Mel Hammond: American Girl book author accused of encouraging use of puberty blockers

The author of a book teaching pre-teen girls to use puberty blockers without their parents knowing, described her work as helping “children learn to love themselves.”

The controversial book, A Smart Girl’s Guide: Body Image, was written by Wisconsin-based writer Mel Hammond, a staff member of self-help guide publisher American Girl Dolls.

The book includes advice on how to change gender without parental consent and tries to teach pre-teen girls to “be comfortable in their own skin.”

A passage in the book – marketed to girls between the ages of three and 12 – advises: “If you haven’t gone through puberty yet, the doctor may offer medicine to delay the changes in your body, giving you more time to think about your gender identity.’

It also provides a list of resources for organizations the children can turn to “if you don’t have an adult you trust.”

Before publishing this book, her previous work for American Girl was an activist book Love the Earth. That work was described as “for girls who care about the earth to help them understand climate change, champion solutions and live eco-friendly lives.”

In an interview with the American Doll website, she said she loves “educating people about the climate crisis.”

“I think it’s important to advocate for new legislation that can make a difference, so I send emails to my state representatives when a new environmental law is under consideration.”

In a TikTok video to promote it, she tells parents to “tell your daughter to start a climate club at school.”

According to her LinkedIn page, Hammond has been working for American Girl since 2019. In that time, she has written five children’s advice and activity books for the brand, including Pets and Love the Earth.

A graduate of Kansas State University, Hammond also writes articles for the American Girl website. Since 2017, Hammond has volunteered with the Big Brothers and Big Sisters of America.

Her controversial opus was released on November 1. Writing about the book on Instagram, Hammond said, “This book helps kids love themselves, appreciate the amazing things their bodies can do, and treat all types of bodies with respect.”

She continued, “It’s a book I would have loved to read as a child!”

According to her LinkedIn page, Hammond has been working for American Girl since 2019. In that time, she has written five children’s advice and activity books for the brand, including Pets and Love the Earth.

Hammond joked that the book was released as she was getting married to HIV researcher Edward Evans, pictured here. On her Instagram profile, Hammond lists her favorite color as the Rainbow Pride symbol

The publication of the book was first announced in February of this year. Mattel has not promoted the book on its official Instagram page

Hammond joked that the book was released as she was getting married to HIV researcher Edward Evans. On her Instagram profile, Hammond lists her favorite color as the Rainbow Pride symbol. ‘

The writer describes working for American Girl as “pretty much the best job in the world.”

Hammond says her work now consists of reading, writing and editing children’s books.

Speaking of American Doll in a interview with a fan site committed to the toys, Hammond said, “I never owned an American Girl doll myself, but I knew from an early age how special they were.”

Part of the book encourages pre-teen children to seek out puberty blockers without parents’ knowledge

A press release promoting the book read in part, “Every girl needs to learn how to live comfortably in her own skin, and this book will lead the way!”

The book also includes a list of resources for organizations the children can turn to “if you don’t have an adult you trust”

Following the book’s release, American Girl Doll’s official Facebook page is now littered with negative comments. One person wrote, “Your book is disgusting. It’s child abuse.’ The iconic doll brand and parent company Mattel did not respond to multiple requests for comment.

Another person wrote: ‘No more customer! American Girl promotes this awakened gender ideology!’

While another said, “Sounds like the American Girl Doll company should focus less on trying to push the agenda from puberty blockers to 3-14 year olds!!!!”

A review on Amazon read: ‘A book that encourages kids to take puberty blockers (known to cause infertility and increase cancer risk) when they’re not feeling well. AND gives them the means to do this behind their parents’ backs? Isn’t okay. These kids hear enough about it in this world, there’s no reason to put it in a children’s book.’

Another negative review read: ‘A doctor does not assign your gender at birth. It is produced long before you leave the birth canal. And telling girls it’s okay to take puberty blockers and give them resources if their parents don’t approve? SICK!! This book should teach girls to be happy in your own GIRL body and how to accept that and be proud to be a girl.”

There are currently overwhelmingly more negative reviews of the book on American Girl’s website.

The only positive review, which reads, ‘I love how they incorporated gender intersection and very diversity. Beautifully written’, appeared nine months before the book came out.

The publication of the book was first announced in February of this year. Mattel has not promoted the book on its official Instagram page.

A press release said, “Every girl needs to learn how to feel comfortable in her own skin, and this book will show the way!”

“In these pages, a girl will find everything she needs to love her unique self, stay confident through her body’s many changes, and appreciate her body for the life it allows her to live,” the statement continued.

It concluded: ‘Full of activities, tips, crafts and stories about real girls, this book is a feel-good reminder that all bodies deserve love and respect.