Parent and Teacher Resources
The Minnesota AIDS Project is here to help you educate the young people in your life. We have researched a number of books, pamphlets and websites focusing on sexual health and HIV to assist parents and other educators.
The Minnesota AIDS Project hopes the suggested resources below will be useful for parents and educators trying to broach difficult topics. The suggested books below are in print and can be found at most public libraries or purchased through many retailers. The Minnesota AIDS Project also stocks brochures and posters focused on educating youth about HIV. Visit our Order Educational Materials page to see all of the items you can order free of charge from the Minnesota AIDS Project.
Books
Come Sit By Me
Author: Margaret Merrifield
Come Sit by Me, set in a multicultural daycare, is about Karen and her friends. One child, Nicholas, is often sick and absent from school. Eventually the children find out that Nicholas has AIDS. When Karen's parents hear that the other children are leaving Nicholas out, they help organize a meeting to address the fears of both caregivers and children.
You Can Call Me Willy
A story for children about AIDS
Author: Joan C Vimiero
This is the story of an 8 year–old girl living with HIV and her struggle with discrimination. Willy Jones talks about her illness and exhibits exceptional strength and courage as she learns to cope with the symptoms and the side effects of treatment, put up with classroom taunts, and to find fun and friendship.
Be a Friend
Children Who Live with HIV Speak
Authors: Lori S. Wiener, Ph.D. & Philip A. Pizzo, M.D.
In their own words and pictures, children with HIV and AIDS tell how it feels to be different from other kids, how they face rejection if people learn they are sick. They think about loved ones they have lost and what heaven will be like.
It's So Amazing!
Author: Robie H. Harris
It's So Amazing is an amusing and colorful children's book on sex and sexuality. A curious bird and squeamish bee discuss bodies and babies, adoption and families, puberty, masturbation, homosexuality, HIV and sexual abuse.
Pedro and Me
Friendship, Loss, and What I Learned
Author: Judd Winick
Judd Winick pays tribute to his Real World roommate and friend Pedro Zamora, an AIDS activist who died of the disease. His cartoon memoir tells the story of their friendship and serves as a vivid memorial to a bright–eyed and gifted man who made more of his 22 years of life than most of us could make of 80.
Changing Bodies, Changing Lives
The book every teenager should have
Author: Ruth Bell
Written by the authors of Our Bodies, Ourselves in collaboration with the Teen Book Project on teenage health problems and concerns.
Pamphlets, Brochures & Newsletters
HIV: Talking with Your Teen
Pamphlet shares ideas on how to talk to teenagers about HIV.
Order Online!
HIV: Talking with Your Child
Pamphlet shares ideas on how to talk to children about HIV.
Order Online!
Finding Our Voices
Talking With Our Children about Sexuality and AIDS
Author: Mother's Voices
This 36–page parent's guide, available in English and Spanish, offers parents practical advice for talking to their children about sexuality and AIDS. Endorsed by Sandra Thurman, National AIDS Policy Director. For more information on Mother's Voices visit www.mothersvoices.org. You can order a copy by calling 305–347–5467 or by writing to Mothers' Voices at 150 W Flagler, Suite 1820, Miami, FL 33130. Individual copies: $5.00.
Families are Talking
SIECUS: Sexuality Information and Education Council of the United States
Newsletter containing information to help all parents and caregivers talk to their children about sexuality and related issues. You can order this newsletter and other SEICUS publications online at www.familiesaretalking.org. The newsletter can be downloaded for free or individual copy: $1.00
Posters
"Hey! You Know What? You Can't Get AIDS From..."
This colorful poster shares nine ways HIV cannot be transmitted. Appropriate for children of all ages.
Order Online!
Websites
Advocates For Youth
Advocates for Youth champions efforts that help young people make informed and responsible decisions about their reproductive and sexual health. Website
Does Sex Education Work?
Published by the AIDS Education and Research Trust (AVERT). Advocates comprehensive risk prevention strategies to prevent unplanned pregnancies and HIV/STD infection. Also provides resources and information for youth about HIV, contraception, homosexuality and puberty. Website
Minnesota Organization for Adolescent Pregnancy, Prevention and Parenting (MOAPP)
Minnesota organization provides resources for parents, teens, educators, healthcare providers, youth workers, media professionals and policy makers. Website
Mother's Voices
Mothers' Voices is a national nonprofit organization that believes every child deserves a full and healthy life, free of HIV. The group works to mobilize parents and other concerned individuals to be educators and advocates dedicated to the prevention of HIV infection for all kids. The website offers practical hands–on advice for parents. Website
Talking With Kids About Tough Issues
This website provides guidelines for talking with kids about issues such as drugs and alcohol, sex, HIV and violence. Website
University of Minnesota Youth and AIDS Projects
Provides facts about HIV among youth, resources for GLBT youth and the professionals who serve them, and links to other websites. Website
Young People and HIV/AIDS
Resources for teenagers, parents and teachers, including information on prevention issues among teenagers, telling children about HIV and talking to kids about tough issues. Website
CONTACT AIDSLINE
Questions about HIV? Contact the AIDSLine.
HIV RISK ASSESSMENT
Understand your risk with our HIV Risk Assessment.
HIV SERVICES LOCATOR
Living with HIV? Our HIV Services Locator can help.
