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When writing, Bloom, there was so much I wanted to write to unfold the fullness and beauty of the Church's teaching on puberty, femininity, Theology of the Body, etc, but had to keep each chapter brief to keep girls and moms engaged.
So I decided to write in a suggested reading list with several books on Catholic puberty and femininity! These books helped me research and write Bloom and I love them for several different reasons.
Books on Catholic Puberty
The Care and Keeping of You by Valorie Shaefer is a wonderful resource that to my knowledge, does not currently include woke ideas like gender-fluidity. This book is not to be confused with the Girls Body Book that now includes gender-fluid ideology.
Wonderfully Made! Babies: A Catholic Perspective on How and Why God Makes Babies by Ellen Giangiordano isn't exactly on puberty but contributes to your daughter's understanding of her dignity found in God. Its a book that explores the Theology of the Body (TOB) for kids. Through the use of beautiful illustrations and simple yet truthful and medically correct language, this book explains the majesty God designed into the full, free, faithful, and fruitful communion of spouses that allows “man” to “image” the Trinity, who creates out of love, in order to share love.
Books on Catholic Femininity
Irreversible Damage is an excellent, well-researched and well-written book that investigates the Transgender craze that is sweeping the girls of the United States. The author does not bring Christianity into the discussion, but makes excellent arguments for why this behavior happens and what are the best steps to handle such behavior (hint: it's not what is currently happening often in the USA.)
Reveal the Gift: Living the Feminine Genius is a beautiful read for the young adult and adult women alike. It helps us discover much about the Feminine Genius in our lives.
The Privilege of Being a Woman by Alice von Hildebrand is a beautifully written and well researched collection of essays and speeches from this insightful writer pertaining to the beauty of femininity and the freedom found in embracing what comes natural to our sex.
The Language of Your Body by Christina Valenzuela is very well researched book uncovering the beauty found within our monthly cycles. What good can we find in our cycles, especially when we ponder the fact that both men and women are equally made in the image and likeness of God? This book delves deep into this and other groundbreaking questions, using the wisdom of saints like Hildegard von Bingen, Pope John Paul II and Thomas Aquinas to explore this unique, fundamental aspect of God's design for female bodies.
Not quite a book, but I wrote an in-parish workshop called Full of Grace. It teaches moms and daughters about Catholic femininity, not what the world teaches it is. Read more about the workshops here.
Explore Catholic Femininity with the Saints
Story of a Soul by St. Therese of Lisieux
Essays on Woman by Edith Stein (St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross)
Letter to Women by St. Pope John Paul II
Mulierus Dignitatem (On the Dignity of Women), by St. Pope John Paul II
Other Book Suggestions
Boundaries is a lifechanging book, especially for those who have struggled with establishing healthy boundaries in their lives. While it does not discuss puberty, femininity or Theology of the Body, it is important for all parents to read in order to model healthy boundaries for our children to learn about and adopt themselves.
The second edition of Bloom will be launched in August 2024 in color on Amazon! Stay tuned to get your hands on this beautifully updated and illustrated keepsake for your catholic daughter during puberty!
For bulk discounts, especially for parishes and dioceses, check out the bulk shop.
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