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Welcome to Your Body #1

Welcome To Your Period

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A frank, funny, age-appropriate guide for pre-teens about getting your period, from Dr Melissa Kang (a former Dolly Doctor) and Yumi Stynes (all-round excellent woman).

Getting your period for the first time can be mortifying, weird and messy – and asking questions about it can feel even worse.

But it doesn’t have to be like that!

This little book is packed with honest advice on all the things you need to know: from what cramps feel like to whether you can feel it coming out, to what you should do if your pad leaks onto your clothes. 

Welcome To Your Period includes case studies, first-person accounts and questions from real teens (and answers from real experts – us!) so you can manage your period like a boss.

176 pages, Paperback

Published August 1, 2019

29 people are currently reading
268 people want to read

About the author

Yumi Stynes

14 books27 followers
Yumi Stynes is an Australian writer, broadcaster, television presenter, food fanatic, fitness enthusiast, and mother of four—including two teenage girls. She is the presenter of the award-winning ABC Radio podcast Ladies, We Need to Talk, about female health and sexuality. Yumi Stynes lives in Sydney.

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5 stars
110 (52%)
4 stars
67 (31%)
3 stars
24 (11%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 76 reviews
Profile Image for Sarah.
994 reviews176 followers
July 2, 2020
This is a fun and down-to-earth title aimed at the middle-grade pubescent market.
The authors are both Australian and well-credentialed. Yumi Stynes is an author and presenter on radio and television. She presents the award-winning ABC (Australia) Radio podcast "Ladies, We Need to Talk", which focuses on female health and sexuality. Melissa Kang is a practising medical practitioner, and for many years held the roll as "Dolly Doctor" in Australian "Dolly" magazine, answering readers' questions about puberty, sex, and relationships.
The book is broken into a series of short chapters or sections relating to the experience of menstruating, and is presented in a colourful format with fun and inclusive cartoon-style illustrations by UK-based illustrator Jennifer Latham.
The style is informative, whilst also being accessible to an audience in the 10-15 year age group. The advice is practical and open-minded and the wide variety of feelings around and experience of menstruation is reinforced throughout. The book is entirely trans-inclusive, which is great to see in light of recent publicity around the TERF (trans-exclusionary radical feminist) lobby. There is also a small section on tips for being a supportive period ally for non-menstruators.
As the mother of a 10-year-old daughter, I found the sections on preparing for the arrival of one's first period, and what to expect, particularly helpful and entirely age-appropriate. Much of the middle portion of the book deals with a series of "Period Challenges", scenarios where many teens experience anxiety associated with menstruation, such as participation in sports, attending camps or sleepovers while menstruating and the inevitable "accidents". These are dealt with in a matter-of-fact and practical way, with many worthwhile suggestions for planning ahead and supporting others experiencing issues.
More established menstruators will find later sections detailing different menstrual management products available and troubleshooting period-related concerns (PMS, period pain etc.) a useful reference. I was also really pleased to see sections on the environmental impact of different menstrual products and the social issue, both local and global, of "period poverty".
I felt the advice around what is considered as fitting within the wide definition of "normal" in terms of timing and experiences and when readers should seek help from a medical professional well-balanced and informative, containing as it does a caution against relying on internet self-diagnosis. My only concern in this regard was that the section detailing toxic shock syndrome (TSS) appears late in the book and wasn't specifically referenced in earlier sections which touched on the circumstances and length of time a tampon should be worn. Also the book refers to two different optimum maximum times for which tampon should be used - three to six hours, but never longer than eight hours is quoted in the section (pp. 47-50), while the section related to TSS (p.142-3) states that tampons should be changed "at least every four hours". As a menstruator of some 35 years' standing, I was confused, so would expect that an 11 or 12 year old would also find this inconsistency bamboozling. When added to the fact that that the authors advocated practising with inserting and wearing tampons while not actively menstruating (p.48), this could potentially pose a medical risk.
All in all, a well-conceived and targeted guide. I will be purchasing a copy for my daughter when this edition is published in January 2021.
Thank you to the authors, NetGalley, Candlewick Press and Walker Books US, for the opportunity to read and review an advance copy of this title.
Profile Image for Amy Bell.
456 reviews13 followers
June 26, 2020
Thank you Net Galley for the opportunity to review this book for my honest opinion.
I requested this book because I have 2 daughters and will eventually have to have talks with them about their periods. The book is full of good information but crossed a line I'm not comfortable with, with the transgender agenda and the cussing. I don't have to cuss to get my point across and I feel like it demeans the women they claim to empower. Because of those two reasons, I give it 3 stars.
Profile Image for Natalie  all_books_great_and_small .
3,118 reviews166 followers
July 13, 2020
I received an advance reader copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review via netgalley and the publishers.

