Review by Booklist Review
In a playful, inviting, and nonjudgmental tone, Ibrahim offers tween girls advice based on her own experiences, covering everything from moodiness, periods, vagina anatomy, and bra sizing to body-image concerns and the importance of mindfulness and exercise. In her distinct voice, Ibrahim speaks to readers with unabashed honesty I remember when I was six I thought it was so unfair that boys could pee easily wherever they were, while girls couldn't including some cringeworthy moments of tween and teenage embarrassment. Some adults might question Ibrahim's occasionally euphemistic language (why call it pee-hole instead of urethra?) and the lack of specific resources, but thanks to the infectious cheerfulness and all-around positivity about growing up in spite of all the awkward parts, those quibbles should be easy to get over, particularly for girls who aren't yet seeking answers to big questions. The breezy atmosphere is further enlivened by Erkas' playful illustrations, a combination of cut-paper collage and humorously staged photos. Younger tweens looking for an empowering, buoyant, and candid introduction to puberty will find comical comfort here.--Hunter, Sarah Copyright 2018 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Ibrahim, a performer and hula-hoop acrobat, offers a fact-filled and stalwartly body-positive guide to the physical and psychological changes that come along with growing up. She openly discusses topics like breasts, acne, wearing braces, periods, butts, hormones, and heartbreak, drawing intimately from her own experiences. Sharing her moments of mortification, she urges readers to shake off their own embarrassment over body-related issues: "Nowadays I don't know why we women are sometimes embarrassed about talking about our vaginas." Ibrahim shuns dieting, promotes physical activity, and demystifies body-related changes, while reaching out to readers with a reminder that if they are going through it, someone else is too. Photographs of Ibrahim-a powerful image shows one side of her face without makeup or filters and the other side Photoshopped-are included throughout. Erkas's stylized graphics nicely dovetail with Ibrahim's wise, funny, and abundantly honest narrative. Ages 8-12. (May) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by School Library Journal Review
Gr 3 Up-An engaging and entertaining illustrated book that explores the changes tween girls often experience while growing up. Each chapter focuses on a specific topic such as menstruation, body hair, growing breasts, and stress. The accompanying personal photos, inspirational quotes, artwork, and graphic design elements add a unique touch. Many of the illustrations feature girls of different races, skin tones, shapes, and sizes, thereby giving readers the ability to feel seen and more connected to the book. Throughout the narrative, Ibrahim advocates body positivity, loving oneself, laughing at commonly shared embarrassing moments, and supporting other girls. While her writing is often humorous in tone, Ibrahim carefully addresses experiencing unwanted attention and feeling objectified or unsafe. Frustratingly, however, she does not adequately address sexuality and gender. The chapter on crushes uses they/them pronouns when referring to the crush but a later segment does briefly discuss one involving a boy, leaving same-sex crushes unaddressed. Additionally, there isn't a recommended resources list. Nevertheless, Ibrahim's book is undoubtedly helpful. VERDICT A valuable addition to elementary and middle school and public library collections to help readers better understand and be more comfortable with their bodies and feelings.-Jess Gafkowitz, Brooklyn Public Library © Copyright 2018. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
A circus artist offers tips for girls navigating puberty, from managing self-consciousness to staying safe.Ibrahim, who grew up in Australia and now lives and performs in England as the leader of a hula-hoop troupe, provides a chatty, intimate introduction for preteens. In short chapters, she talks about physical details (shapes, sizes, and body parts, including Erkas' clever cut-paper illustrations of a variety of vulvas); periods and how to manage them; pee and poop; hair and its removal; bras; perspiration; sleep; eating; exercise; meditation; style; gender identity and expression; crushes; moods; and more. This wide-ranging package of advice stands out for its personal stories. The author shares her own embarrassing moments: wetting her pants; menstrual leaks; a yeast infection; chafed thighs. The takeaway for readers is that this kind of thing happens to everyone, but you can get over it. The illustrations include photos of the author, a dark-skinned woman, including then-and-now pictures and one in which half her face is made up and half is natural, a striking demonstration of the twin magic of makeup and Photoshop in the virtual world. While American readers may not be familiar with this Guinness World Record-holding hula-hoop champion, they will certainly recognize and share her preteen concerns.Conversational text, lively design, and photos of a person of color make this growing-up guide stand out in a crowded field. (Nonfiction. 8-13)
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