Puberty
Puberty
Everything you never wanted your kids to know about sex (but were afraid they’d ask): the secrets to surviving your child’s sexual development from birth to the teens
Written by doctors, a guide to coping with a child’s sexual maturation.
Hair in funny places
A 32 page picture book. Light-hearted book outlining the changes during puberty.
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.
Menstrupedia Comic: the friendly guide to periods for girls
Menstrupedia Comic is an online resource, but there are also book versions available. The website and the book contain answers to questions about periods and provides useful information on menstruation, changing bodies and growing up.
More secret girls' business
Topics: puberty, menstruation.
Non-fiction
Uses simple text and colour illustrations to explain how to manage periods. It includes notes for parents, teachers and carers.
Age: 8+
Puberty and special girls
A simple yet sensitively written picture book that covers changes in bodies and appearance during puberty, good hygiene and other issues including protective behaviours and feelings for young women with special needs.
Puberty booklet
A WA Department of Health booklet addressing the changes that happen during puberty and how to look after yourself during this time. Recently updated in 2021 to combine the 'Girls and puberty' and 'Boys and puberty'. Aimed at ages 10-13 years.
Puberty Boy
Puberty Boy explains the transitions that boys need to go through to become healthy young men in a unique, colourful and commonsense way.
Puberty Girl
A practical guide for teenage girls on understanding the physical and emotional changes associated with puberty.
Relationships, sex and other stuff
A WA Department of Health booklet for teenagers addressing friends and relationships, sex and pregnancy.
Secret boys' business (2nd Ed.)
Topics: puberty
Non-fiction
A puberty resource for boys, families, schools and community groups to explain the physical and emotional changes of puberty.
Age: 9 to 13 years.
Secret girls' business
Topics: puberty, menstruation.
Non-fiction
Uses simple text and colour illustrations to explain how to manage periods. It includes notes for parents, teachers and carers.
Age: 8+
So what is a vulva anyway?
This UK resource is aimed at educating young people about the vulva (the outside part of the female reproductive system that is often misnamed ‘vagina’). The booklet uses illustrations to normalise the wide range of ‘normal’ when it comes to the appearance of the vulva. It also details the changes which happen during puberty that are often not described.
Someday
Fiction - 42 pages (one sentence per page)
A story about growing from a baby to elderly person and experiencing different things
Special boys' business
Topics: puberty. Autism, special needs.
Non-fiction
A puberty resource written for boys with special needs, including intellectual disability, physical disability, communication disorder and Autism.
Age: 8+
Special girls' business
Topics: menstruation, puberty
Non-fiction
A step by step guide on how to manage periods, including use and disposal of pads. A puberty resource written for girls with special needs, including intellectual disability, physical disability, communication disorder and Autism.
Age: 8+
The Puberty Book: A Guide for Children and Teenagers (4th Ed.)
A humorous guide for children and teenagers about the changes that happen at puberty.
The sex education answer book
Non-fiction
Age appropriate answers to all of the tough questions children ask parents about sex. Set out in ages 3 - 14.
Age: Parents and teachers of 3 to 14 year olds