10 Best Sex Education Books for Kids of All Ages

We couldn’t agree more that when children reach the age of 4, they will start asking awkward questions about SEX.

And as adults, we find it difficult to choose the proper words to educate our children concerning the ¨touchy¨ subject.

Good thing there are amazing people in the world who make it possible for us to have the “talk” with our kids by coming up with the best sex education books for children.

Here are 10 best sex education books by kids’ age group.

More Reading:

What Makes a Baby by Cory Silverberg

For ages 4 – 8

Geared to readers from preschool to age eight, What Makes A Baby is a book for every kind of family and every kind of kid. It is a twenty-first-century children’s picture book about conception, gestation, and birth, which reflects the reality of our modern time by being inclusive of all kinds of kids, adults, and families, regardless of how many people were involved, their orientation, gender and other identities, or family composition.

Just as important, the story doesn’t gender people or body parts, so most parents and families will find that it leaves room for them to educate their child without having to erase their own experience.

Written by a certified sexuality educator, Cory Silverberg, and illustrated by award-winning Canadian artist Fiona Smyth, What Makes A Baby is as fun to look at as it is useful to read.

Who Has What? By Robie H. Harris

For ages 4+

Young children are curious about almost everything. Asking questions is one of many ways they learn about themselves and the world around them. Now, this unique series for our youngest children provides easy-to-understand facts and answers to their delightful, thoughtful, and often nonstop questions. Launching the series is WHO HAS WHAT?, a simple story following Nellie and Gus on a family outing to the beach.

Humorous illustrations, conversations between the siblings, and a clear text all reassure young kids that whether they have a girl’s body or a boy’s, their bodies are perfectly normal, healthy, and wonderful.

Amazing You! By Gail Saltz

For ages 4+

Mum, where do babies come from? Many parents live in fear of the day their child asks this question which inevitably happens, often as early as the preschool years. Here is a picture book designed especially for young children who are becoming aware of their bodies, but aren’t ready to learn about sexual intercourse.

Written with warmth and honesty, “Amazing You “presents clear and age-appropriate information about reproduction, birth, and the difference between girls and boys bodies. Lynne Cravathas lighthearted illustrations enliven the text, making this a book that parents will gladly share with their young ones.

How Big is Our Baby? By Smriti Prasadam-Halls

For ages 3+

This book is designed for older siblings (aimed for ages 3+) who are excited that Mummy is having a baby. When a new baby is on the way, siblings-to-be have lots of feelings and plenty of questions. But whether they’re impatient, curious or a little worried, this friendly and reassuring guide explains each step of the pregnancy journey and helps little ones feel involved and excited.

With a month-by-month approach that compares the size of the growing baby to something familiar to the young reader, such as a speck of sand at the seaside or an egg, readers also find out about how Baby is developing, from when the heart might first beat to when they’ll be able to feel it kick.

Let’s Talk About Where Babies Come From by Robie Harris

For ages 6 – 12

This clear, lively information book about sex and reproduction covers all the main areas: babies, reproduction, bodies, chromosomes, genes, growing up, love, health and lots more.

As before, the information is imparted simply and reassuringly with humorous commentary from an inquisitive bird and a squeamish bee and very friendly full-colour cartoon-strip illustrations. Created by the author and illustrator of Let’s Talk About Sex, this forthright and funny book has been newly updated for its fifteenth anniversary.

It’s My Body by Louise Spilsbury

For ages 4 – 6

This brightly coloured, illustrated title explains to children about body privacy and why private parts should be kept private. Children will learn that their body belongs to them and they can say ‘no’ if they don’t want anyone to touch their body. They’ll discover what is inappropriate, and be encouraged to speak up if they are uncomfortable with how other people treat them. It also covers the topic of secrets and when you shouldn’t keep a secret.

The book looks at respecting each other’s boundaries and becoming aware that some children, particularly those with autism or anxiety, may find hugging or any kind of touch, unbearable.It also covers bullying, such as pinching or kicking and shows children the best way to speak out to help stop these things from happening.

Written by Louise Spilsbury, the text explains, simply and clearly, without scaremongering, why body privacy is important.

The Puberty Book by Kelsey Powell and Wendy Darvill

For ages 9 – 14 years

This is the 6th Edition of The Puberty Book and with over 140,000 copies sold, it has been a trusted resource for families for over 20 years.

Updated to include new information about social media, cyber-bullying, online safety and dieting trends, the sixth edition of The Puberty Book answers all of those direct (pre) teenage questions:

• What’s a wet dream?
• How do you ask a girl on a date?
• How are sperm made?
• After sex do you get sick?
• What do you do if your penis is small?
• How does milk get into breasts?
• When should you start shaving your legs?

 

Girl Stuff by Kaz Cooke

For ages 8 – 12

Here’s everything you need to know about being a pre-teen, from Kaz Cooke, author of Girl Stuff for teens.

* body changes * dealing with friends & bullies * getting confident * first periods * pimples * hair (wherever it is) * phones & being online * what to eat * being fit & healthy * the best books & movies * how to be happy with your own true self * & lots more!

Girl Stuff 8–12 fits under your pillow and is written with the help of medical and other experts.

Guy Talk: The Ultimate Body Book for Boys

For ages 7+

Guy Talk is the must-have advice book for boys navigating all things puberty and growing up great!

This easy to read, diverse guide is illustrated for better understanding and includes bodies of all shapes, abilities, and sizes. With Guy Talk, get the answers to the questions you don’t know who to ask or are too embarrassed to.

From body changes, personal hygiene, healthy eating, and tips for sensitive topics, this book covers all the bases.

Learn to not only prioritize your physical health, but your emotional health, too! A healthy mind and a healthy heart makes for a happy life. Maintain healthy relationships with family, friends, and peers.

Growing up isn’t just about your changing body. Learn how to handle peer pressure, social media safety, consent, and self-confidence so that you can be your best you as you journey through this new time in your life.

Girl Talk: The Ultimate Body Book for Girls

For ages 7+

irl Talk is the must-have advice book for girls navigating all things puberty and growing up!

This easy to read, diverse guide is illustrated for better understanding and includes bodies of all shapes, abilities, and sizes. With Girl Talk , get the answers to the questions you don’t know who to ask or are too embarrassed to. From body changes, personal hygiene, healthy eating, and tips for sensitive topics, this book covers all the bases. Learn to not only prioritize your physical health, but your emotional health, too! A healthy mind and a healthy heart makes for a happy life. Maintain healthy relationships with family, friends, and peers.

Growing up isn’t just about your changing body. Learn how to handle peer pressure, social media safety, leadership, and self-confidence so that you can be your best you as you journey through this new time in your life.

Puberty is Gross, But Also Really Awesome by Gina Loveless

For ages 8 – 12 Years

A first-of-its-kind inclusive puberty guide that celebrates the good and completely awful parts of puberty. Filled with jokes and countless facts to put this stage in perspective–this book is bound to be every kid’s new best friend!

Puberty . . . it’s pretty gross for pretty much everyone. It’s a smelly, hairy, sticky, and (worst of all) totally confusing time! But did you know there’s a lot about puberty that makes it REALLY AWESOME?

Get the whole picture with this honest, humorous, and empowering survival guide to the tween years. Packed with easy-to-understand scientific information, interesting studies, and tips from experts, this book covers everything from breast development and gender identity to acne and mental health.

No matter your gender, sexuality, or race, this book is for you. With straightforward illustrations and an author who doesn’t shy away from the tough stuff, this utterly modern take on puberty is the resource this generation needs! Welcome to modern puberty–it’s transformative, kind of gross, but undeniably AWESOME!

Do you have any more great sex education books to add?