Book Review
A short overview of this book
Play & Learn PaperDoll SuperHeroes by Cath Hakanson are anatomically-correct superhero-themed paperdolls that are perfect for starting shame-free conversations with kids about bodies.
These super hero paperdolls were created to help parents with starting conversations with their kids whilst their hands are busy with cutting, colouring and playing. Feedback from parents has been that busy hands help to make conversations feel more natural and easier to start.
This set of dolls have been designed with a super hero theme. Parent feedback was that some kids wouldn’t use the resource because they were dolls. But call them super heroes, and they couldn’t wait to play with them!
These dolls are culturally diverse, with dolls that look masculine or feminine or gender-neutral. Each individual doll is available with either a penis, vulva or no genitals (meaning it is inclusive for intersex kids who can then draw their own genitals onto the doll).
The penis shown in this book is intact ie it has a foreskin. This book does not display circumcised penises.
All costumes fit each doll, so your child can dress a boy doll (or a doll with a penis) in a dress (perfect for chatting about gender stereotypes). Which means you can then chat about the correct anatomical names of their private parts, the difference between male and female bodies, intersex, being transgender, gender diversity, body safety and more. You’ll also find costumes that include a wheelchair and walking aids.
And in case you feel stuck and are unsure about what to talk about or how to start the conversation, you’ll find a guide at the back with ideas and tips.
You can learn more on this page, about how to talk to kids about sex education.
Ideal Age
Ideal for children aged 3 to 9 years.
Buy this book
✅ Buy a copy of Play & Learn PaperDoll SuperHeroes by Cath Hakanson from Amazon. These are also available as printable PDF in the Sex Ed Shop.
Video Transcription
A transcription in case you are more of a reader than a listener
Hey there! I’m Cath Hak, and welcome to Sex Ed Rescue. On my YouTube channel, I review all sorts of books, and today I want to share a new one with you. Now, sorry about the glare on the cover, but let me tell you about this awesome book called Paper Doll Superheroes from my Play and Learn series.
This book is perfect for talking to your kids about anatomy, gender, private parts, diversity, and stereotypes. It features anatomically correct paper dolls that you can use to have those important conversations. I’m really proud of this book, so let me show you what’s inside.
You’ll find instructions on the inside cover, and then we dive right into the dolls. Now, these dolls are the same ones from my other book, but each one has either a vulva, a penis, or no genital. If your child is intersex, they can draw their own genitals because there’s so much diversity in how they can look. We’ve got a long-haired doll and a short-haired doll, representing different ethnicities. I did a ton of research to make sure we included the most commonly represented cultural backgrounds in children’s books.
This book is more interactive than the others, so your child can design their own superhero outfits. There are gender-neutral costumes as well as some that are more gendered, giving you the opportunity to have those important conversations. We even included superhero underwear and other cool stuff!
But wait, there’s more! We’ve got a superhero in a wheelchair and even a wedding superhero. This opens up conversations about same-sex relationships and the fact that some boys marry boys and some girls marry girls. We had a blast making the wedding outfit super cool. Oh, and there’s also someone on crutches in there too.
To make it even more fun, your child can design their own masks and decorate them. The idea is to get them coloring and drawing, making it an interactive experience. And at the back, there’s a parent note to the reader. It’s filled with tips on how to get started and discussion ideas. We cover everything from naming the genitals to talking about sex, gender stereotypes, body safety, and more.
I’m really excited about this book because I want to create resources that make it easier for you to have these important conversations. It’s a bit more gendered, targeting boys but still suitable for girls, making it a great tool to get the conversation flowing.
I hope this helps, and cheers to open and honest discussions with our kids!
