Book Review
A short overview of this book
My Body’s Changing: A Boy’s Guide to Growing Up by Anita Ganeri is an informative and beautifully illustrated puberty book for younger children.
I really liked this book from the UK, as it isn’t easy to find puberty books for younger boys. This book has a nice mix of illustrations and written information. It actually reminds me of the American Girl Puberty books, in regards to the format. Especially since sex is not mentioned.
So this book informs boys about the changes that will be happening to their body, from getting hairy, growing taller and what wet dreams are all about. Penis size is discussed and the author explains that the penis won’t be fully grown until you are 18, which is great as that is a common concern. The penis is drawn in such a way that you can’t tell if it is circumcised or intact. Foreskins are mentioned, and it is an English book (not American) so I am guessing it is intact.
The author also talks about how to take care of your body in regards to heathy eating, exercise and keeping clean as well as how to tackle any emotional ups and downs and tips for boosting self-esteem.
Having crushes and liking someone is discussed, and the author does mention that they may like someone of the same sex or different sex.
The changes that happen to girls or kids with a uterus is not discussed.
Sexual intercourse is NOT discussed.
This is a lovely book and fills a gap, as there aren’t many puberty books for younger children, so I think this is a book I will often be suggesting to parents!
You can learn more on this page, about how to talk to kids about sex education.
Ideal Age
Ideal for children aged 7 to 12 years.
Buy this book
✅ Buy a copy of My Body’s Changing: A Boy’s Guide to Growing Up by Anita Ganeri 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. On my YouTube channel, I review books that help parents talk to their kids about everything related to sex education. I also have a website where I provide guidance on discussing love, sex, relationships, puberty, growing up, porn, and more. Today, I want to talk about an awesome book I found called My Body Is Changing: A Boy’s Guide Growing Up by Nita Ganeri. I’ll also touch on the girls’ version.
I’m always on the lookout for books that are suitable for younger children, and this English book from 2020 is perfect. What I love about it is that it doesn’t focus on sex. Instead, it covers all the changes that happen to boys’ bodies, which is pretty unique. Most books tend to include information about both male and female bodies, but this one is solely dedicated to boys.
The book is culturally diverse and filled with pictures, which is great because some kids find too much text overwhelming. The information is presented in a way that’s not overwhelming, and the diversity in the illustrations is fantastic. It covers a range of topics, from skincare to boys’ bits. Now, when it comes to the penis, the book keeps it simple. It doesn’t go into too much detail about whether there’s a foreskin or not, but it does address common concerns like whether a penis is too small. The book reassures boys that penises come in all shapes and sizes and continue to grow until around the age of 18. It also talks about erections and wet dreams, which are normal parts of growing up.
The book takes a safe and conservative approach, kind of like the American Girl style. It focuses on the changes that happen during puberty and how feelings and relationships with family and friends can change too. It even touches on the topic of liking boys instead of girls, normalizing the fact that preferences can vary. However, it’s important to note that the book doesn’t include information about nonbinary and transgender individuals. While that’s a limitation, it’s still a valuable resource.
Overall, I really like this book. It’s beautifully illustrated, inclusive in terms of body diversity, and provides a safe and innocent approach to discussing growing up. I haven’t had a chance to check out the girls’ version yet, but I imagine it follows a similar conservative approach without delving into explicit sexual content. Just keep in mind that the book doesn’t cover masturbation specifically. It’s more focused on topics like wet dreams and erections.
I hope this review was helpful for you. If you have any questions or need further guidance, feel free to reach out. Cheers!