This is a great book for girls to introduce them to their period in a nice, friendly and positive way.

The book can be a great resource for girls unsure about if something is normal or not relating to their period especially if they don't have a female to talk to about things at home or if they're completely embarrassed to discuss or bring up any talks about periods and changes to their body.

I enjoyed reading this and wish I'd have had a book like this when I was first getting my periods.
I suffer from endometriosis and I'm especially pleased that this was mentioned within this book however I do think more should have been said in relation to this such as the average diagnosis time (3 years) and how not just taking a doctors word on it just being painful periods should be noted and explored more.
Profile Image for lunarlibrarian.
1,076 reviews7 followers
April 22, 2021
5 Stars, period!

-Illustrated - which is so helpful!
-Diverse illustrations and points of view - intentionally takes up space with varying body shapes, disabilities, religious/community perspectives, family life, and more. These aren't treated as "outside the norm," but "AS the norm."
-So informative! Without overloading.
-Funny
-Addresses both period activism, and period environmentalism, and being a period ally (carry extra tampons/pads, don't shame how other people do their periods, but also: how boys can help out girls on their periods)
-Conversation! Starters! So many examples of how to talk to: dad, mom, gym teachers, girl friends, boy friends, doctors, others.
-Addresses shame around periods, but it also does not shame those who shame. (Does that make sense?)


It's just perfect, okay? Get this for your library. Get it for your daughters. Get it for the single man raising a girl. Get it for your sons. Get it for yourself.
Profile Image for Kelsey.
901 reviews
February 24, 2021
A very thorough and helpful guide for people who experience periods. I wish this existed when I was a kid, because it is so detailed and covers so many feelings and questions that I didn't know to ask about when I was young and preparing for my own period. My parents were always willing to listen and educate when they could, but it's hard to prepare yourself or your kids for everything. This goes a long way toward reaching that goal.

I was also very pleased with the author's brief but important inclusion of information specific to persons with disabilities as well as trans and non-binary folx. Yes, trans and non-binary people exist and they experience these issues differently than us cis folx. These are the facts.

This book is informative for all kids -- including those who will never have periods (see the Ally chapter!) -- for a full understanding of what our bodies and minds experience during periods and menstrual cycles.
Profile Image for Laura.
3,239 reviews101 followers
February 4, 2021
This dates me, but gosh I would have loved to have had a book like this when I first got my period. This has all the information you could want, and all the questions you might have, including the color that period blood is, when you first start, and later in the cycle.

Good advice about what to carry with you incase you get your period when you are out and about. Oh my gosh, that is, I agree with the author, why we carry purses.

I disagree about the period party. But I get that the authors are trying to make it something to celebrate.

Glad that gender identity and periods is brought up here. Other reviewers felt that it wasn't necessary, but really, where else are you going to have someone talk to you about it?

All in all, an easy to access book for girls just wanting answers to all their questions.

