American Girl "The Care and Keeping of You"

Okay.... I got that book too, when my daughter was that age.
BUT... she is 9 now, and she reads it now..... and with me, and we talk about it.

The topics in it, for a 5 year old, will not pertain to her.
So you need to, as the Mom.... look through it first.

For me, I simply told my daughter some of those topics were for when she was a little older... it is for Tweens. Tweens are from 9-12 years old, and will be more pertinent, then. And that it has to do with taking care of herself and her changing body. For girls of that age.

That book is NOT for 5 year olds.
When I got it for my daughter at 5 years old, I knew that. But I bought it already... so that I could read it. And then when my girl was of a pertinent age, I would be 'ready' to go over it with her. Like now, my daughter is 9.

"American Girl" makes good book series, for girls. There is one about choosing friends/friendships, for example. I have that one too. My daughter likes it. And there is one about "Feelings" which is good too. And one about "What Would You Do?"

These books are meant for girls, and is also meant for it to be read by the child, and with the Mom.
But is typically, for older girls.

She seems a little young for the book. The recommended age is 8 and up.

Yep, this book really is for at least eight-year-olds. Be assured, if you haven't read it all yourself yet, that it manages to talk about menstruation, for instance, without ever getting into sex, so it doesn't "go there" even for older girls; however it just is stuff that doesn't affect your daughter yet and might even worry her a bit if she's not quite mature enough to understand that things like "bleeding" are perfectly normal, etc.

I would frankly wrap it, hide it for the cousin to have later, and get her another new book that might distract her from it. I am all for answering kids' questions, so do answer any she has but in basic ways she can understand at her age; however, I would not sit down with it and start reading bits with her just because that will make her want to see the rest.

Talk to her. Whatever you do keep lines of communication wide open with her.

Even if the book is too old for her, she has seen it, she has questions. Do not make her feel shame for her body and what happens. Keep the convo based as close to her age level as possible.

Hiding it, telling her it's not for her, etc will peak her interest and possibly make her feel ashamed of her body.

Talk to her on her level.

Maybe the book is for cousin but your daughter has questions. If you don't answer/communicate with her, she'll find someone who will. Don't you prefer to provide honest info vs her getting it from friends, etc?

This is a perfect time if you haven't already made sure she knows she can come to you with anything. If you feel uneasy, then talk while driving, on a walk, etc where you don't look at her.

She's looking up to you mom. Step up and open those communication lines. You can keep them tailored to her readiness. Believe me... You need wide open communication. . It's vital for a good mom/daughter relationship.

Tell her that she can have her own copy of the book when she is older and she can ask you anything about her body in the meantime and you will answer. SD got it at 9 and I thought that it was an appropriate age, but maybe not 5. My DD has an older sister (SD) and has pulled out the pretty colored tampons and asked me what they're for and I just say "they're for big girls."

Yes, the book is too old for her. It is precisely made for girls that are around the age of approaching puberty. Also, for girls that are at an age where they obviously start noticing their bodies in a way where they want to look their best and such.

I have the book, and I have four girls, 8, 7, 4, and 3. Only the 8 year old has read it... NOT by herself (her "breast buds" started, so I found it appropriate). We actually have not covered the menstruation part yet, we'll get to it. I read it with her and have discussions with her for each page. I add what I find appropriate and put in my two-cents for each page. I want her to know we can do this together and be open and she can always come to me for everything and talking about it does NOT have to be weird! I keep the book with me (mostly because I don't want her younger sisters getting to it and also because we haven't discussed everything in it yet).

When we have covered the whole book, I'll let her know to ask me whenever she wants to read it again, and I'll let her. She already knows to keep some info to herself about some things- that her sisters are too young for it.

I'm guessing the 8 year old's mom knows about the coming gift? ANY parent would like to know their daughter is receiving this book, and I strongly suggest they read it first- and I most recommend that they read it WITH their daughter.

I like the book a lot. It helped ME make those talks VERY easy, and gives me a guide for her sisters, too!

I just bought this for my 8 year old, soon to be 9 year old. After the holidays, I plan to read this book WITH her so she can ask me any questions she may have. Girls are developing earlier and earlier, and I want all this info to come from me, not the playground.

I do think your daughter is too young for this book - the illustrations include how to insert tampons in pretty detailed accuracy. Not sure a 5 year old has the maturity to handle that, but I don't know your daughter.

Answer her questions, but put the book aside for a few more years until she is really ready. Good luck!

It's too old for her. It is about puberty and how to take care of yourself when those things start happening. I would put it away.

My daughter was 9 when she received it and it seemed perfect for that age.

I agree that she is too young for the book.

I think it is more for tweens. I was looking at it for my 7 year old, but I thought it wasn't appropriate. I didn't think there was anything bad in it. Just irrelevent. It will mean more to her around 10-12. Now that she has seen it and has asked the questions, you can't ignore it. A good time to talk about puberty, but in general, put it away for a few years.