AIDS-PROOFING YOUR KIDS: A STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE Loren E. Acker, Bram C. Goldwater and William H. Dyson Pickering (Ont.), Silvio Mattacchione & Co., 1992 168pp, paper. $9.95 1-895270-09-X.Distributed by Firefly Bookl. CIP Reviewed by Ruth Bainbridge Volume 20 Number 5 1992 October This book is written by two behavioural scientists and a medical doctor. They are all professors at the University of Victoria in British Columbia and have been active in teaching the community about AIDS and its prevention. Numerous studies have shown that knowledge about AIDS is not enough to entice young people to engage in safe sexual practices. Based on their experience and expertise, the authors have written a guide for parents that provides step-by-step techniques to be followed that will enable the kids either to abstain from sex or to learn ways to protect themselves from AIDS, sexually transmitted diseases and/or unwanted pregnancies. The book stresses the need for "progressive coaching," i.e., start small, progress gradually and readjust expectations as necessary. It also points out the need for practice both by the parents before speaking to their children and then by the children in role-playing such scenarios as the need to use a condom, selecting and purchasing them, and using one. One chapter of the book deals with masturbation, another with abstinence. The medical facts about AIDS are identified and there is a list of further reading as well as various resource groups available in Canada and the U.S.A. AIDS-Proofing Your Kids is very readable and does provide excellent information for parents, not only about AIDS but also about communicating with children and helping them make informed decisions. I recommend this book to parents of children of all ages. Ruth Bainbridge teaches nursing at Humber College in Etobicoke, Ontario.