, fantasies, and porn; jealousy and rejection (including guidance on recognizing abusive patterns); potential impacts on friendship; and more. The tone throughout this colorful, visually appealing, and easy-to-read volume is honest, normalizing, and sex positive as it offers readers excellent and reassuring information. The married co-authors are known for their sex-education–related comic collaborations. While the dialogue can occasionally feel stilted as it conveys comprehensive content, the work is still crisp, breezy, effective, and noteworthy in a crowded field for its holistic emphasis on human, emotional aspects of sexuality.

Puts the graphic in the graphic-novel format, in the best and most educational way.