Reading list
The Harmful Sexual Behaviour (HSB) team recommend the following books. Some of the books are suitable for children to read on their own. Other books are best used to help you start, or continue, conversations with your child.
Making a baby: an inclusive guide to how every family begins
Author: Rachel Greener
Published: 2020
About the book
Inclusive and accessible illustrated guide to how babies are made, from introducing the basic building blocks of life such as sperm and eggs, to explaining the different ways that these building blocks can be put together to create a family.
Borrow 'Making a baby' from a Norfolk library.
What makes a baby
Author: Cory Silverberg
Published: 2013
About the book
It is a 21st century children's picture book about conception, gestation, and birth, which reflects the reality of the modern era by being inclusive of all kinds of kids, adults, and families.
HSB Team's comments
This is an inclusive book for young children (between 2 and 6 years old). There is a readers guide for parents to support in having those conversations.
Borrow 'What makes a baby' from a Norfolk library.
Sex is a funny word: a book about bodies, feelings, and you
Author: Cory Silverberg
Published: 2015
About the book
A comic book for kids that includes children and families of all makeups, orientations, and gender identities; an essential resource about bodies, gender, and sexuality
HSB Team's comments
This is a good book to read together with your child. Depending on their abilities, a child could read the book on their own. There is a good coverage of topics in the book and it is very inclusive. The book is very colourful which may mean it's a little overwhelming for some people.
Borrow 'Sex is a funny word' from a Norfolk library.
Sex ed
Author: School of Sexuality Education
Published: 2021
About the book
A positive, practical, and empowering guide for teenagers, tackling sex and relationships in an inclusive way. It includes advice, reliable information and reassurance on sex and relationships
HSB Team's comments
The book is inclusive and accessible. It is useful to use in one-to-one sessions.
Borrow 'Sex ed' from a Norfolk library.
Let's talk about body boundaries, consent and respect
Author: Jayneen Sanders
Published: 2017
About the book
This book explores different concepts with children in a child-friendly and easily-understood manner, providing familiar scenarios for children to engage with and discuss. It is important that the reader and the child take the time required to unpack each scenario and explore what they mean both to the character in the book, who may not be respecting someone's body boundary, and to the character who is being disrespected.
HSB team's comments
This is a book you read to children. Inclusivity is good in this book. It's a good one to recommend to kids when need to explore consent and boundaries. The age range for the book is 4 to 8 years old. There's a section for carers which includes support with questions and discussions with children.
Borrow 'Let's talk about body boundaries, consent and respect' from a Norfolk library.
What is consent? Why is it important? And other big questions
Author: Louise Spilsbury
Published: 2018
About the book
This title explores how consent works, and why it matters. It explains how consent plays a part in almost every interaction or relationship we have, and how it affects almost every area of life, from healthcare to the law.
HSB Team's comments
This book is for teenagers who enjoy reading and have a good vocabulary. It covers all types of consent including sexual consent. The book can be recommended to teenagers to gain knowledge on consent.
Borrow 'What is consent? Why is it important? And other big questions' from a Norfolk library.
The every body book: the LGBTQ+ inclusive guide for kids about sex, gender, bodies, and families
Author: Rachel E. Simon
Published: 2020
About the book
An illustrated lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning plus (LGBTQ+) inclusive kid's guide. Topics include sex, gender and relationships education that includes children and families of all genders and sexual orientations. The book covers puberty, hormones, consent, sex, pregnancy and safety.
HSB Team's comments
This book covers a lot of different topics including sex, gender, bodies, puberty, sexuality, reproductive biology, families, keep body safe and the media. The book is wordy and probably suits older children best. The book is aimed at children aged 10 plus but we think it's too advanced for many 10-year-olds. However, we think kids who can read well at this age would be absolutely fine! Most 12 to 13-year-olds would manage this but may need some support. The best use of the book may be as a guide to facilitate conversations. You could also take out excerpts and read the excerpts to children. Inclusivity in the book is very good. There is a note to parents about gender neutral language. There aren't many pictures in the book.
Borrow 'The every body book' from a Norfolk library.
Sex Positive Talks to Have With Kids
Author: Melissa Pintor Carnagey
Published: 2021
About the book
Guide to creating an open, shame-free connection with the young people in your world. These talks will help caregivers create the kind of bond that keeps kids safer, empowered, and returning to you for support along their journey.
This book is not available from the Norfolk Library Service. It is aimed at an adult audience.
What is gender? How does it define us? And other big questions
Author: Juno Dawson
Published: 2019
About the book
This informative book helps kids to explore these questions and more, explaining that there are differences of opinion and that answers are not always straightforward.
HSB Team's comments
This book is suitable for teenagers. However, it may be useful to have an adult to help in those conversations.
Borrow 'What is gender? How does it define us? And other big questions' from a Norfolk library.
My shadow is purple
Author: Stuart Scott
Published: 2022
About the book
An inspiring book about being true to yourself, by best-selling children's book creator Scott Stuart. This story considers gender beyond binary in a vibrant spectrum of colour.
Borrow 'My shadow is purple' from a Norfolk library.
How to have feminist sex
Author: Perry Flo
Published: 2020
About the book
We talk about feminism in the workplace and we talk about dating after #MeToo, but women's own patriarchal conditioning can be the hardest enemy to defeat. When it comes to our sex lives, few of us are free of niggling fears and body image insecurities. Rather than enjoying and exploring our bodies uninhibited, we worry about our bikini lines, bulging tummies and whether we're doing it 'right'. Flo broaches everything from faking it to consent, stress to kink, and how losing your virginity isn't so different to eating your first chocolate croissant. Her mission is to get more people talking openly about what they do and don't want from every romantic encounter.
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