Little Book of Growing Up

This book is a simple, pre teen explaination of what is going to happen to your body over the next 5 or 6 years and offers straight forward advice on how to manage the changes that will occur. It offers constant reassurance that everyone is different (so being different is normal - what a fab line!) and develop at different rates. It offers lots of suggestions on people that you could ask if you have any questions or need further advice. Although it mentions sex very briefly it is in a way that reassures the child that having periods means that your body is getting ready for babies but does not mean that you will get pregnant because you have to wait until you are an adult (for Special Adult Cuddles) before that can happen. (Very nicely dealt with in my opinion!) It is written in a language that pre teens will understand and feel comfortable with but also offers a little section on 'Adult Words' and 'Slang Words' that they may hear in sex ed class or amongst older girls. A wonderful little book that my three girls(8,9 and 11)and I were able to sit down and read and discuss together.

I purchased this book for my nine year old daughter who has started puberty. I did not want a book that was too deep and involved like some that I had seen. She doesn't need to know everything in depth yet, but does need to know some areas. We have talked about things, but I think that having a little book on her bookcase that I know she will look at in her own time is useful. This book covers growing and developing bodies, changes that take place, diet and exercise (in a good and positive way) and personal hygiene. It discusses periods, the process and what happens and why, products you can use and mood swings. There are some simple pictures showing the anatomy of the womb, tubes and ovaries, and vagina. It touches on sex, just to mention that when a woman wants a baby the mans sperm goes into the womans vagina and may meet an egg and if it joins it and settle in the womb, it develops into a baby. Also covers boyfriends and friendships. How it can be nice but things can go wrong and you can drift apart. This book also covers a couple of topics that I had not previously considered. But do not dissaprove of at all. Hands off! this is regarding complaining about someone, anyone, if they touch you in a way you dont like and discusses how to negotiate with you family about rules, without screaming and shouting! I was really pleased with this book. It was just what I was looking for and for a younger girl, physically or emotionally, is brilliant. The areas covered are witten simply, in easy to understand language and are displayed on the pages clearly and spaciously so as not to be a daunting or heavy read. My partner thought this book was excellent too. As I had mentioned we had seen books before, aimed at older girls I expect, that we would not have been happy for her to read. I will not hesitate to show this and recommend it to any of my friends who are looking for a book on this subject. Well done and thank you Vic Parker

This little book has a lot of information regarding girls growing up. I bought it last year for my 10 year old. At that time, when we read through it together, she was a bit reluctant and felt daft, I think. So we went through it once or twice and left it there. She read through it a few times on her own, but this year, after leaving it on her bookcase, I have noticed that she has been reading it quite a lot. As her life and body changes she just picks up the book and reads through the bits that are relevant. She is able to discuss things with her friends and she knows I am here if she wishes to ask any questions relating to the book or changes about her body. Which she has on many occasions this year! It was a good introduction, and, after 'the talk in school' earlier this year she was very confident about her comments to her teachers and friends and I feel she was less embarassed than she would have been. It is very well written, I feel, and easy to understand. It mentions, briefly, about 'hands off' and being touched when you shouln't be but we had already discussed those sort of things so she did not worry about that. The other things it mentions is diet, anxiety attacks and making sure you discuss worries with family or friends as everyone feels that way at some time. Also, mood swings and general things that happen to all girls as they grow up. It also, goes into the technical bits about the body and why girls have periods. I am happy to know, she is happy reading this little book. She is much more confident discussing personal things with me now and is able to put her friends minds at rest when they have questions. There is a little section on 'Finding Freedom' and I quite like this bit. It mentions how hard it is for adults to let their children go off doing things on their own or with friends. Also, how to act more grown up and discuss rules they don't agree with instead of screaming and shouting. And how, if you act more sensible, you are likely to be heard. It just reinforces what an adult might try to get across to a growing child who having mood swings. I like it anyway!