Thanks to Netgallky for making this book available for an honest review.
Profile Image for Erin.
2,448 reviews38 followers
July 7, 2021
So well-done! Great, all-inclusive facts about managing periods and answering questions relating to menstruating. I loved the little teen magazine style pull-quotes from both teens and grown-ups who have experienced periods.
Profile Image for Katelynne.
893 reviews12 followers
April 24, 2021
A solid, feminist, thorough, inclusive introduction to periods. I love this one.
Profile Image for Marjan.
6 reviews3 followers
July 9, 2022
Amazing book with lots of helpful info. It gives tips and tricks about much more than just the basic facts about periods. It's even trans-friendly, which was a nice surprise. I got it for my niece, but read it myself first. I bought the Dutch translation (Elke Maand Feest; A Party Every Month) and I think it's a bit of a shame the region-specific things, such as helplines, are clearly focussed on The Netherlands. Belgian information could've been easily included.
Profile Image for Erin.
4,569 reviews56 followers
July 14, 2021
Accessible and friendly, this book goes out of its way to be both inclusive and comprehensive. Incorporating digestible chunks of text as well as a little bit of question-and-answer format, this little book tackles a lot of information from the mechanics of periods, to menstrual hygiene, to societal pressures and expectations. I was impressed.
Profile Image for Sandy Brehl.
Author 8 books134 followers
October 9, 2021
It is not easy to approach a topic surrounded by subtlety and silence but one that is ubiquitous in lives of uterus-owning humans. The two authors are steeped in legitimacy of expertise and authoring, combining to produce a user-friendly (by KIDS AND ADULTS!) text that can be read front-to-back, dipped into for specific purposes, and carried/discussed freely among and across generations. This blends actual letters (with commentary and questions) with informative text, illustrations that embrace the reality of diverse human bodies and identities, and direct language that consistently conveys empowerment, positivity, and embracing identity.
It reached the high bar of: This Book Is Anti-Racist: 20 Lessons on How to Wake Up, Take Action, and Do the Work (by Tiffany Jewell, Aurelia Durand) in balancing conversational and academic language and style with confidence and commitment.
I highly encourage everyone to read this, including grown adults of both/any gender. The straighforward insights to half the world's population is long overdue.
Profile Image for Kru.
281 reviews74 followers
June 10, 2020
A very informative book full of period facts, well organised and aptly illustrated.

Well compiled starting from Puberty, Getting to know your body, tips on how to be prepared for the first period, the body types, and so on. Whenever more information is available the onward page number is mentioned. Period Tracker, Premenstrual syndrome and treatment, Irregular periods and when to reach out to a doctor, Pregnancy, Toxic shock syndrome, Endometriosis, PCOS, monthly hormone cycle, Period poverty, and many more briefly explained. There are fun facts too.

An ideal gift to young girls, who have started their periods and also those who are expecting very soon.
Profile Image for Britt.
741 reviews
June 21, 2020
Welcome to Your Period! is a wonderful, inclusive guide for everyone, especially those who just started their period or will do so soon. But as an older bleeder, it was nice to read too.

The book covers it all: from the basics to what to use and covers (briefly) topics like period poverty and sustainability. The illustrations and the language are inclusive to all which is so important. Yumi Stynes and Dr Melissa Kang made an amazing book which normalizes periods and hopefully will make a new generation feel more informed and comfortable around their cycle.

I would really recommend this book to teens and young adults who just started having their periods.
Profile Image for Carly.
53 reviews
September 8, 2019
This is a great little book! As someone who’s had her period for more than 15 years even I learned a few things (and I had a few flashbacks to peeling open the sealed section of Dolly Doctor)!

The inclusive language is absolutely wonderful - although a little inconsistent at times - and the diversity in illustrations and advice was so great to see.

