You know we’re big proponents of talking early and talking often with your children about all of the important things in life. And what can be more important to kids than their ever-changing bodies? So when Cider Mill Press asked us to review The Boy’s Body Book and The Girl’s Body Book, we were happy to oblige.
Although the following books are new to us, we quickly fell in love, because they recognize the obvious, beautiful truth: puberty is different for boys and girls. Each book has very similar chapters, themes, and information just slightly modified in tone and information to more gender-specific changes. Erin’s “baby” who happens to be going into third grade is enjoying the boy’s book immensely.
The Boy’s Body Book: Third Edition: Everything You Need to Know for Growing Up YOU
Yes, this book has all the requisite good scientific information we require of a resource we are going to hand off to our kids, but it’s packed full of other good things too. The layout and format are truly engaging. The breezy, conversational tone coupled with fun artwork and compact chapters makes it immensely easy to read, and more importantly, to comprehend. There are also some bells and whistles that got us excited to add these to our library. Erin’s newly twelve-year-old was a big fan of the Quick Tips like this one:
Don’t assume that someone doesn’t want to be friends just because they don’t say hi to you. The person could be really shy and afraid to make the first move.
“The Expert Says” sections were also a big hit. Research in a digestible soundbite? Sign us up for more of those please. And while you’re at it, keep the boy testimonials scattered throughout the book coming too. We loved reading real boys weighing in on real issues in their real voices in “Boys Say.” By far though, our favorite section was the one titled “The Care and Feeding of Parents” which gives kids great practical advice about how to talk to their parents so they’ll listen. We laughed out loud and then had the great conversation that you always hope will start when you hand your kid a book like this one.
The Girl’s Body Book: Third Edition: Everything You Need to Know for Growing Up YOU
All the fine points of the boy book with some changes to better suit girls and their adolescent journey. We loved how the “Boys Say” column became “Notes from a Real Girl” here, and the well-chosen and thoughtful quotes sprinkled throughout the text were just as meaningful and welcome. Erin’s now sixteen-year-old daughter said that the “Know the Facts” section about pads versus tampons was exactly what she was looking for when she was younger. This book would have totally made Erin’s life easier. This book addresses all the aspects of life for a tween and teen from dressing right, to school, to relationships with friends and family, and everything in between.
Overall, both books deftly handle the modern landscape that our kids have to negotiate throughout adolescence. They address the importance of staying safe in relationships and online, while still keeping them entertaining with a friendly, supportive tone too. These books imply that despite the tumultuous, sometimes confusing and isolating changes kids are experiencing in adolescence there is support as well as the opportunity to thrive in spite of the challenges they might face.
And to help you out, we’re giving away a copy of each book! If you are 18 or older and reside in the United States, enter the easy Rafflecopter form for your chance to win. Giveaway ends on 8/30/15 at 12:00 am.
-Erin and Ellen
Check out our advice on How to Talk to Your Kids About Sex.
Cider Mill Press provided us with copies of The Boy’s Body Book and The Girl’s Body Book for review. All opinions are our own.
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Check out our books, “I Just Want to Be Alone” and “You Have Lipstick on Your Teeth.”
We haven’t had the sex talk yet with our boys. Our 11 year old gets all nervous and giggly. This book would totally help!
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Sometimes the easiest way is to start with a book. Ellen
Letting him have the book and get some info at his own pace might help the giggles for sure. 🙂 Ellen
My daughter will be four soon so we haven’t had the sex talk yet, but we’ve kind of covered the differences between boys and girls and use the proper terms and whatnot. I remember the American Girl Body Book from when I was a pre-teen and think it’s great they still publish it.
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Four is a great age to start talking to kids about their bodies. In our post “How to Talk to Your Kids About Sex” there is a book recommendation that is perfect for that age. Ellen
We haven’t talked about sex yet, but I did ask my 9yo daughter last week if she had heard girls talk about getting their period. She said nope. Just starting to plant the ideas in her head…
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The Girl’s Book is an excellent start to getting that ball rolling, or the plant growing, or maybe I’ll just stick to get the conversation started. 🙂 Ellen
Em is 8. We recently started broaching the subject of puberty and such but nothing incredibly serious. Yet
This book would be a huge help.
It is VERY helpful! Ellen
My kids are 7, 5 & 3, so we haven’t talked about it yet. But I think this would have been incredibly helpful for me growing up!
They are really great books! Ellen