Celebrate Your Body (and Its Changes, Too!): The Ultimate Puberty Book for Girls (Celebrate You, 1), for Girls Ages 8-12

My daughter turned ten a few weeks ago and I wanted to start preparing her for the eventuality of her period and other bodily changes. She is gifted and a straight A+ student but she's also a very young ten maturity-wise (thank God). She does not know how babies are made really. She still plays with horse toys and dragons and Harry Potter dolls etc. We have raised her to be accepting of people no matter their sexuality. We are liberal leaning even though we're also Catholic. She is obsessed with reading and because she's so smart, it's hard to find books as she gets older that are not about catty girls or romantic relationships in any kind of physical detail (Harry Potter has been the hardest one for us so far). So many of the books about a girl's body include discussions about boys and sex -- and eating disorders, fashion etc. I don't think girls need to be thinking about that sort of stuff at this age. I'm happy to find so many of my daughter's friends' parents agree -- even some with boys who say their sons still don't really know how babies are made (they shouldn't at this age!!!). Let them be kids a while longer!! This world rips away their childhoods long before that should happen as it is! Before giving this book to my daughter, I read it cover-to-cover on my own and I LOVED it. There was nothing in this book that would spoil your unspoiled daughter. The closest the author comes is talking about how your daughter might find herself having different kinds of feelings for kids she used to think of only as friends or classmates, and that's okay. The writer doesn't say having feelings for "boys" -- she keeps it sexually neutral -- which is refreshing. It doesn't get into sex education. There is a very troubled boy in my daughter's school who routinely says inappropriate sexually charged things to her & her friends. My daughter thankfully doesn't understand most of the slang words he uses (so she comes home to ask me -- to my horror that this boy is saying such things). Well this charming young man asked my daughter the other day if she is gay. My daughter knows this term because she has an uncle who is gay and she loves him dearly. She was raised with no concept that being gay is in any way different from being straight. She was raised to know that being gay is not a choice people make -- they are born that way -- and that God doesn't make mistakes. Her answer to this boy who asked if she is gay was, "I don't know -- I haven't fallen in love with anyone yet". OMG!! I about died of pride!!! This book helped prepare her for a question of that nature. I wanted a book that explained the process of a period and the general purpose of it without prehistoric ideas of sexuality. I wanted a book that would tell her what is happening to her body without the extra street knowledge of sex. This book is very "clean" in that regard but it's also not religious or conservative -- which we didn't want either. It's as informative as it needs to be for total understanding of what's happening in puberty, written in an open-minded and progressive way, without being too advanced. It is well written. This is such a good book that I'm recommending it to everyone I know with girls this age who are like my own daughter. Bravo to the writer.

Great book that covers sensitive topics in an age appropriate and positive way. Gifted to a pre-teen and she is very interested in the information and is open to asking questions. This has been a great tool to keep an open dialogue between us.

The book breaks down changes like growth, body care, and emotions using easy language that feels friendly rather than awkward or scary. What makes this book stand out is how reassuring it is. It reminds readers that everyone develops differently and that there is no “right” or “wrong” way to grow. The illustrations and examples are inclusive and help girls see that all bodies are normal and worthy of respect. Quit

So I read both the American Girls book and this one. In my opinion, neither were "perfect," but they both had a lot of good information in them. I decided to get this one for my daughter, versus the other one, for a few reasons. One, this one is longer and covers more topics (like taking good care of one's body by getting enough sleep, exercising, eating healthy foods, etc., as well as the importance of finding an adult you trust in case you need help and have questions.) This one also has more "positive body vibes," as other reviewers have mentioned. The American Girl book places more emphasis on a girl having doubts about her body image. While intending to reassure girls, I can see how the comments could actually undermine a girl's positive body image. Now, in regards to qualms I have with this book... there are really not a whole lot. I do think the part in the prelude (addressing girls who are questioning their sexuality) wasn't necessary. (We all have our own viewpoints about gender identity, and I tend to be more conservative about this subject.) And I don't agree with some of the advice given regarding hygiene (for example, I don't agree that you have to floss after every meal, and I do not believe that all girls should moisturize their face). So, what I did was I just put sticky notes with my comments on them in the book, and I'm giving it to my daughter to read, and she can put sticky notes in it (with questions/comments) and we can discuss it at a mother/daughter lunch date after she reads it. Overall, I think it is a very good book that covers a lot of ground that can be awkward to discuss. (And honestly, as a full grown woman, I forget to even discuss some of these things with my daughter. It's easy to forget all the things you didn't know when you were younger.) I do think it's a good discussion starter and reference book for girls (with diagrams with names of "private parts" and directions about how to put a tampon in). I don't think there is a single "self-help" book out there that I would agree with 100%, and this is essentially a guide book (with advice and self help) for adolescent girls. Overall, the advice and information is solid. I recommend it, but I would preview (read it) first and follow up with a discussion with your daughter afterwards.

