Growing Up

by Susan Meredith (Editor)

Book by

Genres: Childrens

48 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1985

About the author

Susan Meredith grew up in Yorkshire, and when she wasn't playing out or dancing, she was busy reading or making little books of her own, mainly about ballet. She's now written more than 20 real books for Usborne, on subjects ranging from saving the planet to playing football, from world religions to the human body. Her book Growing Up won the Times Educational Supplement's senior information book of the year award but her own personal favourite has to be Hamsters.

Reviews

[Sophie Crane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very grown up lots of details but worth the money we enjoy reading together.

[Detre · Rating 5 out of 5]

Comprehensive, progressive, educative and effective summary material.
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The book naturally lacks - due to its (refreshed from 1985 to) 2004 age - from new contraceptive methodes (e. g. Vasectomy) and defensive care against STDs and STIs (for example: PrEP).
The book is more oriented towards the puberty and the bodily changes of the woman body, but if we ask the question: what could they write more about the natural growing, puberty of the boys?
I mention the book being progressive and in my opinion it means it is not shaming anything.
The book advices something but directs the reader to not do it to please others or do it because of external influence (media, other people's opinion. This could be 1) shaving, 2) sexual habitat, 3) shapes and sizes (exclusively for the vulva and the penis, meaning they come in all sizes and shapes and colors, therefore there's no reason to compare yourself to other people and other people's genital) - which was so heart-warming and cheering!

[Max Fisher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant. I'll be holding on to my copy.

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Got this at the library for my 10.5-year old so she can be aware of changes that will be happening any time now. The book is updated (2004)from the 1985 version listed here on goodreads. The book is very straightforward and comprehensive. It includes male/female changes due to puberty and I like that it included health topics: importance of taking showers, eating well, avoiding drugs, smoking, alcohol, etc. I did tape several pages together that talked about contraceptives, etc. that she won't need to know about for some time and told her she could read them, but not now so as not to be more than she needs to know. I was there for Q&A once she was done with the book and reiterated that we are always willing to answer her questions. Very good choice of books to help explain changes that will occur during puberty. I think it was a less embarrassing way of approaching certain topics than just talking to mom & dad and probably quite a bit more comprehensive than we would've been. The book does seem more geared toward girls but we did let her read the pages about the changes in boys as well. After she read the book and at the end of our discussion she thanked me for helping her learn more about the subject. Highly recommend for 4th-6th graders, with the strong advice to read it through yourself first so as parents you can decide how much you want your kids to know. It's possible I'd get a book with fewer pictures for our son--but I have a couple more years for that!

[Far · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is really very good. Explains things very clearly and is also very comprehensive.

Good book to have around the house as kids are entering the adolescent stage.

[Marie Dominique · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fab book, really helped my daughter :-)