Common Sense Media Review
By Darienne Stewart
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Helpful American Girl guide for girls starting puberty.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 8+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 3 parent reviews
Based on 13 kid reviews
Kids say this book is an invaluable resource for girls around the age of puberty, offering essential knowledge about body changes, health, and emotions in a supportive and non-cringe way. Readers appreciate its inclusive representation and the opportunity it provides for open discussions with parents about puberty, making it a recommended read for girls aged nine and older.
- educational resource
- body changes
- open discussions
- inclusive representation
- appropriate content
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
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 :
- Illustrator : Josee Masse
- Genre : Body Awareness
- 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 : October 9, 2025
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