Image: MomJunction Design Team
If your child is going through or approaching puberty, we have compiled a list of the best puberty books for girls to help you choose the right one. Puberty can be a challenging time for children and parents. With hormonal shifts and other changes, your daughter might have difficulty dealing with it. They are perplexed by the abrupt changes that puberty brings, whether physical, mental, or emotional.
To make your child feel secure and enthusiastic about this stage, she needs the correct information. As a parent, you must provide a secure environment for your child to feel safe approaching you with her questions about puberty. And a suitable place for you to start would be selecting the right books on the topic.
Elisabeth Daly, a book blogger and English teacher, says, “Age-appropriate books about puberty can help young girls feel more confident and less alone. This is a confusing and difficult time in a girl’s life, but knowing what to expect can help them feel supported.”
Our list of well-researched books on puberty cover everything from periods to romance and relationships to guide your teen. Keep scrolling to check out the book list and take your pick from these expert-approved books.
Top Picks
11 Best Puberty Books For Girls
1. Best Guide To Menstruation: Celebrate Your Body (And Its Changes, Too!)
Written by Sonya Renee Taylor, this is one of the best puberty books for girls and parents, preparing for this milestone. Recommended for girls above 8 years, this book on puberty is all about celebrating one’s body. From the what, when, and whys of menstruation to coping with intense feelings and standing up to peer pressure, this body positivity book offers guidance to girls when they need it the most. It gives young girls an assurance that their body is perfect the way it is no matter the physical changes they go through. This book is loved by many, evident from the fact that it has over 15,000 reviews on Amazon.
2. Best For Preteen Girls: The Period Book: A Girl’s Guide To Growing Up
This new revised edition of the best-selling book, The Period Book, covers everything that young girls need to know about puberty, menstruation, and the body changes that they undergo during this developmental phase. Taking into account the experiences of pre-teen girls, author Karen Gravelle takes a straightforward and friendly approach and provides answers to all the questions about periods and also advises girls on how to talk to their parents about it. She also talks about dealing with mood swings, handling social situations, and shares information about bra size, pimples, and shaving. Over 3,000 users have left ratings and reviews about this book on Amazon.
Quick fact3. Best Lighthearted: Growing Up: It’s A Girl Thing
This book, meant for girls aged 8 to 11, allows them to learn about puberty and how to cope with it. Young girls can read this book on puberty for a lighthearted guide on periods – what to expect the first time you get it and how to prepare for it, all while also providing details about the pros and cons of pads and tampons. Author Mavis Jukes also gives detailed information about topics like body hair, shaving, buying bras, and body odor. It features informative illustrations for better understanding.
4. Best Confidence Booster: The Girls’ Guide To Growing Up
What is puberty? What do I do when I get my first period? What is happening to my body? A preteen girl’s mind is full of such questions. But if she is shy to talk to you about it, then we suggest you give her this book, The Girls’ Guide To Growing Up, written by Anita Naik. This practical book answers all questions on puberty, periods, breast development, pubic hair growth, personal hygiene, healthy eating, sex education, and self-esteem. All while assuring young readers (for 9 to 11 year olds) that it is normal for your body to experience changes, making it a comprehensive puberty guide. It further helps boost their confidence. It has more than 3,000 reviews on Amazon, and most reviewers have mentioned its easy understandability.
Trivia5. Best Empowering: Hello Flo: The Guide, Period.
As co-authored by Naama Bloom, the founder of HelloFlo (a health site for girls and women), and journalist Glynnis MacNicol, this book is the ultimate puberty guide to learn about everything puberty brings. Period. From a girl’s changing body to teaching them to make the right choices for themselves and their bodies, this book strives to make young girls feel confident and empowered. An excellent read for kids aged 10 to 13 years, this is one of the best books on puberty for both girls and boys. It also features helpful illustrations and real-life testimonials by girls and women.
6. Best Easy-To-Understand: Celebrate Your Body 2
Help your daughter navigate through the whole puberty phase with confidence with the help of Celebrate Your Body 2, co-authored by Dr. Carrie Leff and Dr. Lisa Klein. In this guide book, the writers use their expertise to provide answers to all sorts of questions about period care, changing body, self-esteem, and emotional changes in a fun, honest, and easy-to-understand manner. This book is all about body positivity and is a helpful reference for tween and teen girls to get relevant advice about body changes.
Point to consider7. Best For Kids And Parents: Puberty, Periods And All That Stuff! Girls Only!
Before the onset of puberty, young girls have a lot of questions about periods, menstrual cycle, and their soon-to-be-changing bodies. Aimed at girls 7 and above, this puberty book, co-written by Katrina Kahler and Kaz Campbell, not only talks about physical changes and periods. It also deals with topics such as mood swings and feelings, peer pressure, and bullies, making it a trusted choice. It is an essential read for parents as well since it covers relevant issues pertaining to growing up.
8. Best Advice: Puberty In Girls: Everything Girls Need To Know For Puberty Survival
There is no ideal age when puberty begins. Each body is different, and each girl experiences puberty differently. Puberty In Girls talks about how a girl’s body goes through several changes during the pubescent period, both physically and psychologically. Written by Anna Gracey, this book is filled with advice, facts, and real-life experiences of the author. It also educates young readers about reproductive health, boys, emotional well-being, and bodily growth.
