Need Help with a Good Girl's Body Book

N. sounds like a great book but at 9 years old - I think its too soon. I wuld wait until she is at least 11 years old. Please do not grow her up too soon. If you feel its right go for it but I have a daughter at 21 years old and it wasnt until she was 12-13 years old. I have 2 nephews that are 8 and almost 9 soon and way too young. I would consider the book later.

I bought this book for my daughter when she was younger and it was wonderful (she is 18 now). I still recommend it to friends. I read the whole book first (and learned a few things myself!) then had a talk with her and gave her the book to read. She wasn't ready for the whole thing at once, it is a lot to take in, but read it in bits and pieces. She didn't have many questions because it gave such straight-forward simple answers to each subject. Every now and then I would ask her how her reading was going and we would talk about it. She used the book as a reference for a few years, then we passed it on to a friend who's daughter was ready for it & they loved it also. Good luck!
M.

I almost forgot, something I did when my daughter got to the section on periods - I gave her a few pads and tampons to check out (not use) but look at, take apart and see what they are made of, whatever she wanted to do with them so she was just as comfortable with the tools as the information.

I don't know of any books for your daughter, but I can't recommend strongly enough Reviving Ophelia-Saving the Lives of Adolescent Girls as a wonderful book for you. I've read it twice and my husband is now reading it. Our daughter is two. We've got a while yet before we're in your place, but it will be here before we know it :)
Best of luck to you and your daughter!!!

sorry...no suggestions....but wow....9???? already???
ugh....my daughter's 8 and i was hoping i had more time! :(

I agree with Tabitha. My daughter would be very uncomfortable talking about all of that, so I got her "The Care and Keeping of You." It is an excellent book that talks about the changes a girl's body goes through and wonderful tips about what to do when it does. When she finally got her period, she didn't panic, but was very prepared and calm.

Dr. James Dobson has a really good set of books that talks about everything and anything that kids need to know or "see". I've used it with my kids and they seem to be OK with these.

Good Luck

There is a book called "What's Happening to My Body". It's straight forward answers to just about everything a girl goes through during the puberty years. They have one for boys too.

I would say mother is the best teacher of every thing..You have to find a way to explain her may be while to take a walk with her or spending time with her in kitchen when only you two or at home...tell her the changes happens in her life from now on and its not just you its the girl thing...Books will help her but you should be the best person to teach her every thing..

Just a suggestion.

My daughter is 11 and we bought this book for her last Christmas. It is the best book on explaining things at the young girls level. I gave her the book to read and told her that if she had any questions afterward that we could discuss them. She had no questions and to this day almost a year later she quite frequently goes back to that book for explanations. I highly recommend.

Good reading.

L.

American girl has a book "THE CARE & KEEPING OF YOU" Product Description
This bestselling guide answers all the questions growing girls have about their bodies - from hair care to healthy eating, bad breath to bra buying, pimples to periods. It offers guidance about basic hygiene and health without addressing issues of sexuality. Over 1 million copies sold!
I'm buying my 10 year old one for Christmas.

Hello,
I have a 16 year old daughter and when she was about 9 I did buy her that American Girl Book that you wrote about. It was great, she read it alot. We read it together and I think she still picks it up from time to time. Hope this helps.
M. M

"What's Happening To Me?" by Peter Mayle isn't gender specific so is educational from both perspectives. Amazon.com sells it for $ 9.95 new or from $ 0.42 used. My boys needed something like that, and this book filled that need. I applaud your decision to pursue this on behalf of your daughter!

N.,i think if you would go to a local christian book store you will be able to find what you seek,i am raising 2 of our granddaughters from age 3 now 13 and 15,this is the way that i taught themabout thier own personal bodies.i have to laugh my oldest 1 started her period a week after she turned 11 i was instructing her on things and she told me granma you have talked to me since i was 5 yrs old i know this stuff i am fine.i backed off and told her if she needed me to just holler.when the 13 yr old started she was the same way.the important thing is you need to keep the portals of communication open for everything she will need to talk about everything there are days when i wish they would hush but i never say that,i am afraid they will.1 word of caution NEVER NEVER LIE TO HER about what will happen to her or her body cover all bases but dont play into fear,just be matter of fact to all things,you can go to your room and laugh and cry later.i am a firm believer that nobody can explain how beautiful you are other than your very own Creator.the authors i have read and bought for my girls were informative and described in detail how GOD wants us to look and feel about ourselves.i hope this helps a bit
rob

I also recommend The Care and Keeping of You for a 1st book. It empowered my daughter at 9 when she was starting to develop. And it opened up conversation. I need to get more specific soon, but its a great starting place.

I don't know what religion you are, however, Family Christian book stores, have a lot of good books on the this topic. I recently just found a teen bible, that was awesome. It was a book just for girls that had all sorts of problems in it, and development stages, then related it to a verse in the Bible. It might be worth your time to check it out. You can look online too :) good luck!

Like a previous responder, I don't know what faith you are, but there is a great set of books by Nancy Rue from the Christian perspective... The Body Book, The Beauty Book, The Buddy Book ....... all are fabulous! I used them with my now 15 year old and she loved them. They do talk about how we all are unique and shaped differently, etc... and gives journaling space for the young lady. Definitely check them out!

I bought "The Body Book" for my daughter, and found it to be very good. It is available at Christian bookstores, but I can't remember the author's name. If you're interested, email me back and I can look it up. It is a pretty simple book that puts a positive Christian spin on a girl's changing body. My 11-year-old and my 8-year-old both liked it. Good luck!
J.

My daughter started to cycle at the age of 10 and the book we used was Judy Blume: Are you there god, its me Margaret, she really liked it and appreciated the humar. It is a very good book.

Hope this helps

E.

I really like changing bodies changing lives. it is written by the teen project - part of the Boston Women's Health Collective. I have a very mature and curious child, lol - have always felt that her female-ness is an essential part of her and should not be tip toed around. and that knowledge is power - giving kids accurate information is a way to show we trust and respect them as individuals. So we gave it to her when she was 10 and have sat down and read some parts together - it is really so big (range of topics) and about so many other things - may be too much for 9 year old. focuses on development but really spends time on sex, relationships (peers and romance) - but from the foundation of having a positive self image and being respectful etc. My daughter keeps it under her bed adn is free to brouse all she wants. Again, it may be too liberal or mature for some family's preference but it is an option. Good luck and hooray for such an exciting time for your family.

Hi N., the American Girl Body Book I think is the best one out there and very well received by the girls. I had my 10 year old niece over the summer and she had her nose in that book until it was finished... I have found that to be the case with at least 5 other girls that age that have had access to that book.
Good luck!