I would highly recommend this book for preteens, teenagers, parents, teachers and anyone who has a period or might help guide someone towards understanding theirs.
Profile Image for Olga Lukinskaya.
Author 1 book52 followers
July 8, 2020
Хорошая, понятная книжка для тех, у кого скоро начнутся, уже начались или даже никогда не появятся менструации. Просто и понятно про пятна на одежде, тампоны, помощь подружкам, а главное — акцент на том, что твоё тело только твоё, и всё, что с ним происходит — нормально. Но ненормально, например, терпеть боль, поэтому можно и нужно обращаться за помощью.
В общем, книга хорошая, исключая несколько мелких косяков, но при переводе мы постарались их исправить — да, да, скоро выйдет на русском в моём переводе.
1 review
August 8, 2019
From reading this book I learnt a lot of stuff I hadn’t learnt in health class at school. I thought the diagrams were helpful and the table of contents made it a quick guide to look up quick queries. I really liked the illustrations and it didn’t seem like a boring textbook. The helpful tips, like wearing black undies were really helpful and I would recommend this book to someone who just got their period or is about to get it.
Profile Image for Nora.
56 reviews1 follower
March 18, 2021
Un libro claro, para un público joven que está aún a la espera de su primera regla (llamada menarquia) o que recién ha comenzado a menstruar.
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Es un libro inclusivo y abierto, como bien dice la contraportada.
Hay diversidad en los dibujos y en el texto: diversidad en las personas menstruantes (incluye a chicas y a chicos trans; a personas con diversidad funcional; a personas que comienzan a menstruar muy jóvenes o más mayores,...); diversidad en las familias en las que crecemos; ...
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La introducción es maravillosa: resuelve dudas básicas y dirige al/a la lector/a a partes del libro según interés/necesidad.
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Trata todo lo que puedas imaginar sobre la menstruación (productos menstruales -aunque a veces se refiere a ellos como productos de higiene- y cómo usarlos; coágulos en la sangre; dolor; enfermedades relacionadas con la menstruación;...) pero también incluye al ciclo menstrual al completo, hablando del moco cervical, de las fases del mismo -aunque solo lo divide en dos-...
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La sección 'lo peor que puede pasar' es muy reconfortante y tranquilizadora. El libro al completo lo es. Trata la menstruación como algo natural, de lo que no avergonzarsd, e incluye relatos reales, preguntas y situaciones típicas.
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Respeta los tiempos de cada persona, por ejemplo, a la hora de hablar del uso de productos reutilizables o del uso de tampón/copa para nadar.
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Promueve la asistencia escolar, las consultas médicas, y pequeños actos de activismo menstrual cómo pedir que haya contenedores sanitarios en los baños del colegio/instituto.
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Termina con un glosario.
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Le he encontrado varios 'peros' como que...
-Habla de 'higiene menstrual'
-Al hablar de los mitos en Indonesia en torno a la menstruación no termina de romperlos.
-Promueve el uso de la píldora anticonceptiva para tratar el SPM sin advertir de sus contraindicaciones (aunque sí menciona que hay que consultar con un médico antes de tomar nada).
-En las páginas 90-91 parece que 'defiende' el dolor menstrual con frases como 'acabas acosumbrándote' pero en la página 140 deja claro que un dolor agudo no es normal y debemos investigar su causa.
-En las páginas 96-97 defiende que dejar de tener la regla es algo seguro (a través de la píldora y otros métodos) sin hablar de la ciclicidad de la persona y cómo afecta a las hormonas (entre otras muchas cosas) este tipo de prácticas.
-Habla del DIU sin mencionar que existen dos: el de cobre y el hormonal. Los cuales son diferentes.
-En la página 102 menciona 'enjuagar la vulva y la vagina' y en la 103 'no necesitas poner jabón dentro de la vagina'. No es que no se necesite, es que no se debe! La vulva hay que cuidarla. La vagina no hay que lavarla.
-En la página 105 habla de 'los chicos' y menciona el porno, normalizando así el consumo del mismo.
-En la página 113 el sangrado libre no está bien explicado. No se trata de dejar que salga cuando sea, sino de trabajar el suelo pélvico para poder contener la menstruación y vaciar nuestra vagina cuando estemos en el baño/ducha...
-En la página 119 habla de otros animales que menstrúan. No soy una experta en este tema pero... ¿las perras no menstrúan? Según el texto no, pero yo creo que sí...
-Me encanta que se mencione la Pobreza Menstrual pero está muy simplificada.
-A las trompas uterinas las nombra 'trompas de Falopio'. Estaría bien que comenzáramos a nombrarlas como 'uterinas'.
-En la explicación del ciclo menstrual solo pone que hay dos fases cuando son 4.
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Puede parecer que sean muchos 'peros', sin embargo son matices pequeños y, el libro en general, es una guía clara, que es de gran ayuda y la regalaría y compartiría con todas las personas entre 10 y 19 años que encuentre en mi camino.
621 reviews
May 16, 2021
The theoretical value of Welcome to your Period by Yumi Stynes is great and there are a few areas that I like about the layout of the book, like message blocks for value added information by the author and Dr. Melissa Kang; however the organization of this book is less than desirable because a couple of times much later in the book it will say "remember when we talked about...". I did like the way related vocabulary words were defined and I appreciated discussing the vast options young girls today have for menstrual products but I also believed that too much time was spent on them as those unbranded products seem to be discussed repeatedly throughout the book. I know that this book is up-to-date in terms of this subject because of the discussion on period panties (which I would have loved when I first started and have purchased them for my grand-daughter). The discussion on use of plastic versus paper and disposal methods should have the word "safely" as once again the environment takes precedence over a person's health. Tampons should "safely" be inserted by whatever method is best for you. The book even suggests that feminine products be placed in your backpack if nothing is available within the restroom stall. Come on! Products should safely wrapped and disposed of in the nearest container! Then there is the section entitled "Periods and Sex" which appears to be in favor of sex (and I could believe it because some girls get their periods before the age of ten and is well within the readership age of their intended audience) without any discussion about the consequences of sex. This topic should have about three lines devoted to it. My suggestion is "It is safe to have sex while on your periods, but remember that your body is constantly changing at this stage in your life and it could harm you, so and you and your body are not ready for sex and some of the other consequences mean that you will no longer be a virgin and it is really meant to be enjoyed with someone special who you will no doubt meet later in life. If you think you would like to have sex it is best to discuss this with an adult or a doctor". PERIOD!
Profile Image for Caoilo.
209 reviews3 followers
July 31, 2020
Title: Welcome to Your Period!
By: Yumi Stynes; Dr. Melissa Kang
Publisher :Candlewick Press
Walker Books US
Genre: Children's Nonfiction
Pub Date: 12 Jan 2021
Granted for review by Net Galley

