Sex Ed Books for Kids & Teens
Your personal library recommendations for reading materials for all ages
As I began writing my article, The Birds and The Bees, I knew I wanted to make a list of books for parents, caretakers, and other supportive adults. Books are often the first resource parents reach for to educate their kids about the basics of bodies, safety, and boundaries - but most don’t know where to begin.
I’ve broken down the list below by age group so parents can select accordingly. Each book is developmentally appropriate for the age group described and can be a wonderful way for parents to start conversations about important topics. I encourage parents to consider all the books, even if they don’t think they apply. (Example: Your child may not have gay parents, but they may meet someone who does, and learning more about these experiences helps build empathy and understanding.)
Books can be borrowed at the library, but when possible, purchasing allows books to be read more than once and internalized. You also don’t need to be a parent to buy these books - if you have friends or family members with kids, these can make wonderful gifts.
Special thanks to Dorian Solot and Heather Corinna, who have each written valuable books I’ve included here. Thank you to Heather for creating Scarleteen, the amazing online resource for teens and young adults, and to Dorian for recommending amazing additional books.
Note: Some of the books recommended below are linked to my Bookshop affiliate account, and I may earn commissions from purchases.
Grades K-3
Families
The Great Big Book of Families by Mary Hoffman
A Family Is a Family Is a Family by Sara O'Leary & Qin Leng
When Mom and Dad Separate: Children Can Learn to Cope with Grief from Divorce by Marge Heegaard
Consent
Yes! No!: A First Conversation about Consent by Megan Madison, Jessica Ralli, & Isabel Roxas
The Great Big Hug by Isy Abraham-Raveson
More Than Fluff by Madeline Valentine
Gender & Gender Roles
Jamie Is Jamie: A Book about Being Yourself and Playing Your Way by Afsaneh Moradian & Maria Bogade
Neither: A Story about Being Who You Are by Airlie Anderson
Bodies
All About Vulvas and Vaginas: A Learning About Bodies Book by Dorian Solot, Marshall Miller & Tyler Feder
All About Penises: A Learning About Bodies Book by Dorian Solot, Marshall Miller & Tyler Feder
Human Body Theater: A Non-Fiction Revue by Maris Wicks
Bodies Are Cool by Tyler Feder
Your Body Is Awesome: Body Respect for Children by Sigrun Danielsdottir & Bjork Bjarkadottir
Shades of People by Shelley Rotner and Sheila M. Kelly
Ability
Just Ask!: Be Different, Be Brave, Be You by Sonia Sotomayor & Rafael López
Reproduction & Masturbation
Tell Me About Sex, Grandma by Anastasia Higginbotham
What Makes a Baby by Cory Silverberg & Fiona Smyth
A Child Is Born by Linda Forsell & Lennart Nilsson
Note: This book shows incredible photos of embryo development but also shows photos during birth, including a nude adult female.
Grades 4-6
Resources for Parents
There's No Place Like Home...For Sex Education by Mary Gossart
Breaking the Hush Factor: Ten Rules for Talking with Teenagers about Sex
Talk to Me First: Everything You Need to Know to Become Your Kids' Go-To Person about Sex by Deborah Roffman & Karen Rayne
For Goodness Sex: A Sex-Positive Guide to Raising Healthy, Empowered Teens by Al Vernacchio
Resources for Youth
Family Changes
Puberty
It's Perfectly Normal: Changing Bodies, Growing Up, Sex, Gender, and Sexual Health by Robie H. Harris & Michael Emberley
Period: A Girls’ Guide by Joann Loulan and Bonnie Worthen
Will Puberty Last My Whole Life?: Real Answers to Real Questions from Preteens about Body Changes, Sex, and Other Growing-Up Stuff by Julie Metzger & Robert Lehman
My Body, My Self for Girls by Area Madaras & Lynda Madaras
My Body, My Self for Boys by Area Madaras & Lynda Madaras
Gender
Gracefully Grayson by Ami Polonsky
Riding Freedom by Pam Muñoz Ryan & Brian Selznick
Sex
Sex Is a Funny Word: A Book about Bodies, Feelings, and You by Cory Silverberg & Fiona Smyth
It's Not the Stork!: A Book about Girls, Boys, Babies, Bodies, Families and Friends
by Robie H. Harris & Michael Emberley
Wait, What?: A Comic Book Guide to Relationships, Bodies, and Growing Up
by Heather Corinna & Isabella Rotman
Grades 7-9
Resources for Parents
Teens, Sex & Disability
Teaching Children with Down Syndrome about Their Bodies, Boundaries, and Sexuality by Terri Couwenhoven
Families
Families Like Mine: Children of Gay Parents Tell It Like It Is by Abigail Garner
Being an Askable Adult
What Every 21st Century Parent Needs to Know: Facing Today's Challenges With Wisdom and Heart by Debra W. Haffner
The Teenage Body Book: A New Edition for a New Generation by Kathy McCoy
Sex
Guide To Getting It On: Crush It In Bed by Paul Joannides
The Ultimate Guide to Sex and Disability: For All of Us Who Live with Disabilities, Chronic Pain, and Illness by Miriam Kauffman, Cory Silverberg & Fran Odette
Resources for Youth
Bodies
Body Drama: Real Girls, Real Bodies, Real Issues, Real Answers by Nancy Amanda Redd
The Teenage Body Book: A New Edition for a New Generation by Kathy McCoy
Gender
Gender Outlaws: The Next Generation by Kate Bornstein & S. Bear Bergman
Relationships
A 5 Is Against the Law: Social Boundaries - a Compassionate but Honest Guide for Teens and Young Adults by Kari Dunn Buron
LGBTQ+
GLBTQ: The Survival Guide for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender, and Questioning Teens by Kelly Huegel
Sex
S.E.X.: The All-You-Need-To-Know Sexuality Guide to Get You Through Your Teens and Twenties by Heather Corinna
Grades 10-12
Resources for Parents
Beyond Acceptance: Parents of Lesbians & Gays Talk about Their Experiences by Marian J. Wirth, Carolyn W. Griffin & Arthur G. Wirth
From Diapers to Dating by Debra W. Haffner
Resources for Youth
LGBTQ+
Free Your Mind: The Book for Gay, Lesbian, and Bisexual Youth and Their Allies by Ellen Bass & Kate Kaufman
Trans Liberation: Beyond Pink or Blue by Leslie Feinberg
Bi Any Other Name - Bisexual People Speak Out by Lani Ka’ahumanu & Loraine Hutchins