Book Review
A short overview of this book
I’m a Girl, How Are Boys Different? by Shelley Metten is a book that explains to girls, about what changes happen to boys 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, Iām a Girl: Special Me is for 5-7 year olds, the second book, Iām a Girl: My Changing Body is for 8-10 year olds, the third book, I’m a Girl: Hormones is for 11-13 year olds and the fifth book, Iām a Girl, Sexual Maturity is for kids aged 15+.
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
ā Buy a copy of I’m a Girl, How Are Boys 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. I run a YouTube channel where I review books and resources that help with sex education. I also have a website where I help parents find better ways to talk to their kids about love, sex, relationships, and growing up. Today, I want to talk about a series of books by Shelley Metten, who runs Anatomy for Kids in the States.
Shelley’s books are really popular with parents who just want a book that focuses on the physical changes that happen during puberty. They’re perfect for homeschooling or for parents who prefer a more educational approach. However, I do have a couple of concerns about these books.
Firstly, they’re not very inclusive when it comes to gender. They assume that girls have certain body parts, but we know that gender is more complex than that. It’s important to have books that reflect the diversity of gender identities and expressions in today’s world.
Secondly, these books are quite conservative in their approach to discussing sexual intercourse. They don’t go into detail about penises and vaginas, which may leave some kids with unanswered questions. It’s important for children to have accurate and comprehensive information about all aspects of puberty and sexuality.
Now, let’s take a look at the books themselves. Unfortunately, I don’t have physical copies because I live in Australia, but I bought them as ebooks. Let me share my screen and show you.
One thing I really like about these books is the detailed illustrations. They break down the changes that happen in the body in a clear and anatomical way. They cover everything from physical changes to emotions and even the reproductive system. The illustrations are just gorgeous!
However, as I mentioned earlier, there are some limitations. The books don’t provide a lot of extra information beyond the physical changes. They also don’t explain sexual intercourse in detail, which may leave some kids with misconceptions.
It’s also worth noting that the books assume heterosexuality and don’t address the full spectrum of sexual orientations and identities. In today’s world, it’s important to have inclusive conversations about love and relationships.
Overall, these books can be a great resource for kids who want to understand the nitty-gritty of how their bodies work. Just keep in mind their limitations and consider supplementing them with more inclusive and comprehensive resources.
I hope this review was helpful! If you have any questions or need further guidance, feel free to reach out. Cheers!
