Picture Books
Aston, Dianna Hutts. Mama Outside, Mama Inside. Two mothers–a human and a bird–prepare for the birth of their babies while living very close to each other.
Cuyler, Margery. Guinea Pigs Add Up. Mr. Gilbert brings in a guinea pig as a class pet, but it looks so lonely he brings another, and before long the class is getting an unexpected lesson in addition–and a very full cage.
Harris, Robie H.Happy Birth Day.A mother tells her child about its first day of life from the moment of birth through the end of the birth day.
Heller, Ruth. Chickens Aren’t the Only Ones. A pictorial introduction to the animals that lay eggs, including chickens as well as other birds, reptiles, amphibians, fishes, insects, and even a few mammals.
Holt, Sharon. Did My Mother Do That? With the promise of hearing about the day she was born, Holly and her father first imagine the birth of several different animals, including chickens, kittens, and kangaroos.
Lund, Deb. Tell Me My Story, Mama. As they look forward to the arrival of a new baby, a mother tells her young daughter of the time when they waited for her to be born.
Na, Il Sung. A Book of Babies. While baby animals are born–some with fur and some with scales, some with lots of brothers and sisters, some with none–a curious duck watches.
Tillman, Nancy. On the Night You Were Born. The moon, wind, rain, and a variety of animals celebrate the special occasion that is the birth of a child.
Children’s Nonfiction
612.6 Brown, Laurene Krasny. What’s the Big Secret? Talking About Sex with Girls and Boys.Written specifically for parents who are having trouble talking to their children about sex, this humorously illustrated book contains basic information children need to know and answers to tough questions about sex and the human body.
612.6 Cole, Babette. Mommy Laid an Egg! Or, Where Do Babies Come From?In a series of zany diagrams, the children show the adults exactly where babies come from. The offbeat illustrations are accompanied by a text that is short, simple, and anything but predictable. This is a funny book that will delight, entertain, and educate the entire family.
612.6 Harris, Robie H. It’s Not the Stork: A Book About Girls, Boys, Babies, Bodies, Families and Friends. Young children are curious about almost everything, especially their bodies. And young children are not afraid to ask questions. What makes me a girl? What makes me a boy? Why are some parts of girls’ and boys’ bodies the same and why are some parts different? How was I made? Where do babies come from? Is it true that a stork brings babies to mommies and daddies?
612.6 Harris, Robie H. It’s Perfectly Normal: Changing Bodies, Growing Up, Sex and Sexual Health. Geared toward children entering puberty. Updated scientific and medical information about reproduction, birth control, abortion, sexual abuse, and sexually transmitted diseases. Also includes information on gender identity and online safety.
612.6 Harris, Robie H. It’s So Amazing: A Book About Eggs, Sperm, Birth Babies and Families. Fun, accurate, comic-book-style artwork and a clear, lively text that reflects the interests of children age seven and up in how things work, while giving them a healthy understanding of their bodies.
612.6 Harris, Robie H. What’s In There? All About Before You Were Born. Gus and Nellie have some exciting news: there’s going to be a baby in their family! Combining accessible, humorous, and accurate illustrations; conversations between the two siblings; and a factual text, here is the ideal book to help young children understand that the way a growing baby develops inside a woman’s body, and how a baby is born, are both perfectly normal and totally wonderful.
612.6 Kemp, Kristen. Healthy Sexuality. This book discusses aspects of sexuality, including gender characteristics, changing emotions during puberty, birth control, and sexually transmitted diseases.
612.6 Roberts, Jillian. Where Do Babies Come From? Our First Talk About Birth. An engaging introduction for very young children to the basic facts of life in a way that is gentle, age-appropriate and accessible. Q&A format, with questions posed in the child’s voice and answers starting simply and becoming gradually more in-depth, allows the adult to guide the conversation to a natural and satisfying conclusion.
612.6 Saltz, Gail. Amazing You: Getting Smart About Your Private Parts. A picture book designed especially for young children who are becoming sexually aware but aren’t ready to learn about sexual intercourse. Written with warmth and honesty, this book presents clear and age-appropriate information about reproduction, birth, and the difference between girls’ and boys’ bodies.
612.6 Saltz, Gail. Changing You: A Guide to Body Changes and Sexuality.In a reassuring and honest companion to Amazing You, the author helps elementary school-age children better understand body changes, reproduction, and emerging sexuality.
612.6 Silverberg, Cory. What Makes a Baby? Geared to readers from preschool to age eight.A twenty-first century children’s picture book about conception, gestation, and birth, which reflects the reality of our modern time by being inclusive of all kinds of kids, adults, and families, regardless of how many people were involved, their orientation, gender and other identity, or family composition.
Childcare/Education Books
612.6 Cocovini, Abby. What’s Inside Your Tummy, Mommy? This is the perfect book for introducing a young child to the concept of how babies grow. Every month the life-size drawings give parent and child a fantastic opportunity to explore how big the baby is in comparison to everyday objects, along with providing information about the umbilical cord, the womb, and the baby’s developments each month.
612.6 Cole, Joanna. Asking About Sex and Growing Up: A Question and Answer Book for Kids This reassuring guide uses a question-and-answer format to offer straightforward information on a wide variety of subjects that often concern and mystify young people, including physical changes in puberty, masturbation, birth control, pregnancy, homosexuality, and STDs.
612.6 Jones, Stanton L. The Story of Me. It’s never too early to begin giving a practical understanding of his or her unique, beautiful body – and why God designed it to be exactly the way it is. For ages 3-5.
618.2 Butler, Dori Hillestad. My Mom’s Having a Baby.Elizabeth’s mom is having a baby, and the whole family is involved. Elizabeth learns all about the baby’s development, and she traces his growth, month by month. She learns how the baby got inside Mom, too. Finally the big day comes Mom and Dad head off to the hospital, and soon there’s a brand-new little person in the family
649.65 Stark, Patty. Sex is More Than a Plumbing Lesson: A Parent’s Guide to Sexuality Education for Infants Through the Teen Years. Written to assist parents who want to teach their kids about human sexuality but who aren’t sure how to go about it. It addresses such issues as: becoming comfortable in your role as a sex educator; helping kids feel good about their bodies.
