Girls book about puberty but not sex

[GoodGirlsRUs]

Can anyone recommend a book for my DD (9) about periods and puberty, but that doesn't really go into the whole sex thing?

difficult to see how or why a book would do 1 without the other- how are you going to explain periods without talking about eggs/wombs ?

Just ordered this. Reviews seem to suggest it might be the level you're looking for

Celebrate Your Body (and Its Changes, Too!): The Ultimate Puberty Book for Girls: 1 https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/164152166X/ref=cmswwrcppapifabccmuGbGb3Q0FG7C?encoding=UTF8&psc=1

I don't mind it touching on how babies are made, but I looked at one book and there was way too much sex in it for a 9 year old.

The pink usborne book “what is happening to me” is good. I bought it for 9yo dd.

I know what you mean, OP.

DS had a boy's book that went into puberty but not sex, for when he was 9. (I'd ordered one on puberty that came well recommended, but the pages on sex were IMO too explicit for that age, so I saved it till he was 11).

Let me see if I can remember it as I'm sure there was a girl's equivalent. One minute....

difficult to see how or why a book would do 1 without the other- how are you going to explain periods without talking about eggs/wombs?

Oh give over! There's a world of difference between a 9 year old knowing how babies are made and talking about periods and sex in that context, and talking about the actual act of sex in explicit terms (which lots of puberty books do).

I got Celebrate Your Body by Sonya Renee Taylor for my 9 year old.

The Care and Keeping of you.

Thank you so much, I'll take a look at the ones you have suggested

I just talked to my daughter about periods and puberty...no book required. Why do you feel you need a book?? X

@Robbybobtail

The pink usborne book “what is happening to me” is good. I bought it for 9yo dd.

I bought this one for my now 23 year old. It was great when she was 8 or 9. I will buy the same for my toddler when she is older.

A friend did give me the osbourne book someone has referred to here and it is very good so I would recommend that if you do need a book. Just be open, honest and upfront. That has worked for my two girls and they respect me for it and we have the best relationship ever. My daughter just got her period age 12, didn’t feel awkward about telling me and I didn’t feel awkward back. Good luck OP xx

Oh, I've found the girls' version of the boys' book we had, but after reading the reviews I don't recommend it!

It does focus on the body and not sex, but it seems packed with phrases designed to make the girls insecure about their bodies. What a shame!

Sample review of "The Care and Keeping of You".
There are quite a few with similar concerns.

1.0 out of 5 stars Beyond angry. Thanks for a bookful of insecurity for my 8yo.

I bought this book to read with my 8yo daughter. She paged through it a bit before we started, I thought nothing of it. A few days later at the table she said something about "watching her weight." We were floored. We don't talk like that and have no body hang ups. We addressed it but were really concerned about the source.

Today we started reading it. The introduction immediately talked about girls being awkward, confused, embarrassed, and "struggling to find words" to talk about their bodies. WHAT? Are you kidding me? She was none of those things but thanks for planting that in her mind. We stopped reading and I told her it probably wasn't the right book for us. After she went to bed I turned to the chapter titled "Belly Zone."

Now we see exactly where she got the idea that she should start to "worry abut her weight." More gems on the page? fad diets, "normal" weight, "where's your waist?," and talking to your doctor about going on a diet.

This book is supposed to be for 8+. Shameful garbage. I am so beyond angry.

Formerbabe's suggestion is good . The Care and Keeping of You. They are by American Girl and there are at least 2 - for different ages . I got them for my DD as the step before the Usbourne Pink book.

They are written in a really accessible way .

I have talked to her about it. But I thought that we could perhaps sit down and talk it though together that's all.

I think she may get her period in the next 12 months so I'm trying to be prepared.

Yep I second 'the care and keeping of you'. It's dd's favourite book

@monkeycat

Formerbabe's suggestion is good . The Care and Keeping of You. They are by American Girl and there are at least 2 - for different ages . I got them for my DD as the step before the Usbourne Pink book.

They are written in a really accessible way .

I'm definitely NOT going to get The Care and Keeping of You for DD when she's old enough, these 1* reviews about the book fostering insecurities are very off putting IMO!

Shame, as the boys version was good IIRC.

www.amazon.co.uk/product-reviews/1609580834/ref=acr_dp_hist_1?filterByStar=one_star&reviewerType=all_reviews&tag=mumsnetforu03-21&ie=UTF8#reviews-filter-bar

Osborne one is great!

@Robbybobtail

The pink usborne book “what is happening to me” is good. I bought it for 9yo dd.

Yes, I recommend this too.

Ruby Luna's moontime is a lovely book, diary of a girl who started her periods age 10, and covers getting to grips with her cycle and transitioning from primary to secondary school. There's a mention of the school yr 6 "sex talk" but doesn't go into the full details. Great reviews. www.amazon.co.uk/Ruby-Lunas-Moontime-transitioning-secondary/dp/0993375154?tag=mumsnetforu03-21

You can find The Care and Keeping of You, and other similar preteen books on Ebay, they are published by AmericanGirl. My daughters both have various of these books, they are fab.

@fastwigglylines

Oh, I've found the girls' version of the boys' book we had, but after reading the reviews I don't recommend it!

It does focus on the body and not sex, but it seems packed with phrases designed to make the girls insecure about their bodies. What a shame!

Sample review of "The Care and Keeping of You".
There are quite a few with similar concerns.

1.0 out of 5 stars Beyond angry. Thanks for a bookful of insecurity for my 8yo.

I bought this book to read with my 8yo daughter. She paged through it a bit before we started, I thought nothing of it. A few days later at the table she said something about "watching her weight." We were floored. We don't talk like that and have no body hang ups. We addressed it but were really concerned about the source.

Today we started reading it. The introduction immediately talked about girls being awkward, confused, embarrassed, and "struggling to find words" to talk about their bodies. WHAT? Are you kidding me? She was none of those things but thanks for planting that in her mind. We stopped reading and I told her it probably wasn't the right book for us. After she went to bed I turned to the chapter titled "Belly Zone."

Now we see exactly where she got the idea that she should start to "worry abut her weight." More gems on the page? fad diets, "normal" weight, "where's your waist?," and talking to your doctor about going on a diet.

This book is supposed to be for 8+. Shameful garbage. I am so beyond angry.

Christ that sounds awful!

Mind you, I suppose they want to start working to break girls' self-esteem early, so they can be sure they progress to the likes of the diet industry.

@maudtheinvincible

Have you actually read it? I had a look through my dds book after reading this thread and there is a section of the book called the belly zone...it talks about food, nutrition and vitamins. It's actually very responsibly written imo and advises girls not to try fad diets and explains how everyone is a different shape naturally and is actually quite body positive.

I also recommend the American Girl series, The Care and Keeping of You.

My daughters really liked these books around aged 9.

www.amazon.co.uk/s?ref=nb_sb_ss_ts-a-p_2_9&sprefix=the+care+&k=the+care+and+keeping+of+you+1&tag=mumsnetforu03-21