Families
Families
Alexander and the terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day
Topics: resilience, emotions, feelings, jealousy, anger, hate, isolation, injustice, siblings, friendship.
Fiction
Alexander knew it was going to be a terrible day when he woke up with gum in his hair. His best friend deserted him. There was no dessert in his lunch bag. And, on top of all that, there were lima beans for dinner and kissing on TV!
Age: 6 to 9 years.
Changes
Topics: changes, families, new baby.
Fiction
When Joseph's mother comes home, says his father, things are going to change. And so they do, in the most extraordinary ways. This book explores the changes to Joseph's life when his parents bring home his baby sister.
Ages: 4 to 11 years.
Emily's blue period
Topics: emotional literacy, sadness, change, families, divorce
Fiction
Emily wants to be an artist. She likes painting and loves the way artists like Pablo Picasso mixed things up. Emily's life is a little mixed up right now. Her dad doesn't live at home anymore, and it feels like everything around her is changing. She is going through her 'blue period'. A book about a young child dealing with her parent's divorce.
Ages: 4 to 8 years.
FPV: Family Planning Victoria
Provides reproductive and sexual health services throughout Victoria. Includes a section on school programs.
Kids Helpline
Kids Helpline is Australia's only free, private and confidential, telephone and online counselling service specifically for young people aged between 5 and 25. The website also provides lots of valuable information for kids and parents.
Let's talk about sex
Topics: sex education
Non-fiction
Biological and psychological information about sex: from puberty and conception to birth control and STIs, including sections on the body, families and babies, and sexual health. New edition includes expanded information on internet, texting safety, contraception and LGBT.
Age: Parents and teachers of pre-teens and teens.
Let's talk about the birds and the bees
Topics: puberty, protective behaviours, reproduction.
Non-fiction
Cartoon illustrated book for parents to read to children about differences between male and female reproductive systems, private body parts, sexual intercourse, love, puberty, what touching is ok/not ok, families. Simple facts as a starting point for conversations.
Book review by Cath Hak 6min (external link)
Age: Parents and teachers of 4 to 11 year olds.
Let's talk about where babies come from
Topics: sex education, conception, reproduction, families, bodies.
Non-fiction
Comics and cartoons outlining: similarities and differences between girls and boys, growing up, reproductive organs, how babies are made, what sex is, what is love, same sex attraction, conception, pregnancy, different types of birth, genetics (e.g. hair colour), different kinds of families, keeping safe (consensual touch), HIV (but not other STI/BBVs). A book that parents/teachers can read to younger children, or older children can read themselves.
Book review by Cath Hak 4min 36sec.
Age: 7 to 11 years.
Little Monkey's one safe place
Topics: emotional literacy, safety, families.
Fiction
When Little Monkey is frightened by the storm he runs to his mother's side. "Don't worry," she says. "There is always one safe place." But Little Monkey doesn't know where to find his one safe place.
Ages: 3 to 6 years.
No more teasing!
Topics: friendships, families, teasing, emotional literacy
Fiction
Mimi loves her cousin Momo but he teases her all the time and she doesn't like it. Grandma helps to make a cunning plan so that Momo soon realises that teasing isn't such a good idea.
Age: 4+ years.
Reachout.com
Information, support and resources to help young people improve their understanding of mental health issues, develop resilience, and increase their coping skills and help-seeking behaviour.
Relationships
Relationships Australia
Relationships Australia is a leading provider of relationship support services for individuals, families and communities with an aim to support all people in Australia to achieve positive and respectful relationships.
RESPECT Counselling Service
Free 24 hour national counselling service for people at risk of, or who have experienced physical or sexual violence.
Sexual Health
Silly baby
Topics: new baby, families, coping strategies, changes
Fiction
Beth has a new baby brother. He cries, he poos, he gets all the attention. Silly, silly Baby! But grandma shows Beth that he is small and soft and can smile at his big sister – and Beth thinks that maybe he isn't so silly after all. This story is about a child learning to cope with a new baby in the family.
Age: 4 to 7 years.
Standing on my own two feet: A child's affirmation of love in the midst of divorce
Topics: change, emotional literacy, divorce, families
Fiction
Addison is a regular kid whose parents are going through a divorce, but he knows that no matter what happens, his parents will always love him.
Age: 3 to 7 years.
Talk Soon. Talk Often: a guide for parents talking to their kids about sex (newly updated!) - FREE
A WA Department of Health booklet developed to support parents to initiate regular and relaxed conversations with their children about relationships and sexuality. Age and stage appropriate information for parents with children birth to teens. First published 2011, updated in 2019.
The sissy duckling
Topics: emotional literacy, friendships, bullying, stereotypes, gender, families.
Fiction
A funny and touching story of a duckling who embraces his identity. Elmer is not like the other boy ducklings. While they like to build forts, he loves to bake cakes. While they like to play baseball, he wants to put on the halftime show. Elmer is a great big sissy. But when his father is wounded by a hunter’s shot, Elmer proves that the biggest sissy can also be the greatest hero.
Age: 5 to 8 years.
Top tips from Talk soon. Talk often. - FREE
Top 20 tips for talking to kids about relationships and sexuality and the top 10 reasons why we must talk soon and often. An A4 flyer that outlines the tips included in the Talk soon. Talk often book on page 10-11 and 76-77.