9. Best For Body Positivity: My Body’s Superpower
A first-of-its-kind book, My Body’s Superpower, aims to inculcate the thought of body positivity among young girls by using an innovative yet relevant superpower theme. Written by Maryann Jacobsen, this confident girl guide covers key factors of adolescence in the form of 9 superpowers, namely puberty, nutritional needs, emotional health, sleep, physical activity, intuitive/mindful eating, motivation, media literacy, and body image. Loved by many reviewers, it is informative and thoughtfully written and offers tips on how to get through this phase confidently while also providing positive messages throughout the book.
10. Best Illustrations And Quotes: Puberty Girl
Puberty brings both physical and emotional changes, and Puberty Girl explains them all in a fun and sassy manner. Authored by Shushann Movsessian, this best-selling book deals with topics such as menstruation, dealing with acne, emotional challenges, and eating disorders. With informative illustrations and quotes from girls going through puberty, it portrays developing bodies in a positive light. Recommended for girls aged 9 years and above, this is the ultimate puberty book that would help your daughter find support and answers during this challenging phase.
11. Best Functional: Girls It’s Time For A Change
An excellent book on puberty, the Girls It’s Time For A Change prepares young girls for the challenges that puberty brings while also providing tips on choosing a sanitary product, personal hygiene, and advising them about what to wear and whom to talk to. Written by Joan Patsy Reid, this book is full of colorful diagrams and illustrations that help girls understand the physical transformations in a better way. This book also includes a period planning calendar and a diary that might help your daughter keep track of her feelings all through the month.
Puberty is a sensitive subject, and many books provide accurate information about changing bodies. Here are a few factors to consider when you are buying a puberty book for your daughter.
How To Choose A Puberty Book For Girls?
1. Age-appropriateness:
The content of the book should be age-appropriate. Most of these books are recommended for girls above 7 years, considering the fact that some girls attain puberty as early as 8 years of age. So, as parents, you know your child better. Choose a book that is suitable for her age group. And always ensure that you read the book first and then hand it over to your child so that you are sure that the content is appropriate for her age. You can also opt for parent-recommended options to ensure the books are appropriate for your child.
2. Readability:
The target audience for these puberty books is girls between 8 to 14 years old. The book should include accurate information and provide honest answers while making sure that the tone and language are not too heavy for young girls. It should be easy to read and understand, especially if your child is reading the book by themselves
3. Illustrations or pictures:
Do not underestimate the importance of images, especially when it comes to children’s books. Children love books that feature colorful illustrations and images. It helps them understand what they are reading in a better way.
4. All about puberty:
Puberty books should cover all the topics ranging from menstruation and understanding the biological changes to tips on choosing sanitary products. It should also highlight aspects like body hair, pimples, breast development, reproduction, personal hygiene, mental health, eating habits, personal care, and emotional changes, while also focusing on empowerment and spreading body positivity.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How should I approach my daughter when presenting her with a book such as this one?
Since puberty is a sensitive subject, it should be addressed carefully, mainly because your daughter might feel embarrassed to approach you. It’s important to have an open and honest dialogue with her even before she begins puberty. Tell her that after a certain age, her body will experience specific unavoidable changes and that it is entirely normal for that to happen. Explain to her that if she is too shy to talk to you, she can find answers to all her questions in books that deal with puberty. Knowing what to expect can put them at ease. Also, assure them that you are going to be there for them whenever they are ready to talk to you.
2. Are these books overwhelming if girls read them on their own?
Some of these books could be overwhelming. If your child doesn’t know anything about puberty or periods, you should glance through the book before you share it with her. You could also sit with her while she is reading it – that way, you can immediately clear all the doubts that may arise.
Why Trust MomJunction?
Wedetso Chirhah specializes in reviewing kid’s books. Using his research skills, he curates refined product lists that help his readers make the best choices. Here, he brings you a list of the best puberty books for girls that he has handpicked after an in-depth examination of numerous user and subject expert reviews. With a detailed description of each book, he has also included a buying guide and FAQ section to help you choose the right puberty book for your child.
The Bottom Line
The best puberty books can greatly help girls know about the various biological and emotional changes associated with puberty. Choosing a book that is easy to read and conveys accurate information is crucial. Our top recommendations are Celebrate Your Body (And Its Changes, Too!) which focuses on body positivity and how to deal with peer pressure, The Period Book: A Girl’s Guide To Growing Up, which helps understand body changes, menstruation, and puberty, and Growing Up: It’s A Girl Thing that delves into tampons and pads, while addressing puberty and periods. In addition, books with pictures can keep your daughter engaged, as children aged eight to 14 years might be able to understand concepts better with the help of pictures and illustrations. So, choose a book that covers all the areas of changes during puberty, making the transition a lot easier for your girl.
Infographic: How To Help Your Daughter Through Puberty?
Bringing up pubescent daughters involves guiding them through adolescence’s physical and emotional changes with care and understanding. Parents can help their daughters navigate this transformative phase of life with confidence and resilience by fostering open communication, providing support, and facilitating a healthy lifestyle. Refer to the infographic below to learn how to support your adolescent girl effectively.
Illustration: Momjunction Design Team
Recommended Articles:
