“I wanted my kids to stay healthy, so I had to give them accurate information,” said Robie H. Harris (1940–2024), whose training and deep interest in child development—and experience as a parent—made her realize how difficult but necessary it is to answer kids’ questions about sex. Consultations with other parents, kids, educators, doctors, psychologists, and scientists confirmed the critical need for books like It’s Perfectly Normal, It’s So Amazing!, and It’s Not The Stork!, all illustrated by Michael Emberley. Used as trusted resources around the world, these definitive books—known collectively as The Family Library—answer kids’ questions about sex and sexual health in a manner that assures even the most squeamish reader that “it’s perfectly normal.”
Robie H. Harris used her expertise in child development in numerous picture books as well. About Happy Birth Day!, illustrated by Michael Emberley, she said, “This is a story my children asked me to tell them over and over again when they were young. I think they loved hearing about all the things they could do on the day they were born.” Hi New Baby!, also illustrated by Michael Emberley, was another book inspired by her own children. “When my older child met his new baby brother, he was full of feelings—excitement and disappointment when he finally saw the baby, surprise that the new baby was so tiny, upset when the baby cried, bored when the baby slept, angry that he was no longer the baby, and proud when he realized that he could make the baby stop crying.”
Robie H. Harris tackled a common bugaboo faced by parents and children in Don’t Forget to Come Back!, illustrated by New Yorker cartoonist Harry Bliss. The all-too-familiar tale wisely and wittily captures the many emotions children face when parents go out—and a babysitter comes in.
In more recent years, Robie H. Harris authored a series of books known as the Let’s Talk About You and Me series, providing easy-to-understand facts and answers to kids’ delightful, thoughtful, and often nonstop questions. Illustrated by Nadine Bernard Westcott, these include Who Has What? All About Girls’ Bodies and Boys’ Bodies; Who’s in My Family? All About Our Families; and What’s in There? All About Before You Were Born.
In addition to being an award-winning author, Robie H. Harris was a popular speaker around the country. A graduate of Wheaton College and the Bank Street College of Education, Robie H. Harris had plenty of hands-on experience working with kids, including as director of an early childhood after-school program and as a teacher. She also co-produced and directed Child’s Eye View, a film on the daily life of children in Hell’s Kitchen, and had professional affiliations too numerous to count.
When Michael Emberley was growing up in Massachusetts, his father, who is also an illustrator, would have him draw whatever he was looking at for just two minutes every day—no more, no less. This daily exercise taught the young artist’s eye to see, and it taught him to draw freely without criticizing himself.
Carrying on the family tradition of encouragement, Michael Emberley now tells children, “I never started out drawing any better than you. I just never stopped drawing.” For he firmly believes that anyone can learn to draw: “The trick is repetitive practice and the belief that it is possible.”
It’s clear that Michael Emberley’s belief is very strong. Today he is the acclaimed illustrator of many books, among them Candlewick’s award-winning books by Robie H. Harris, including It’s So Amazing!, about reproduction; and It’s Perfectly Normal, a refreshing and honest book about changing bodies, growing up, sex, and sexual health.
Michael Emberley, who competes in bicycle marathons, continues to make his home in Massachusetts, as do his father and sister (also an author and illustrator). Sometimes father and son are asked to sign each other’s books. Is there a touch of intergenerational competition? “My dad is very talented and I respect his legacy,” Michael says. Then he adds jokingly, “But he’s not beyond my reach.”
