I have an 8-year-old son, and it’s starting to become apparent that we need to have some conversations about the facts of life — birds and bees, bodies, changes, all of it. I wanted a resource that would help us start those conversations in a way that felt natural, factual, and not at all awkward. Secret Boys’ Business (2nd edition) turned out to be exactly that.
This book is an extremely accessible, easy-to-digest overview of pretty much any question a pre-pubescent boy might have about his body, where babies come from, and everything in between. It’s purely factual and appears to be grounded in current research around protective behaviours, positive body image, consent, and respect for differences — all of which was a major positive for me.
One thing I really appreciated was what wasn’t in the book. Recently, for example, I was looking for some spelling-at-home guides and didn’t realise until I dug into the fine print that one I was about to purchase came with a Bible verse in every spelling list… something that had been slipped in with little transparency. It was a reminder that material aimed at kids can sometimes carry hidden messaging. In contrast, Secret Boys’ Business is straightforward, secular, and scientific, exactly where this kind of information belongs.
The layout is clear, the illustrations are friendly and age-appropriate, and the tone is warm without ever being cutesy. And I have to give special mention to the poems — particularly the All About Penises poem, which I found both hilarious and surprisingly informative. It’s the perfect way to break the ice on topics that can otherwise feel heavy or awkward.
If you’ve got a little guy who’s on the verge of becoming a medium-sized guy, I’d definitely recommend this book. It strikes the right balance between information and reassurance, and I’m really looking forward to discussing it with my son. 4 curly questions out of 5.
