Books that help young people grow up confident, informed, and ready.
Research-backed. Engaging. Empowering. Made for the real questions kids are asking.
Grow & Know creates honest, empowering puberty guides for boys and girls — developed through years of participatory research and grounded in the real experiences of young people across the USA and around the world.
A Girl's Guide to Puberty and Periods
A warm, illustrated guide to periods, puberty, and everything in between for ages 9-14.
From the first signs of puberty to understanding periods, emotions, and body confidence, this book gives girls the honest answers they deserve. Developed through the same rigorous participatory research process as our boys’ book, it’s illustrated in a graphic-novel style that makes big topics feel approachable, relatable, and even a little fun.
Bigger, Faster, Stronger, Hairier: A Book for Boys
The honest, empowering guide to puberty that boys ages 9-14 have been waiting for.
Body changes. Big emotions. Peer pressure. Voice cracks. This book covers it all—directly, warmly, and without the awkwardness. Written by public health researchers at Columbia University and illustrated with lively, diverse artwork, it’s grounded in real conversations with boys across the USA and packed with facts, stories, and practical know-how.
Growing Up Around The World: Puberty Global Books
Puberty education for young people in more than 10 countries — and counting.
The US books are just one part of a much bigger story. Since 2010, Grow & Know has developed and distributed puberty guides tailored to the cultural contexts of young people across Africa, Asia, and Latin America — reaching over 2 million readers worldwide. If you’re curious about international partnerships, translated editions, or global impact, we’d love to connect.
“Our hope is that young people ages 9–14 read this book and feel more confident and knowledgeable about their changing bodies, and that families, teachers, youth leaders, and others introduce these books to the young people in their lives.”
ABOUT GROW & KNOW
Built on Research. Made for Real Kids.
Grow & Know was founded with a simple but powerful belief: every young person deserves honest, accurate, and affirming information about their growing body.
Our books aren’t just fun to read — they’re built from the ground up through participatory research with adolescents, parents, educators, healthcare workers, and community leaders who know exactly what young people need to hear.
The Grow & Know books are led by Dr. Marni Sommer, DrPH, MSN, RN, a professor at Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health and a leading global expert in adolescent and reproductive health. The US books feature illustration and design by Emily Scheffler of Minuscule Studio.
Each title is developed in collaboration with a dedicated team of researchers and contributors — with authorship and illustrators varying by book and region — and reflects the highest standards in both public health research and accessible design.
The result? Books that kids actually want to read. That parents feel good about putting in their kids’ hands. That teachers and counselors trust to open the conversations that matter most. Real information, told with warmth — because growing up deserves nothing less.
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For every young person.
And everyone in their corner.
Schools & Educators
Grow & Know creates honest, empowering puberty guides for boys and girls — developed through years of participatory research and grounded in the real experiences of young people across the USA and around the world.
Libraries & Organizations
These books are ideal for youth collections, after-school programs, and community health initiatives. Bulk and institutional orders are available — get in touch to learn more.
Families & Caregivers
Looking for a warm, honest way to talk about growing up? These books give both you and your child the words and the confidence to start the conversation together.
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