"What's Happening to Me?" The Classic Illustrated Children's Book on Puberty

By far my favorite!!! I read their other famous book “Where Did I Come From” when I was a child and have been using it to teach our own children. I love the anatomically correct cartoon drawings of the little chubby people so it totally lightens the feel in the room when our child and I giggle together over the drawings, but the words are all still very true and straight to the point. EXCELLENT book that still works in today’s society just as well as it did in the 1970s!

My mother bought this book for me when I was a child, I'm now 48. I bought it for my daughter who is almost 20 and I'm buying it again for my son who will be 9 next year. It may be best for some parents to introduce or read this with their children, especially if they are very innocent and have no concept of the physical difference between boys and girls, but it is a great tool to help teach your kid about puberty.

I purchased this book for my daughter and we read it from cover to cover the day it arrived in the mail! My daughter and I found 'What's Happening to Me' to be humorous and factual. What could have been an awkward conversation ended up being a bonding moment. We giggled, we talked straight, we smiled, we hugged! The pictures are great and really lightened the tone of the book. Some of the drawings even led to further discussion on the topic at hand. These attributes made a potentially embarrassing conversation feel natural, comfortable and fun. I'm going to hang on to this book and share it with my son in a few years. While I had 'the talk' with my daughter at age 11, I think this book could appropriately be shared with kids age 8 and up.

I used this book w/ both my boys and it was fine, but I didn't love it.The first half of the book is all "We're going to talk about puberty", "puberty is what we're going to talk about", "get ready to talk about puberty" - etc. I grew bored and so did my kids. It's like a novel with 7 prologues.The second half of the book finally gets into some well-presented and age-appropriate information - about breasts, erections, periods, pimples, wet dreams, masturbation, etc. These topics are covered in what I think is just enough detail - with cute pictures to alleviate tension and about 2 pages on each topic. I give the second half of the book 5 stars.One thing I didn't like is that the book assumes a level of knowledge. What I mean is, it goes right into talking about how semen want to get out of erect penises to go make babies, without covering how exactly babies are made. This book is for 9 - 12 year olds who should have some basic knowledge but I think a brief refresher (instead of all the filler in the beginning) would be good.A word about ages: My oldest got a lot out of this book at 10. My second son was far too immature at 10 and giggled until I finally put the book away and waited a year. Obviously, a parent must use their judgment with regard to what ages they should present this book to.

My parents bought this for me as a child, I later bought my kids a copy and now my neice is getting a copy. It has cute pictures and is easy for small kids to understand.

There's no substitute for open dialogue between parents and their children, but this book is a great tool. I was given this book at about ten years old by my mother, and I bought a copy for my children. I probably talk to my kids more than they'd like, I don't shy away from what may be considered "difficult" subjects. This book helps make sure you don't miss anything, and easily explains what, how, and approximately when each stage of puberty occurs. There are some realistic (as well as a few cartoony) nude drawings of male and female adolescents through the stages of puberty, so be aware of that. I personally think it's fine for my kids to see these, as it answers questions about not only their own body, but also some possibly embarrassing curiosity about the opposite sex. If that's not something you're comfortable with, then this book isn't for you.

This book is a great book for the parent to read first, then it will help them help their little ones when the questions start to roll out

This is my third copy (they seem to disappear when i move, lol). Its ABSOLUTELY the best, most comfortable, easy yet accurate way to explain to any child that asks. They will retain what they need to then ask again when they're a little older & retain more. It's inoffensive to the most shy parents and children. And my friends (who were in there 20s & 30s) loved it too. 😉

A classic. First published in 1975, it was given to me by my parents in 1983, just as puberty was looming in my life. I bought it out of nostalgia when I found out it’s still in print. Though it may be slightly dated by 2022 standards, it’s still a very charming, humorous, and informative book.

Classic coming of age Q & A. Given to me by my mum and now passed to my son. Informative but approachable text with dad-joke moments of cringe worthiness that makes it embarrassingly easy to read.

Good to share with children’s at correct age

Just the right book to have for kids as they approach their teens. The illustrations are a delight and the text accurate and yet humorous too. Just the right balance of fact and fun.

My mum got this for me when I was approaching puberty and I read it a thousand times. Have just bought it for my kids and they are doing the same!