JoAn Karkos lives in a strange world.

It's a fantasyland where children don't ask difficult questions -- or at least not questions about sex and their changing bodies.

It must be a place without puberty.

It's also a land where theft is legal.

Strange place.

Actually, Karkos lives in Lewiston, where she checked out a library book designed for parents to read with their kids to help answer questions about the birds and the bees.

In this case, that silly phrase is appropriate. The book -- "It's Perfectly Normal: Changing Bodies, Growing Up, Sex & Sexual Health" by Robbie H. Harris -- features cartoons of birds and bees who help answer questions kids have always asked and parents have always struggled to answer.

Karkos looked at the book and didn't like what she saw. But instead of returning it to the library shelf, she took it home. Then she went to the Auburn library and checked out another copy.

"Since I have been sufficiently horrified of the illustrations and the sexually graphic, amoral, abnormal contents, I will not be returning the books," Karkos wrote the libraries. She enclosed a check for $20.95 to cover the cost of the book.

"This has never happened before," said Rick Speer, director of the Lewiston Public Library. "It's clearly theft."

He sent back the check and demanded that Karkos return the book. In the meantime, both Lewiston and Auburn have ordered additional copies of "It's Perfectly Normal." Publicity over Karkos' stunt has led more people to ask for the book.

The book is available at the Lithgow Library in Augusta but not at the Waterville Public Library.

"Given the resources we have, (the children's librarian) felt that our library's collection on puberty, etc. was well-rounded and met the needs of our patrons," says Waterville Library director Sarah Sugden. However, she said, "Donations of materials are always appreciated."

Sugden and Lithgow librarian Elizabeth Pohl each bought the book for themselves.

"It's a book for parents and children to read together," said Pohl, who read it with her daughters and then gave it to them.

Sugden said she would use it as her five-year-old son grows older and begins asking questions.

Both librarians said they understand that some parents won't like "It's Perfectly Normal."

"I don't have a problem with people who don't like the book," Pohl said. "I do have a problem with people who steal it."

Sugden agreed. "Some books are appropriate for some families and other books are appropriate for other families," she said. "Some books work for me as a parent and some do not."

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Sugden, who formerly worked in the library in Cambridge, Mass., knows Harris, the author, who has written several other books for children.

"She's very sensitive to the needs of children in an age-appropriate and sensitive way," Sugden said.

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On the theory that it's never too late to learn, I sat down with the book at the Lithgow Library.

My review: It's clear and nonjudgmental, written in terms a fifth-grader can follow. More importantly, it answers the questions kids ask. The cartoon characters guide children and parents through the book. And there are helpful illustrations.

I can understand that the illustrations showing sexual intercourse, masturbation and how to use a condom would be offensive to some readers. However, I think the straightforward approach would help parents who have trouble responding to questions -- and kids who may be too embarrassed to ask. It's certainly better than the wrong answers kids pick up from their friends.

"It's Perfectly Normal" does not preach but it does recognize that people have different attitudes about sex.

The chapter on sexual intercourse says "it makes sense to wait to have sexual intercourse until you are old enough and responsible enough to make healthy decisions about sex."

The section on contraception notes that abstinence is the most certain way to avoid pregnancy and sexually transmitted disease -- but it also deals with condoms and other forms of birth control.

The book talks about masturbation in words a fifth grader can understand.

"Some people think masturbation is wrong or harmful and some religions call masturbation a sin. But masturbation cannot hurt you. And it does not result in pregnancy or in getting or passing on infections that are spread by sexual contact.

"Many people masturbate. Many don't. Whether you masturbate or not is your choice. Masturbation is perfectly normal."

There are illustrations, too.

Phew!

I think many parents would be relieved to have answers like this if their kids asked questions.

Those who don't should find another book.

Or join Karkos in her strange world where kids don't ask tough questions and where people who don't like a book can take it from the public library so nobody can read it.

Make your little one a shining star! Shine on!

David B. Offer is the retired executive editor of the Kennebec Journal and the Morning Sentinel. E-mail davidboffer@hotmail.com.