words & pictures Own Your Period

I loved how inclusive this book is! People of all manner of race, nationality, ability, body types, and gender presentations. The book uses gender neutral language, and is very clear and plain in its presentation. I liked that it doesn’t age the reader (and no adultifying language like ‘you’re a woman now!’), and that it talks about not just sanitary napkins and tampons, but things like cups as well. Very cool book, nicely written and illustrated. It’s a must have.

This is a brilliant resource for anyone who wants to understand more about periods. Detailed and scientifically accurate, yet still with a warmth that feels like an open chat a friend - Chella Quint has done a brilliant job. I bought this for my niece and hope it'll help her become period positive. The illustrations are attractive and colourful too - what a great all-round package. Wish I had this book when I was a teen!

My 10-year-old daughter really likes this book. When I first gave it to her about a year ago, I looked it over first (seemed direct and accurate), and told her she could check it out if she was interested and ask me about whatever she wanted. At first, I think it kind of overwhelmed her, and she put it aside until she was more ready for it.She's starting to develop and her pediatrician suggested it might be a good idea to put together a little just-in-case emergency first period bag for her school backpack. Now that she's gotten a little older and  her girl friends are starting to talk about periods, she's gotten more interested/overcome the queasiness, so she picked the book up again and started studying it in earnest. Since then, she's gotten comfortable with the idea. I think the book has put her on steady footing--she's actually said as much. She's had questions and we've had lots of open conversations about period stuff. It's been very positive and direct, blessedly different from the stained and awkward period conversations of my own childhood.  And as an old mom, I'm glad that it includes the current menstrual product info as well. I was a cup user before menopause, but that seemed a little tricky for a pre-teen. But the book includes info on the period underwear (not even a thing when I had periods) and cloth pads as well as the usual disposable options, and we bought a selection of different types of both and put together a little period pack for her, so she'll be ready whenever it happens. I like that the book is very open and reflects modern ideas and doesn't make periods seem taboo or cringy. I also like that it's positive about  sustainable menstrual products, not making them seem like yucky hippy/old-timey options. (I have to admit I was Iittle skeptical/skeeved out about them, but used cloth pads postpartum & was pleasantly surprised. I'm glad this generation is more enlightened about the idea.) I think it was fun for her to be able to educate me on the newer products, and it was great for both of us to be able to look through the book together and have a relaxed conversation about it. Everything is presented with confidence and an upbeat attitude, and I really love the tone--none of the weird self-conscious stuff like my 70s & 80s childhood. Period shame is presented as a silly, outdated notion, and there's even a light section about the bygone period advertising. We had a chuckle about belts and watched the SNL skit for "Kotex Classic." The illustrations are charming--the girls shown come in all shapes and sizes, not the waify maidens I remember from my childhood. Even the anatomical diagrams are approachable instead of clinical. It's a great way to encourage direct conversations and avoid any shame relating to periods, and changing bodies in general. I'd definitely recommend it.

My daughter found it really helpful. Have recommended to friends

Wow! I can’t say enough wonderful things about this book. It’s inclusive, detailed, and updated.Some negative reviewers were apparently hoping for some toxic 1950’s guide with a few added details I guess. The truth is, it’s inclusive because that is a) ethically necessary and b)scientifically warranted.Let me explain.Puberty is universally hard. It’s significantly worse for trans and non-binary kids because of fears of rejection by friends, their communities, and their families. Periods can be particularly challenging for these kids, and with suicide rates being as high as they are for LGBTQAI+ communities, it is ethically necessary to think inclusively. Parents: you might not know how your kids identify. They might not either. Why not let them tell you who they are? By providing love and support, no matter who they turn out to be, they’ll be ok, and they will be happy because they know you’ll love them for who they are.Second thing is the science: sex and gender are separate things, and neither exist on a binary. There are many variants beyond XX and XY, and intersex kids may or may not menstruate as the book mentions. Hormone levels vary from person to person, producing a wide range of secondary sexual characteristics, often typical for their assignment at birth, but plenty of times not. The list goes on, but the short version is this: not all girls menstruate; not all who menstruate are girls. Some are trans guys. Some are non-binary. Those are all valid things that have always existed, so we can call anatomy by its scientific names and also not confound that with the idea these parts and functions only pertain to women.As a non-binary person myself, I wish a book like this had existed when I was growing up. I’m so glad it does now.Please love your kids. Be kind to them. Cherish what makes them unique. Accept them for who they are and love them.