Families
Content with Resource audience Lower primary .
Families
Alexander and the terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day
Topics: resilience, emotions, feelings, jealousy, anger, hate, isolation, injustice, siblings, friendship.
Fiction
Alexander knew it was going to be a terrible day when he woke up with gum in his hair. His best friend deserted him. There was no dessert in his lunch bag. And, on top of all that, there were lima beans for dinner and kissing on TV!
Age: 6 to 9 years.
YouTube reading - 4min 33sec (external link)Because it's my body!
Topics: protective behaviours, child abuse prevention, bodily autonomy, safety, art.
Fiction
Focusing on empowerment and prevention, this approachable book gives young children a way to reject unwanted, possibly harmful physical contact by adults and other kids.
Age: 4 to 7 years.
Changes
Topics: changes, families, new baby.
Fiction
When Joseph's mother comes home, says his father, things are going to change. And so they do, in the most extraordinary ways. This book explores the changes to Joseph's life when his parents bring home his baby sister.
Ages: 4 to 11 years.
Chicken Soup for the Kid's Soul
A collection of short stories, anecdotes, poems and cartoons which present a positive outlook on life (8 to 12 years). Topics: courage, hope, laughter.
Donor Conception Network
Booklets and films written for children about conception via donor.
Emily's blue period
Topics: emotional literacy, sadness, change, families, divorce
Fiction
Emily wants to be an artist. She likes painting and loves the way artists like Pablo Picasso mixed things up. Emily's life is a little mixed up right now. Her dad doesn't live at home anymore, and it feels like everything around her is changing. She is going through her 'blue period'. A book about a young child dealing with her parent's divorce.
Ages: 4 to 8 years.
Kids Helpline
Kids Helpline is Australia's only free, private and confidential, telephone and online counselling service specifically for young people aged between 5 and 25. The website also provides lots of valuable information for kids and parents.
Let's talk about the birds and the bees
Non-fiction
Cartoon illustrated book for parents to read to children about differences between male and female reproductive systems, private body parts, sexual intercourse, love, puberty, what touching is ok/not ok, families. Simple facts as a starting point for conversations.
Book review by Cath Hak 6min (external link)
Age: Parents and teachers of 4 to 11 year olds.
Let's talk about where babies come from
Non-fiction
Comics and cartoons outlining: similarities and differences between girls and boys, growing up, reproductive organs, how babies are made, what sex is, what is love, same sex attraction, conception, pregnancy, different types of birth, genetics (e.g. hair colour), different kinds of families, keeping safe (consensual touch), HIV (but not other STI/BBVs). A book that parents/teachers can read to younger children, or older children can read themselves.
Book review by Cath Hak 4min 36sec.
Age: 7 to 11 years.
Little Monkey's one safe place
Topics: emotional literacy, safety, families.
Fiction
When Little Monkey is frightened by the storm he runs to his mother's side. "Don't worry," she says. "There is always one safe place." But Little Monkey doesn't know where to find his one safe place.
Ages: 3 to 6 years.
My body belongs to me
Fiction
A straightforward story of a young girl that was sexually abused by a friend's uncle. The young girl tells her mum and dad who help her. Explains that it is not her fault. A rhyming book.
My body belongs to me from my head to my toes
Fiction
A story that covers safe touch, personal space, types of touch, how to say no to unwanted touch, and how to tell someone if abuse has happened. Includes a letter to parents/carers.
No more teasing!
Topics: friendships, families, teasing, emotional literacy
Fiction
Mimi loves her cousin Momo but he teases her all the time and she doesn't like it. Grandma helps to make a cunning plan so that Momo soon realises that teasing isn't such a good idea.
Age: 4+ years.
Safe4Kids
Safe4Kids provides training and resources in protective behaviours (child abuse prevention education). Services include: Teacher PD, student workshops, parent workshops.
Silly baby
Topics: new baby, families, coping strategies, changes
Fiction
Beth has a new baby brother. He cries, he poos, he gets all the attention. Silly, silly Baby! But grandma shows Beth that he is small and soft and can smile at his big sister – and Beth thinks that maybe he isn't so silly after all. This story is about a child learning to cope with a new baby in the family.
Age: 4 to 7 years.
Standing on my own two feet: A child's affirmation of love in the midst of divorce
Topics: change, emotional literacy, divorce, families
Fiction
Addison is a regular kid whose parents are going through a divorce, but he knows that no matter what happens, his parents will always love him.
Age: 3 to 7 years.
The Freedom Centre
The Freedom Centre supports young people (under 26), families and communities to be healthy, happy and informed about diverse sexuality, sex and gender. They host drop in spaces and peer support for young people who are Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, Intersex, Queer and Questioning.
The sissy duckling
Topics: emotional literacy, friendships, bullying, stereotypes, gender, families.
Fiction
A funny and touching story of a duckling who embraces his identity. Elmer is not like the other boy ducklings. While they like to build forts, he loves to bake cakes. While they like to play baseball, he wants to put on the halftime show. Elmer is a great big sissy. But when his father is wounded by a hunter’s shot, Elmer proves that the biggest sissy can also be the greatest hero.
Age: 5 to 8 years.