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Parents > Booklists > Understanding Sex & Sexuality

Understanding Sex & Sexuality

Discussing sex with one's children is a very personal and sometimes difficult matter. Often a good book or video can help explain things. Use this list to find just the right books and videos about sex and sexuality for your family.

Guides for Parents

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The Miracle of Life (VIDEO)
VIDEO 612.6 MIRACLE
Using fiber optics and electron microscopy, this film traces the story of conception and human reproduction.
Eyre
How To Talk to Your Child About Sex: It's Best to Start Early, But It's Never too Late
649.65 E98h 1998
This guide lays out a simple series of discussions for parents to have with their children about sex, safety, commitment and marriage.
Haffner
From Diapers to Dating: A Parent's Guide to Raising Sexually Healthy
649.65 H138f 2004
Organized from birth through age 12, this book presents practical techniques to help parents identify and communicate age-appropriate information and values about sexuality to their children.
Harris
Sexo - ¿Que-Es?: Desarrollo, Cambios Corporales, Sexo y Salud Sexual
S-649.65 H315s 2000
Este libro cubre varios temas importantes, incluso la diversidad que hay entre los cuerpos, los cambios del cuerpo y la mente durante la pubertad, y la sexualidad. El libro incluye información cientifica e ideas practicas sobre el mantenimiento de la salud. Ilustrado con dibujos anatómicamente correctos.
This book touches on many important themes, such as the diversity of body types and the changes in the body and mind during puberty and sexuality. It includes scientific information, tips for staying healthy and graphic pictures of the human anatomy.
Roffman
But How'd I Get There In the First Place?: Talking to Your Young Child About Sex
649.65 R719b 2002
Explains which questions to expect from children of different ages and gives sample answers in age-appropriate language.
Schwartz
Ten Talks Parents Must Have With Their Children About Sex and Character
649.65 S399t 2000
Offers advice on how to talk to your children about sex, safety, character, peer pressure, the Internet and mixed messages from television.
Trujillo
Why Can't We Talk: What Teens Would Share If Parents Would Listen
y306.874 T866w 2000
Presents views from teenagers and advice on topics teens want to discuss with their parents, including sex, divorce, trust, drinking and drugs, acceptance, and more.

Young Children

Andreae
There's a House Inside My Mommy
jE Parenting ANDREAE
A young boy eagerly awaits the birth of his brother or sister, while imagining that the baby is in a house inside his mother.
Batten
Who Has a Belly Button?
J612.6 B335w 2004 Parenting
Learn what belly buttons are, how they are formed, and how they differ on the people and animals who have them.
Berenstain
The Birds, the Bees and the Berenstain Bears
jE Parenting BERENSTAI
When Mama announces that she is going to have a baby, Sister Bear is curious about where the baby came from and how it is going to get out of Mama's body.
Cole
Mommy Laid an Egg! Or Where Do Babies Come From?
jE Parenting COLE
Two children explain to their parents where babies come from. Cartoon-like illustrations.
Gray
Baby On Board
jE Parenting GRAY
While preparing to be an older sister, a girl reports on the changes in her mother and developing baby over nine months.
Greene
Why Boys and Girls Are Different:For Ages 3 to 5 and Parents
j649.65 G799w 1998
Simple, age-appropriate text and pictures teach young children that God created their similarities and differences for specific reasons.
Lund
Tell Me My Story, Mama
jE Parenting LUND
A mother tells her young daughter of the time when they waited for her to be born.
Murkoff
What to Expect When Mommy's Having a Baby
j649.65 M977w Parenting
A friendly dog helps provide answers to questions young children may ask about pregnancy. Cartoon-like drawings of infants in utero.
Nilsson
How Was I Born?
j612.63 N712h
As Mary and John wait nine months for their baby brother to be born, Mary describes everyday events and the changes in her mother's body. In-depth descriptions and photos of the infant in utero supplement the story.
Pringle
Everybody Has a Bellybutton:Your Life Before You Were Born
j612.6 P957e
The author gently describes life in the womb and the reason everyone has a bellybutton.
Saltz
Amazing You!: Getting Smart About Your Private Parts
j612.6 S179a 2005 Parenting
Presents clear, age-appropriate information about reproduction, birth and the differences between boys' and girls' bodies.
Sears
Baby on the Way
j618.24 S439b 2001 Parenting
This warm, insightful book helps parents prepare their children for the birth of a new baby.

