Growing Up with Confidence: An Illustrated Storybook for Girls (Ages 8–13)

How do you start the conversation about puberty and periods with your daughter, student or child?

Growing Up with Confidence does it through a story. Meet Sara and Amina, two school friends who grow at different speeds. One notices her sleeves getting shorter. The other worries she is falling behind. Together, with a kind teacher and a trusted adult, they find the answers one small question at a time.

The message of the book is that every body has its own timeline, and appearance never decides your worth.

What girls will learn

• What puberty is, and why friends change at different times
• Hair, sweat, skin and breast changes, explained calmly
• Big feelings, and how to name them and ask for help
• Food for a growing body: energy, protein, iron, calcium and vitamins, with familiar Indian foods
• What a period is, how to use and dispose of a pad, and how to be ready at school
• When tiredness, pain or heavy bleeding needs a doctor
• Kindness: helping a friend without taking over, and what to do about teasing
• Body boundaries, secrets that worry you, online privacy, and who to tell. It includes India’s Child Helpline 1098

Inside the book

• 93 illustrated pages
• Short story chapters alternating with simple “learn”, “try” and “help” pages
• Activities she can draw, tick or leave blank, plus a seven-day SMART habit challenge and a true/false quiz
• An English–Tamil word list
• A guide for parents and teachers, with talking tips, signs to seek medical advice, and how to respond if a child discloses harm
• Health sources listed at the back, with live links

Why parents and teachers choose it

• Privacy first: no child is ever asked to share her body or period dates
• Stories of kindness, not shame
• Age-appropriate, with no frightening detail
• Written by a doctor, and checked against sources such as the NHS, ACOG, WHO and UNICEF

About the author
Dr Sulthana Dhilras J (Dr Dil) is a doctor and paediatric surgeon, author and speaker.

Sara and Amina are fictional. This book gives general health education and does not replace individual medical advice.