Common Sense Media Review
By Carrie Kingsley
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Friendly, factual book helps girls appreciate their bodies.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 9+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
THE BODY IMAGE BOOK FOR GIRLS takes a fact-based, conversational approach to puberty to help girls age 9-15 understand physical and emotional changes and develop a healthy attitude about their bodies. With a focus on the idea that taking care of your body, accepting it, and protecting your health are all part of a positive body image, Dr. Charlotte Markey guides readers to understand and appreciate their bodies. Topics include self-care, healthy eating (not dieting), social media, exercise, and more, with lots of illustrations and anecdotes throughout. At the end of the book, there's a glossary and an extensive list of resources for more information about related topics.
Is It Any Good?
Inviting and packed with information, author Charlotte Markey connects with readers and helps them understand their bodies and their emotions in ways that teach love and self-care. The Body Image Book for Girls provides tons of information and guidance without being preachy, like a series of non-judgmental conversations with a trusted older friend. There's a big focus on how healthy eating is not dieting or about what you're missing, but rather what you're gaining by listening to your body. The anecdotes written by girls of all ages offer a first-person connection to what many readers have experienced and feel like small, personal chats. The huge volume of information and resources never seems overwhelming, and the idea that it's never too late to start taking care of yourself is valuable to readers of all ages.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about what can make it hard to follow the guidance in The Body Image Book for Girls. Why is it sometimes hard to stop spending time with people who don't make you feel good, or to take better care of yourself?
What do you like about your body?
What advice or chapters made an impact on you? Can you relate any of this to your own life?
Book Details
- Author :
- Illustrator : Tim Oliver
- Genre : Body Awareness
- Topics : Friendship , STEM
- Book type : Non-Fiction
- Publisher : Cambridge University Press
- Publication date : September 10, 2020
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 12 - 17
- Number of pages : 180
- Available on : Paperback, Kindle
- Last updated : September 29, 2025
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