This book is a pre-puberty book on Periods, who can have them, how they work and what to do if things go wrong.

For such a small book it covers a lot. Such things as what periods really are, can you get pregnant during them, why are other people getting them when the reader might not be. It explains so much that each part is divided so the reader can read just one topic at a time if they wish. The most important 176 pages in some peoples lives.

This book really included a lot. The art alone encompassed all races, religion and ability. This book managed to not only cover Trans aspects but also environmental. It discussed Period poverty which some people may yet learn about.

It gave a list of the available products for periods, instructions and tips. As most teenagers find the topic embarrassing there was even a section on how to speak to adults about the topic.

I would have loved this book when I was younger, even as an adult it addressed somethings I never thought to question. I loved the inclusiveness of this book, whether it was acknowledging trans people or people like myself who have disabilities, I don't think this happens enough.

I particularly liked that nothing was dumbed down. It was like the book treated the reader as an equal and not this patronizing tone that is found in most books of this kind. The idea of a period hero/boss was amazing..

The only one, small, issue I found was that periods were mentioned once as a "girl problem" which I felt excluded the trans community and is not a term I like in general that or Women's problems.

I would have been so much more comfortable with my body growing up if I had this book. I would have worried less. Growing up in Ireland in the 90's periods were just not talked about.

On a personal note I would not recommend the Mirena Coil as a contraceptive but that is due to personal experience.

I think boys should also read this book particularly if they have sisters. I would give it to my nephew to read so he would understand what people in his life are going through and then when his younger sister starts her's he would understand what is happening and that it isn't gross.


Profile Image for Stephanie.
339 reviews
June 11, 2021
This is a difficult book to rate because it gets 5 stars for the actual explanation of the subject. Straightforward anatomically correct language, honest talk about the good and the bad, and encouragement to take questions and concerns to a trustworthy adult. The illustrations of anatomy and tools such as cups and tampons are excellent, as is the diversity of body types. Although, the noses are just... odd. My 7 year old draws a nicer looking nose. Women don't typically have pig snouts and that's what every nose in this book looks like. Diversity in everything! Except noses.

However, (and this should be obvious because of the subject, but sadly, many parents still aren't comfortable talking with their kids about their bodies and sex) a parent needs to read this book before handing it to their child so they can decide how much they want their child reading. It has a two page spread about gender dysphoria and what to do if you identify as a male and then your period shows up... cause your body disagrees. Avoiding all theological and scientific argument, parents simply need to know this is in here and decide how they want to handle that topic with their child. There are also words in the glossary that are heavily related to the subject of gender identification that parents should know about. Because of the layout, it was easy enough to paperclip those pages together and tell my child not to remove the paperclips. It can be a tool later when we need to talk about gender dysphoria.

I did notice the wording of "people who menstruate" and other such language, and I agree with J. K. Rowling that there's a simple name for those people that's way shorter. But, I also explained to my daughter that people like her grandma no longer menstruate, so she just reads that as an age range. The word "cis" is also used once but I just view that as an opportunity for conversation if she asked what that word meant.

Overall, fantastic book that my daughter enjoyed reading. Parents just need to, oh, you know... BE PARENTS and not just hand their kid a book about the reproductive system without knowing what it says about it.
188 reviews
January 25, 2021
Description
This frank, funny guide to getting your period gives preteens all they need to master—and even celebrate!—menstruation.

Getting your period for the first time can be mortifying, weird, and messy—and asking questions about it can feel even worse. But it doesn’t have to be that way. This taboo-free guide is packed with honest advice and big-sisterly wisdom on all the things girls need to know: from what cramps feel like to whether you can feel blood coming out,\ to what you should do if your pad leaks onto your clothes. Welcome to Your Period includes case studies, first-person accounts, questions from real teens, and answers from health journalist Yumi Stynes and adolescent health specialist Melissa Kang, MD. Cheerful illustrations keep the tone fun, and help with how-tos on different period supplies. There are even suggestions for throwing a first-period party. With its inclusive, body-positive message, pocket size, and reassuring vibe, this must-have menstruation manual will make girls feel not only normal but proud.

My opinion:
I LOVE LOVE LOVE THIS BOOK! It schould be translated in every language and be given to all girls! I had the luck to have a Mom who told me everything I needed to know about my period, so I wasn´t afraid of getting it! This book is great, it describes EVERYTHING and gives a lot of help and advice and alsmost everything you need, well - besides your own rituals and so on! I would defintelay recommend this book to everyone - wether Girl or Boy or Parents or Grandparents or or or.. well, please be aware of being discreet when talking to the newly-period girl, let her "alone" and give her time to relax and understand!

Brilliant!!!

Note: 1+++ or of course an A+ - well done!

Thanks a lot for letting me read this amazing ARC, and YES - this is my OWN opinion... Period!
Profile Image for Ilze.
640 reviews29 followers
September 4, 2019
... and why, oh why did this book end up in my hands?
Because Lapa-uitgewers would like an Afrikaans version of it.

I received an e-mail about it (my first translation in almost a year!), did a little sample for them and got turned down ... so much for "kicking ass" (in Afrikaans) (amongst other juicy bits, like "your handbag is a glorified period pack" ... "jou handsak is 'n opgetooide mens(truasie)sakkie"?)("... this bloody exciting milestone", p.27, "ek gaan nie eens probeer nie!").

There will definitely be girls who appreciate this kind of thing - especially those who don't know what "a period" is - no, not a full-stop. I went along with the authors until we got to the part about having a "period party" ... so your teenager's period starts and you celebrate it with red and white balloons, you invite her friends ... and to my mind completely embarrass her. The book even encourages the eating of "red velvet cake" - not that I've tasted one. Come to think of it, I'm not too sure I even want to, now that the connection has been made.

Good luck to the translator who got the job: It's not going to be easy. Especially the part about suggesting other authors who discuss this topic in their fiction. I can't think of anyone who could replace Judy Blume ... but if I remember correctly, Elsabé Steenberg mentioned it. Once. Couldn't tell you where though.
787 reviews2 followers
August 16, 2022
This nonfiction title about a young girls period is filled with a lot of factual information in a highly graphic and colorful way. The layouts mix test with graphic pictures to help a young girl learn the facts about what is happening to her body through puberty. Illustrations include diagrams of the body parts active during the period from the uterus, fallopian tubes, ovaries, cervix and vagina to depictions of different shape and size female bodies. The title includes up-to-date materials on the products that can be used during the period such as tampons, pads, period underwear, reusable pads, menstrual cups, and free bleeding. The information is given in a direct nonjudgmental way allowing the young girl to look at the options that are open to her. The title also encourages the girl to search more information from knowledgeable sources in person as well as on line. Various sources such as podcasts, websites, female organizations, and tracking apps are listed at the end of the title to help girls find more information. I would encourage the purchase of this title for libraries that have dated puberty materials. The information is timely, comprehensive and up to date.
Profile Image for Meredith.
4,209 reviews73 followers
April 5, 2022
This book provides information about menstruation for readers age 10 to 14.

Using a question and answer format, accompanied by cartoon illustrations, it walks readers through period related topics, including what they are, how to manage them, and challenges. Everything is explained using simple straightforward language. The book also touches upon periods and transgender people, contraception, sex, and puberty. There is also a section on how people who do not menstruate can be an ally for people who menstruate. A glossary is included at the back of the book,

I particularly liked the idea of creating "a period pack" to have ready before one’s first period. The information about how to talk to one’s parents is also very good.

Younger readers wanting an introductory book about menstruation rather than a how-to guide may like The Period Book: A Girl's Guide to Growing Up.
Profile Image for Beauty in the Binding.
626 reviews54 followers
January 1, 2021
My oldest daughter is eight and will likely start her period in a few years. I pre-read Welcome to Your Period by Yumi Stynes and Dr. Melissa Kang because I wanted to ensure the information was accurate and presented properly. I loved the positive feel of the book and how it normalizes having a period. It encourages girls to embrace all aspects of their bodies, including having a period. The book is very thorough, and I learned some information that I had not known before. It covered everything – human biology, how to tell your parents, how to use sanitary products, dealing with period pain, etc.

I think Welcome to Your Period by Yumi Stynes and Dr. Melissa Kang is a wonderful resource for girls as they transition into this new phase of life.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I was provided a copy of this book by the author or publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.
Profile Image for Teresa.
188 reviews1 follower
February 25, 2021
This is the BEST period book I have read....ever!

I had a very limited knowledge of what getting my period would mean or look like, and it was honestly a traumatizing experience. I was ashamed, I felt dirty and embarrassed. I didn't understand what was happening or *why* it was happening. I wish I could go back to 12 year old Teresa and give her this book, and a bag of pads.

There are tips and tricks to managing your period pain, how to expect (and not sweat) the leaks, and it has detailed information on period products as well as birth control and what it means for your body when you get your period. Seriously will recommend this to every adolescent that is looking for information on periods -- it's that good!
Profile Image for Marte.
337 reviews7 followers
April 25, 2021
I got this on Netgalley in exchange for an honest review!

This is a great non-fiction book about periods! It goes through the information in a clear, simple (but not dumbed down) and conversational way, which makes it much more of an advice book instead of the typical sterile and boring non-fiction books I've experienced about periods before! It also progresses in a way that makes total sense, beginning with a "what is it?" and going through how to prepare both once you've got it, but also before. Love the examples and how it helps to render it harmless and make it less of a big deal.

Have already ordered a physical copy for myself! (which is saying something)
Profile Image for Elaine Fultz, Teacher Librarian, MLS.
2,356 reviews38 followers
October 18, 2021
Straight forward and humorous info about periods. It's unbelievable that it's 2021 and books like this aren't just standard parts of intermediate and junior high school library collections. Come on people, everybody needs these books.

Pg19 recommended reading revenge of the red club by Kim Harrington and are you there God it's me Margaret by Judy Blume and to night owl from dogfish. Great books!

Pg28 (example of humorous honest info)
"You are not alone if your first period is a bit anticlimactic! My first couple of periods weren't even red they were a murky sort of brown and a bit watery. I was hoping it would be more like a murder scene and instead it was like Shrek's swamp."
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