Review by Booklist Review
The author of the girlcentric Care and Keeping of You series offers to pubescent lads a set of similarly reassuring, informally presented facts and observations. Though she mentions hormonal and internal developments (and among Player's pedestrian cartoon drawings of smiling preteen figures there is one small, schematic representation of male sexual organs or private parts, as they're dubbed elsewhere), her focus is largely on visible and behavioral changes, from growth spurts to facial hair and gnarly BO to mood swings and nocturnal emissions. Aside from one mention of noticing other kids in a romantic way (illustrated with a boy and a girl exchanging glances), she avoids discussion of sexual interest or identity, but along with savvy observations, she does include practical advice on a range of topics, including types of underwear and shaving with a blade, plus more generally applicable remarks on proper brushing and flossing, sleep, and nutrition. Moreover, her casual style may help readers weather at least some of the drama.--Peters, John Copyright 2017 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Striking a casual but instructive tone, this resource for boys entering puberty takes a holistic approach, encouraging them to take care of their minds, bodies, and emotional well-being. Chapters focus on such basics as keeping clean ("Seriously, wash your face") and odor-free, brushing and flossing teeth, eating well, and staying hydrated. Natterson (the Care and Keeping of You series) goes on to discuss more intimate and potentially embarrassing aspects of puberty, including shaving, erections, and voice changes. Player's loose, brightly colored cartoons add playful dashes of humor throughout (an image of a boy developing an impressive mustache mid-stride is captioned, "Puberty is sneaky"). Natterson gently insinuates that when boys embrace and explore their feelings early in life, they grow up to be healthier and happier adults. Ages 9-12. Illustrator's agent: Lori Nowicki, Painted Words. (Aug.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
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