Talk More: Puberty

Three rows of books in organized by color in shades of red, yellow, and green

A review of our faves and (and least faves)

Books can be a great tool for parents and kids to read and process together. The books supply the words and details and trusted adults can be right there to answer questions and process feelings about what a kid is reading. (Also, hot tip: if you’re waiting until a kid is going through puberty to use a book as a resource, it can be a bit too late. Aim to start puberty conversations around age 7 or 8 so kids can anticipate and plan for puberty changes in their bodies.)

The good news is that there’s no shortage of books about puberty. The bad news is that there’s often lots of material to sort through when deciding which book is the right fit for your kid. So, Talk More has reviewed several below with important details to consider. Is there one missing from the list you’d like to get our thoughts on? If so, let us know here!

Faves:

Puberty is Gross But Also Really Awesome by Gina Loveless

At first the title of this book threw me off, but it might be our fave. It includes basic information about bodies, relationships, confidence, but it also includes chapters on changes that are often overlooked like sleep, sweat, and body hair removal and screen time. It’s divided into two sections - “body changes” and “the whole body approach.” We love that this book is incredibly inclusive of trans and nonbinary folks, talking about binders and tucking as it relates to managing changes related to anatomy. Many types of trusted adults are featured, and stories about puberty from around the world are included. It’s accessible, with helpful and fun illustrations.

Best For: 8 and up, all genders, would recommend starting to read this alongside your kiddo

We Need to Talk About Vaginas by Allison Rodgers and Neon Squid

Designed for vagina-owners, this book addresses many of the common curiosities about vaginas extensively. Beyond walking through anatomy, this book includes discussions on color of blood and what it could mean, addresses embarrassment, the importance of seeing gynecologists, and types of birth. There is inclusive of all body types, skin tones, and and provides opportunities to see illustrations of many types. There is a brief intro on birth control methods.

Best for: 10 and up, people with vaginas

Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Puberty - and Shouldn’t Be Googling by Morris Katz

Ok, we don’t love the title of this one, because Google can be a great resource if you know where you’re going, but we liked this book for boys. Written by a young man, he often shares some of his personal experiences. The illustrations are cartoons and have a graphic design feel. Many topics that are typically not addressed with males are included, such as mental health and toxic masculinity, nudes, and porn use. This book is less inclusive than others, as most language is heteronormative and ”preference” is used to describe attraction, although all sexual orientations and genders are included. With some conversation, you talk with your kid about how this is limiting.

Best for: 10 and up, likely boys who identify as straight

Celebrating Your Body and It’s Changes Too by Sonya Renee Taylor

Written by Sonya Renee Taylor, this book is straightforward, focused on facts, and includes and frames this experience as the “puberty train.” Like it’s title, this book is incredibly body positive, and addresses some shame and judgement that youth may feel around their bodies and how they “should” look. It’s incredibly detailed and focuses on body changes (compared to other concerns that arise during puberty such as relationships, consent, and social media use). The only drawback is that it’s text heavy with limited illustrations, which may feel daunting for readers who feel less confident.

Best for: 10 and up, girls (and people with vaginas)

Sex is a Funny Word by Cory Silverberg

We’re not sure if we’d technically called this a puberty book, but it’s for sure one that shouldn’t be skipped. It’s light on scientific details, and covers virtually no physical changes of puberty, but it does explore the nuance of many big ideas in ways that feel accessible. There’s a helpful description of our gender, and the cultural norms that often shape it, as well as exploring what crushes actually are. The author notes that this book is driven by exploring our feelings related to each topic or idea introduced in the book. One of our favorite elements is the constant questions for thought embedded throughout and we recommend reading with your child so you can talk through the questions together.

Best for: Age 8 and up, all genders

Least Faves:

The Care and Keeping of You (Younger Girls)

This book is popular, we hear about it often from families. In addition to physical puberty changes, it covers many body-focused topics such as eyes, teeth and braces, cold sores, and exposure to the sun. Nothing in this book is necessarily wrong, it just feels a bit outdated (for example, only listing pads and tampons as period products). And, there are some messages about what you “should” do that feel a bit gendered, for example, always having “well groomed hands”, and lingering messages that stem from diet culture such as eating “this” instead of “that.” With so many new, updated, and more inclusive books about puberty, this one seems “just okay.”

Guy Stuff: The Body Book for Boys

This book is produced by the same folks as the The Care and Keeping of You, American Girl. Although it covers a lot of body changes in great detail, it’s fairly heteronormative with no information or acknowledgement about gender and sexual orientation. We wouldn’t recommend.