Books about growing up, puberty and body image
Changing bodies, periods, puberty and the pressure to look a certain way. These books give tweens straight answers and a healthy relationship with their bodies, and give parents a way into the conversation.
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Wild Child
by Paro Anand
Ages 10–14Indian author
A city child is sent to spend summer in the forest — and discovers that wild things, including himself, need space to be free. A gripping adventure novel about children, nature, and growing up. Widely stocked by indie bookstores.
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Menstrupedia Comic: The Friendly Guide to Periods for Girls
by Aditi Gupta, Tuhin Paul & Rajat Mittal
Ages 9–14Indian author
A friendly Indian comic in which a doctor 'didi' explains periods, puberty and hygiene to three girls — clear, unembarrassed and myth-busting. Used in thousands of schools.
Heads-up: Puberty & sexuality
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Gulu: The Essential Guide to Puberty for Boys
by Aditi Gupta & Tuhin Paul
Ages 9–14Indian author
The Menstrupedia team's comic guide for boys: body changes, feelings, hygiene — and understanding periods so boys grow up respectful and informed.
Heads-up: Puberty & sexuality
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What's Up with Me? Puberty, Periods, Pimples, People, Problems and More
by Tisca Chopra
Ages 10–14Indian author
Actor Tisca Chopra answers the questions Indian tweens are too shy to ask — bodies, periods, skin, crushes, friendships and feelings — in a warm, funny voice.
Heads-up: Puberty & sexuality
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Is It the Same for You?
by Neha Singh (illus. Priya Sebastian)
Ages 12–16Indian author
As violence and death fill the adult world around her in Kashmir, a young girl quietly faces her first period and a changing body, and wonders whether girls elsewhere feel the same. A tender, illustrated portrait of growing up amid conflict.
Heads-up: Terrorism & militancy, Death & grief
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A Suitcase for Surta
by Riddhi Shah (illus. Shruti Hemani)
Ages 6–9Indian author
Life during the pandemic is hard for young Surta, and her hopes seem to be fading, until her father's suitcase arrives with the chance of change. A story about empathy, growing up and the strength of family.
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Petu Pumpkin: Tooth Troubles
Ages 6–9Indian author
The Gap Club has challenged the Fourth Standard to a football match, but they can't practise without a ball, and the ball depends on Petu's wobbly tooth falling out in time. A funny chapter book about friendship, teamwork and losing your first teeth. hOle Books series.
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Peter's Chair
Ages 3–5
Peter's old baby things are being painted pink for his new sister, and he decides to run away with his chair. A classic about adjusting to a new baby.
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Whistle for Willie
Ages 3–5
Peter wishes he could whistle for his dog Willie, and keeps trying until he can. A classic about patience and practice.
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Lovely
by Jess Hong
Ages 3–6
Big, small, curly, straight, loud, quiet: lovely comes in every shape and size. A bold celebration of how different people look.
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The Cheat Book
by Ramzee
Ages 8–9
Will the Cheat Book really teach Kamal how to be cool? A funny, highly illustrated story about a boy facing many typical school issues.
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Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl
by Anne Frank
Ages 11–15
The real wartime diary of a Jewish teenager hiding from the Nazis in a secret annex in Amsterdam — funny, hopeful, and devastating, and one of the most important books of the twentieth century.
Heads-up: Holocaust & genocide, War & battle violence, Puberty & sexuality
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The Care and Keeping of You: The Body Book for Younger Girls
by Valorie Schaefer
Ages 8–12
The bestselling illustrated guide to growing up for girls, from hair and skin care to first periods, updated with input from a paediatrician.
Heads-up: Puberty & sexuality
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The Care and Keeping of You 2: The Body Book for Older Girls
Ages 10–14✈️ Import only (pricey)
The follow-up for older girls: periods in detail, bras, body changes and emotions, by a paediatrician.
Heads-up: Puberty & sexuality
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Celebrate Your Body (and Its Changes, Too!)
by Sonya Renee Taylor
Ages 8–12✈️ Import only (pricey)
A body-positive puberty guide for girls that pairs the facts about changes with lessons on self-love and body acceptance.
Heads-up: Puberty & sexuality
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Guy Stuff: The Body Book for Boys
Ages 8–12✈️ Import only (pricey)
A paediatrician's straightforward guide for boys to the changes of puberty, hygiene and feelings.
Heads-up: Puberty & sexuality
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Welcome to Your Period
by Yumi Stynes & Dr Melissa Kang
Ages 9–13
A funny, frank and reassuring guide to first periods, pads, cramps and feelings, with real questions from young people.
Heads-up: Puberty & sexuality
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The Story of My Life
by Helen Keller
Ages 10–14
Helen Keller's own account of growing up deaf and blind, and of the teacher, Anne Sullivan, who opened the world of language to her.
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When Daddy Was a Little Boy
by Alexander Raskin
Ages 6–10
A dad tells his little daughter Sasha true, funny stories from his own childhood: how he tamed a dog, bit the professor, was always late, failed to learn German and was teased at school. A gentle classic about mistakes, feelings and growing up.
