Growing up: It's a Girl Thing: It's a Girl Thing by Mavis Jukes, Debbie Tilley (Illustrator)

From the Publisher

The bestselling "It's a Girl Thing" has a new little sister that's just right for younger girls curious about what puberty will bring. Illustrations.

Children's Literature

Girls in their pre-teens will find this book to be right on track with their health concerns and feelings as they enter into the complexities of puberty. Author Jukes discusses tampons, shaving, body changes, and everything in between. Packed with wisdom and humor, this book is sure to be a hit for a generation surrounded with myths about the process of growing up. It answers honestly all those questions you're too embarrassed to ask, while offering reassurance that what is happening is a normal part of growing up. Jukes also offers an encouraging hand to parents and teachers, who have no idea of how to discuss these very sensitive and personal issues with the adolescent girls in their lives. This may be the only book you'll ever need to cope with this turbulent stage of life.

School Library Journal

Gr 4-8-A slimmed-down version of Jukes's It's a Girl Thing (Knopf, 1996) that explores puberty firsts such as bras and periods. The author imparts the essential information vital to a young woman's early development. Speaking with the sensitivity of an older, trusted sister, Jukes assures readers that the changes, or lack of, in their bodies are perfectly normal. She covers body hair and shaving, perspiration and deodorant, and how to buy your first bra. The second half of the book is devoted to what to expect and how to plan for your first period. Jukes details the pros and cons of pads and tampons and gives practical, safe advice for alleviating cramps. Sexual intercourse is defined as an activity for adults and used to describe the reproductive organs. Sexual activity in teenagers and birth control are not covered. The narration has an easy, comfortable voice and imparts accurate and important information while assuring readers that they can still be children even though they've entered puberty.-Katie O'Dell Madison, Multnomah County Library, Portland, OR

Kirkus Reviews

This informative and direct book for pre-pubescent girls discusses everything they'll want to know aboutþperiods, bras, tampons, breasts, cramps, etc.þin an age-appropriate manner. Jukes (It's a Girl Thing, 1997, not reviewed) gives the full scoop to girls on what to expect when their bodies begin changing. Her engaging style tells girls that "just because something's private doesn't mean it's secret. It's reassuring to talk and think and read about things to do with growing up." The information is candid and comforting, with an early description of her mother's matter-of-fact approach to menstruation and sponge bathing setting the tone. Readers learn about puberty, shopping for a bra, how to send a father out to buy sanitary pads, and a host of topics to help them navigate the awkward pre-teen years. Jukes's common sense extends to many aspects of girls' health, reminding them to take good care of their bodies, eat well, and relaxþthere is plenty of time to think and learn about growing up. (b&w illustrations, index, not seen) (Nonfiction. 9-12)

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