Book Review
A short overview of this book
I’m a Boy, How Are Girls Different? by Shelley Metten is a book that explains to boys, about what changes happen to girls during puberty.
This is a series of 5 books, of which this is the fourth book. This book talks about the changes that happen to both female and male bodies. Physical and emotional changes are talked about but the book takes a science-based approach. Sexual intercourse is mentioned but not explained (ie I can’t find any mention of what happens during baby-making sex).
The first book, I’m a Boy: Special Me is for 5-7 year olds, the second book, I’m a Boy: My Changing Body is for 8-10 year olds, the third book, I’m a Boy: Hormones is for 11-13 year olds and the fifth book, I’m a Boy: Sexual Maturity if for kids aged 15+.
Both intact (with a foreskin) and circumcised penises are shown in this book.
You can learn more on this page, about how to talk to kids about sex education.
Ideal Age
Ideal for children aged 13+ years.
Buy this book
✅ Buy a copy of I’m a Boy, How Are Girls Different? by Shelley Metten from Amazon.
Video Transcription
A transcription in case you are more of a reader than a listener
Hey there! I’m Cath Hak, and welcome to Sex Ed Rescue. This is my YouTube channel where I chat with parents about sex education. It’s also my website, where I help parents find a better way to talk to their kids about sex.
Today, I want to talk about a book that’s perfect for boys going through puberty and growing up. This book is actually the fourth in a series for both boys and girls. But this one specifically focuses on the changes that happen to girls’ bodies. So it’s a great resource for boys to understand what their female friends are going through too.
Now, I know some of you might be wondering why I’m showing you the book on a Kindle instead of a physical copy. Well, I’ve been trying to cut back on my book expenses lately, so I’ve been using more ebooks. But don’t worry, it’s just as informative and helpful!
Let’s dive into the book, I’m A Boy, How Are Girls Different? by Shelley Metten. This series of books is fantastic because it really gets into the nitty-gritty of the physical changes that happen during puberty. You won’t find many other books that go into such detail.
The book covers a wide range of topics, from body odor and pimples to breast development and voice changes. It even talks about eggs and sperm, explaining how girls have a limited number of eggs while boys keep producing sperm. It’s all presented in a matter-of-fact way, which is great for kids who want to understand what’s happening to their bodies.
One thing to note is that the book mainly focuses on the physical changes and doesn’t delve too deeply into emotional changes. But that’s okay, because it’s still a valuable resource for understanding the physical aspects of puberty.
The illustrations in the book are fantastic, with lovely colors that accurately depict what’s happening inside the body. However, I do want to mention that the book primarily features one child throughout, which might not be inclusive for everyone. But I understand the author’s intention of providing a consistent narrative for clarity.
There are a few areas where the book could be more inclusive. It doesn’t cover transgender or intersex experiences, and it assumes that everyone is heterosexual. But don’t worry, as a parent, you can fill in those gaps and have conversations with your child about different sexual orientations and gender identities.
Overall, I really like these books and often recommend them to parents. They provide detailed information and are well-received by kids and their families. Of course, no book is perfect, and it’s important to add your own values and beliefs when discussing these topics with your children.
I hope this review was helpful to you. If you have any questions or need further guidance, feel free to reach out. Cheers!
