Tell me: What children really want to know about bodies, sex and emotions by Katharina von der Gathen
Short Summary
Tell Me: What Children Really Want to Know about Bodies, Sex and Emotions by Katharina von der Gathen, illustrated by Anke Kuhl, is a lively and honest book that answers real questions from nine and ten year olds. Originally published in Germany and later translated into English, it covers bodies, puberty, relationships, and feelings in a funny but respectful way. It’s a brilliant tool for sparking open conversations with tweens who are starting to get curious.
Age Group
Suitable for children aged 9 to 14 years.
Topics Discussed
Puberty | Recommended | Sex Education | Tweens
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Buy a Copy
Buy a copy of Tell me: What children really want to know about bodies, sex and emotions by Katharina von der Gathen from Amazon.
What this book is about
- Tell Me is built around questions that nine to ten year olds have asked in real classrooms, making it completely child-centred.
- Each page shows a question and an illustration, with the answer hidden under a flap. This design makes it interactive, engaging, and easy to dip in and out of.
- The questions cover a wide range of topics: body parts, puberty, feelings, being in love, relationships, and even questions about being gay.
- Answers are straightforward, age-appropriate, and peppered with gentle humour that makes tricky subjects less intimidating.
- The illustrations by Anke Kuhl are playful and fun, helping to keep the tone light and approachable.
- It reflects a very European approach to sex education – relaxed, factual, and comfortable – which can help kids feel less embarrassed or ashamed about their curiosity.
- It reassures kids that their questions are valid and normal, while giving parents a safe way to start talking openly about bodies and emotions.
- At the back of the book there’s a big list of resources for further reading, so families can explore topics in more depth if they want to.
- A fantastic book for tweens who are starting to ask bigger questions, and for parents who want to answer honestly without overwhelming their child.
I hope you find this book review helpful!
Happy talking!
❤️ Cath