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Original poster

Can you recommend a book about puberty that doesn't overdose on the sex stuff?

34 replies

Miaou · 29/08/2006 14:19

I am looking for a book that explains puberty to a bright nine year old - preferably more about the emotional and physical changes and less about sex and sexual feelings (not because I am prudish, just that I think she is too young to have all that pushed at her just yet). Dd1 is v bright and quite mature but not at all streetwise, but needs to hear from someone/where other than us that what she is going through is "normal", bless.

OP posts:
Original poster
Miaou · 29/08/2006 17:16

.

OP posts:
Freckle · 29/08/2006 17:43

We have a book called Let's Talk About Sex published by Walkers. It does cover all the sex stuff, but is very clear on puberty and bodily changes, etc.

You could always buy it and copy out the relevant sections and let her have the whole book when you feel she is ready for it.

Original poster
Miaou · 29/08/2006 18:06

Thanks Freckle. Has anyone got/read the Claire Rayner book? Think it's called The Body Book. Is that appropriate agewise?

OP posts:
roisin · 29/08/2006 18:30

Miaou, we've got the Walker "Let's talk about sex" book too, which is great, but not what you're looking for.

There are loads of books on the market, but I'm not sure what's best for you. Hopefully someone will be along soon to advise which is best out of this or this or this or the review of this one sounds more what you're looking for

suedonim · 29/08/2006 18:53

I was looking for the same thing last year, Miaou, and I didn't find anything that was just right. I think there's real a gap in the market for a non-threatening book with good illustrations and basic info.

We have The Body Book but that's too simple and the Let's Talk and other books all had too much detail - dd isn't interested in hormones or spots or boys or mood swings (yet!). But Roisin's last link looks good though I don't recall it coming up when I was looking.

Original poster
Miaou · 30/08/2006 18:50

Thanks suedonim, you're absolutely right! However the last book roisin linked to (thank you!!) looks just right. I will get the library to buy it in (very handy working in a library!) and let you know what I/we think of it

OP posts:
suedonim · 30/08/2006 21:21

That would be good if you can get it in your library, Miaou - sort of 'try before you buy'. I've never seen that book in a bookshop so wouldn't want to buy it over the net without seeing it in RL first. I await your forthcoming review!

cq · 02/09/2006 08:57

Try Babette Cole's 'Hair in Funny Places' - I don't know if it's still in print but there's lots of her stuff available on ebay or 2nd hand Amazon. My sister had this for her 2 DD's and has passed it on to me.

This book's lovely, a quick, light read and is more to do with the changes they are starting to see in their bodies, as well as their moods and why they can feel inexplicably grumpy sometimes.

SHe's also written a very good one for more basic sex education, called Mummy Laid an Egg. V funny and sensitive handling of a potentially excrutiating subject for all concerned.

HTH, would be interested to hear how it goes, am about to face all this with DS, nearly 8.

suedonim · 02/09/2006 16:52

Dd liked Mummy Laid An Egg but the Hair one isn't right for her as she'd freak out at the idea of Mr and Mrs Hormone roaming round her body, lol! Good luck with your ds, Cq, it's a challenge to get it just right, isn't it?

tegan · 02/09/2006 17:11

Thanks for tyhis thread as I have an 8.4 yr old who is starting to develope and is on her way to having her periods very early.

harman · 24/06/2007 11:28

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harman · 25/06/2007 21:58

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harman · 26/06/2007 23:06

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Aloha · 26/06/2007 23:10

Sounds like there is a gap in the market now girls are experiencing puberty early, tbh.

harman · 07/07/2007 09:35

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foxinsocks · 07/07/2007 09:44

we thought the usborne book (it's one of roisin's links -the second one I think) 'what's happening to me' was very good

foxinsocks · 07/07/2007 09:45

it was on special at book people (that one and the boys' version) - not sure if it still is

Original poster
Miaou · 07/07/2007 09:49

Hiya - no I didn't manage to get it - didn't want to spend the money on it to find it was inappropriate (I would have to order it online as no bookshops round here) and the library didn't want to buy it in for all the reasons I stated in the OP (all these books tend to concentrate on the sex angle ). I have had a couple of "chats" with dd1 (now 10!) - poor thing, she was really embarrassed - and she is now covering some of these things in school - but still not an ideal solution afaic.

OP posts:
foxinsocks · 07/07/2007 09:52

the 'what's happening to me' is not overly sexual at all Miaou - it's really very well pitched I thought

Katymac · 07/07/2007 09:54

I got a pile of leaflets/booklets from the school nurse & they were very appropriate

Original poster
Miaou · 07/07/2007 10:02

oooh - might try getting hold of "What's happening to me" - Roisin's second link - they've got that in the library it seems. I'll have to order it in though - will let you know what it's like Harman when it arrives !

OP posts:
Leati · 07/07/2007 10:12

Isn't that what puberty is about (LOL). Seriously, ask your doctor, or school to recommend something to you.

Original poster
Miaou · 07/07/2007 10:20

What - SEX?

My dd (10) is bright and articulate - but not at all streetwise. I don't want to shove stuff about sex under her nose when she is not ready to go down that route yet. She is horrified at the thought of being "interested" in boys as anything other than mates she kicks a football round with (she is a real tomboy) but she is developing breasts and pubic hair and going through some emotional turmoil, all of which she is finding a little hard to deal with at times. Sex she knows about and understands, obviously, but in this context it's not what she needs information on.

Sorry if I've misunderstood your post ...

OP posts:
TheLadyEvenstar · 07/07/2007 10:36

Miaou....

why don't you just tell her? I feel its better mum has a word than reading it in a book which I think makes it seem a taboo subject....

I was amazed when at 5 my ds asked how a baby was made BUT I did explain it to him...so guess i have done the sex ed chat already. He also asked about puberty, he read the explanation in a dictionary and I then explained it further. So i hope he is all prepared now....am sure there will be other questions along the way.

suedonim · 07/07/2007 15:14

Miaou, your library should be able to borrow the other book from another library anywhere in Scotland, if not the UK. They don't have to buy it in.

Dd2 didn't get the sex-ed I thought she'd receive at school. She will not talk about it, says she knows all about it(!) but of course, unless she tells me what she knows I have no idea of her understanding.

Anyway, am home in a couple of weeks so I can send for some books for her.