The Care and Keeping of You

The Care and Keeping of You is an educational book published by American Girl that addresses female health, hygiene, and puberty for readers ages eight and up. The book emerged from thousands of letters sent to American Girl magazine from young readers seeking guidance about their changing bodies and health concerns. Published in 1998, the book presents information about puberty and body changes in an age-appropriate format that omits discussion of sex and sexuality. The content includes topics like physical development, personal hygiene, emotional changes, and basic health maintenance. The book maintains consistent placement on The New York Times Best Seller list and led to a 2013 updated edition plus a sequel for older girls. The publication fills a specific need in children's health literature by providing straightforward, accessible information about female development. This guide represents a shift in how puberty education materials approach their young audience, emphasizing normalization and factual discussion of body changes rather than traditional clinical or academic presentations.

Parents and young readers find this puberty guide informative while remaining age-appropriate for girls 8-12. Many note it presents body changes and hygiene in a calm, matter-of-fact way that reduces anxiety. Readers appreciate: - Clear, detailed illustrations that aren't graphic - Friendly, conversational tone - Focus on health and self-care rather than sexuality - Inclusivity of different body types and development timelines Common criticisms: - Some feel certain topics like tampons are introduced too early - A few parents wanted more content on emotional changes - Limited discussion of gender identity and sexual orientation Ratings: Amazon: 4.8/5 from 14,000+ reviews Goodreads: 4.5/5 from 8,000+ reviews Sample review: "My daughter read it cover to cover and said 'Mom, this explains everything I was worried about but didn't know how to ask.'" - Amazon reviewer "Perfect balance between medical accuracy and kid-friendly language." - School librarian on Goodreads

It's Perfectly Normal by Robie Harris A facts-based guide to puberty and body changes that uses scientific illustrations to explain human development for both male and female readers.

Growing Up Great by Scott Todnem A puberty guide that outlines physical and emotional changes specifically for boys entering adolescence with input from medical professionals.

The Period Book: Everything You Don't Want to Ask (But Need to Know) by Karen Gravelle A menstruation-focused health guide that breaks down the biological process and practical management of periods for young readers.

The Body Book for Younger Girls by Kelli Dunham A pre-teen health guide that covers hygiene basics, body changes, and emotional development before major puberty milestones begin.

What's Happening to My Body? Book for Girls by Lynda Madaras A comprehensive puberty reference that includes detailed anatomical information and answers common questions about female development.

🌟 Originally released in 1998, the book has sold over 6 million copies worldwide, making it one of the best-selling guides for young girls about puberty. 🌟 The book sparked so much demand that American Girl published a sequel in 2013 called "The Care and Keeping of You 2: The Body Book for Older Girls" for ages 10 and up. 🌟 Author Valorie Lee Schaefer also worked as an editor at American Girl Magazine, where she spent years gathering real questions from young readers that helped shape the book's content. 🌟 The book's illustrator, Josée Masse, created over 100 detailed illustrations to help normalize different body types and make complex topics more approachable for young readers. 🌟 In 2012, the book underwent a major revision to include updated medical information and address modern concerns like social media's impact on body image.