Cory Silverberg, a Canadian author and advocate for inclusive sex education, discusses the challenges of teaching children about sexuality. They critique traditional children's books for lacking representation, particularly for diverse family structures. Silverberg emphasizes the importance of open dialogue, highlighting their work, 'Sex is a Funny Word,' which covers various facets of intimacy, including disability and gender nonconformity. The conversation encourages families to foster personal discussions about sensitive topics, transforming the landscape of sex education.
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question_answer ANECDOTE
It's So Amazing Review
Elaine Blair sought a sex education book for her daughter and found "It's So Amazing."
The book's attempt at inclusivity felt inconsistent, prioritizing heterosexual sex.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Sex is a Funny Word
Blair discovered Cory Silverberg's "Sex is a Funny Word," which offered a different approach.
Silverberg defines sex as something people do to feel good and close, sometimes making babies.
insights INSIGHT
Silverberg's Philosophy
Cory Silverberg prioritizes making sex less difficult and acknowledges its complexities.
They believe children should explore their identities without pressure regarding sex.
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You Know, Sex is a comprehensive and inclusive sex education book that covers not only the basics of puberty but also topics like power, pleasure, consent, and social justice. It is designed for young people aged 10 and up, featuring diverse characters and experiences to ensure inclusivity for all families.
What Makes a Baby
Cory Silverberg
Fiona Smyth
This book is designed for children from preschool to age eight, offering an inclusive explanation of how babies are made. It accommodates various family structures and reproductive methods, ensuring that all children can relate to the story. The narrative avoids gendering people or body parts, allowing parents to share their child's specific story without erasing their own experiences.
What's the Big Secret?
Talking about Sex with Girls and Boys
Laurie Krasny Brown
Marc Brown
This book provides simple answers to common questions about sex and the human body, covering topics like the differences between boys and girls, how babies are made, and the importance of respecting privacy and feelings. It is designed for children aged 4 to 9 years and is known for its sensitivity and humor.
It's So Amazing!
Michael Emberley
Robbie Harris
It's So Amazing is a children's book that addresses questions about reproduction, birth, and family structures with honesty and humor. The book uses comic-style illustrations and features a curious bird and a squeamish bee to explain complex topics like pregnancy, adoption, and sexual identity. It also covers sensitive issues such as sexual abuse and HIV/AIDS in a reassuring and educational way.
Where Did I Come From?
Peter Mayle
Peter Mayle's 'Where Did I Come From?' is a beloved children's classic that helps parents and their curious children understand the facts of life. The book covers topics from love-making to birth in an age-appropriate voice, making it a trusted resource for sensitive and factual discussions about human sexuality. Illustrated throughout, it creates a safe space for families to learn together.
Sex is a funny word
Cory Silverberg
Sex Is a Funny Word is an essential resource for children aged 8 to 10 and their caregivers. It uses comics, open-ended questions, and diverse characters to explore topics like bodies, gender, and sexuality in an inclusive manner. The book encourages discussions about boundaries, safety, and joy, making it a valuable tool for modern sex education.
How do you teach your child about sex? It’s a perennial question that has spawned hundreds of illustrated books meant to demystify sexual intercourse.
But for the Canadian author Cory Silverberg, there was something lacking. Silverberg, who uses they/them pronouns, felt that books on sex aimed at children often omitted mention of intimacy in the context of disability or gender nonconformity. And so they set about making a book of their own.
They wanted to tell a story of how babies are made that would apply to all kinds of children, whether they were conceived the traditional way or through reproductive technologies, whether they live with adoptive or biological parents, and no matter their family configuration.
The book critic Elaine Blair, who had also felt that children’s literature on sex was a little thin on inclusivity, recalls being drawn in by the fact that Silverberg’s “Sex is a Funny Word” is one of few children’s books that contend with the fact that children encounter representations of sexuality in the media.
Ms. Blair met up with Silverberg in Houston to understand the germ of the idea and the editorial process of delivering the book, from conception to print.
This story was written by Elaine Blair and recorded by Audm. To hear more audio stories from publications like The New York Times, download Audm for iPhone or Android.
Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
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