Book Review
A short overview of this book
I’m a Girl: Special Me by Shelley Metten from Anatomy for Kids is a factual book that explains the female reproductive anatomy to children.
This is a series of 5 books, of which this is the first book. Basically, this book introduces what makes girls different, and provides age-appropriate and sensitive information for girls on their anatomy (internal and external) and introduces how babies are made (sex is not talked about).
The second book, I’m 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, the fourth book, I’m a Girl, How are Boys Different, is for kids aged 13+ and the fifth book, I’m a Girl, Sexual Maturity is for kids aged 15+.
Sexual intercourse is NOT talked about in this book.
Ideal Age
Ideal for children aged 5 to 7 years.
Buy this book
✅ Buy a copy of I’m a Girl: Special Me 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 from Sex Ed Rescue, and today I want to chat with you about a really cool book for younger girls that tackles the topic of where babies come from. But here’s the thing, it’s not like your typical book on the subject, and I’ll explain why.
So, the book is called I’m A Girl’s Special Me and it’s written by Shelley Metten, an anatomist from America who runs workshops for girls and boys on puberty and growing up. It’s a delightful little story about three little girls who are three months pregnant. One day, Dr. M comes along and talks to them about where babies come from and the differences between boys and girls.
First off, she starts by explaining that babies grow inside the ovary. And she uses this beautiful analogy (or is it a metaphor?) about how a nest keeps eggs safe, just like the ovary keeps the eggs safe inside. There’s even a diagram showing what’s happening inside, with pictures of the ovaries and the eggs. It’s packed with lots of information. This book is perfect if your child is curious and wants all the nitty-gritty details. Some kids just want a simple answer like, Babies grow in my uterus, inside my tummy, inside a mummy. But if your child wants more information, this book is a great resource.
Next, Dr. M explains how the egg travels from the ovary to the uterus through the fallopian tube. She compares it to a leaf floating down a stream, finding its way to its destination. There’s another diagram that shows this process too.
Then, she talks about how everything is protected by the bony pelvic cavity and how the uterus is like a fence that keeps everything safe. She even touches on the concept of a fertilized egg, explaining that it means something special happens to the egg that will make it grow into a baby. But she saves the details about how that happens for when they’re a little older. Dr. M believes in discussing sex when kids are ready for it.
When it comes to talking about sex with younger children, it’s important to do it in a way that makes sense to them. We can provide information without diving into all the explicit details. This approach not only helps children understand, but it also helps us as parents feel more comfortable. We want to make sure we’re giving them age-appropriate content that won’t overwhelm them. So, Dr. M also talks about the vagina, which is the tube that connects the uterus to the outside.
The book also covers what a baby looks like when it’s growing inside and mentions that this is how babies come out. It doesn’t go into the specifics of cesarean births, as it’s focused on where babies come from. It explains all the parts inside that make girls different from boys. And it wraps up by highlighting that girls are special because we can have babies.
Overall, it’s a lovely little book that’s great for explaining where babies come from, especially if your child is curious and wants more information. But even if they’re not bombarding you with questions, they might still be curious about the finer details. I hope this review helps! Cheers!
