Sexuality education is a big topic but it should include talking about puberty. Every child and family are different and so should the books that your child reads about puberty education. Here are some questions to think about before you choose a book. What do you think they would like to read, what is their comprehension ability and reading level? From toddler books to teenage books there are many that do a lot of talking about the p-word, puberty.
What is happening to their bodies and their peers and what is going on for them at school or friendship groups? No book is perfect and some don’t always give you completely accurate information or some will include more information than you wanted. For example, some puberty books include teaching about where babies come from. Do you want to read the book with them or are they older and would prefer a chapter book which they can read independently? What are your faith or personal beliefs because there are also books that are about Christian puberty education on my website.
Here are 10 books in order of recommended reading levels that are all about talking about puberty.
- ‘Special Boys Business’ by Heather Anderson Fay Angelo and Rose Stewart is a picture puberty book for boys with special needs. There is also a girl’s puberty version.
- ‘Hair in Funny Places’ 6-8 years, by Babette Cole is a funny picture book all about puberty education.
- ‘Changing You’ 6-8 years by Dr Gail Saltz is all about talking about puberty for boys and girls, reproduction, and sexuality education.
- ‘Ready, Set, Grow’ 7-10 years by Lynda Madaras is a what’s happening to my body book. There is also a puberty book for boys.
- ‘So that’s what’s happening’ 8-12 years by Gina Dawson who has written many other books but this one is about puberty.
- ‘Girl Stuff’ 8-12 years by Kaz Cooke who also has a book for teenagers called ‘Girl Stuff 13+’
- ‘Puberty and Growing Up’ 9-11 years is an infographic book in the ‘healthy for life book series’. There are six other titles in the series.
- ‘Puberty and Growing Up’ 9-12 years by John Wood. This series is about healthy ways for children to understand puberty.
- ‘Will Puberty last my whole life?’ 11-13 years by Dr. Robert Lehman and Julie Metzger has questions asked by girls in one half of the book, and questions asked by boys on the other side and is so much more than talking about puberty. Young teenagers will also enjoy this book.
- ‘Puberty Boy 12 +’ by Geoff Price is fun and factual. There is also a puberty for girls version. These books can also be a young teenagers book.
So, get to it and happy reading. There are so many wonderful books that are all about talking about puberty!
