Books help address the topics most parents as well as children find awkward. We often get #kbcqueries on this topic. We’ve curated this list of helpful books related to puberty, recommended by fellow parents.
What’s the Big Secret (for 7 years+) is one of the most recommended fun book to introduce the PERIOD to boys (and girls!).
To quote Tanvi Jain:
When I read “What’s The Big Secret” by Sonali Shenoy and illustrated beautifully and yet so simply by Anushka Hardikar with my 8 year old son it was so easy to explain the concept of menstruation and periods. It touched upon the taboo we make it as a family by avoid talking about it to the males members of our family. The story is simple yet very explanatory. Illustrations make it look just like it’s happening right now. They are more than just pictures drawn on a paper. Thanks to the authors for making a subject like periods sound so simple and fun. If you are thinking about explaining the concept to your girls and boys, get this book and talk about the subject while reading the book. I promise it will be a breeze.
Menstrupedia: This is a highly recommended book to introduce tween girls (and boys aged 10+) to Menstruation in a non complicated way. The language is friendly and answers various questions young girls have that they may not want to ask their parents/teachers. Makes the perfect gift to tween girls. Moms of tween boys may find this really helpful to educate their boys as well.
Asha and Aarini have this book and highly recommend it.
For Girls:
Hair in Funny Places for 7-9 years (32 pages) – a fun book book that talks about puberty. Babette Cole is known for her brilliant artwork and this book is an example of it.
Just For Girls: It’s a tween-friendly, easy to understand book that explains what happens when you’re growing up. The fun language makes it an appealing read for tweens. It is not just about puberty, it explains (in an interesting way) how to take care of your skin (pimples are normal), what to eat (food groups), why exercise is important, emotions are hormones are a real thing – all in a non-cringy way. The illustrations explain everything better!
Asha and Aarini have this book and highly recommend it.
This book and JUST FOR BOYS can be ordered from the publishers Parragon Publishing sale directly from their website (this is the kbc affiliate link to order) – when you use KBC10 [or at times KBC20] coupon code you get an additional discount across their website. Always check with Asha on the coupon code as it varies during special offers!
But What’s Up With Me? Puberty, Periods, Pimples, People, Problems and More by Tisca Chopra for 8-13 years.
When Girls Grow Up: Puberty Book for Girls by Niyati Shah for 8+
Growing up for Girls – seems 10+
For Boys:
Gulu – The Essential Guide To Puberty For Boys (English) – this is from the makers of Menstrupedia and says for 8-14 years
Just For Boys – JUST FOR BOYS can also be ordered from the publishers Parragon Publishing sale directly from their website (this is the kbc affiliate link to order) – when you use KBC10 [or at times KBC20] coupon code you get an additional discount across their website. Always check with Asha on the coupon code as it varies during special offers!
When Boys Grow Up: Puberty Book for Boys by Niyati Shah for 9+
The Body Book For Boys for 10+
The Boys Body Book: Everything You Need to Know for Growing Up YOU! for 9-12 years
SEX EDUCATION related reads
For sex education books, we recommend the parent first read the book before giving it to the child.
Amazing You: Getting Smart about your Private Parts by Gail Saltz and Lynne Avril Cravath (for 3-7 years and older depending on the child’s maturity) – 32 pages. Amardeep has kindly shared a detailed review of this must have book for every child (again, the parent can first read and decide when to introduce this book) in our curated post on private parts, consent, boundaries, good touch, bad touch etc.
“Awareness about body parts, including private parts is probably the first step towards being safe. Using the correct anatomical names for body parts can help a child view body parts as what they are – body parts, instead of associating them with a mystery similar to that which must not be named! This book helps a child know all private parts (boys and girls) in great detail.
Many parents, myself included, hesitate when it comes to discussing private parts. I’ve found that having a book that lays it out in front of me, in an age appropriate way, helps.
The book has illustrations of the male (and female) genitalia that satisfied the curiosity of my 4 year, without making me uncomfortable. It is also the only book that has illustrations showing how private parts progress as you grow, and so it explains why the girl children do not have breasts but mummies (being grown up) do have them.
The book is also the simplest introduction to where do babies come from, and so it is the only early sex education book you will ever need.”
Lift-the-Flap First Questions and Answers Where do babies come from? (Lift-the-Flap First Questions & Answers) for 4-6 years or even earlier when the question pops up! Priyanka highly recommends this book to answer all the q’s on the topic! She has shared inside pages here in the kbc fb group. Excerpt from her review:
What’s interesting is, this book talks about all babies- babies of animals, birds, insects, humans.. It answers questions to how babies are made, to when they are born, what they need, how they grow up and what a baby will look like in their adult hood, all spanning through different species. Nirvana now jumps with excitement when she says- look Amma, a baby turtle comes out of an egg and not from the tummy, OR a baby polar bear comes out of its mommy’s tummy. But wait, a baby butterfly?? Err . Amma, its a caterpillar that turns into a butterfly, so caterpillar IS a baby butterfly!
Where Do Babies Come From (for 5-7 years) – 24 pages This book can also be ordered from the publishers Parragon Publishing sale directly from their website (this is the kbc affiliate link to order) – when you use KBC10 [or at times KBC20] coupon code you get an additional discount across their website. Always check with Asha on the coupon code as it varies during special offers!
Mommy, Where Do Babies Come From? – 26 pages
Sex Education: How I Got My Belly Button (for 9-12 years)
The Little Book of Growing Up for 9+
Sex is a Funny Word: A Book about Bodies, Feelings, and YOU – it says 7-10 years but parents should check out first.
The Yellow Book: A Parent’s Guide to Sexuality Education
Sex, puberty and all that stuff (parents please check this out first – might be for 15+ in India)
[Note from Team Kids Book Café: For your convenience, affiliate links (MARKED IN PINK) to some of the book titles & images have been added to enable you to buy the books from AMAZON, should you wish to! A very small amount of money comes to kidsbookcafe.com when you purchase a book via the amazon affiliate link provided (at absolutely no extra cost to you!). Do let us know if you need information about other children’s books by writing to asha@kidsbookcafe.com.]
