Books for all bodies

When it comes to bodies, kids have a lot of questions. Toddlers want to know what body parts are called, preschoolers may ask how babies are made, school-aged children are starting to wonder about puberty, and teens need to understand sex, relationships, and consent. Many of the books that parents in this generation have grown up with, however, tended to leave a lot of bodies and families out of the conversation. Luckily, we’re now seeing a whole range of diverse and inclusive body books emerge, for young people of all ages.

Newfoundland and Labrador Public Libraries has partnered with Parents of Trans, Two Spirit, and Gender Diverse Kids peer support group to bring you some of our favourite inclusive titles about bodies, babies, puberty, and sex.

AGES 2-7 “Bodies are Cool” by Tyler Feder

A vibrantly-illustrated picture book that is beautifully body-positive and inclusive of human physical diversity, including size, race, disabilities, scars, body hair, gender, and family types. The illustrations are colourful and joyful, with small details that kids will delight in finding. The book celebrates many body parts - skin, hair, eyes, faces, fingers, tummies, legs, and scars. The only addition (or sequel?) we hoped for was a fuller portrayal of anatomy - similar to the now threedecades-old Bare-naked Book - because we think these authors would have a wonderfully inclusive approach to genital anatomy. One of the best we’ve seen!

“What Makes a Baby” by Cory Silverberg

A simple yet engaging narrative that provides a framework for families to fill in their own details about how their child came into their family. The wording is gender-inclusive (“some people have a uterus”) and inclusive of all family types and conception/birth/adoption stories. However, if you are looking to introduce names of body parts, or how the sperm gets to the egg, you may find this book lacking in details.

“Making a Baby” by Rachel Greener

A wonderfully straightforward picture book about how babies are made, with much inclusive language, and one unfortunate omission. Parents rmay want to edit their reading of the introductory page about babies and body parts to make it more genderinclusive (we hope to see this in future editions, plus a change to the language of “biological sex” in the back matter). That said, the rest of the book uses inclusive language like “the womb of the person who is going to grow the baby.” The biological explanations are simple, accessible, age-appropriate, gender-inclusive, and include specific descriptions of sexual intercourse, artificial insemination, IVF, surrogacy, and adoption. Great representation of diverse families.

AGES 8-12 “The Every Body Book” by Rachel E. Simon

This thorough informational guide discusses bodies, puberty, reproduction and sex. The language is accessible, gender-inclusive, and matter-of-fact, and this book gives satisfyingly clear responses to the main questions this age group will want answers to, including simple descriptions of sexual intercourse and types of sex. While there is racially diverse representation in the illustrations, however, the cultural context is definitively American and there is no discussion of culturally diverse understandings of gender and sexuality (Two Spirit roles are not mentioned, for example). One surprisingly outdated element in the book is the depiction of labour, with the birthing parent lying flat on their back with their feet in stirrups, being shouted at to push.

“Sex is a funny word: A book about bodies, feelings and you” by Cory Silverberg and Fiona Smyth

An engaging and inclusive graphic novel about bodies and body changes, gender identity, consent, crushes and relationships. This book discusses sex through the lenses of respect, trust, joy and justice, with ongoing discussions of consent and privacy. It includes diverse representations of gender, sexuality, culture, race, and ability, and uses inclusive language like “some bodies have vulvas and some don’t.” The section on safety and ‘secret touching’ has suggestions for talking about unwanted touch and ideas for alternatives to hugs. One caveat - kids in the older range may have questions that go beyond the scope of this book. Though ‘sex’ is in the title, the book does not describe sexual activity, and sexual identities are only defined in the glossary. (Good news — a third book in this series is coming in 2022 called “You Know, Sex.”)

AGES 14+ “Let’s Talk About It” by Erika Moen and Matthew Nolan

An appealing book in graphic novel format for teens who want to know more about how sex and relationships work, and are comfortable getting into the specifics of both. The illustrations are inclusive and joyously body-positive, with diverse representation of gender, body size, sexuality, race, and ability. Topics are explored in a series of short dialogue-rich comics that cover consent, types of romantic relationships, body image, gender identity, safe sex, masturbation, fantasies, climax, sexting, and much more. Features in-depth descriptions of anatomy and puberty that are genderinclusive, with language like “generally testosterone rich body.” A supportive sexpositive book that centers consent, respect, communication, and emotional wellbeing.

AGES 16+ “S.E.X. the all-you-needto-know sexuality guide to get you through your teens and twenties” by Heather Corinna

This is one of our favourite reads - a thorough, nuanced, and empowering reference book on sex, identity, and relationships, inclusive of all genders and all sexualities. While designed for teens and young adults, even parents may learn a thing or two from this thoughtful text! Fourteen chapters cover essential topics for young people who are thinking about or beginning to have sex, including body image, sexual and gender identity, consent, respect, sexual health, anatomy, the how-tos of many sexual activities, contraception, pregnancy, sexual violence, and intimate partner violence. It also includes one of the best explanations we’ve read on how to recognize that you may be in an emotionally abusive relationship.

Quick and Easy Guide (series)

Also check out this fantastic series of inclusive and visually appealing titles in graphic format from Limerance Press. Topics include: Queer and Trans Identities, They/them Pronouns, Sex and Disability, and Consent. Marketed to adults, but appropriate and accessible for most teens.

All books mentioned are available to borrow from the Newfoundland and Labrador Public Libraries, and most are available in the NLPL digital collection via Overdrive/libby. All you need is a library card.

Julie Temple is the facilitator of Parents of Trans, Two Spirit, and Gender Diverse Kids and an Adjunct Professor of Gender Studies at Memorial University. Anna Swanson is the Collections and Social Media Librarian with the Newfoundland and Labrador Public Libraries.