Tell Me: What Children Really Want to Know about Bodies, Sex, and Emotions

An honest and funny book for children aged 8 and up who really want to know about bodies, sex and emotions – and aren’t afraid to ask.

How much sex education do children need? As much as they ask for, says leading sex educationist Katharina von der Gathen in this book about navigating puberty. And exactly what do children want to know? Ask them!

What is so important about the body? Why do bodies grow hair? Why do people kiss? Is it embarrassing to have sex? Why do breasts hang down? What does it feel like to be in love? Can a grandmother have children? What is a hormone? Can a child fart when it’s inside a mother’s body? What is sexy?

Expert Katharina von der Gathen collects 99 questions asked anonymously by children in the classroom about the human body, love and sexuality – the questions are real and the answers are both inclusive, respectful and direct. Funny images help give children the information they really want to know in a form they can relate to without feeling embarrassed, making this a perfect sex education book for children and teenagers, parents and teachers.

“Children should be familiar with their bodies from an early age. They need words for the various parts of a body, they should learn to name their feelings, to stand up for themselves, to feel strong in their bodies and to keep boundaries without feeling bad.” —Katharina von der Gathen

Designed to be read with spine on top, this age-appropriate book is a handy resource for every family and school classroom discussing puberty, consent and sexuality from ages 8 and up.

“Funny and frank, this will be an important resource for many kids.” —Kirkus Reviews

Katharina von der Gathen works in the area of sex education with children and adolescents from a wide range of backgrounds. She lives in Germany.

Anke Kuhl is one of Germany’s leading children’s book illustrators, whose awards include the German Youth Literature Award in 2011.

Praise for Tell Me:

“(Tell Me) employs appropriate vocabulary that’s respectful of the capabilities of their audience and calmly inclusive of variations in human and cultural experience....Funny and frank, this will be an important resource for many kids.” —Kirkus Reviews

“This is a great book of questions and answers that will spur discussion and help start or continue essential conversations about growing up.” —San Francisco Book Review

“One of the best books on the topics of bodies, sex, and emotions that I’ve encountered.”—School Library Journal