Book Review
A short overview of this book
Special Growing Girl: A guide to puberty for girls with special needs by Jodi Wise Thayer is a lovely book that explains puberty in a straightforward way. It’s written in simple language for girls with developmental disabilities entering puberty. There are lots of realistic illustrations, and the book serves as a guide for girls and their parents or caregivers. The book is narrated by Kate, an empathetic peer, who takes the reader from babyhood to teenager, focusing on changes in the body and the menstrual period.
Sexual intercourse is NOT discussed 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 8 to 12 years.
Buy this book
✅ Buy a copy of Special Growing Girl: A guide to puberty for girls with special needs by Jodi Wise Thayer from Amazon.
Video Transcription
A transcription in case you are more of a reader than a listener
Hey there! Welcome to Sex Ed Rescue with Cath Hak. Today, I want to talk about a really cool book called Special Growing Girl: Guide to Puberty for Girls with Special Needs by Jody Wise-Thayer and illustrated by Beth Wall. This book is all about helping girls with disabilities navigate through puberty.
Now, let’s take a quick look inside. As you can see, it’s filled with lots of helpful information and beautiful illustrations. However, I do want to mention that the book focuses on one child’s story and lacks diversity in terms of skin color and different abilities. Just something to keep in mind.
The book covers a range of topics, including the changes that happen during puberty, how the body grows, periods, self-care, emotions, privacy, and more. It starts off by introducing the main character, who is growing up and exploring their own journey. It shows how their body changes as they go through puberty.
There’s a section that talks about the private parts of the body, pointing out where hair grows. It also explains periods, why they happen, and what to expect. It covers everything from the different parts of the body involved to how to manage periods at school. The book emphasizes the importance of privacy and provides guidance on taking care of oneself, like washing the body and hands after changing pads. It even touches on the topic of safety, which is crucial for children with disabilities.
The book also addresses other changes that come with growing up and reassures readers that despite these changes, they will always be themselves. It’s a lovely resource that provides more detailed information about puberty in a unique and understandable way.
So, if you’re looking for a book that offers factual information in a way that’s easy to understand, Special Growing Girl is definitely worth considering. It’s a great tool for having conversations with your child about puberty. Cheers!
