Tell Me About Sex, Grandma! By Anastasia Higginbotham

Short Summary

Tell Me About Sex, Grandma! by Anastasia Higginbotham is an honest, warm, conversation-starting picture book that helps children understand that sex is more than just making babies. It opens the door to talking about pleasure, consent, feelings, boundaries, and the many meanings of sex in a gentle, age-appropriate way.

Age Group

Suitable for children aged 6 to 11 years.

Topics Discussed

Sex

Buy a Copy

Buy a copy of Tell Me About Sex, Grandma! By Anastasia Higginbotham from Amazon.

What this book is about

• Tell Me About Sex, Grandma! is part of Anastasia Higginbotham’s Ordinary Terrible Things series, which tackles tricky topics like divorce, racism, and death. This instalment helps families talk more openly about sex.
• While the series title sounds heavy, the tone of the book is anything but – it’s warm, grounded, and reassuring.
• The book goes far beyond the typical “how babies are made” explanation. Instead, it helps children understand that sex has many meanings: connection, pleasure, choice, care, and responsibility.
• It encourages children to ask questions, explore what words mean, and talk about what they see around them – including the sexualised images they might come across in daily life.
• The story focuses on a conversation between a child and a grandmother, making it feel cosy and safe rather than clinical or confronting.
• The book touches on feelings, boundaries, and consent. One of its strongest messages is that no one should ever force or take sex from you – an essential concept for teaching safety.
• It validates curiosity while emphasising that kids always deserve honest, age-appropriate answers.
• The mixed-media illustrations give it a unique, scrapbook-style feel. It’s not the easiest book to read aloud rhythmically, but it’s an excellent tool for sparking dialogue.
• As a parent, you’ll likely find yourself pausing to ask your child questions or offering extra explanations that fit your family’s values and the topics you feel ready to cover.
• The book doesn’t go into areas like sexual assault, rape, or prostitution – but it provides plenty of openings for you to introduce those conversations if and when you choose.
• While it’s on the pricier side, it’s one of those rare books that genuinely helps families talk about sex beyond biology. For many parents, it becomes a “keep forever” resource.
• Thoughtful, bold, and deeply respectful of children’s curiosity, Tell Me About Sex, Grandma! is a valuable addition to any family’s sex-education bookshelf.

I hope you find this book review helpful!

Happy talking!
❤️ Cath