Lintball Leo's Not-So-Stupid Questions About Your Body

by Walt Larimore, MD, John Riddle (With), Mike Phillips (Illustrator)

Overview

Award-winning medical journalist, doctor, and “America’s Outstanding Family Physician Educator” (as named by the American Academy of Family Physicians) Dr. Walt Larimore provides a safe space for boys 8 to 12 navigate the big questions and confusion they have about puberty and their changing bodies, topics they are often too afraid to ask about out loud. From answering what is happening in certain places and why to exploring changing hormones and the topics that come with, this short, informational book is great for use as a family or as an introductory guide for young boys to explore on their own.

Puberty is hard, especially when things start to change and you don’t understand why. Luckily, Lintball Leo is here to help, and he’s ready to tackle all the questions you’re not sure you want to say out loud. And there is no question he hasn’t already heard. Like, “Why is my body suddenly growing more hair?” or “Why do I have these weird feelings?” or even, “Is what is happening to me normal?” From laying out what you can expect in the coming months and even years to what to do with the urges and emotions you’re dealing with now, this book is full of answers … and reassurances that what you’re going through now is indeed a normal part of growing up, and something you don’t have to be ashamed of at all.

Lintball Leo’s Not-So-Stupid Questions About Your Body:

• presents information on changing bodies and hormones in an age-appropriate way for boys entering puberty
• provides medically based facts and biblically based advice
• has a loose narrative story and humor that helps put boys at ease on the topics of puberty and urges
• contains large text and numerous black-and-white sketches and photos, as well as sidebars, to make reading easy and enjoyable

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780310705451
Publisher:	Zonderkidz
Publication date:	08/25/2003
Series:	2:52 Soul Gear
Edition description:	Uitgawe ed.
Pages:	128
Product dimensions:	6.12(w) x 8.49(h) x 0.36(d)
Age Range:	9 - 12 Years

About the Author

Walt Larimore, MD, has been called "one of the best known family physicians in America" and has been listed in the Best Doctors in America, The Guide to America’s Top Family Doctors, and Who’s Who in Medicine and Healthcare, Who's Who in America, and the International Health Professionals of the Year. He is also a best-selling author who has written, co-written, or edited thirty books. He writing has been recognized with a number of national awards, including a Christianity Today Book of the Year award, a Retailers Choice book award, three Silver Medallion Book Awards, three Gold Medallion Book Award nominations, and three Christy Award nominations. He and his wife, Barb, have two grown children, two grandchildren, and live in Colorado Springs area with their tabby, Jack. His website is www.Dr Walt.com and his Morning Glory, Evening Grace devotions can be found at www.Devotional.Dr Walt.com.

John Riddle is a freelance writer and author from Bear, Delaware. His byline has appeared in major newspapers, magazines and Websites. He is the author of 34 books, including Lintball Leo's Not So Stupid Questions About Your Body, For God and Country, and The Story of the Pony Express. He is a presenter at both Christian and secular writers conferences across the country, and last year spoke at the National Press Club in Washington, DC. He is the Founder of Love To Write Day, a grassroots effort to have people of all ages write something every November 15th. Last year 12,007 schools all across the country held special writing events and activities. For more information, please visit www.ilovetowriteday.org

Read an Excerpt

Lintball Leo's Not-So-Stupid Questions About Your Body

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By Walt Larimore John Riddle

Zondervan

Copyright © 2003 Zondervan
All right reserved.
ISBN: 0-310-70545-2

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Chapter One

The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly?

"Ouch! That hurts," cried a tiny, mysterious voice from the piece of bellybutton lint Steve held between his fingers. "You want a piece of me?

I'm not afraid of you!"

Steve hurried to his desk and picked up the magnifying glass he used to examine bugs. He looked carefully at the talking piece of lint that was now yelling like a squashed cat. Steve released his pinching grip and the piece of lint brushed himself off, fixed his hair, and fluffed out the finger squeeze marks from his stomach.

"Who are you?" asked Steve.

