My Body, My Self for Boys: The "What's Happening to My Body?" Workbook - Softcover

The title of the first chapter of this workbook, printed in a wavy, spooky font, is "What's Happening to You?" Appropriate, when you think about the emotional and physical changes wrought in a boy's body as he enters puberty. Based on the bestselling classic by mother-daughter team Lynda Madaras and Area Madaras, What's Happening to My Body? Book for Boys, this workbook by the same authors uses games, drawings, photographs, quizzes, personal stories, checklists, and other activities to help boys learn about the transformations that will take place in their bodies during puberty. Similar to the My Body, My Self for Girls workbook, but with a more masculine slant (and obviously, a lot of different information), this is an invaluable resource for boys with questions, curiosity, and a need for reassurance. Topics covered include skin and hair changes, body image, acne, reproductive organs, voice changes, masturbation, and more. Although What's Happening to My Body? explores these issues in greater detail, this workbook enables boys to delve into the nitty-gritty of puberty on a more personal level. One exercise, called "Racewriting," asks boys to write--whatever comes into their heads and as fast as they can--about their feelings about growing up. Then there's the "Test Your I.Q. with This P.Q." true-false puberty quiz. Tremendously useful side features list acne do's and don'ts, ways to cope with erections ("wear baggy pants and long shirts if they keep happening, just remember that it's probably more noticeable to you than to anyone else"), and dangerous side effects of steroids. Written in a lively, nonthreatening style, the authors have placed a strong emphasis on honest, straight talk about the concerns that boys are bound to have as they approach adulthood. (Ages 8 to 15) --Emilie Coulter

Lynda Madaras is the author of eleven books on health, childcare, and parenting, including six from Newmarket Press. Lynda is recognized worldwide by librarians, educators, reviewers, parents, nurses, doctors--and the kids themselves--for her unique non-threatening style, excellent organization, and thorough coverage of the experience of adolescence. For more than twenty years a sex and health education teacher in Pasadena and Santa Monica, California, she has made numerous appearances on Oprah, Today, Good Morning America, CNN, PBS, and is quoted often in newspapers and magazines. She lectures frequently to teachers, librarians, nurses, health professionals, and parents' groups. She lives in California. Area Madaras was just 11 when she assisted her mother with the first "What's Happening to My Body?" book, published in 1983. (In fact, Lynda began to write it with her daughter, when she realized that there was no book available to give to Area at that time of her life.) In the ensuing years, Area has collaborated and continues to consult with her mother on other books in the Series. She has an M.A. in Communications from the Annenberg School at the University of Southern California, and has been working for six years in Internet site and content development. She lives in California.