Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Addressing growing girls directly, this frank companion to The Care and Keeping of You (first published in 1998) aims at a slightly older audience as it covers puberty, hygiene, menstruation, emotional development, family, and social dynamics. Natterson uses a clear, reassuring tone throughout, and Q&A sections tackle potentially embarrassing topics like overactive sweating and bra discomfort ("[B]ras can sometimes make you feel self-conscious, and it's hard to feel good in a bra until you feel good about bras"). Masse's color cartoons provide visual backup for discussions of anatomy, breast self-exams, tampon use, and more. Ages 10-up. (Mar.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by School Library Journal Review
Gr 5-7-This follow-up to the popular Care and Keeping of You (American Girl, 1998) is written for slightly older girls, with more in-depth information about puberty and menstruation. Navigating through all the changes a body goes through can be a challenge-even for the most confident of girls-and this title has a calm, measured tone to reassure readers that these changes are a normal part of growing up. The four sections focus on "body basics" like good hygiene and height prediction; "girl stuff" like breast development and menstruation; "It's All in Your Head," which focuses on mood changes and body image; and "Your Body, Your World," which discusses managing relationships with family and friends. The friendly illustrations support the overall tone and style. This book can be a great conversation-starter for parents and preteen daughters-especially for those who may be anxious about approaching the whole puberty and growing-up issue. Its neutral, matter-of-fact approach will help show readers (and their moms) that all the changes they may be feeling are perfectly normal.-Elaine Baran Black, Georgia Public Library Service, Atlanta (c) Copyright 2013. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
A straightforward explanation of growth and changes in puberty aimed at girls approaching their teens. A pediatrician who also serves as an online expert for several parenting sites offers sensible descriptions of and answers to common questions about body basics, physical, emotional and mental changes, and relationships with family and friends in this latest self-help title from the American Girl group. The target audience for this follow-up to The Care Keeping of You (1998) is clearly the upper end of the company's publishing focus (ages 8-12), but the information provided about puberty is generally similar to that in the previous title, which covered girls' good health more broadly. There are clear instructions for breast self-examination and for inserting a tampon. (Shaving one's legs and determining bra size return from the earlier book.) The text does not include sexual feelings among its set of physical and emotional changes. In the diagram of the vagina, the clitoris is shown but not labeled. Parents will be particularly pleased by the author's repeated reminder that parental rules rule. Preteen readers will appreciate the positive, personal tone. Sure to be welcomed, and especially useful for families and collections where the more explicit It's So Amazing, by Robie Harris and illustrated by Michael Emberley (1999) would be unacceptable. (Nonfiction. 9-12)]] Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