"I'm Lintball Leo, at your service," Leo answered taking a bow.

"Wow, a talking piece of lint. I must be dreaming," said Steve.

"This is no dream. Here. I'll pinch you." Leo tried to pinch Steve's hand, but his fingers were so small that Steve didn't feel a thing."

"Did you feel that?" asked Leo. Not wanting to be impolite, Steve said, "That was some pinch. I guess I'm not dreaming after all."

Leo flexed his muscles. "I work out and eat only good, nutritious stuff. Gotta stay strong, you know."

"How long have you been living in my belly button?" Steve asked.

"Oh, I've been around for a few years now. Sometimes when you tried to clean your bellybutton, you knocked me down to other parts of your body," Leo told Steve. "I visited your feet once, and while it was nice to see my relatives who live down between your toes, I think I'd rather live in your bellybutton."

"Uh ... I have things living between my toes?" asked Steve, looking a little nervous.

"Relax, Steve. It's no big deal. All guys have a little extra dirt here and there. Hey! I've been most everywhere on your body, and I'm becoming an expert in boy-body anatomy. I'll be hanging around until you reach puberty. Then you won't need me anymore and I'll find another boy's bellybutton to call home."

"Puberty," said Steve. "I've heard that word before. Can you tell me what it means?"

"No problem." Leo drew himself up to his full fluffy height. "Puberty sounds like a strange word, but it's something that happens to all people. Puberty happens when young bodies start to change and mature-from boys into men, from girls into women.

Steve had a look of horror on his face.

"What's with the face? Don't panic! Puberty doesn't mean you're going to start shaving next week. It just means that most people begin to change into adults somewhere between the ages of nine and fifteen. And it doesn't happen all at once. Puberty can last anywhere from two to four years."

"That long?" asked Steve.

"Ah, it goes fast. Especially when you start thinking about girls."

Steve blushed bright red. "Puberty can be a pretty confusing time," Leo said.

"But it helps if you remember it's all part of growing up. God made your body and this is the way he wants it to work-so don't sweat it."

"What if I don't want to go through puberty?" asks Steve.

"Unfortunately, that's not an option," Leo sighed. "When the time is right for you, it will just happen. Then, you'll become a man. That's the good news."

"How old are you?" Steve tried to get a better look at Leo. Are you older than dirt?"

"Very funny, Steve. Let me give you some advice. I've been here and there over the years, and I've seen the good, the bad, and the ugly."

"Now you're talking about girls." Steve joked.

"Hey, another funny one. No, I'm not talking about girls. I'm talking about boys and how puberty affects them."

Steve looked worried. "Will this puberty thing hurt? I mean should I wear a helmet?"

With that Lintball Leo rolled up into a ball and began laughing hysterically. "A helmet! That's very funny! Ha ha ha ..."

"Uh, Mr. Leo, when you get through laughing, do you think I could ask you some questions about my body?" Steve asked. "I've been too embarrassed to ask my parents or teachers. What do you say? Could you help me out?"

"Why certainly," said Lintball Leo. "But you'll have to promise that you'll stop calling me Mr. Leo. (Whispering.) That makes me sound so old. Please, just call me Lintball."

"OK, Lintball, I'll do that," Steve said with a smile.

"So shoot, Steve? You can ask me anything."

Get Smarter

Growing up isn't easy to do. It would be less complicated if there were a training manual telling you what to expect throughout puberty. But we don't have a manual, and even if we did, everybody grows at a different pace and in a different way. Get smart by finding an older male you can talk to. The best person would be your dad. If he's not available, consider a youth pastor or counselor at your school. Ask very specific questions about growing up. Listen carefully to the answers. Then ask God to help you. (Continues...)

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Excerpted from Lintball Leo's Not-So-Stupid Questions About Your Body by Walt Larimore John Riddle Copyright © 2003 by Zondervan . Excerpted by permission.
All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
Excerpts are provided by Dial-A-Book Inc. solely for the personal use of visitors to this web site.

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