What's Happening to Me? (Girls Edition) (Facts of Life)

My daughter is 10, and I bought this book for her. I think it is perfect, with important specific information about her own body and how it is changing, and an overview of boys' body changes. The AG book I looked at was too focused on appearance, making yourself look good, etc. This one is upbeat and interesting, and gives the basics on sex without giving too much information for a preteen. I highly recommend this book to encourage your daughter's self-esteem.

This book was a hit with our 10-year-old grandson. When it first arrived, his mother showed it to him and went over some parts of it, then left it to him to read at length. He doesn't pore over it, but we've noticed what he'll do is read a little at a time. If he has questions, he brings them to his mother or to us. It has been a great conversation starter and avoided many an awkward situation, laying the foundation for some good discussions and teaching opportunities.

My son just turned 10 and I want him to be prepared (he sees his 11 year old sister "changing" and he's interested in when his own puberty will start) and has been watching for his own new hair growth. We needed a book that addressed his interest and possible concerns about what puberty was and what to expect for himself. This book fit the bill exactly! It has very accessible text, nice color illustrations that don't overdo the "cute" factor that some illustrations attempt. Topics covered were what I wanted him to know about and I approved of the straight forward but not over-the-top approach to how much information was presented for this age group. This isn't a text that tries to impose the author's own morals or ethics, but merely impart important information to children on the cusp of puberty (or already there) and let them know that the changes (emotional and physical) and feelings are normal and who to talk to about when they're not sure. I also very much appreciated that the last section of the book addresses what's going on with girls at the same (or not) time. Just the right amount of text and length for the age and topic when you're moving from a basic book on the "birds and the bees" to more specific information aimed at the child himself and his body and feelings. I also appreciated that the author addresses the changing hygiene needs of the child. My husband decided to read it aloud to our son the first time through, so he could ask questions and they could talk about my husband's own experiences in puberty. Now he can have it to read at his own pace and what topic is interesting to him at the moment. We purchased the same book, but for girls for our daughter, to use in addition to the excellent one by American Girl that the previous review mentions. My daughter loves that book and I've looked for a long time for one like it for boys. This is it! I don't think you can go wrong if you're looking for an open, accessible and just the right length book to get the discussion rolling at your house.

This book is along the lines of the American Girls' book called The Care and Keeping of You, but it goes a step farther. It introduces your young girls to middle school issues about the body and feelings for boys and such. It is a conversation starter. I wondered how to bring the subject up with my daughter without pushing it on her before she was ready. This book (which my daughter saw on the shelf at the bookstore and asked to buy) tastefully brings up the subject matter so she can have a jumping off point when she is ready to start asking questions. I recommend the AG book first and then move her up to this one for more IN-DEPTH information on her own body, as well as an introduction to what boys are like.