Dear American Girl,
I am a preteen, and all of a sudden
growing up is becoming a big and
important issue. I don’t feel comfortable
talking to my parents about it. I feel like
it’s too personal to talk to an adult about.
Please help me.
Published by American Girl Publishing
No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written
permission except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews.
Editorial Development: Michelle Nowadly Watkins, Andrea Weiss, Carrie Anton,
Mary Richards, Barbara Stretchberry
Creative Director: Kym Abrams
Managing Art Director: Marilyn Dawson, Camela Decaire
Design: Ingrid Hess, Camela Decaire
Production: Jeannette Bailey, Sarah Boecher, Tami Kepler, Judith Lary, Kristi Lively
Medical Consultant: Lia Gaggino, MD, Cara Natterson, MD
This book is not intended to replace the advice of or treatment by other health-care
professionals. It should be considered an additional resource only. Questions and concerns about
mental or physical health should always be discussed with a doctor or other health-care professional.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Schaefer, Valorie Lee.
The care & keeping of you 1 : the body book for younger girls / Valorie Schaefer ;
Cara Natterson, MD, medical consultant ; illustrated by Josée Masse.
p.cm.
Summary: “Our best-selling body book for girls just got even better! With all-new illustrations and updated content for girls
ages 8 and up, it features tips, how-tos, and facts from the experts. You’ll find answers to questions about your changing
body, from hair care to healthy eating, bad breath to bras, periods to pimples, and everything in between. Once you feel
comfortable with what’s happening, you’ll be ready to move on to The Care & Keeping of You 2!”—Provided by publisher.
ISBN 978-1-60958-083-4 (pbk.)1. Girls—Health and hygiene—Juvenile literature.2. Grooming for girls—Juvenile literature.3.
Preteens—Juvenileliterature.I. Masse, Josée, ill.II. Natterson, Cara Familian, 1970–. III. Title.
RA777.25 .S333 2013613/.042422012045846
© 1998, 2012, 2018 American Girl. All American Girl marks are trademarks of American Girl. Marcas registradas utilizadas bajo licencia. American Girl ainsi que
les marques et designs y afférents appartiennent à American Girl. MADE IN CHINA. HECHO EN CHINA. FABRIQUÉ EN CHINE. Retain this address for future
reference: American Girl, 8400 Fairway Place, Middleton, WI 53562, U.S.A. Importado y distribuido por A.G. México Retail, S. de R.L. de C.V., Miguel de
Cervantes Saavedra No. 193 Pisos 10 y 11, Col. Granada, Delegación Miguel Hidalgo, C.P. 11520 Ciudad de México. Conserver ces informations pour s’y référer en
cas de besoin. American Girl Canada, 8400 Fairway Place, Middleton, WI 53562, U.S.A. Manufactured for and imported into the EU by: Mattel Europa B.V.,
Gondel 1, 1186 MJ Amstelveen, Nederland.
Letter to You
When you were little, your parents took care of you.
Now that you’re older, you’re taking over a lot of that
responsibility, and it’s not always easy to know what
to do or how to ask for help.
It’s a struggle for any girl to ask questions when she’s
dying of embarrassment and digging for the right words
to use.
So, what can you do? For starters, you need to get
information. The more you know about your body,
the less confusing and embarrassing growing up will
seem—and the easier it will be to talk about.
We hope the head-to-toe advice in this book will give
you the words to start a conversation with your parents
or other adults you trust. Your parents were there for
you when you were little, and they can still be there for
you now. If you speak up, no matter how awkward you
feel, your confidence and spirit will grow right along
with your body!
Your friends at American Girl
Contents
