Ready, Set, Grow!: A What's Happening to My Body? Book for Younger Girls

I bought this book (along with a stack of others) to begin a dialogue with my 9 year old about the facts of life. Of all the books I reviewed, this one most well suited my daughter, with its colorful (and playful) illustrations and conversational tone (she loved the "eew gross!" references!).It adequately (and thoroughly) begins the discussion of how her young body is beginning to change, while avoiding any real (and not yet necessary) details about sex. Of course, it does reference the fact that all of these changes are ultimately happening to make her body ready for having babies....but spares her the gory details she is just not yet emotionally ready for.We read much of the book together, and it is playful enough to foster a nice opening for dialogue on the changes she is about to go through. She has approached me several times while reading it on her own with questions, and has referred to it a couple of times when, for example, she was feeling some growing pains, and when she was trying to make healthier food choices while packing her own lunch, etc...Overall, a winner. I'd highly recommend it!

I love how positive and cheerful this book is while acknowledging that puberty can be hard at times. It focuses on girls’ feelings and thoughts about their bodies and includes important information with age appropriate language. This book is for girls about girls. It’s especially great for early bloomers who are bummed to be growing up. The overall message is, “You’re a kid, a growing girl, and it’s fun to be a girl.” I appreciate that there is no information about boys or men or even reproduction because it’s all about girls. You don’t have to read every bit. We skimmed over the part my daughter found boring or non-applicable, but she knows that she can always come back to this book as a reference.Yes, there is a brief mention of masturbation, but it doesn’t make a big deal out of it. It was perfect. Girls NEED to know what it is, that it’s normal, and that it’s no big deal. Do you know who does make a big deal out of masturbation? Pedophiles and bullies and girls who don’t know it’s normal. Abusive adults “catch” children masturbating and threaten to tell their parents as a way to rope kids into keeping horrible secrets and blaming themselves. Even kids who don’t masturbate can be shamed and taunted by bullies. Some girls just feel ashamed on their own and don’t know why or how to talk about it. However, it’s only one or two sentences in this whole book. I had no idea it would offend anyone until I saw reviews here.

I read this book when I was going through puberty. As a parent, I appreciate how this book explains the human body in an age-appropriate way. My child will definitely benefit from reading it.

I have twin 8yr old girls. Knowing puberty is on its way is important subject to be educated on. My girls like the book because it's an easy read and the book is pretty. Great product.

I was really impressed with this book. I recently returned another one because I felt the content was way too in depth for my 10 year old. This book was just what I was looking for.It give just the right amount of detailed information about body changes that happen during puberty in an easy to understand format.It shows cartoons of stages of breast growth, stages of public hair growth, a women's vulva.The book covers puberty body changes, growth spurts, weight, body odor and zits, menstruation.It does cover in detail how to use a tampon. As someone who had to figure it out on my own (my mother was anti tampon) I was glad to see how in depth they went. When I first began wearing I didn't have them in far enough which caused a lot of pain and my BFF went all day with the applicator in because she just didn't know when she began using them. Had either of us had a book like this we both would have known better. It was so stressful at the time with all the already uncomfortable changes we were going through.There is also a section on respecting and protecting your body with the number for an abuse hotline.It does have a section on masturbation in one of the Q&A sections and I liked the answer they presented (see photo attached to this review). The other book I had returned promoted it, which I was not okay with.In the next couple years I hope to find another book to address more in depth information for my daughter on sex as this book does not address the subject. I don't feel it appropriate at age 10 but would like her to be well educated by age 12 as 12-14 was the typical age range that my friends became sexually active. If your child is in that range I would recommend finding another book to help supplement or at least discussing sex with them. My mom had in depth discussions with me on the subject at age 12 and I was then able to educate my friends (because their parents hadn't) and they were engaging in unprotected sexual activities believing many false rumors regarding sex, virginity, stds, when you can/can't get pregnant, etc.

This is the best book to help explain puberty to your young daughters. I did a lot of research and even purchased 3 books, and this is the only one I used. This book is very imformative while at the same time it is light and fun. It covers absolutely everything from breast growth, pimples, moodiness, body changes, sensible eating habits, periods, how to use a tampon, explanation of sex (without being too graffic), Q & A's with young girls, and finally, the last chapter deals with sexual harrassment and abuse and how a girl is to deal with either of these situations should they need to. I have twin girls that just turned 9 and I wanted to be sensitive to their young age (but also informative) as girls are maturing earlier all the time. They couldn't get enough of this book (we read it together) and noone was imbarassed or felt uncomfortable. This book turned a sensitive issue and talk into a relaxed and fun bonding experience that helped my girls prepare, without anxiety, for their future growth both emotionally and physically. I will save it for my 3 year old daughter and purchase other books from this author. Laureen E. Defiance, MO

Libro súper práctico y claro sobre la pubertad y los cambios en el cuerpo de las niňas en esta etapa. Muy recomendable.

A fun way of talking about a sensitive topic!

Ready Set Grow is really a terrific resource for parents and children. Ordered it for my 10 year old daughter, who is in the very early stages of puberty-perfect timing. Although I am very comfortable about having these discussion with my children, I'm a Child and Youth Care Counselor, I am so glad that this book was recommended to us. I have since recommended it to so many others. It allows your child to get answers for questions they may not know they have or are too uncomfortable asking. Having age-appropriate discussions prior to the experience takes the mystery, and often fear, out of all the changes that are happening. I recommend reading the book prior to having discussions so that you are aware of topic areas. I had my husband read it as well- if anyone is going to need some prep work for the road ahead, it's Dad! My daughter and I then read a new chapter every few days together and I left the book in her room. She looks through it often and comes up with many questions on her own. Boy, I wish this was available to me going through puberty!!

Wonderful little book for girls who are almost approaching / beginning puberty. I would suggest that nervous parents, single fathers of daughters or those who find discussions difficult buy this book and allow your daughter to read, absorb and come to terms at their own pace. The cartoons are comforting to younger girls and are illustrative without being too graphic.This book should be on all Primary school reading lists...FACT.

It helped open my daughters' (ages 8 and 11) minds to their own bodies. I would say they have confidence now in their stages of growth. Also this is much better than them learning about these topics on the playground!