Title: Tell me About Sex, Grandma
Author & Illustrator: Anastasia Higginbotham
Publisher: The feminist Press at Cuny, 2017
Ages: 7+
Themes: sex, growing up, natural curiosity, feelings, the spectrum, safety, sex ed for all ages, choice
Opening:
Sex is everywhere.
Synopsis:
A book about a conversation between a young child (gender never specified) and their grandma about sex. The conversation is open and trusting and above all respectful of the child’s curiosity. It isn’t a book about the mechanics of having sex so much as the feelings, the choices, the rights and the wonder of sex; its power and its privacy.
Why I like this book:
Wow, just wow. I have never seen a book quite like this on the topic of sex for young children. It’s honesty and integrity blows me away. Grandma acknowledges the child’s natural curiosity and right to ask questions. She validates her grandchild’s curiosity and emerging sexuality (yes, I agree, some feelings start young).
Grandma waits until her grandchild is ready for the conversation. The child readies themselves by making a rainbow paper airoplane!
“Sex is an energy, an action, a conversation, a revelation.*”
*Sudden burst of understanding or discovery
It’s about how you feel and who you like. Grandma lays down only two rules: Sex is only when both people say yes and it is NEVER with kids. Otherwise, it is only your business. In child-friendly language, Grandma discusses how we feel when something is a NO or YES moment, even when you can’t quite put these feelings into words.
These deep discussion are interspersed with conversations about dolphins and growing up.
Choice and respect, and a complete embracing of diversity: these are values I can fly with. While I can see that some adults will not feel comfortable with this approach, I urge you to read the book for yourself and see if you wouldn’t be thrilled to share this with curious kids in your life? I know I will.
The artwork is the most fabulous set of collages. This book is breathtaking. I am going to buy it for my middle school library!
Resources:
I truly don’t want to add any other resources as this is such a unique stand-alone approach that I am confident great conversations will flow if the adult reading with the child(ren) shares the same values as the author.
I will leave you with the author’s final words:
Be safe. Be you. Be loved.
Find more “Perfect Picture Book Friday” reviews at Susanna Leonard Hill’s blog HERE.
In my 20's, with only my guitar and a rucksack, I wandered the continents, immersing myself in the lives of some wonderful people, projects and stories, which changed the way I view my responsibility to others and this earth. Right now I'm a European transplant in the US who writes books for children and young adults. Stories can help us not only navigate our world but can connect us to others, and allow us to inspire and help each other. I believe that equity and empathy should be at the core of our all actions, words, and stories.
I am also a school librarian and I get a kick out of book-matchmaking! And I use the pronouns she/her.
Love that Grandma gets to tackle this! Will definitely check it out!
Sounds like a very well done book despite the unusualness of the title and the fact that the adult in authority is the grandmother. Nice to break out of the traditional family mode. I would have liked to have this when my kids were little!
Wow, the title really grabs your attention! This PB would not have been possible years ago. It sounds like a beautiful way to have a conversation with a child. And, I love that grandmother is the one who talks with the child. Will definitely have to check out this book. Great share!
Sounds perfect! Wish I’d had this book when my own little guys started asking me those questions:).
Bold! and intriguing! 🙂
What a fabulous find! So happy that this book has been written & published! Thanks for giving it the attention it deserves.
Go Grandma! Intriguing approach to the topic.
I came across this book last week at the bookstore. And, of course, the title TOTALLY grabbed my attention. Not the easiest topic to write about, but it was handled very well in this book.
Everything about this book is so unusual. And such an interesting choice, to write the book from the perspective of a grandparent and grandchild. I wonder how that came about….I’ve got to find and read this. Thanks, Joanne!
Just found a typo that I can’t correct: Joanna. So many people misspell my name that I try not to misspell anyone else’s. Cheers!
Interesting. I will definitely have to check this one out.
I second the “Go Grandma!” Love that there is a book out there on this topic. Great fine Joanna.