Kids have questions, and in today’s world it is easier than ever to get answers, however parents need to parent and help provide CORRECT answers for their children. This 100 page book is a great resource to facilitate conversation, hand to tweens to read independently, or just have on the shelf for when a child is curious and knows the internet might not be the best resource. For boys and girls, this book takes a conversational tone of answering questions that tweens are thinking about, and maybe some that they should be thinking about. I love that it is not just a body or maturation or puberty book, it discusses boundaries, emotions, hygiene, wellness, it weaves Islam in for context and reassurance and direction, and also has workbook type activities to engage the reader. The balance of facts and conversation keep it from not being dry, or overly heavy handed, which is also quite impressive. The text, illustrations, size, and pacing make the information available in pieces or cover to cover. We tend to have more female focused “growing up” books for our Muslim girls, and this one really is for both. It provides insight into one’s own body and as well as understanding and compassion for the opposite gender. If nothing else it normalizes that changes are nothing to be ashamed or embarrassed by and allows real conversation with proper terminology to be discussed in an age appropriate and Islamically rooted manner; yeah, the Islamic references are sourced! If you have kids, go order this already, you will be glad you did, alhumdulillah.
The book starts with discussing the blessing of one’s body and moves into discussing abilities and disabilities before moving into male and female bodies. The first section really focuses on the body: privacy, care, autonomy, healing. The second section is called “Growing Pains” and discusses the changes the body undergoes. Before opening the book, I for some reason, assumed it would be framed as questions and answers, and it is not, it is chapters, but the chapters have illustrations, activities, bolded words, and are visually engaging.
Ultimately I love that the book is easy. The topic matter can seem intimidating when you are faced with discussing some of these topics with tweens, and this book really will put parents and children at ease in the way it approaches, discusses, and walks readers through concepts that Islam has provided resources and answers for in the Quran and Sunnah, in a contemporary tween friendly way.
Islamic School Librarian 