I am a little disillusioned with what is out there in this genre. It seems the kind of book *I* am looking for doesn't exist.

First off I don't want it to be a sex book. My dd's know quite a bit about sex and I am fine with this but this is not what I am buying the book for. I am looking specifically for a book that deals with the changes a girl goes through as they start puberty. So one that deals with breast changes, menstruation, weight gain etc. My problem is the ones I have found that do deal with this stuff are VERY culturally bias. Showing girls how to shave and insert tampons without equally persuasive arguments for other options. As a very earthy mama I want a book which is balanced. One that says it is ok not to shave, not to use heavily perfumed deodorant at the first sign of completely normal underarm sweat, one that tells the truth about how the use of tampons can lead to infections and that pads are a viable option (I would love a book that even expresses the virtues of cloth pads but I know this is likely asking to much LOL) Surely this book MUST exist somewhere? ANYONE?

Bernice R.

It looks like you've got yourself the makings of a great book......that you need to write.

If I had a daughter, I'd be looking for exactly the same thing.

:)

bump

The books that are a big hit for my dd are American Girl's Body books and, of course, I read Judy Blume...learned a lot, there, lol

I have not looked at the books yet as my girls are not close to that yet. What about putting together neatly on fancy paper a book about what happened to you, what her options are for taking care of women's needs, how her body is going to change. Then arrange a time when you can sit and discuss this with her - just girl time. Maybe you could include this as part of a Rites of Passage ceremony.

http://www.attachmentscatalog.com/gifts/passage.html
:-) Browse this page. Several options.

I have read the Body book by american girl with both of my older dds. LOVE IT.
It's not too graphic and just to the point. You can add or subtract anything you'd like. The really great thing about the book is the encouragement for the girls to feel special in these years of change.

Traci

Maybe this?
http://store.americangirl.com/pls/ag/AG_pagestyle?catid=375878&groupid=51662

I have been wanting to get such a book for my dd.
Great post!
I was thinking of the American Girl one, but that one from the Attachment catalog looks good:

The What's Happening to My Body Book for Girls, By Lynda Madaras, with Area Maderas

Hope

Want to HIGHLY recommend the American Girls My Body book. DD got it when she turned 9 and was fascinated by it. It also is heavy on the "your mom can help you understand this if you have questions". I love that. I also like that it explains hygiene in a very matter of fact way, on a level she got. DD still reads it often...although it has been known to show up in DS's room. He's 9 and they talk about girl boobs. :rolleyes:

Wanted to correct myself, dd has "The Care and Keeping of You" by AG. It also contains no sexual talk, which I appreciate. That's all.

The What's Happening to My Body Book for Girls,
By Lynda Madaras, with Area Maderas

Although I have talked a lot with my girls about all things "womanly" I was looking for a book that they could refer to if they didn't feel like talking to me - or for answers I might not know. I didn't want a book that talked about the rites of make-up wearing, or proms and diets. I wanted something slightly crunchy, or at least not trendy. I was thrilled I tell you, to find in the pads area of the book a whole section on using cloth pads and the impact of disposable paper products on our environment. Things were looking up. A quick perusal of the back of the book found resources for organic tampons, The Keeper, and several cloth pad resources. This book covers by chapter:



Puberty
Your Breasts, An Owner's Manual
Pubic Hair and Other Changes Down There
The Puberty Growth Spurt
Body Hair, Perspiration, Pimples, and Other Changes
The Reproductive Organs and the Menstrual Cycle
All About Having Periods
Boys and Puberty
Romantic and Sexual Feelings

Hey B, I have "The Care and Keeping of You". I stuck it away to give to you for Ayla the next time I saw you. So don't buy it!!

The What's Happening to My Body Book for Girls,
By Lynda Madaras, with Area Maderas

Although I have talked a lot with my girls about all things "womanly" I was looking for a book that they could refer to if they didn't feel like talking to me - or for answers I might not know. I didn't want a book that talked about the rites of make-up wearing, or proms and diets. I wanted something slightly crunchy, or at least not trendy. I was thrilled I tell you, to find in the pads area of the book a whole section on using cloth pads and the impact of disposable paper products on our environment. Things were looking up. A quick perusal of the back of the book found resources for organic tampons, The Keeper, and several cloth pad resources. This book covers by chapter:



Puberty
Your Breasts, An Owner's Manual
Pubic Hair and Other Changes Down There
The Puberty Growth Spurt
Body Hair, Perspiration, Pimples, and Other Changes
The Reproductive Organs and the Menstrual Cycle
All About Having Periods
Boys and Puberty
Romantic and Sexual Feelings


I was going to suggest this book. It is the one my mom bought for me at that point in my life-I still have my copy. It's been revised several times in the last 20 years, LOL, but I thought it was very good. I thought it covered body hair, odor, menstruation, sex, male development, feelings, masturbation, pretty much everything very well. I am pleased to see it covers menstrual alternatives as well-I don't recall that but I was 12 the last time I read it-I did just find it in our move last week.

I find it in the spirit of "Our Bodies Ourselves" but more for the young set. Did that make sense?

THANK YOU EVERYONE!! It is good to know I am not alone in this area...YIKES! How did my baby become a pre-teen?! I am off to peruse and shop...I think I will buy a couple, different points of veiw are always a good idea.