I picked this up for my daughter as she’s starting to ask questions about changes in her body, and it’s been such a helpful resource. The language is friendly and easy to understand, making her feel more confident instead of overwhelmed. It covers everything from emotions to practical tips, and she actually enjoys reading it on her own. The cost is reasonable compared to similar guides, and the positive, body‑affirming tone makes it stand out.

I've researched dozens & dozens of books for my 10y.o niece, and 'Celebrate Your Body' is EXACTLY what I was looking for! Everything in Sonya Renee Taylor's approach is positive and encouraging. She acknowledges many colors and body types and provides just the right amount of detail for a tween/pre-teen reader. *Every other book I researched in this genre had an inordinate focus on appearance & traditional notions of beauty.* Something I wanted to avoid. They also, without exception, addressed interest in "boys" - excluding anyone who might not be interested in boys & reinforcing the confusion they may be feeling about not being "normal." To be clear, the book doesn't encourage or even go into detail on this topic, it simply refers to developing feelings for "someone" using generic pronouns. This is just one example of Sonya Renee Taylor's subtle approach to inclusiveness & cultural sensitivity. If you're looking for an encouraging, straightforward, medically accurate, inclusive guide for your 9-12y.o, This. Is. Your. Book. Adult readers: If you haven't already checked out the author's other book, "The Body Is Not An Apology," I highly recommend doing so. Sonya Renee Taylor is a gift to Humanity ♡

Sonya Renee Taylor is a gift to humanity, and this book is a shining light for all young girls today. Written with such thoughtful, positive language, full of facts, yet entirely accessible and entertaining, this is the book I wish I had had at 8 years old. There is no agenda to this book, other than to inform girls entering or at the beginning of puberty what to actually expect as their bodies change, what's normal, what's cause for checking in with a trusted adult/doctor, how to stay safe from predators and body-shamers, and how to be proud of the body that they have because it is amazing, whatever it looks like. This book is both calming and empowering, and I cannot recommend it highly enough. My 8 year old and I read it out loud together and she was able to ask me questions right in the moment. Now that we've finished it, I told her she can always refer back to it if something comes up that she's not sure about, and that I'll always be here for her to ask if she needs more information or answers. It was absolutely appropriate for her at age 8, and I was so grateful for the ease with which this book allowed us to open up a line of communication about this topic. I'm not sure why you're still reading this review - just add it to your cart already!! :)

When I first set out to find a book for my daughter to learn about puberty and body stuff, I figured it would be pretty simple. I had seen that American Girl book in stores over the years and figured I would probably just get that. Then I read some excerpts and reviews and I was aghast. Then I realized that that wasn't the only one! My biggest issues with most of these books are about the focus on eating disorders and trying to be skinny, even if the point is ultimately to reassure girls that they don't need to do that. Um...my 11-year-old is very comfortable in her body and it has never occurred to her that she has to be (or remain) thin or anything else. I've worked hard to protect her from society's stupid messages about these expectations. Why would I hand her a book to stoke insecurities that don't even exist? Other books also approach relationships and safe sex conversations, which I also find astounding. It's fine if people are ready to have those conversations with their kids, but my daughter doesn't need that content yet, so I don't really want to hand it to her in a book about her changing body. Enter Sonya Renee Taylor. I love her for this book, which I just read in its entirety as a preview. She talks about bodies as powerful and amazing (instead of beautiful). She emphasizes that everything that happens during puberty is just right for each girl's body. She goes into just the right amount of detail and steers clear of sex, relationships, and eating disorders. It's the perfect balance and it's so empowering. I hope my daughter internalizes every message in this book, from loving her body at every stage to making her own choices about whether or not to shave or wear a bra. This book is what every pre-pubescent, pubescent, and maybe even post-pubescent female needs.