Common Sense Media Review
By Darienne Stewart
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Frank, funny boys' guide to growing up is packed with tips.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 8+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
What's the Story?
GUY STUFF: THE BODY BOOK FOR BOYS is a head-to-toe guide for boys on how to care for their changing body, from fighting off funky smells to cultivating healthy habits with lifelong benefits. Chapters focus on different areas: face and hair, upper body, nutrition and body shape, major changes during puberty, lower body, fitness, sleep habits, and emotions. In addition to diagrams of genitalia and tips on brushing teeth, the book discusses less commonly explored issues such as temporary breast growth, why it hurts so much to get hit in the groin, insomnia, and the difference between confidence and arrogance.
Is It Any Good?
American Girl's first book for boys is a thorough, approachable guide to growing up healthy and happy that goes beyond puberty basics to discuss ideas of masculinity and the power of personal choice. Guy Stuff: The Body Book for Boys is an engaging book for boys to read solo, and an excellent ice-breaker for parents who'd like to be more comfortable talking about puberty.
Author Dr. Cara Natterson offers empathetic advice on the ups and downs of puberty, reassuring readers who might feel self-conscious about how they compare with their peers. She covers the key issues you'd expect, but she also packs in a wealth of helpful nuggets, like how to get rid of warts, how the color of your pee can show dehydration, how to hide surprise erections. Her passages on masculinity, expressing emotions, and managing moods are valuable inclusions. Charming artwork by Micah Player helps illustrate key ideas and adds a bit of whimsy to the subject matter. Lack of an index -- or more info on how girls develop, too -- are minor flaws in an otherwise stellar guide.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the tone of voice in Guy Stuff: The Body Book for Boys. Does the casual style make it easier to read -- and hopefully talk -- about subjects 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 boys' and men's bodies are portrayed in movies, on TV, and in magazines? (For help, see our tips for talking with boys about body image.)
Do you have any questions this book didn't address? If so, ask a trusted adult to help you find the answers.
Book Details
- Author :
- Illustrator : Micah Player
- Genre : Body Awareness
- Book type : Non-Fiction
- Publisher : American Girl Publishing, Inc.
- Publication date : August 8, 2017
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 8 - 12
- Number of pages : 112
- Available on : Paperback, Kindle
- Last updated : September 19, 2017
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
Suggest an Update
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate