It's always surprised me that young girls facing the onset of puberty will ask questions and accept help, but the young male seems determined to go it alone (except for the advice from round the back of the bike shed which his peers provide) to save himself the embarrassment of asking questions of an older male. Nick Fisher, for many years an agony uncle, first published this book in 1994, but it's a welcome reissue – as some things never seem to change.
| Living With a Willy by Nick Fisher | |
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| Category: Children's Non-Fiction | |
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Reviewer: Sue Magee
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| Summary: A sensible look at all those problems which boys on the edge of puberty are so reluctant to discuss with anyone who might be able to give them sensible advice. It's never patronising and written in language they're going to understand. | |
| Buy? Yes | Borrow? Yes |
| Pages: 128 | Date: March 2010 |
| Publisher: Macmillan's Children's Books | |
| ISBN: 9780330332484 | |
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He starts with that most confusing of situations – the way that the public's view of willies changes as a boy gets older. As a young lad it's no problem to have a pee at the side of the road, or for your Gran to give you a hand when you haven't yet mastered the art. Move on to the early teens and any of that is regarded with horror: the willy has become a deadly weapon. From there it's just a short step to going through all those issues which boys (and some men!) worry about. Size is the main concern, whether it's too big or too small, and the advice is sensible and specific. Figures are given – along with the sensible advice that those willies they see on the porno sites are not the average!
Boys are also very reluctant to go and see a doctor if it's going to involve discussion about, or an examination of their willy. There's a thorough look at all the situations which really do require a visit to the doctor and those which might be worrying but are actually quite normal or regular occurrences. Along with this there's information about contraception and sexually transmitted diseases.
The advice about sex itself is mature: it's part of a loving relationship rather than just scoring so that you can brag to your mates. It's about giving pleasure as well as receiving it, about there being respect on both sides.
I like the way that this book is written. It's never patronising and it's written in terms that young people will understand. As the back of the book says it isn't going to teach you a lot of long Latin words ending in m. It's written in language that boys use amongst themselves and which they're going to understand.
I'd like to thank the publishers for sending a copy to the Bookbag.
We also liked Unzipped: A Toolkit for Life by Matt Whyman and girls of a similar age might appreciate Have You Started Yet?: You and your period: getting the facts straight by Ruth Thomson and Chloe Thomson.
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You can read more book reviews or buy Living With a Willy by Nick Fisher at Amazon.co.uk Amazon currently charges £2.99 for standard delivery for orders under £20, over which delivery is free.
You can read more book reviews or buy Living With a Willy by Nick Fisher at Amazon.com.
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