In my thirties, I am definitely not the target audience for Nancy Rue's The Beauty Book. Described by the publisher as being for ages 7-11, this cute, quick read is decidedly written for a preteen audience. However, in reading to review the book, I found myself remembering what it was like being an awkward 10-year-old girl. The Beauty Book would have been a fun read for me at that age. I would quibble a bit with giving this book to a 7-year old (we're talking second grade here, folks). I can't think of any second graders I know who are worrying about pimples, comparing themselves to the models in Seventeen magazine or wishing they could shave their legs and get tattoos. But give it a year or two and I think the book hits the mark for 9-12 year-olds.

Author Nancy Rue has designed this book with informative chapters on various themes of personal hygiene which range from body-care facts and how-to's to Bible-based pep-talks for those lacking in confidence. Each chapter is interspersed with workbook-type features which provide fill-in-the-blanks, little quizzes, and opportunities to journal. While this is certainly a book you could give to an individual pre-teen, I feel the most effective (and fun) way to utilize The Beauty Book would be to build a 10-week girls' group study around it. Each girl could have her own copy of the book to mark up, and a mentor could lead the girls through the scripture basis for each chapter. It would also be super-fun to plan hands-on activities (like a manicure/pedicure day), to put Rue's beauty tips into action.

I was hesitant about the focus on outward beauty that The Beauty Book seemed to espouse at first glance. But I was quickly won over by Rue's emphasis later in the book on the beauty of the inner person being the most attractive quality in God's sight.

I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

--Jen