Poppy Pretzel - Passage Into Puberty.

Aimed at young girls aged 9-14 as they emerge into pubity.

Poppy Pretzel is a happy, confident 12 year old that plays netball, loves the ‘P’ word and hanging out with her friends in the Mermaid group. During a morning break, Poppy goes to the toilet and discovers her first period has arrived. When her first period arrives, she finds the experience 'puzzling' and 'p'erplexing. Mixed emotions and excitement overtake her as it dawns on her that she has now officially started puberty. The change from girl to woman has begun.

Poppy finds what is happening to her body puzzling, perplexing and a bit embarrassing; and the words used to describe her body, menstrual cycle and ‘feminine’ products ridiculous, confusing and awkward. Along with her friends in the Mermaid Girls Club, together they make their own special words for their periods, tampons, pads and parts of their bodies as they all realise that their first period is imminent. They make their own Mermaid Girls Club code words so they can share their stories secretly together.

With each passing month, Poppy becomes more comfortable with her period and an idea starts to blossom that she should make little 'first period pouches' for her friends, like the one she had prepared for herself before her own first period arrived.

Soon, her Pouches are a big hit with her friends at school and the project she is approached by a Community Group to help young teens coming to terms with the changes in their bodies.

This book is a great way to introduce puberty to young women. It can be read with an adult or girls can read it themselves.

Review: A positive and encouraging story that prepares & explains to young women for the changes in their bodies during pubity.

Poppy Pretzel
New Holland Publishing
Ages: 9 - 14 year old
ISBN: 9781742570303