This short but informative introduction to puberty is completely inclusive of all gender identities.
Part of the lauded A Kids Book About (AKBA) collection (one of Oprah’s Favorite Things 2020), which began with A Kids Book About Racism and now has books on subjects like belonging, feminism, gratitude, cancer, and other sometimes challenging topics. Like the rest of the AKBA collection, A Kids Book About Puberty has no pictures, instead employing bright colors and a variety of fonts to make the words themselves the visual part of the story. It is also designed to be read by a child and adult together, with room for discussion.
Author and pediatrician Heather Chow shares with young readers some of the changes they might experience in their bodies and minds as they move into and through puberty, including body hair, acne, growth spurts, and mood swings. She also discusses specific changes for “kids with a vagina” and “kids with a penis,” never gendering those changes. There’s nothing specific about trans or nonbinary kids here, but there’s nothing specific about cisgender kids, either. It’s all general information that could apply to anyone.
Chow focuses on assuring readers that these changes are normal (even things like uneven breast or testicle development), but also that everyone’s experience of puberty may be different. She encourages them to get to know their own bodies, because “Familiarizing yourself with how your body uniquely goes through puberty” can help them “recognize changes, ask questions, and get the support you need to feel awesome.”
An Outro for parents and caregivers offers suggestions for talking with young people about puberty.
While it talks about a phase of life that most kids experience in the tween years, it is rated by the publisher for children 5 to 9. The book doesn’t go into as much detail as some other books on puberty and bodies, but that’s fine. It’s a shorter work intended to be an introduction to the topic. With its affirming tone and reassurances, it does so splendidly. It would make a great first book on the subject for young readers, as well as a good read for those who have already delved deeper, but want a quick and uplifting reminder of the broad landscape.
(I am tagging the book as a picture book (which it really is) and as a middle grade title (so that those looking at the more common middle grade puberty books in this database will be able to find and compare it).)
