American Girl Introduces New Body Book for Older Girls, and Revises Bestelling Book (Review)

Do you own the ever popular health and hygiene book especially for girls put out by American Girl, "The Care and Keeping of You:  The Body Book for Girls?"  "The Care & Keeping of You: The Body Book for Girls by Valorie Lee Schaefer,  has sold more than three million copies since it was originally released in 1998."  I picked this book up last year to give to my 10 year old niece, who was starting to notice changes to her body as she goes through puberty.  After reading rave reviews about this book and how it has helped parents talk to their daughters about the changes they are noticing and what to expect, in an easy to understand way, I knew this would be the right book for my niece who started asking questions about bras, periods, etc. of her mother and I.  Both my sister-in-law and I read this book prior to sharing it with my niece, and both loved how well-written it was.  So, when I read a press release in early Jan. about a new addition to this popular body book series, I couldn't wait to receive a review copy and share with my niece, who just got her first bra over the holidays.  Beginning February 26th, American Girl will release "The Care and Keeping of You: The Body Book for Older Girls 2," geared towards girls 10 and up, as well as revised version of this best seller, titled, "The Care and Keeping of You: The Body Book for Younger Girls 1".  Book 2 picks up where the original top-selling book left off, while the revised book of the original best seller will be toned down a bit, and appeal to girls 8-10 yrs. of age. “Younger and younger girls are becoming attuned to what is happening to their bodies,” Natterson says, explaining that the revised Care & Keeping was “aged down” by taking out 20% of the information included in the original edition and shifting it to Care & Keeping 2, for older readers."

Upon receiving a sample copy of Book 2 for review, I was delighted to see how this book included ways for young girls to talk to their parents and pediatricians about things they are going through and worries about growing up.  I remember growing up in a house with two older brothers, I would feel awkward asking about bras, tampons, etc. of my mother, as they always seemed to be around.  And, when the time came to provide answers to my questions, I was given a book my mother had received from her mom about puberty and becoming (which I have to say was outdated).  It wasn't until my public health classes in schools broke the girls and boys up and discussed changes with us through educational handouts and movies, that I began to feel comfortable asking questions, as other friends were feeling the same way as me and had the same questions.  I always thought to myself that when I got older and had children or nieces, that I would try to have better communication with them when it came time to talk about self-image, puberty and other concerns a young girl experiences as she journeys into womanhood.  So, having found the original book from American Girl, "The Care and Keeping of You: The Body Book for Younger Girls 1," I knew that this was just what I was looking for, and it was. 

I have since passed along this book to my niece who read it in one day.  She especially loved the tools included in the book to help young girls like herself to deal with her emotions and mood swings, and how to be confident about her body as it goes through all these changes.  I even overheard her the other day telling her best friend about the book and how it has made talking to her mom about these sorts of things so much easier.  :-)

So, if you have a daughter or granddaughter, ages 10+, who has started developing or asking questions about puberty, then this book is for.  It truly is an excellent resource for young girls to help them understand their body and the changes they will go through as they get older.  And, young girls between ages 8-10, will love the revised original bestseller that will help answer questions they have wanted to ask or have answered.

---BUY NOW---

You can pre-order "The Care and Keeping of You: The Body Book for Older Girls 2" from Amazon for only $9.35, which will release on Feb. 26th.

In addition, "The Care and Keeping of You: The Body for Younger Girls 1" (revised edition) is also available for pre-order from Amazon for only $9.35.

Disclosure: I was sent a sample from the vendor in order to write up an honest review.  The views above are mine and mine alone.