6 Best “How Is a Baby Made?” Books for Kids
These are the books I’m always recommending to parents when they’re ready to explain how a baby is made. Over the years, I’ve read and reviewed hundreds of sex education books, and these are the ones I consistently come back to because they actually work in real homes, with real kids.
Each of these books explains how babies are made in a clear, age-appropriate way, without assuming that every family wants the same level of detail or the same language. Some are gentler and more introductory, others go further and explain sexual intercourse more directly. What they all have in common is that they support you to stay calm, confident, and in control of the conversation – rather than overwhelming you or your child.
This list includes a mix of picture books and parent guides, as well as different approaches to families, bodies, and relationships, so you can choose what fits your child, your values, and where you’re up to right now. If you’re looking for reliable sex education books to help you explain how a baby is made in a straightforward, respectful way, this is a very solid place to start.
If you’re unsure about the best way to read these types of books with kids, this article will help you discover the secret of reading sex education books for kids. And here is where you’ll find the rest of the childrens books about how babies are made.
If you want to learn more about sex education, then visit my Sex Education 101 page!
NOTE: Before passing any book to your child or reading it with them, you should read it yourself first. I might think it is a great book for a certain age child or that the information is valuable, but you may disagree. Try to choose books that reflect your values and the messages you want your child to receive.
How Is a Baby Made? Book – 6 Best Kids’ Books for Parents
1. Let’s Talk About the Birds and the Bees
by Molly Potter (Suitable for 5-10 yo)
Let’s Talk About the Birds and the Bees is a UK-based sex education book that explains how a baby is made by introducing the idea of sexual intercourse in a simple, matter-of-fact way. It talks about sex, but the illustration shows a man and a woman lying in bed together – there’s no explicit picture of a penis and a vagina. The explanation is calm, gentle, and easy for children to understand without overwhelming them with too much detail. If you’re looking for a book that does explain sex, but keeps it simple and respectful, this is one I regularly recommend to parents.
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2. Making A Baby
by Rachel Greener (Suitable for 5-10 yo)
Making a Baby is a beautiful, inclusive book that explains how a baby is made by clearly showing sexual intercourse. The illustrations include a penis inside a vagina, but they’re drawn in a gentle, respectful way that doesn’t feel confronting. What really stands out is that the book also gives simple, clear explanations of other ways babies can be made, which makes it very inclusive of LGBTQ+ families. The overall tone is calm and caring, and even the cover – featuring two dads with a child – signals that this book welcomes all families. If you’re looking for a book that explains sex in an inclusive but gentle way, this is a lovely one to reach for.
3. How Do You Make a Baby
by Anna Fiske (Suitable for 8-13 yo)
How Do You Make a Baby is a European book (translated into English) that takes a refreshingly honest and straightforward approach to how babies are made. Instead of jumping straight into sex, it starts by talking about love – and that there are many kinds of love – with illustrations showing different couples, including two men, two women, and a man and a woman. From there, it moves into sexual intercourse using clear language about a penis and a vagina, explains that you need a sperm and an egg to make a baby, and then shows how a baby grows. It also normalises that sometimes people have sex and a baby isn’t made. This book has a gentle sense of humour and lots of illustrations, and like many European sex education books, it’s blunt, direct, and factual in a way that makes the information easy to understand rather than awkward.
4. The Parents’ Guide to Explaining Sex
by Cath Hakanson (Suitable for 3-12 yo)
The Parents’ Guide to Explaining Sex is written for parents who want a clear, structured way to explain how sex works without feeling overwhelmed. The conversation is broken down into five simple steps, with multiple explanation options so you can choose what fits your family best. There are traditional scripts (a man and a woman making a baby) as well as inclusive scripts that talk about a person with a penis and a person with a vulva or vagina, and acknowledge other ways families are formed. At the back of the book, you’ll find illustrated Q&A pages, giving you gentle, child-friendly pictures to use if your child needs something visual to support the explanation.
5. Was I in Mama’s Stomach, too?
by Dagmar Geisler (Suitable for 5-9 yo)
Was I in Mama’s Stomach Too? is another European book that offers a very direct, detailed explanation of where babies come from. It focuses on traditional conception and birth, so it doesn’t have the same level of inclusivity as some of the other books on this list, but it’s still a really strong option for families who want a clear, straightforward explanation. What makes this book different is that it doesn’t just jump into biology – it also briefly explores falling in love, dating, and relationships, giving children some context around how babies come to be. The illustrations are particularly thoughtful, especially in the section about sex, which begins with consent and shows a couple touching each other in different ways before intercourse. This makes the explanation feel more complete and respectful, while still being very appropriate for younger children.
6. The Amazing True Story of How Babies Are Made
by Fiona Katauskas (Suitable for 7-10 yo)
The Amazing True Story of How Babies Are Made is an Australian book that became hugely popular after a photo of it on a Kmart* shelf went viral on social media. Written by a journalist, it sets out to give a clear, fairly comprehensive explanation of how babies are made. It does talk about sex, but uses just one simple illustration rather than lots of explicit imagery. The tone is very Australian, with a bit of humour woven through, which some families really enjoy. If you’re looking for a locally written, widely recognised book with a straightforward approach and a light Aussie feel, this is one to consider.
* Kmart is the Aussie version of Walmart.
I hope you find the perfect sex education book about how a baby is made, for your child. If you’re undecided, please message me and ask!
Happy talking!
❤️ Cath
Looking for more sex education resources? Then visit my Sex Education 101 page!