Puberty is an incredibly confusing time of life for everyone involved – both for the children going through it and the parents. You’d think that because we went through it, it would be easy to explain puberty- but it isn’t. One of the best ways to provide your children with all of the (approved and safe) information is to give them a puberty book. Searching on the internet can lead to some things that you don’t want them to see, so this way you can control the content. There are separate puberty books for girls and puberty books for boys, so make sure you find the one that fits your child.
5 Best Puberty Books for Girls
The best puberty books for girls are not only comprehensive but body positive and inclusive as well.
The Care & Keeping of You: The Body Book for Younger Girls By Valorie Schaefer. American Girl.
Most girls know the American Girl empire very well, so it is comforting to them to see that name on the cover of The Care & Keeping of You: The Body Book for Younger Girls. This book is recommended for eight years old through ten years old, making it the perfect accompaniment to early puberty information, including tips on eating healthy, making friends, buying a bra, getting pimples, and even getting a period. This is the first in a series, so once your child gets older, you can get the second one that covers even more.
Growing Up: It's a Girl Thing: Straight Talk about First Bras, First Periods, and Your Changing Body By Marvin Jukes
This is a book that has stood up to the test of time through some careful rewrites and carefully added sections. Meant for girls in grades 4 through 8, it covers a lot of great things including whether to use pads or tampons, all of the information about body hair, and the perspiration situation. The reason this book has stood the test of time is that the tone of the book feels more like a best friend or an older sister.
Ready, Set, Grow! A What's Happening to My Body? Book for Younger Girls By Lynda Madaras
For younger girls, those between third and sixth grade, Ready, Set Grow! Is a comprehensive look at puberty and aging. It encourages your daughter to celebrate herself and her changing body, talking openly and progressively about things like body odor, weight, height, breast development, and pimples. It doesn’t make your child afraid of her own body.
It's Great to Be a Girl! A Guide to Your Changing Body by Danah Gresh
For a family that wants a more biblical approach to puberty, this book is one of the best options. It covers all of the topics that the other books cover, including nutrition, exercise, make-up, and physical changes, but from a more religious perspective.
Girl Stuff: Your Full-on Guide to the Teen Years by Kaz Cooke
One of the most fun books about puberty, this covers everything that your daughter will face- and we do mean everything. From the way their bodies change, to friendship problems, to health matters, to social media, and family problems. Girls love it because it has a list of books, TV shows, movies, and heroines that they can connect to – making it seem more like a workbook and a place to express themselves rather than just a textbook.
5 Best Puberty Books for Boys
The Boy’s Body Book: Everything You Need to Know for Growing Up You! By Kelli Dunham
This is probably the bestselling puberty book for boys, explaining everything that boys need to know about voice changing, acne, shaving, and yes, “morning surprises,” as they put it. The author really understands how to talk to teen and tween boys without sounding like she is preaching. There are cartoons as well, which helps them get engrossed in the content.
What’s Happening To My Body? Book For Boys By Lynda Madaras
Similar to the book for girls, this book is a great source for boys over ten years old. She is honest and forthright about all of the struggles and triumphs teen boys will face – from their voices finally lowering to the anger they will sometimes feel at the rest of the world. Everything from physical changes to social responsibility is covered expertly and in a way that is completely parent approved.
Boy's Guide To Becoming A Teen (Getting Used To Life In Your Changing Body) By the American Medical Association
This guide, from The American Medical Association, is an in-depth and extensive look at what a boy goes through in puberty. There are many pages on feelings and body changes, making boys really think about themselves and what their bodies are doing. It even talks about how girls seem to grow up a little faster, and why that isn’t a problem. This is a rare feat for a book about boy’s puberty. There is even a helpful glossary.
It's Perfectly Normal: Changing Bodies, Growing Up, Sex, and Sexual Health By Robie H. Harris
For a complete guide to sex, growing up, changing bodies, and health, look no further than this book. For ages 7 on up, this book series is also one of the only ones to cover homosexuality, families, and love. Note that many people won’t think this book is appropriate for their children, but it is extremely popular because it doesn’t lie to your child, it goes in depth about everything, and it considers all young boys.
Just For Boys: A Book About Growing Up by Parragon Books
This book is written by people who understand what it means to be a boy going through puberty. It seems to have a voice that few other books have found. It is easy to read, easy to understand, and straightforward in how it approaches the topic. It is filled with easy to read sections that answer questions, give tips, and even has a part for a Q&A.
Where to Purchase
It is often difficult in Australia to source a wide variety of books on puberty written for a tween and teen audience. The links provided beside each book provide options for immediate download from the Australian Amazon Kindle web store, or for domestic bookshops/overseas bookshops with reasonable postage options.