The Girl Guide: 50 Ways To Learn To Love Your Changing Body

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.