HSE recruits Oscar-nominated writer Kathleen O’Rourke to pen sex-ed book for kids

The HSE has recruited an Oscar-nominated author and comedian to write a sex-education book for children aged under 10.

Kathleen O’Rourke, also a primary school teacher, shot to fame in 2010 when she was nominated for an Oscar in the best animated short film category for her comedic creation, Granny O’Grimm.

The Brown Bag Films-produced Granny O’Grimm’s Sleeping Beauty was written, voiced, and created from an original idea by the 37-year-old Carlow-born author.

Now, Ms O’Rourke is putting her talents towards helping parents explain ‘the facts of life’ to children.

Ms O’Rourke was one of three people approached by the HSE to submit a quote for the work, and she subsequently won the contract.

According to the HSE, Ms O’Rourke has completed the book for children on human production, the human body, and other elements of the relationships and sexuality curriculum.

It comes after a study by the HSE’s Sexual Health and Crisis Pregnancy Programme found that parents want to be able to talk to their children openly about relationships, human reproduction, and growing up, “but find it challenging to translate understandings they hold into terms children can understand”.

The book is expected to be available in six to eight months, according to the HSE.