Dianne Todaro-Wells
Author, Educator, Researcher
- Master of Philosophy (Education) — Research Degree
Candidature: 2023 – current - Diploma of Teaching (with Distinction) — 1988
- Diploma of Children’s Writing - 1996
Dianne Todaro-Wells is an Australian educator, author, and researcher whose work focuses on supporting children, parents, and schools to navigate conversations about respectful relationships, sexual agency, consent, and puberty.
Dianne is currently completing a Master of Philosophy (Education), with her study scheduled for completion in 2026, at which time the findings will be formally published. Her research demonstrates a clear need for deeper investigation into how teachers and parents can best collaborate and communicate to support positive learning outcomes in sexuality education for primary school–aged children. Importantly, Dianne’s study does not examine the mandated content of Consent and Sexuality Education taught in Australian schools. Rather, it explores the constraints, inhibitors, and enabling conditions that affect effective delivery, communication, and collaborative pedagogy between parents/carers and primary schools.
The research is intentionally framed as a positive and proactive inquiry, designed to “open both the classroom door and the kitchen door” to listen carefully to teachers’ and parents’ perspectives on sexual literacy for children aged 8–12.
Building on the findings of her research, Dianne is developing a new book series launching in 2026, designed specifically for parents of primary school–aged children. This series will support families to engage confidently and constructively with topics of respectful relationships, sexual agency, consent, and puberty—bridging research, lived experience, and practical guidance.
Dianne is the author of How to Talk to Boys and the recipient of the 2018 Global Presence Humanitarian Award, recognising her contribution to supporting over 130,000 children and families through books that act as springboards for meaningful conversations about identity, boundaries, and growing up.
She is also the concept designer and originator behind the internationally recognised titles Puberty Girl, Puberty Boy, Sexpectations Girl/Boy, and How to Talk to Girls. In this role, Dianne brought together a collaborative team of writers and publishing professionals to create resources that promote sexual literacy, confidence, and agency in young people. The Puberty books have since been translated into ten languages and are used by families and educators worldwide.
Through the intersection of research, publishing, and classroom practice, Dianne’s work continues to focus on one central question: how adults can work together—thoughtfully, respectfully, and proactively—to support children’s understanding of themselves, their bodies, and their relationships.