ReadingParents.com -Books about having "The TALK" with your child about the "Birds and the Bees"

Books about having the "Birds and Bees" talk
Teaching sexuality to your kids

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Where Did I Come from?
by Peter Mayle

Tastefully presented
Reviewer: S. D. Hughes

My parents used this book to help answer my questions about how babies are made when I was around 5 years old. This book provided just enough information to introduce me to the concept of sex and making babies without embarrassing me too terribly much.
I notice that some reviewers worry that the book provides children with too much information or is too graphic. I find that the book would be incomplete if some of the information or the pictures were omitted. If they weren't included, I know I would have many questions unanswered as a child. The tasteful illustrations included in the book helped me understand the book's content, rather than forcing me to fill in the gaps with inaccurate and possibly scary images that could have lead to unhealthy views of sex.

   As a child, I found myself really studying the pictures, cartoon images that are presented very tastefully and are actually sort of cute. They pictures do show the male and female anatomy, which is important information if a child is to understand how babies are made. They show a man and woman who love each other and are happy, things that would allow a child to have a positive and healthy perspective about sex and making a baby.

   As a person who's had personal experience with this book as a child, I highly recommend it. I plan to use it with my own son in a few years.

   (One last note: I believe this book is best suited for younger children that are asking questions or could be introduced to the topic of sex or making babies. It might be a bit juvenile for pre-teen.)

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How to Talk to Your Child About Sex:
It's Best to Start Early, but It's Never Too Late-
A Step-By-Step Guide for Every Age
by Linda Eyre, Richard M. Eyre

How to Talk to Your Child About Sex
Reviewer: A reader from McLean, VA

This is one of the most helpful parenting books I have read. It has helped me and my friends so much as we have tried to figure out how in the world to address this difficult and possibly embarrassing topic with our children. I loved the book because it helped me realize how important honest and open communication is with my children--and how important it is to start now when they are young. I think so many parents tend to skirt around issues like these--or answer questions from their children in such a vague way that the kids won't ask further questions. Because of this book I have realized how much honest and candid communication with my kids will improve our relationship. After reading the book I am actually looking forward to the questions my kids will ask (they are only three and two right now--not too many questions have come up yet).

It makes me sad that so many kids learn about sex from their peers at school. I want my husband and I to be the ones to explain such an important thing to our children. I want to open the communication as the Eyres say so that any time in the future my kids have questions they will always feel comfortable talking about it with me. I want to be able to freely discuss things we see on TV or at the movies--or the things they hear at school. Some of my friends have had "the talk" the Eyres suggest in their book and are amazed at how much it has helped their children and their relationship with them.

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But How'd I Get in There in the First Place?
Talking to Your Young Child About Sex
by Deborah M. Roffman

A wonderful book--and not just for parents of young children
Reviewer: larjack from Brookline, MA United States

This is a wonderful book--informative and easy to read, which is pretty impressive for a topic that makes most parents uncomfortable: talking with our children about sex. Roffman understands that sex education does not begin or end with learning about periods and puberty in fifth or sixth grade--she offers insightful guidelines for discussing important issues at different ages. My daughter is out of the target age range for this book (she's eleven) but I found the book very useful anyway, helping me understand the lessons I missed along the way and giving good basic information and ideas for communicating it. Read it!

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First Comes Love: All About The Birds And Bees - And Alligators, Possums, And People, Too.
by Jennifer Davis, Clare Mackie (Illustrator)

I wish this book was around when I was little
Reviewer: A reader from Fishers Island, New York

I am a mother of two small children and I have fretted a bit about how I would answer their innocent questions about he birds and the bees. And then I found it.. "First Comes Love" is a wonderful picture book about flirting critters and amorous people and it even covers that tricky part about how that sperm finds his way to the egg. Unlike other clinical books on the subject this one is fun to read over and over just for the hip rhymes and the hilarious pictures.

My children are learning and laughing and so am I. There lots of fun facts that are new to children as well as parents like "kangaroo newborns are rarely seen since they are no bigger than a lima bean." I won't tell you much more but what creature would you guess swishes bubbles under his darling's chin to charm her? (It's the alligator but do not tell.)

If only my parents had given me a book like this....oh, the blushing I would have been spared.

Happy reading

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What's the Big Secret? : Talking about Sex with Girls and Boys
by Laurie Krasny Brown, Marc Tolon Brown

Great book but not really for kids under 7...
Reviewer: mareson228 from F.R., MA USA

Last summer I read this book to my then just turned 7 & just turned 4 yr old and the youngest was completely clueless as to what I trying to get across. The oldest understood somewhat, wasn't all that interested, but still managed to let a few giggles out. She took the book and read it herself. When I later asked her if she had any questions for me, she had none but commented that it was "embarrassing". The book was put away to age a little longer....
Earlier this week I re-read the book to both of them, now almost 5 and almost 8. The 5 yr old is still clueless and bored with all of it. The 8 yr old seemed a bit more interested and less embarrassed. She took the book and again read it to herself and asked a few "why" questions but nothing I couldn't handle.
In my opinion, this book is great for 7 - 10 yr olds (1st - 3rd grade), not the pre-school - grade 3 that it is catagorized. Enough for 7 - 10 yr olds to comprehend and enough for this age to know. Not overwhelming in technical terms or detail nor is it written in baby terms. I agree with a previous reviewer. When the teen years arrive, more information, terms & detail will need to be divulged but for this pre-teen age. For pre-teens, this book is perfect.

