Books,  Publications

Tell me about the Changes in my Body

20th October 2021 /

Tell Me About the Changes in My Body, written by Saranne Meyersfeld and Deborah Ewing, is a book to help children and adults have positive conversations about puberty and adolescence.

Saranne also developed the light-hearted illustrations, to simplify the ideas, make intimidating concepts understandable and convey positive messages about inclusion, diversity, body image and celebration of change.

Puberty. Reproduction. Menstruation.

If you had to talk about puberty with a 10-year-old, where would you start? Reproduction? Menstruation? Pimples? Body hair? Would you look forward to a reassuring chat about changes that affect every single one of us? Or would you try to delay or avoid the issue?

Talking about sexual development can be awkward. Not talking about it can be extremely harmful.

Ignorance about bodily changes such as periods causes fear, stigma and distress. Lack of information leaves children vulnerable in a world of misinformation and puts them at risk of exploitation and abuse.

Having plain facts presented in a positive way can change that.

The material in Tell Me About the Changes in My Body is focused on children aged around 9-14 years but can be used by older adolescents, parents, grandparents, siblings and other caregivers, health and social workers, and educators.

Messages Designed to Encourage Questioning

The messages are implicit, designed to encourage confident questioning at a level appropriate to the age, language and cultural contexts of people using the book.

The book is intended to support implementation of the latest UN International Guidance on Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) and the South African Department of Basic Education CSE Curriculum.

It is published by Micromega Publishing in association with the AIDS Foundation of South Africa.

Based on Research with Children

Tell Me About the Changes in My Body is based on research with children. It was widely reviewed by adolescents and adults from diverse communities all across South Africa.

What people say about Tell Me About the Changes in My Body

‘We welcome this very enlightening series, helping young people to make sense of the changes happening in their bodies. It celebrates the development of our unfolding sensuality and the uniqueness of every child. In demystifying our differences it promotes gender rights and responsibilities.’

Childline Gauteng

‘This book is a wonderful resource for inter-generational dialogues about sexuality and rights. The child government monitors in my office liked the section on gender and sexual identities the most. It was forward-thinking, they commended. Sexual and reproductive rights for children should not be taboo. All of us are sexual beings before birth. Thanks for this treasure.’

 
Christina Nomdo
Western Cape Commissioner for Children

‘I loved the book because it teaches and elaborates more on our bodies, gender and sexuality. Most of the things in the book we were never taught at school and that’s why I love it because I learnt a lot more. The book is very useful to me because whenever I feel stuck with something involving my feelings or body, I can refer back to it and I choose the right way.’

Vimbai Watambwa (age 15), Child Government Monitor, Western Cape

‘It helps because as we grow up and notice the changes in our bodies it does not shock us because we already know what to expect.’

Children’s focus group, Limpopo

‘As a parent I would be comfortable that this book is factual and would be a good departure point for further conversation with my child.

Female educator, North West

‘The topic itself is difficult, but I would be more comfortable using this book, to using other books that are not inclusive of all learners.’

Community organisation Director, KwaZulu-Natal

Tell Me About the Changes in My Body retails at R225 and is available from Micromega Publishing: Tel: +27 (0)83 778 1991; E mail: anivesh@mweb.co.za www.madeindurban.co.za

The cover of the book Tell Me About the Changes in My Body, showing the cast of characters featured. Cartoon-style drawings of 8 young adolescents, casually dressed, standing in a row against an orange background. Left to right, a chubby girl with dark skin and long dreadlocks wears a purple patterned dress. Hands on hips, she has her head back, laughing. The others are smiling. A younger boy, with lighter skin, black curly hair, and a cheeky look, has his hands in his shorts pockets. A tall boy on crutches, his right leg missing from below the knee, has mid-brown skin and bleached hair. A shy-looking boy with shaved head and glasses, and mid-brown skin, has one hand on his tummy and the other on his chest. A tall, light-skinned girl with blue eyes and cropped, side-shaved dark hair, has one star earring and is wearing blue dungarees. A shorter, dark-skinned girl, with big brown eyes and black curly hair piled on top of her head, wears a navy vest and grey trousers. A younger boy with straight black hair falling over his eyes and mid-brown skin, wears a purple t-shirt and shorts, and is holding hands with a tall brown-skinned girl. She has long curly black hair and wears a green top and short blue trousers. One child is barefoot. Most of the young people have outgrown their shoes and their shiny round toes are popping out.

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