New Growth Press releases Guides for Better Understanding God’s Design for Growing Up

New books from Darby Strickland help boys and girls answer the questions that come with puberty

Have you noticed your son’s voice starting to get just a little bit deeper or that his pants seem to be two inches shorter than they were last week? Maybe you see that your daughter is more self-conscious and her friendships are changing. Puberty is not for the faint of heart—for kids or parents either one. Kids have a lot of questions they may or may not ask, but counselor Darby A. Strickland has written two new resources, one for boys and one for girls to address all the changes they are experiencing or will soon face.

Becoming You for Boys: Everything You Wanted to Know About Growing Up! and Becoming You for Girls: Everything You Wanted to Know About Growing Up! (New Growth Press/September 7, 2026), are comprehensive, Christ-centered guides to help children ages 8–12 navigate the physical, emotional, and spiritual changes of growing up. Written in an accessible, warm, and encouraging tone, these books address biological changes, emotional development, identity, faith, and more, all while grounding each topic in biblical truth. Content is tailored to each gender and organized into four sections: God’s Amazing Design, Your Changing Body, Your Feelings and Friendships, and Growing in Wisdom.

“These books are shaped by decades of counseling and parenting experience. They address not only body changes, but also emotions, friendships, personal safety, technology, and character formation—offering a holistic, gospel-shaped vision of growing up,” Strickland shares. “Built-in conversation prompts and caregiver guidance make the books easy for families and churches to use together, not just read once and put away. Together, these qualities make the Becoming You books a uniquely Christ-centered, developmentally wise, and pastorally grounded resource in a crowded and often confusing field.”

Strickland’s approach helps kids mature in wisdom, love, and godliness while showing them that everything they are experiencing is part of God’s good design. Becoming You for Boys and Becoming You for Girls mix science, practical advice, Scripture, and whimsy to answer uncomfortable questions, build confidence, and point readers to their identity in Christ. Awkward or sensitive topics are handled with gentleness, dignity, and appropriate humor, helping children feel safe, curious, and confident.

Kids can read these books independently or with their parents and caregivers, making them valuable tools for fostering open communication and building a strong foundation of faith during these transformative years. Both books include an appendix for parents with conversation starters about puberty and practical tips for navigating awkward questions.

“I hope these books quietly change the tone and posture of conversations in Christian homes. Instead of puberty being introduced with tension, embarrassment, or fear, I hope it becomes a doorway to warmth, trust, and ongoing dialogue. I want children to learn early that their questions are welcome, their bodies are not shameful, and God is not distant or disappointed when they feel confused,” Strickland explains. “My deepest hope is that parents would feel equipped to stay close, to listen more than lecture, and to model a faith that welcomes hard questions. If these books can help families build trust now, their children will know they can come back again and again as new challenges arise.”

Darby A. Strickland,​ MDiv, is a faculty member and seasoned counselor at the Christian Counseling & Education Foundation (CCEF). She is the author of several books for adults and kids, helping them walking with God through both everyday life and hard times. She loves helping families grow in God’s wisdom and care for one another. Strickland’s books include Is It Abuse? A Biblical Guide to Identifying Domestic Abuse and Helping Victims, the Comfort for Children in Hard Times series and Becoming You for Boys, Becoming You for Girls, and the minibooks When Children Experience Trauma, Helping Your Family Grieve, and Helping Children with Change. She has also contributed to Becoming a Church That Cares Well for the Abused and Caring for Families Caught in Domestic Abuse and writes regularly for the Journal of Biblical Counseling. Strickland and her husband, John, have three children. Learn more at www.darbystrickland.com and follow her on Facebook (Darby A. Strickland)​and Instagram (@darby_strickland).

About the Illustrators

Emanuel Wiemans is a freelance illustrator, animator, and storyboard artist based in the Netherlands. With over fifteen years of experience in books, brands, and media projects, Emanuel offers a unique style that blends vintage aesthetics with contemporary storytelling. He has illustrated over 45 books, including Becoming You for Boys.

Lourdes Navarro is an illustrator of children’s and young adult literature, including Becoming You for Girls. She completed her higher studies in illustration and graphic design and has spent ten years working in the children’s illustration market. She is currently a freelancer in the Spanish market, with a vision to expand internationally.