10 Sex Education Books For Kids of All Ages
by on 02/08/2025 14801
Difficult Questions
Attempting to explain how babies are born, body anatomy or puberty to a preschooler can be one of the most daunting tasks one can face as a parent. Like it or not, those difficult questions will definitely come; and it can be sooner than you think. When discussing topics of such nature, saying too little can confuse them while saying too much can overwhelm them. And while one might be tempted to brush aside such topics when asked; remember that your kids are going to hear about sex either from their friends in school or from the internet in the palm of their hands, regardless of how you feel about it.
Getting there first, making sure that they receive the right information is one such effective way a parent can go about it. One book isn’t going to be enough to cover everything. Get multiple books and start building your library from there. You know your child best, so always check if you’re totally okay with the level of detail and information contained in a book before you share them with your child. The following is a list of 10 age-appropriate books to help you discuss all things sexuality with your kids.
1) It’s Perfectly Normal: Changing Bodies, Growing Up, Sex, and Sexual Health – Robie H. Harris
For two decades, It’s Perfectly Normal has been the most trusted and accessible resource for kids, parents, and teachers. The book is also currently ranked first on Amazon in the “Best Sellers in Children’s Sexuality Books” list. The latest, revised version comes with information on subjects such as safe and savvy Internet use, gender identity, emergency contraception, and more.
Appropriate Audience :
Ages 9 – 12
Where To Get :
2) It’s Not the Stork!: A Book About Girls, Boys, Babies, Bodies, Families and Friends – Robie H. Harris
From the expert team behind It’s Perfectly Normal and It’s So Amazing! comes a book for younger children about their bodies – a resource that parents, teachers, librarians, health care providers, and clergy can use with ease and confidence.
Appropriate Audience :
Ages 5+ (use your judgement)
Where To Get :
3) Where Did I Come From?: The Facts Of Life Without Any Nonsense And With Illustrations – Peter Mayle
For more than twenty years, Where Did I Come From? has helped parents explain the facts of life to their curious children. Millions of children have enjoyed the humor and honesty in this book, while learning how babies are really made. Peter Mayle and Arthur Robins are also the bestselling team responsible for What’s Happening to Me? a guide to puberty.
Appropriate Audience :
Ages 5+ (use your judgement)
Where To Get :
4) It’s So Amazing!: A Book about Eggs, Sperm, Birth, Babies, and Families – Robie H. Harris
How does a baby begin? What makes a baby male or female? How is a baby born? Children have plenty of questions about reproduction and babies-and about sex and sexuality, too. It’s So Amazing! provides the answers-with fun, accurate, comic-book-style artwork and a clear, lively text that reflects the interests of children age seven and up in how things work, while giving them a healthy understanding of their bodies.
Appropriate Audience :
Ages 7 – 10
Where To Get :
5) Boys, Girls Body Science: A First Book About Facts of Life – Meg Hickling
With humour and sensitivity, Boys, Girls Body Science provides no-nonsense answers for children – and parents – with questions about sex. Specifically designed for young readers, Boys, Girls Body Science walks children through the wonders of their bodies in a direct, easy-to-read manner.
Appropriate Audience :
Ages 8 – 12
Where To Get :
6) What’s Happening to Me? A Guide to Puberty – Peter Mayle
For more than twenty years, What’s Happening to Me? has helped parents explain puberty to their children who are experiencing “growing pains”. More than one million children and young adults have enjoyed the humor and honesty in this book, while learning what really happens to their bodies as they mature.
Appropriate Audience :
Ages 9 – 12
Where To Get :
7) Amazing You: Getting Smart About Your Private Parts – Gail Saltz
“Mom, where do babies come from?” Many parents live in fear of the day their child asks that question-which inevitably happens, often as early as the preschool years. Here is a picture book designed especially for young children who are becoming sexually aware but aren’t ready to learn about sexual intercourse.
Appropriate Audience :
Ages 9 – 12
Where To Get :
8) Sex is a Funny Word: A Book about Bodies, Feelings, and YOU – Cory Silverberg
From sexuality educator Cory Silverberg and artist Fiona Smyth, Sex Is a Funny Word reimagines “sex talk” for the twenty-first century. A comic book for kids that includes children and families of all makeups, orientations, and gender identies, Sex Is a Funny Word is an essential resource about bodies, gender, and sexuality for children ages 8 to 10 as well as their parents and caregivers.
2016 Winner of the Norma Fleck Award for Canadian Children’s Non-Fiction
2016 ALA Stonewall Book Award, Honor Book
2016 ALA Notable Children’s Book
Appropriate Audience :
Ages 8 – 10
Where To Get :
9) What Makes a Baby – Cory Silverberg
Geared to readers from pre-school to about 8 years old, it teaches curious kids about conception, gestation, and birth in a way that works regardless of whether or not the kid in question was adopted, conceived using reproductive technologies at home or in a clinic, through surrogacy, or any of the other wondrous ways we make babies these days, and regardless of how many people were involved, their orientation, gender and other identity, or family composition.
Appropriate Audience :
Ages 8+
Where To Get :
10) Good Pictures Bad Pictures Jr.: A Simple Plan to Protect Young Minds – Kristen A. Jenson
Young children deserve to be armed early against internet dangers. Good Pictures Bad Pictures Jr. makes it easy for parents to protect their young kids ages 3 to 6. Using gentle, age-appropriate messages, children will learn to Turn, Run & Tell when they are accidentally exposed to inappropriate content.
Appropriate Audience :
Ages 3 – 6
Where To Get :
