Need help talking to your kids about bodies, where babies come from, and changes that come with puberty? These titles offer age-appropriate guides from a variety of perspectives will help you answer questions honestly.
Books about the Facts of Life for Pre-Readers
Where Do Babies Come From? by Dr. Jillian Roberts
An engaging introduction for young children to the basic facts of life in a way that is gentle, age -appropriate and accessible. Best for ages 3-7.
Also available digitally on Hoopla.
It’s Not the Stork by Robie H. Harris
This book offers simple facts about body parts and where babies come from. Best for ages 4-8. Also available digitally on OverDrive and Libby.
Who Are You? by Brook Pessin-Whedbee
A straightforward introduction to gender with clear and direct language for understanding and talking about how we experience gender: our bodies, our expression and our identity. Best for ages 4 and up.
What’s the Big Secret? by Laurene Krasny Brown
This humorously illustrated book contains basic information children need to know and answers to tough questions about sex and the human body. Best for ages 5 and up.
Books about Gender and Sexuality for Kids
Sex is a Funny Word by Cory Silverberg
A comic book for kids that includes diverse children and families in an exploration of bodies, gender, and sexuality for children. Best for ages 8 and up. Also available digitally on Hoopla.
The Girl’s Body Book and The Boy’s Body Book by Kelli S. Dunham
Helps children understand the physical and emotional transitions that come with puberty. Best for ages 8 and up.
The Care & Keeping of You by Valorie Lee Schaefer
Provides tips, how-tos, and facts from experts to help children navigate body and life changes. Best for ages 8 and over.
Bunk 9’s Guide to Growing Up by Adah Nuchi
An informative, head-to-toe guide to puberty for adolescents “written by” eight older girls at a summer camp. Best for ages 8 and over. Also
available digitally on Hoopla.
Books about Puberty for Tweens
Helloflo: the Guide, Period by Naama Bloom
This honest and insightful guide to periods and puberty teaches a new generation to feel empowered about growing up. Best for ages 10 and up.
Boy Talk by Caroline Plaisted
Full of fun artwork and enlivened with a modern, quirky de-
sign, this books offers essential information on the ups and downs of growing up. Best for ages 10 and up.
Growing Up Book for Girls and The Growing Up Book for Boys by Davida Hartman
This book is a one-stop guide for tweens on the autism spectrum explaining all they need to know about puberty and adolescence. Best for ages 9 and up.
Girl to Girl by Sarah O’Leary Birningham
Letters and testimonials from real girls illustrate facts and feelings about life transitions from first bras to first periods. Best for ages 9 and up. Also available digitally on Overdrive.
Books for Parents on Puberty
The New Puberty by Louise Greenspan
What happens when a girl has the brain of an 8-year-old and the body of a 13-year-old? This book provides a roadmap for parents when girls move into puberty at an early age.
Talk to Me First by Deborah M. Roffman
Informs parents on how to become a knowledgeable and accessible authority for their children on sex, detailing education tips, talking-point suggestions for each age, and guidance on teen parenting when it comes to sex.
Talking to Tweens by Elizabeth Hartley-Brewer
Offers advice for understanding the needs for tween parenting, including self-discipline, peer pressure, spending money, body image, healthy eating, bullying, school problems, work pressures, and puberty.
How to Hug a Porcupine by Julie Ross
Specific strategies for parents of fifth to eighth graders to help them shift from a controlling to a relationship approach as children move from childhood to adolescence, covering such topics as peer pressure, body image, sibling rivalry, puberty, and more. Also available digitally on Hoopla.