A Girl's Guide to Puberty & Periods
Experts explore girls' puberty in fun, relatable guide.
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A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this book.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that A Girl's Guide to Puberty & Periods is an illustrated book written by adolescent health experts at Columbia University with the goal of comprehensively teaching girls about what to expect during puberty. The tone is body-positive and appropriate for pre- and early-teen girls. The list of topics covered include body changes, personal hygiene, periods and how to care for them, and male puberty. Sex is not covered, with the exception of a small section that states, "One day, when you are much older, these eggs and sperm together are what help to make a baby." Nearly half of the book is dedicated to "my first period stories" from a very diverse array of girls, all of which are framed in a positive light.
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What's the Story?
This body-positive illustrated book helps girls understand what to expect regarding puberty and everything that goes with it. Along with an extensive amount of educational information, A GIRL'S GUIDE TO PUBERTY & PERIODS also shares a variety of “my first period” stories to convey to girls that everything they are going through is OK and normal. The goal is to empower them to feel more confident and knowledgeable about their changing bodies.
Is It Any Good?
Going above and beyond the standard information covered in most puberty books, this illustrated guide explains female puberty in a fresh and inclusive voice. The authors of A Girl's Guide to Puberty & Periods are experts in the field of public health, and it shows. Filled with graphic-novel-style illustrations and language perfectly suited to pre- and early-teens, this is a book parents can leave out and feel confident that the girls in their life will willingly pick it up. Everything from wings vs. no-wings pads and how to wash period underwear to "the ABCs of bra sizes" and healthy sleep habits are discussed. Girls and women of many cultures and abilities are represented in both the stories and illustrations. Instead of focusing on embarrassment, the period stories emphasize how adults in each girl's life helped and provide the reader with encouraging tidbits of advice. The sum effect is a comprehensive and inviting reference that normalizes puberty and empowers young women.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about any questions they may have after sharing A Girl's Guide to Puberty & Periods. What did you know already? What do you want to know more about?
Why is it that these topics can be hard to talk about? Does the casual style of this book make it easier to read, and hopefully talk about, the parts of puberty that might make you feel self-conscious? Is the candid language helpful? Does knowing the facts make some of this less awkward?
How do you feel about the way girls and girls' bodies are portrayed in movies, on TV, and in magazines? Why is talking with girls about body image important?
Book Details
- Authors: Marni Sommer, Margaret Schmitt, Christine Hagstrom, Caitlin Gruer
- Illustrator: Emily Scheffler
- Genre: Body Awareness
- Topics: Science and Nature
- Book type: Non-Fiction
- Publisher: Grow & Know, Inc.
- Publication date: December 16, 2021
- Publisher's recommended age(s): 9 - 14
- Number of pages: 107
- Available on: Paperback, Kindle
- Last updated: February 7, 2022
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