Helpful Resources

RESOURCES FOR YOUNG CHILDREN (OUR WHOLE LIVES FOR GRADES K–1)

Frasier, Debra. On the Day You Were Born. New York: Harcourt Brace, 2007.
Beautifully illustrated book using simple language to express welcome to each member of humanity. Encourages celebrating birth and conversation about each person’s story.

Hammerseng, Kathryn. Telling Isn’t Tattling. Seattle, WA: Parenting Press, 1995.
Recommended in Session 3, Healthy Bodies, Safe Bodies.  
Helps young children, parents, and caregivers distinguish the difference between tattling on someone and when a child truly needs adult help with a situation, such as a boundary violation or unwanted touch.

Silverberg, Cory. What Makes A Baby. Salem, OR. Triangle Square, 2013
Recommended in Session 6, Babies and Families, Session 7, Birth of a Baby, and Session 8, Celebrations! to support children’s self-esteem and celebrate the joy that new life brings.
Very inclusive book about  what it takes to make a baby (an egg, a sperm, and a uterus). Encourages readers to discuss how a egg, sperm and uterus  came together to create them. Available also in Spanish.

RESOURCES FOR PUBERTY-AGE CHILDREN (OUR WHOLE LIVES FOR GRADES 4–6)

Bailey, Jacqui. Sex, Puberty, and All That Stuff: A Guide to Growing Up. Hauppauge, NY: Barron’s Educational Series, 2016.
In teen-friendly language, Jacqui Bailey discusses everything from sexual anatomy and puberty to social issues including crushes, dating, controlling parents, kissing, sexual feelings, sexual activity, contraception, pregnancy, sexually transmitted infections, social media, online safety, body image, sexual orientation, gender identity.

Harris, Robie. It’s So Amazing: A Book About Eggs, Sperm, Birth, Babies, and Families. Illustrated by Michael Emberley. Cambridge, Mass.: Candlewick Press, 2004.
Clear, accurate information for children about sex and sexuality. Illustrated in comic-book style, this book answers many questions children commonly have about how babies are made, bodies, and more.

Metzger, Julie and Lehman, Rob. Will Puberty Last My Whole Life?2nd Ed., Seattle, WA: Sasquatch Books, 2018.
Honest, accurate, reassuring answers to questions from different genders about bodies, puberty, acne, bras, feelings, sex, friends, and more.

Silverberg, Cory and Smyth, Fiona. Sex is a Funny Word. Salem, OR: Triangle Square, 2015.
Children in grades two through six will enjoy this fun book that includes inclusive drawings that normalize all kinds of bodies, genders, and relationships. The colorful cartoon children explore what the word sex means, through conversations with their teacher, friends, and family members. The book encourages children to think for themselves and discuss the book with trusted adults. The text does not address sexual intercourse but does address concepts that build a foundation for more challenging topics as they mature.

FOR THOSE WITH FEMALE ANATOMY OR WHO IDENTIFY AS GIRLS

Gravelle, Karen and Gravelle, Jennifer. The Period Book: Everything You Don’t Want to Ask (But Need to Know). New York, New York: Walker Publishing, 2006.
Written by an aunt and her 15-year-old niece, this conversational, practical little book answers frequently asked questions like, “What does it feel like to wear a pad?” and “What if I get my period at school?”  The Period Book addresses the physical, emotional, and social changes that come with having a period, as well skin changes, mood swings, and new expectations from friends and family.

Madison, L. The Feelings Book (Revised): The Care and Keeping of Your Emotions. American Girl Publishing. 2013.
Information for girls about how to understand and deal with emotions during puberty in healthy and creative ways.

Metzger, Julie. This is Me – A Journal for Girls. Seattle, WA: Sasquatch, 2014.
Guided journal geared toward preteen girls.  Includes advice, quotes, and useful information, in addition to thoughtful questions and encouraging messages.

Natterson, Cara. The Care and Keeping of You: The Body Book for Older Girls. Middleton WI: American Girl Publishing, 2013.
Geared for girls ten and up, this book answers questions about the emotional and physical chnges of growing up.

Schaefer, V. The Care and Keeping of You: The Body Book for Younger Girls, Revised. Middleton WI: American Girl Publishing, 2012.
Geared for girls 8 and up, deals age-appropriately with body changes associated with starting to go through puberty, such as acne, bras, body odor, etc.

FOR THOSE WITH MALE ANATOMY OR WHO IDENTIFY AS BOYS

Gravelle, K. What’s Going on Down There? Answers to Questions Boys Find Hard to Ask. NY, NY: Bloomsbury USA, 2017.
Illustrated book with sensitive information for people with boy bodies about male puberty. Also includes information about female puberty, and updated with information regarding body image anad social media. 

