Robie Harris, a children’s book author and former teacher whose writing about sexuality made her among the most banned authors in America, died on Jan. 6 in Manhattan. She was 83.

Her best-known book, It’s perfectly Normal: Changing Bodies Growing Up, and Sexual Health (1994) with its explicit illustrations, has been pulled from library shelves all over the country. Detractors called it pornography; supporters said it is a frank and honest guide to sexuality for children and teenagers. It has sold more than a million copies, and has been translated into 27 languages. In all, she wrote more than 30 children’s books, but Normal drew the most attention.