Please do not be put off by the 2 star rating by the mum who pointed out the sentence, 'it means you'll become a babe with a fantastic figure...and you'll look even better in your jeans than you do now'. This has been taken out of context. I understand some people may feel the word 'babe' to be inappropriate, however it was not meant in any way inapropriately when read in context. Please don't let this review put you off. It's a great little book, aimed at 8 and 9 year old little girls, who may want to know the very basics about their bodies and need to know what will be happening to them soon. It's not just about periods, it mentions shape and how wonderful it is that we are all different. It is written in a very informative but appropriate way for the age group. It does not go in to unnecessary details, i.e. sex and the book mentions things that as a mum, you may forget to mention, but in fact will help to alieve any scary stories etc that your daughter may hear from friends. Like the other reviews suggest, read for yourself first. My daughter wanted to read the book before we read it together. She is 8 and has had it for a couple of weeks but not bothered with it yet. I believe it's us mums making all the fuss and worrying. The girls will take it all in their stride, as long as they have the information!!

My 8 year old daughter has started asking a lot of questions lately about growing up and changes to her body, so I decided it was time that we had a talk about these things. Having never received this from my own mother (I learnt all this at school!) I wanted to be as informative as possible to my own daughter, whilst making sure I was pitching it at the right level for her age. I therefore decided to look for a book to sort me with this, that I could then give to my daughter to read to make sure she had all the relevant information for her age. Having looked at several other books claiming to be for primary age, I found that many provided far more information than is necessary for an 8 year old. This book had all the right components as far as I am concerned - well written in a language that is easily readable and understood by an 8 year old, my daughter is very much enjoying reading this. The short chapters have kept her attention, and have provided her answers and information that support what I have been able to talk to her about

I bought this book for my 9 1/2 yr old girl. It talks about many subjects clearly and concisely, such as changing shape, keeping fit and healthy, changes to hair, skin, spots and how to deal with them, periods, sanitary protection and how to use it, proper names for 'bits'. The section on boyfriends is very downplayed, focusing on the fact that it sounds grown up but can just be someone that you like doing stuff with eg swimming, and how when you break up it's best not to dwell on it and to spend time with family and friends who'love you very much'. Each section is no more than 2 short pages and the subject of sex is only touched on lightly, ie ' a special cuddle when mans sperm go into the woman's vagina'. If anything, the book plays down the enormity of the subject and leaves you feeling like... 'oh, so thats what it's all about, not so bad really!' The section about rules set by parents and going out is lovely and for a parent really is on our side, making more of showing how responsible you can be and your parents will love and respect you and give you more freedom. I found reading this book with my daughter very comfortable, and was really suprised when she told me she had never heard of periods before, BUT did know the facts of life!! I think I underestimated just how clued up a 9 year old is.

Just OK. I know the reading age of this book but I hoped for more info eg on mood changes. Will need another book to clarify when I hoped this would suffice. Glad it didn't dwell on sex though. Thanks for this starter book.

Perfect because it discusses body changes but not sex. That was all I wanted for someone not yet a teenager. It's enough for them to worry about as it is without worrying about interaction with other people's bodies! Don't agree with the person who complained about it saying you are changing into a babe! It does at least put a positive spin on all the changes. It makes girls feel that the changes are turning them from duckling to beautiful swan rather than that a load of horrible things are going to start happening like spots, hair and bleeding! They need to be told that all these changes are for the good and it does that very well. Only a little bit of text on each page allows them to take in each fact slowly before they turn over to the next one. I gave it to my daughter discreetly in case she was embarassed but she brought it down to the kitchen and discussed it with me involving a brother in the conversation. I thought it was very good that we all talked about it. When he is older it might be good for him to read it too.....unless they've already done that between themselves!

Did a pageant dress with lots of ruffles! Beautiful job! Easy to use!

book was ordered for a boy-it is a girl's book and either i missed the info when ordering or the seller didn't state clearly what it was. the book was in great condition, but i donated it to charity as i had no use for it.