Middleman, A., ed. Boy’s Guide to Becoming a Teen. American Medical Association. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass, 2006,
Answers to common questions about health for boys, including information about nutrition, body image, skin care, relationships and reproduction.

FOR PARENTS, CAREGIVERS, AND FAMILIES

From Advocates for Youth:  Amaze.org/parents

Gossart, Mary. There’s No Place Like Home….For Sex Education by Mary Gossart. Eugene, OR: Planned Parenthood of SW Oregon, 2015.
Age-by-age guide to typical questions and possible parental responses to children and teens regarding sexuality.

Kastner, Laura and Jennifer Wyatt. Getting to Calm : Cool-headed Strategies for Parenting Tweens and Teens. Seattle, WA: Parent Map, 2009.
Strategies for setting limits and remaining loving in relationships with teens. Informed by brain research.

Planned Parenthood resources for parents by topic

Parents, Families, and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG)
www.pflag.org
Supports local chapters throughout the United States, Canada, and the world.
Publishes resources for families and allies of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender
people as well as resources for those who are coming out.

Roffman, Deborah. Talk to Me First: Everything You Need to Know to Become Your Kids’ Go-to Person about Sex. New York, New York: Perseus Publishing, 2012.
Parents can partner with schools to offset media and advertising message about sexuality by employing sexuality educator Deborah Roffman’s advice to focus on affirmation, information, clarity about values, setting limits, and anticipatory guidance.

Talking to Kids About Sex and Sexuality from Planned Parenthood Federation of America (available at http://plannedparenthood.org/parents/talking-to-kids-about-sex-and-sexuality)

Vernaccio, Al. For Goodness Sex: Changing the Way We Talk to Teens About Sexuality, Values, and Health. New York, New York: Harper Wave, 2014. 
With experience honed in high school classrooms over two decades, Al Vernacchio addresses the fact that adolescents and teens know more about sexuality than their parents think they do, yet less than they really know. This book offers parents a progressive and realistic way to talk have important conversations.

FOR TEENS AND THOSE WHO WORK WITH THEM:

Answer
Center for Applied Psychology
Rutgers University
http://answer.rutgers.edu

A national organization that provides and promotes unfettered access to comprehensive sexuality education for young people and the adults who teach them. The Sex, Etc. magazine and website (http://sexetc.org/) allow teens to hear directly from other teens about the sexual health issues they face everyday. Backed by adult health professionals at Answer, the teen-written stories provide honest, accurate, comprehensive information related to sexual health, body image, relationships, and more (formerly known as the Network for Family Life Education).

Faith Trust Institute
www.faithtrustinstitute.org
A national, multifaith, multicultural training and education organization working to end sexual and domestic violence. Fact sheets can be downloaded on domestic violence, sexual violence, and healthy teen relationships (see the

3:04-minute video on teen relationships). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

National Prevention Information Network (NPIN)
www.cdcnpin.org
A national reference, referral, and distribution service for information on sexually transmitted infections and HIV/AIDS. Run by the United States Centers for Disease Control.

The Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network (GLSEN)
http://www/glsen.org
Brings together teachers, parents, students, and concerned citizens on the U.S. national and local levels to work together to end homophobia in our schools. Focuses on in-school programming, advocacy, and community organizing.

Planned Parenthood Federation of America
www.plannedparenthood.org
The Planned Parenthood Federation of America provides comprehensive reproductive and complementary health care services, advocates public policies that guarantee these rights and ensure access to such services, and provides educational programs that enhance understanding of individual and societal implications of human sexuality.

Corinna, Heather. S.E.X. (The all-you-need-to-know progressive sexuality guide to get you through high school and college). Marlow & Company, 2007.
An empowering book by the founder and editor of www.scarleteen.com, a highly popular online teen sexuality resource welcoming teens of all sexual identities.

Hall, David M. Protecting Our Kids. Available at http://davidmhall.com/books/protecting-our-kids
Written to help parents, guardians, and loved ones protect children from sexual predators. This ten-page manual explains how predators think and act, and it provides research-based suggestions to reduce a child’s risk of being abused. The information should also help parents avoid unnecessary over-sheltering so their children have both freedom and safety.

RESOURCES FOR LGBTQ FOLX AND FAMILIES

Bornstein, Kate, and S. Bear Bergman. Gender Outlaws, The Next Generation. Seal Press, 2010.
Collects and contextualizes the work of teen and young adult trans and genderqueer forward thinkers. Includes essays, commentary, comic art, and conversations.

