Customer Reviews

What's Happening to Me

5 star:		(26)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(6)

 

 

I read this book last night with my almost 11-year-old son. I felt we needed to cover the basics before the fifth grade covered it later in the school year. We'd read Mayle's Where Did I Come From a few weeks ago and he and his third-grade brother cracked up all through that. This time I caught him alone, let him stay up late with me and it was a great mom-son start. I read it out loud and we editorialized (we're a pretty liberal family but there's still parent editorializing to be done on this subject for everyone). When I got to the girl questions, I asked if I should read those or skip them and he said "read them, I guess" so I think my timing was right and the material was accessible to him. I've got my husband primed to jump in as well but I think two parents and the book all at once would have felt like an FBI raid. Good coverage of the subject, not too scary. I do think there's an unmet market need for a book for the 12-15 crowd, this book is too young for that age and most of the other books I've found are too old.

I was surprised to find anyone giving this book a less than glowing review. I remember loving it as a kid and that my friends all loved it, too.

Sure, we already knew a lot of the stuff in it, but both the writing and illustrations in this book are so charming and fun, that only the extremely jaded or repressed could possibly fail to enjoy it.

Of course I plan to get a copy for my own child, even though I haven't quite had my baby yet. I just look forward so much to revisiting this wonderful book that I can't wait until my kid is the right age for it (which I would say is about 10 or 11 years old).

Don't pay any attention to the sour pusses who gave this terrific book low marks; go to your library and see for yourself. I'm sure you'll agree that What's Happening to Me? should be in every kid's collection.

I purchased What's Happening to Me in the early 80's and used it to help me talk to my daughters about puberty as they reached the appropriate age. I recently pulled it out to give it to my son who is now 11. My daughters 22, 18, and 16 were quickly reminded of the days when I introduced them to the book. They all wanted to read it again! What's Happening to Me helped to make what could have been a frightening experience, one of understanding and acceptance - without embarrassment.

A very gentle, caring book for children of about age 8, who can expect to start going through puberty. Covers issues of: why puberty happens, how the appearance of bodies change, hormones, breast development, erections, menstruation, deepening of voice, pimples, masturbation, body hair, wet dreams, and circumcision. This book follows on from, and is in the same style as "Where Did I Come From?". Extremely popular, all children should have easy access to this volume from age 8 onwards.

My husband did, and we are saving it for our daughter. The approach is matter-of-fact and light, and there is no preaching. The illustrations are priceless. The text features the best-ever explanation of an orgasm (it's kind of like a sneeze!) I can't imagine a better book to introduce kids to the concept of puberty.

My parents read both this book and "Where did I come from?" to me when they were first published in the mid-seventies (I was born in 1970). I don't remember feeling awkward or embarrassed about the books. I was at an age where everything was pre-sexual. I had no social hang-ups about my body parts. I remember very clearly starting elementary school about this time and I was able to understand what all the innuendos were about. Yes, sexual innuendos by many other children that couldn't have been older than nine. I remember other kids laughing at the girl who really believed that children came from the cabbage patch! I remember one of my friends crying and running to her mother when she caught our friend Kenny using the toilet while standing up. She though he had a horrible tumor.

I never had any confusion about how the sexual process worked. I grew up with a healthy respect for abstinence and a deep understanding of what can really happen when one has intercourse early. I knew that one day I would have a menstrual cycle all my own and that it wasn't really "a curse that women have to bear because they are they weaker vessel" as was said around my town.

I remember the illustrations being fun and colorful. Language is used that is respectful, but not overtly sexual or enticing. They're probably a little dated by now.

Just now I was looking for these books so I can buy them to read to my 2 ½ year old son. He already is able to understand the basic differences between men and women. He has a penis (he tells me) and Momma doesn't. Momma has a vagina (although his pronunciation is a little shaky) and that's where babies come out. I'm looking forward to sharing this wonderful part of my childhood with my son and hoping that my Mom and Dan will also read this book with him, like they did with me.

I truly appreciate the gift of understanding that my parents gave me though reading this book. Because they were open with me about the truth behind sex and sexual maturity, I wasn't the child that was laughed at in school and I can feel good about my body and about sex with my wonderful husband now.

I am a child therapist. I have used this book with my own children and with clients. It is both factual and humorous (riotous drawings!), allowing a bit of levity for parents and children discussing a delicate subject. Highly recommended.

I remember that my grandma bought this book to give to my mom, so that she could share it with me. I developed pretty early, so my mom had already talked to me about my period before I read this book. I remember that she allowed me to read it myself and let me ask questions (I had lots). I also remember looking at the book with my cousin and laughing at the pictures of the developing male and female bodies. All in all, it's a great book that I'm glad is still in publication. I'd caution parents to give it to their children earlier than the age the book recommends. Both boys and girls are reaching puberty earlier these days and need to know about all of this.

I think I'll make it a tradition in my family! My mom gave me this book when I was growing up, and I swear I read it cover to cover each day!! I loved the illustrations; I thought they eased the transition from Uncomfy-with-the-whole-puberty-thing to Yay!-I'm a Woman!! :P I'd recommend it.

This is a great book about puberty which is perfect for showing to your child. I will do it when I have some. It goes into good detail and doesn't talk any nonsense. It's very upfront. I mean, it's not like "Oh, your period feels good." It talks about how women might get depressed or groggy, which I think is important for them to know. it talks about erections, masturbation, periods, and even curcumcism (sp?). It also talks about wet dreams and the feelings you may get towards other girls. A great and useful guide.