Book Review
A short overview of this book
My Body’s Changing: A Girl’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 is a lovely book for younger girls. 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 tells girls what puberty is, what changes might happen from getting hairy to growing breasts, as well as explaining all about periods. The book answers many of the questions girls might have about periods, such as how long periods last, period pain, and how to use the different period products.
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 boys or kids with a penis 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 suggest 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 Girl’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. This is where I help parents find an easier way to talk to their kids about sex and puberty. I also have a YouTube channel where I mainly review books. I keep saying I’ll do other videos, but life gets busy, you know?
So, today I want to talk about a lovely illustrated book called My Body is Changing: a Girl’s Guide to Growing Up by Anita Ganari. Now, I have to admit, I’m not the best at pronouncing last names, so bear with me on that one. Oh, and there’s a boys’ version too, in case you’re interested.
I was really impressed with the boys’ book, so I wanted to check out the girls’ version as well. These books are great for younger kids because they’re beautifully illustrated and have lots of words too. Just let me adjust myself so you can see better. There we go!
Now, let’s talk about what this book covers. It doesn’t dive into topics like masturbation or sex, but it does touch on liking someone, whether it’s a boy or a girl. However, it doesn’t include information for transgender individuals. It assumes that if you’re a girl, you have a vulva or a vagina.
But overall, I really like this book. Yes, it’s in English, so some words might be a bit different, like calling pads towels. But hey, no book is perfect, right? When you come across the pad section, you can just say, Oh, they call it towels in this book, but we call them pads. Or whatever you prefer.
They don’t mention period pants either, but honestly, most puberty books don’t. However, this book covers all the important stuff. It talks about the physical changes that happen during puberty, but it also touches on the psychological aspects. I appreciate that it includes information about eating, staying active, personal hygiene, and emotions. It normalizes these topics and takes the focus away from just the physical changes.
At the back of the book, there are some resources where you can find more information. They’re all English-based, though. And there’s a handy glossary too, which explains the meaning of different words. It’s a nice touch!
If you have younger kids or kids who might feel overwhelmed by the idea of puberty and growing up, this book is a great option. Some kids can get really anxious when they read about puberty and sex together. They might think they have to have sex because of what they read. But with a simple book like this, it gently introduces them to the concept of puberty without overwhelming them.
So, that’s my take on this book. I hope you find it helpful! I’ve actually started suggesting it to parents as an option for younger children. Alright, cheers!
