The Care and Keeping of You 2 (American Girl® Wellbeing)

This book is ideal for that age group where they need to know about periods and their changing bodies but discussing details about sex and other adult topics would be inappropriate. This book does not handle the topic of sex. This book is specific to the changes of puberty in regards to friendships and hygiene. I wanted to write a review because some reviews stated that this book is graphic and made the adult writing the reviews uncomfortable. I want to be clear that this book does not contain anything sexual or something that is not appropriate for a child 10-12 years old. The illustrations in the book regarding breasts and genitals are a VERY basic cartoon illustration to show anatomical parts, how to insert a tampon, and perform a breast exam. It uses no sexual words and only scientific terms. I think it’s worth noting that any child who reads this book and sees the diagram can just as easily look in a mirror and see the same parts. I find it highly suspect and strange that a parent would give this instructional book a negative review or be uncomfortable with their child seeing a diagram of their own body parts. Throughout the book there are tips and advice on hygiene, maintaining friendships, having mature conversations with parents, staying healthy, not giving in peer pressure, and doing well in school in spite of the trials of puberty. Throughout the book it encourages the reader to get guidance from trusted adults if they are confused or worried about something they don’t understand. One important section of the book is about pressure from friends during visits and sleepovers to do things they aren’t allowed to do at home or things that are not age appropriate and it gives wonderful advice on what to do in these situations. This book is a valuable resource for growing children and I recommend purchasing prior to puberty, especially if you already have the first Care and Keeping of You. This book is similar, it’s just more informative to a slightly older age group. After this book I highly recommend The Period Book and the other American Girl books about self care and mental health. At this age kids are very sensitive and dealing with friendships and peer pressure and those books give very wise advice.

I have purchased most all of these books by American Girl. They are very helpful with appropriate depth of information. I purchased the version 2 for my 10.5yo. She liked the first book. The language in these books is nuetral, which I appreciate. Ex- dark leg hair is normal. Everyone has leg hair and some people's is darker than others. Talk with your trusted adult or parent about when is the right time to remove it. -- Nuetral language that consistently instructs the girl to talk with her parent. It doesn't classify the changes happening as good or bad, but rather as a normal part of growing up.

We had bought the first in this series "The Care & Keeping of You" when our daughter was about 7years old. That may seem early but they have questions all the time like "When can I start wearing a bra?" I found that I wanted to explain things the anatomically correct way to our daughter in regards to her body but found that she seemed somewhat confused after our discussions. These books are a wonderful resource based in fact and explains the "gray" area of the "black & white" in regards to our bodies and self esteem. For example showing basic age appropriate drawings of the beginning stages of breast development while also letting girls know that every BODY is different and that any of these stages can begin at any point in maturity. There is no "certain stage" you should be at according to your age. A wonderful conversation starter for any parent that feels timid bringing up the "facts of your body". That being said I would also like to say that these books do not explain intercourse or "how to make a baby". We bought this second edition "The Care & Keeping of You 2" for our daughter's 10th birthday. I would consider my daughter a somewhat mature for her age 10 year old in regards to her mind, not body. While looking thru it before giving it to her I felt that some of the content may be a little more advanced for her age than I was comfortable with (like how to insert a tampon) it was realistically all content that she had thought about at some point. That is where it is a wonderful resource and conversation starter. She was able to come to me and ask about starting her period-which hasn't happened yet. She knew of girls at school that had and she had questions about it. This is also where I let her know that while the book covers something like tampon insertion I didn't want her using them when she does first start her period. I would also like to reiterate that this book is wonderful for young girls' developing self esteem. It really lets them know that everyone is different at all the stages of maturity. I couldn't be happier that we purchased these books. I hope that some day I can find something similar when my boys are older.

This is a great addition to the material covered in the #1 book. I got the #1 book for by daughter to help prepare her for what was coming. I ordered this one the day she got her first period. Having already read the first book (and talked about it) she knew what it was when it happened and knew she could talk to me about it. Just like the first book, I read the book myself first (it's a quick read, probably took me less than an hour). I really appreciate the anatomical/medical names being used for parts of the body and a good list of words and definitions in the back. There are some pictures that are cartoony but appropriate in my opinion for an 11 year old. They do a good job covering how puberty affects girls as a whole, not just getting their period. The book cover social and emotional changes as well. I really appreciate how the book consistently refers young girls to talk to their parents if they have questions or concerns. I've liked having both these books to supplement what my daughter and I have talked about as it relates to puberty. I highly recommend them.

Covers all the awkward conversations preteens may not want to have with parentals

Loved that the book helps prepare girls for knowing about the changes in their body and how to care for themselves. Bought this as a gift for my nieces and a friend's daughter. The girls loved it as did their moms. I wish I had a resource like this when I was going through the preteen years bc no one prepared me for my period or taught me how to care for my body. I had to learn on my own and honestly until miscarrying my first child didn't know about my own anatomy or how it worked. So thankful to have a great resource for my daughter when she reaches those milestones in the preteens.

I got this for my niece for her 12th birthday. I haven't given it to her yet , but I looked through it and it's perfect.

Good.