Recommendations wanted for books on facts of life for 8-9 yr old boys..

[SoozM]

Hi

Can anyone recommend a sensible, sensitive but fairly light-hearted book that I can read with my growing boys? I don't want to leave it all to the school and think a book would be a great way to start the conversation. Last time I broached it with my 8 year old he told me he was too young for all that stuff - is he??

I have an 8 year old DS who has known about the facts of life for a while now so I wouldn't say your DS was too young. I have gone for the little and now and again approach so have never done one big talk. Haven't used any books either but realise there might be some point when would be useful

How about the Usborne book - 'How your body works'? I remember reading it as a child. It has lots of different chapters on blood, digestion, etc, but also a couple of pages on making babies. It's all done through machine/cartoons so I remember it as not being too threatening/adult.
My DS is younger than yours, so not too sure what the right age is to have these kind of chats, but if you find out let me know...

Let's talk about where babies come from is a good child-friendly one to cover the basics about sex. Or if you want to focus more on the growing-up and puberty side of things, then What's happening to me? is good, though you might want to read it first and check you're happy with all the content at his age (DD is 9 and has had the girls' version since she was 6 or 7, but she is fairly mature for her age).

Ooh, they sound good choices, I need something to aim for when I hit the book store otherwise I know I'll be overwhelmed and leave with nothing. Thanks for your recommendations:)

I quite like "Hair in Funny Places" for introducing what puberty means, for this age. It may be a picture book, but it's pitched at the right level nonetheless.