Parents, library users split as controversial book ‘Welcome to Sex’ hits shelves in New Zealand

The description of sexual acts may offend some readers.

The sex education book that was pulled from shelves in Australia is making waves in New Zealand.

The book, "Welcome to Sex: Your no-silly-questions guide to sexuality, pleasure and figuring it out", by former Dolly Doctor and youth health expert DrMelissa Kang and TV personalityYumi Stynes, has caused a divide among library-goers and parents.

Everything from consent and sexuality to sexual positions, pleasure and information on sex acts can be found in the book.

It was seen as a safe and important resource by some, but not by others.

It was up to parents to decide what their children were reading, according to a former children's librarian.

The book, the latest in a series, sparked angry comments on social media from a Lower Hutt resident.

The Welcome to Sex book was purchased for the libraries by the purchaser. The poster asked if they were taken in by the illustrations on the front cover.

The book was marketed to teens aged 11 to 14.

The author is happy for an 8-year-old to see it. It will make sex fun and will help readers navigate their sexual debut with confidence.

I can't think of any young girls who need this information or who would want to look it up in the library.

The book is written by Yumi Stynes and Dr.Melissa Kang and covers everything from consent and sexuality to sexual positions and pleasure.

Big W was forced to remove the book from its shelves after staff members began getting abuse from the public.

The book is still being sold online.

Stynes didn't regret writing the book despite receiving death threats.

Stynes said that he made no apologies for the book. I am very pleased with it.

The book was a better resource than the internet, according to her.

It's not going to hurt a kid to hear about sex, and anyone who's had a kid or spent time with them knows that they have a huge curiosity about sex when they're ready

A group of people tried to get the Harry Potter books out of libraries.

I've personally had parents ask for a book to be taken down because it spoke negatively about Donald Trump. Where do you stop once you start taking things away? "You're right," he said.

If someone wants to read a book with sex content, they will find it in the library.

There is a chapter on the best sexual positions to bring on labour or for sex with a large belly in the New Zealand pregnancy book.

A parent is not a library worker. If someone is concerned about the kind of reading material their child has access to, is it their responsibility to ensure they are taking an active role selecting the material their child reads?

It was up to the publishers to give the book an age rating, and the book selection process was usually automated.

She said she was a mother with an open mind but thought the book was too much.

She said the target audience wasn't even at the age of consent, and that the book bordered on "grooming".

It was not appropriate for children, according to another person.

Young people can access the book at the library and find information they might not be comfortable talking to their parents about, according to one woman.

Children should be aware of sex and its consequences.

It is not what this book is about, as grooming seeks to form a relationship with a child when this is not what this book is about.

The book made it easy for children to learn from without being influenced by porn shared by friends or random internet forums.

The book is available in libraries throughout New Zealand.

The Library and Information Association of New Zealand (Lianza) was unable to comment on the book today.

Lianza was not able to give a comment by the deadline.

The publisher has been contacted.

Nightingale is a reporter who is based in Wellington. She has worked as a journalist for ten years.