I'd like to find a good book for a 7 year-old girl on human bodies (or female bodies) with appropriate pictures but not too much detail (not nicknamed parts but not too much medical terminology either). Any suggestions?
I looked at the American Girl book that many suggested, but decided it wasn't the appropriate age or focus for me. I probably didn't explain it well enough, but I specifically wanted a book on gender and sexuality for a 7yo. I did find two that worked well together. Amazing You: Getting Smart about Your Private Parts (2005) by Dr. Gail Saltz is called a First Guide to Body Awareness for Preschoolers. In book reviews, reviewers said it was appropriate for ages 4-8. And it was. Friendly, easy, good pictures. (My daughter is a good reader, so when she read the book on her own, she also read the note to parents and author's note but didn't comment.) What's the Big Secret?: Talking about Sex with Boys and Girls (1997) is by wife-and-husband team Laurie Krasny Brown and Marc Brown (author of the Arthur series). Despite the title, there are only a few lines about sexual intercourse. This book the reviewers said is appropriate for ages 4-8 or preschool through third grade. Again, friendly, easy, good pictures. Both books talked about private parts, privacy, and appropriate touching. My daughter liked both books and we read them over and over again. She drew pictures and wrote about what she learned in her journal. The material was appropriate for her age and didn't talk too explicitly about sexual intercourse and never mentioned menstruation, which would be more than what she could handle at this point in time. All in all, good books.
lol I was going to respond - but all the responses are alike - that's the book I was going to suggest! Good luck!!! J.
American Girl makes a book called, "The Care and Keeping of YOU" and its a really appropriate book that will grow with her. Topics include everything from changing bodies, to exercise, hygiene, hair care, eating well, self image, body types...how to care for their wonderful bodies. There is info in there about periods that may not be needed at her age, but it is a good intro to the subject. No fancy words, nothing confusing, lots of great American Girl cartoon-like drawings, simple and good to read with a parent of by themselves. My daughter and I really enjoyed it and the discussions that were introduced because of it. I highly recommend it.
My niece used the American Girl doll book. I forget the name of it but it's all about bodies and how to take care of yourself. It is a great book. I know that the bigger book stores carry it, and I think I've also seen it at Target.
Good luck.
Hi R. -
American Girl puts out a book called "The Care and Keeping of You - The Body Book for Girls". It is an excellent book in my opinion. My daughter and I went through it when she was about 8. In the section about periods, she would make a comment from time to time, like "oh gross' or "yuck" but she fully understood what was going to happen. The book is divided into many sections so you can pick and choose and go at your own pace.
Good Luck!
American Girl's Care and Keeping of You.. there will be pages you will not want her to read just yet, so read it to her. You can find it at any book store..
There is a book called "It's Perfectly Normal" which is an educatioanl cartoon book on healthy sexuality. you may want to copy only the pages that relate to her body now and use the rest later (12-14). My mom used mom and daughter booklets that came with a huge sample pack from Tambrands (they make Tampax). Or ask a librarian.
my 6 yr old boy had been asking about the difference between boys & girls - we got a book from the library called human body I think it was by Steve Parker, it showed everything from skelatal structure, organs and nervous system to the drawings of bodies of both men & women. I felt it was a good book for us to go thru together and helped him understand a little better why boys and girls are different. His favorite part of the book was the part that showed the stages of a baby growing in the mommy. Not sure if this is was you were looking for but hope it helps.
I bought my girls the American Girls Doll maker book, "The Care and Keeping of You..The Body Book for Girls" and they both really liked it. I bought it when they were eight years old. I thought it was pretty informative. They also have other books about manners and feelings and middle school too.
Ask the children's room librarian at your local library. Just be sure to review the book before you give it to her. American Girl has some good books for kids who are a bit older (I think), but you may think they are appropriate so check them out. Good luck!
