: Following a 1982 Supreme Court decision regarding child pornography laws, the publisher, St. Martin’s Press
First published in German as Zeig Mal! , the book was revolutionary in its format. Unlike clinical diagrams or cartoonish illustrations found in contemporaneous books like Where Did I Come From? , Show Me! used real photographs of real, unclothed children, adolescents, and adults.
The book's visual approach and engaging storyline make it an excellent resource for children. The author has carefully considered the needs and developmental stages of children aged 4-8, making the book an invaluable resource for parents and educators. Show Me-- A Picture Book of Sex for Children and Parents
The creators’ goal was ultra-progressive: to encourage children to grow up "proud and unashamed of their bodies and sexuality". Fleischhauer-Hardt believed existing sex education books were too whimsical or distant, failing to provide the realistic information children actually craved. The book features: Explicit Imagery : 176 pages of large, black-and-white photographs.
The phrase "Show Me Picture Books" often refers to a subgenre or instructional approach in children's literature that focuses on and emotional education . While traditional picture books use simple narratives, those exploring "show me" relationships often prioritize descriptive actions and visual cues over explicit dialogue to convey complex romantic and interpersonal bonds. Themes in Romantic & Relationship Storylines : Following a 1982 Supreme Court decision regarding
For generations, parents have faced a universal, stomach-churning question from their children: “Where do babies come from?”
No discussion of Show Me! is complete without addressing the single spread that has led to the book being banned in multiple countries (including New Zealand and parts of the US). It is the image of two siblings, a brother and sister, under a blanket. The text explicitly discusses "childhood sexual games"—specifically, a game called "Doctors and Nurses" where the children look at each other’s private parts. The book's visual approach and engaging storyline make
, finally withdrew the book. They stated that while they still believed it wasn't pornographic, they could no longer afford the legal expenses to defend it. Where is it now?
The book is designed for children aged 4-8 and covers a range of topics, including:
Critics argue the book normalizes sibling incest. Proponents argue the book describes a developmental stage (Freud’s phallic stage) and teaches parents not to panic if they catch their children playing these games.
You can be as honest as Will McBride wanted you to be, without the photograph of the crowning baby. Give your child the facts, but give them the safety of age-appropriate boundaries. That is the true lesson of Show Me! —not that books should show everything, but that parents should hide nothing that a child is ready to see .