Elementary Grades

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Growing Up! For Boys (VIDEO)
VIDEO j612.66 GROWING
This live action video presents basic information about the male reproductive system and the emotional and physical changes that are a normal part of growing up. Anatomically correct illustrations.
—
Growing Up! For Girls (VIDEO)
VIDEO j612.66 GROWING
This live action video presents basic information about the female reproductive system and the emotional and physical changes that are a normal part of growing up. Anatomically correct illustrations.
—
What Kids Want to Know About Sex and Growing Up (VIDEO)
VIDEO j649.65 WHAT
Experts answer children's questions about sex and the physical changes their bodies go through. Anatomically correct illustrations.
Allan
Where Willy Went
jE Parenting ALLAN
A sperm named Willy, his main rival Butch, and a millions of other sperm take part in the great swimming race to the body of Mrs. Browne. Anatomically correct illustrations.
Cole
Hair in Funny Places: A Book About Puberty
j612.661 c689h 2000 Parenting
A teddy bear explains to a little girl how Mr. and Mrs. Hormone cause people to change during puberty. Anatomically correct illustrations.
Gravelle
The Period Book: Everything You Don't Want to Ask (But Need to Know)
j612.662 G775p
Explains what happens at the onset of menstruation and discusses what to wear, going to the gynecologist, and how to handle various problems. Anatomically correct illustrations.
Harris
¡Es Alucinante!: Un Libro Que Habla Sobre Ovulos, Espermatozoides, Nacimientos, Bebes y Familias
S- j612.6 H315a 1999
Utiliza caricaturas de aves y abejas para presentar el desarrollo sexual, el amor, la reproducción, la adopción, las enfermedades trasmitidas sexaulment y más. Ilustrado con dibujos amatómicamente correctos.
Harris
It's So Amazing!: A Book About Eggs, Sperm, Birth, Babies, and Families
j612.6 H315i 1999
Cartoon characters of a bird and bee are used to explain sexual development, love, reproduction, adoption, sexually trasmitted diseases and more. Anatomically correct illustrations.
Jukes
Growing Up: It's a Girl Thing: Straight Talk About First Bras, First Periods, and Your Changing Body
j612.662 J93g 1998
This guide for pre-adolescent girls describes the changes that puberty brings to their bodies, including information about menstruation.
Larimore
Lintball Leo's Not-So Stupid Questions About Your Body
j612.661 L323L 2003
Gives honest answers to real questions about boys' bodies from a biblical perspective.
Loulan
Period: Girl's Guide to Mensturation With a Parent's Guide
j612.662 L888p 2001
in simple terms and without getting into sex education, the authors explain the changes all girls go through and how to handle the onset of the menstrual cycle. Anatomically correct illustrations.
Madaras
Ready, Set, Grow!: A "What's Happening to My Body?" Book for Younger Girls
j612.661 M178r 2003
Explains all the changes that occur during puberty.
Mayle
Where Did I Come From?: The Facts of Life Without Any Nonsense and With Illustrations
j612.6 M469w Parenting
This book presents a humorous description of reproduction from intercourse to birth. Anatomically correct cartoon illustrations.
Mayle
Where Did I Come From?": A Guide for Children and Parents (African-American edition)
j612.6 M469wa 1999
This book presents a humorous description of reproduction from intercourse to birth. Anatomically correct cartoon illustrations.

Childhood Sexual Abuse

Kleven
The Right Touch: A Read Aloud Story to Help Prevent Child Sexual Abuse
jE Parenting KLEVEN
A mother explains to her son the differences between touches that are positive and touches that are secret, deceptive, or forced. She offers suggestions for resisting inappropriate touching and affirms that abuse is not the child's fault.
Spelman
Your Body Belongs to You
j613.6 S743y Parenting
Learn what to say and do if someone touches your body when you do not want to be touched, especially when the action involves the touching of private parts.
Wachter
No More Secrets for Me: Sexual Abuse Is a Secret No Child Should Have to Keep
j362.76 W114n 2002
Helps parents talk with their children about the sensitive subject of sexual abuse.

Websites

Multnomah County Library Kids
http://www.multcolib.org/kids/internet-safety.html
Medline Plus
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/childsexualabuse.html
National Center for Missing & Exploited Children
http://www.cybertipline.com