Bryan, Jennifer. From the Dress Up Corner to the Senior Prom: Navigating Gender and Sexuality Diversity in PreK-12 Schools. Rowman & Littlefield Education, 2012.
Takes readers into classrooms, administrative meetings, recess, parent conferences, and the annual pep rally to witness the daily manifestations of gender and sexuality diversity at school. Features thoughtful questions, models of dialogue, accessible lesson plans, pedagogical strategies, and stories from teachers, students, and parents.

Garner, Abigail. Families Like Mine (Children of Gay Parents Tell It Like It Is). Perennial Currents, 2005.
Drawing on personal experience, a decade of advocacy work, and interviews with the children of LGBT parents, Garner offers practical advice and personal perspectives for parents, their families, and their allies.

Gore, Susan, and Keith Kron, eds. Coming Out in Faith: Voices of LGBTQ Unitarian Universalists. Skinner House Books, 2011.
This collection of poignant testimonials illuminates the lived experience of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender Unitarian Universalists. It is not written for young teens but may be inspiring for them.

Huegel, Kelly. GLBTQ: The Survival Guide for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Queer and Questioning Teens. Free Spirit Publishing, 2011.
Describes the challenges faced by gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender teens and offers advice, personal experience stories, and resources.

RESOURCES FOR THOSE WITH DISABILITIES

Alberta Health Services. Sexuality and Disability: A Guide for Parents. Available at http://teachers.teachingsexualhealth.ca/wp-content/uploads/Sexual-and-Development-Disability-Guide-2013.pdf (2013).
This 21-page parent guide can be read online or printed out for easy reference. Includes an outline of what teens with developmental disabilities need to know, how to communicate effectively, and a host of resources in the U.S. and Canada.

Couwenhoven, Terri. Teaching Children with Down Syndrome about Their Bodies, Boundaries, and Sexuality: A Guide for Parents and Professionals. Woodbine House, 2007.

Dunn Buron, Kari. A 5 Is Against the Law: Social Boundaries Straight Up! Autism Asperger Publishing Company, 2007.
Using Kari Dunn Buron’s “Incredible 5-Point Scale,” this book addresses situations that are particularly challenging for adolescents and young adults who have difficulty understanding and maintaining social boundaries. Includes tips for coping with anxiety before it begins to escalate. Readers are encouraged to map their behavior on a personal anxiety scale that applies to their own emotions and situations.

Henault, Isabelle. Asperger’s Syndrome and Sexuality from Adolescence through Adulthood. Jessica Kingsley Publishers, 2006.
Offers information and advice on issues such as puberty and sexual development, gender identity disorders, couples’ therapy, and guidelines for sexuality education programs and maintaining sexual boundaries.

Kaufman, Miriam, Cory Silverberg, and Fran Odette. The Ultimate Guide to Sex and Disability. Cleis Press, 2007.
A helpful resource for parents and mature teens, this guide addresses disabilities ranging from chronic fatigue and back pain to spinal cord injury, multiple sclerosis, cystic fibrosis, cerebral palsy, and many others. It focuses on positive self-image and practical solutions parents can discuss with their teens.

Kroll, Ken, and Erica Levy Klein. Enabling Romance: A Guide to Love, Sex, and Relationships for People with Disabilities, and the People Who Care About Them. No

Limits Communications, 2001.
Written for adults, this could be a useful guide for parents seeking to answer questions asked by young teens and teens with disabilities. Topics include building self-esteem; how-tos of sexual activity; and reproduction and contraception for people with disabilities. Addresses a range of physical and sensory disabilities.

Patton, Sally. Welcoming Children with Special Needs: A Guidebook for Faith Communities. Unitarian Universalist Association, 2004.
Advocates for, and offers specific ideas for, congregations to welcome and meaningfully engage with children with special needs and support their families.

Planned Parenthood of the Heartland. A Healthy Relationship Guide: An Interactive Tool for Persons with Developmental Disabilities and the People Who Care About Them and Sexuality & Persons with Developmental Disabilities: Guidelines & Recommended Resources for Parents & Professionals (brochures). Call 1-800-874-2025 to order.

Stillman, William. Demystifying the Autistic Experience: A Humanistic Introduction for Parents, Caregivers and Educators. Routledge, 2002.
Presents autism from a non-clinical, humanistic perspective, making the case that people have fewer differences than we may think. Includes group brainstorming exercises.

Walker-Hirsch, Leslie. The Facts of Life… and More: Sexuality and Intimacy for People With Intellectual Disabilities. Paul H. Brookes Publishing Company, 2007.
Gives social workers, teachers, and direct support professionals comprehensive information needed to educate people with disabilities about sexuality.

Wrobel, Mary. Taking Care of Myself: A Healthy Hygiene, Puberty and Personal Curriculum for Young People with Autism. Future Horizons, 2003.
Through simple stories, teaches caregivers exactly what to say and what not to say.