The Care and Keeping of You: The Body Book for Younger Girls
Helpful American Girl guide for girls starting puberty.
Parents say
Based on 4 reviews
Kids say
Based on 11 reviews
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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 The Care and Keeping of You: The Body Book for Younger Girls, published by American Girl, is a thorough, practical head-to-toe handbook to help girls handle everyday hygiene and manage the physical and emotional changes of early puberty. Author Valorie Lee Schaefer walks girls through the basics of puberty, including how girls' bodies change, how to choose a bra, and what menstruation is and how to manage it. It also discusses basic self-care from good sleep habits to exercise and nutrition, and discusses issues surrounding body image, including some negative messages about weight and dieting that could be damaging for young girls. Illustrations depict breast development and how to use sanitary pads. The book does not cover sexual activity.
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What's the Story?
THE CARE AND KEEPING OF YOU: THE BODY BOOK FOR YOUNGER GIRLS is geared toward girls who are nearing -- or just beginning -- puberty. It covers all the basics of self-care, such as keeping hair clean and tangle-free, using sunscreen, cleaning teeth with braces, coping with acne, pampering blisters, and treating a sprain. One chapter focuses on changes in the pubic area and getting your period: what it is, what to do when it first begins, how to choose supplies and how to use them, and how to deal with PMS. The final chapter offers advice on navigating emotional ups and downs and maintaining good relationships.
Is It Any Good?
This empowering self-care manual is targeted to young girls who are on the brink of growing up -- and trying to figure out how to embrace these major changes with competence and confidence. Valorie Lee Schaeffer's mostly positive language and Josee Masse's cheerful illustrations help strip away self-consciousness children might have about discussing puberty or personal hygiene. It is important to note that while informative, this book does include some negative messages about body image and dieting that could be damaging for young girls.
Schaeffer offers tons of practical tips for solving problems girls might not even think to ask their parents about. She also urges girls to ask trusted adults for help and more information; parents may want to preview the book before handing over to kids, and then check in and make themselves available for questions. Older girls -- or girls who've already begun their period -- may appreciate the companion book, The Care and Keeping of You 2: The Body Book for Older Girls.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about body image and confidence in The Care and Keeping of You: The Body Book for Younger Girls. Are you happy with the way your body is changing? What messages in this book were most helpful to you?
This book gives a lot of attention to girls' concerns about body image. Do you think there's an ideal body type? Do you compare yourself to other girls, or models, or actresses?
Do you have questions this book didn't answer? If so, ask a trusted adult.
Book Details
- Author: Valorie Lee Schaefer
- Illustrator: Josee Masse
- Genre: Body Awareness
- Topics: Great Girl Role Models
- Book type: Non-Fiction
- Publisher: American Girl Publishing, Inc.
- Publication date: March 26, 2012
- Publisher's recommended age(s): 8 - 12
- Number of pages: 104
- Available on: Paperback, Kindle
- Last updated: November 3, 2017
Our Editors Recommend
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The Period Book: A Girl's Guide to Growing Up
Very informative -- but limited -- sex ed book for girls.
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Girling Up: How to Be Strong, Smart and Spectacular
Lots of knowledge and positivity in girl-power advice book.
For kids who love coming-of-age stories and strong girls
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