How Babies Are Made (Paperback)
by Steven Schepp (Author), Andrew Andry

A Classic, Just The Very Thing
Reviewer: GimmeCoffee

I read this very book thirty years ago when I was six years old and my parents wanted me to know how babies were made. Last night I read it to my four-year-old son because he was asking so many questions that could be simply and non-dramatically answered by this wonderful little book. The book is not dated at all and it explains how flowers, chickens, dogs and people are conceived, develop and grow or are born. The language is simple and addresses only biology, leaving sexuality for a later, more appropriate time. My four-year-old son has been asking about whether girls have penises and how his infant brother "walked out of my tummy." So this was a perfect way to show him that boys are born with penises and girls are born with vaginas and uteruses (thus erasing a common fear among little boys that girls lost their penises somehow, and so the boy could lose his) as well as to explain things in a non-threatening way. Because the book is so utterly limited to simple biology (with illustrations in the form of very-well-executed paper cut-outs and drawings) -- to the extent that the act of human sexual intercourse is covered by a blanket -- there is plenty of room for parents to instill their own values about sexuality, masturbation, birth control and sexually-transmitted diseases, at a much, much later time as deemed appropriate by the parents.
The only criticism I have of this book is that it presumes that every child is conceived by a mother and a father engaging in traditional sexual intercourse. For the child conceived by IVF or GIFT, or by artificial insemination, the book doesn't answer any questions. Since the second edition was printed in 1979, I don't think this reflects so much a deficiency as a change in technology. It may be that IVF, GIFT and artificial insemination are concepts that carry too much complexity for a young child just learning the basics, anyway. Alternative methods of conception might be the perfect subject matter for a sequel to this book.

The biological information presented by this classic little book is so complete that it answered every question my inquisitive little son had -- and only the questions my inquisitive little son had.

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Talking to Your Kids About Sex: A Go Parents! Guide
by Lauri Berkenkamp, Steven C. Atkins

Book Description
This commonsense, practical guide to talking to children about sex provides ways to launch conversations following some of the most common kid comments and questions: What's That Thing? I'm Going to Marry Mommy. Sex Is When You Kiss. I Don't Want to Talk About It. From teaching toddlers about body parts to important discussions with adolescents, this resource encourages parents to understand what children of particular ages and developmental levels are ready to know, what they should know, and how to tell them. Real-life questions and answers encourage parents to prepare for their talks and make discussions easier. Moreover, ideas for discussing this sensitive subject with a sense of humor help take away some of the awkwardness-for both children and parents.

It's So Amazing! A Book About Eggs, Sperm, Birth, Babies, and Families
by Robie H. Harris, Michael Emberley

It's So Amazing
Reviewer: Denice from San Francisco, CA USA

Since our nine year old son is the result of donor insemination within a two mom family, he is pretty well informed on how a baby is biologically created. All those questions and more were answered in a humorous way in this book. A child can take this book and read a page or a chapter at a time by himself or with his family. It allows him to feel comfortable with the whole factual human sexual process through humor and easy to understand child-text. I would recommend this book to any family that wants their children to understand all types of relationships, families and the unique process of conception and birth.

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
by Justin Richardson, Md., Mark A. Schuster, Md.

The Sex Ed. Book I'll Keep Coming Back To
Reviewer: redelson from Scarsdale, NY

   I am the mother of two boys, ages 11 and 13, and I found this book to be the best ever sex education book. The first and perhaps most impressive aspect of the book is that it not only helps you see your child's sexuality through his/her eyes, it also portrays the parents' point of view in a helpful and sympathetic way.

   The second element that makes the book so effective is its down-to-earth humor. The authors review the phases of children's sexual development and parental experiences with many funny real life examples that get you chuckling and relaxing. In fact, my boys heard me laughing as I read one section and came over to ask about it. They read the part I was reading and it lead to a very comfortable discussion.

   A third aspect of the book I appreciated is that the authors have really done their research. They are not just giving their opinions, they provide concise research information which adds perspective.

   Lastly, the authors are very comprehensive. They include savvy advice on everything from what to do if your child walks in on you, to internet and IM use, adolescent rebellion, how to talk about homosexuality, and what if you don't like your child's boyfrind/girlfriend.

   Everything You Never Wanted Your Kids to Know...was written in such a way that it reduced my inhibitions about talking about sex with my boys, and it provided great, simple advice on the nitty gritty of how to do it.

	"The Birds, The Bees, And Me" for Boys NTSC format - VHS - Director: Tom McCaffrey Great Video! Reviewer: Stu P. from Chicago, Il What a great tool to help facilitate one of the most important discussions you have with your children. Being the father of two boys, I know it is hard to get them to open up and ask the tough questions that you know they have! This video set the proper tone and not only answered the tough questions kids have, but helped foster the two-way discussion that is imperative--especially in this day and age!! Kudos to Mr. McCaffrey. "Winner of 2003 Parents' Choice Recommended Award" and "A Gold National Parenting Publications Award Winner."

	"The Birds, The Bees, And Me" for Girls NTSC format - VHS - Director: Tom McCaffrey Wish there'd been something like this years ago! Reviewer: A viewer from Centennial, CO What a straight-forward, non-threatening way to present this sensitive material. My children are now teenagers and I only wish there was a video like this available a few years ago. Even at 13 and 15 they got something out of viewing it. My husband is a 5th grade teacher and is going to suggest the entire school district use "The Birds, The Bees, and Me" in the curriculum. Great Job! "Winner of 2003 Parents' Choice Recommended Award" and "A Gold National Parenting Publications Award Winner."

	Where Did I Come From? A Facts of Life Teaching Aid (1985) Thoughtful, sensitive, informative, and beautifully produced Reviewer: Midwest Book Review from Oregon, WI USA Winner of the Film Advisory Board award of excellence, Where Did I Come From? is a gentle, colorful teaching aid for instructing young children in the facts of life and where babies come from. Following a couple in love through the birth of their child, Where Did I Come From? is a thoughtful, sensitive, informative, and beautifully produced, 30 minute video for helping nervous parents explain human sexuality.