Period.: A Girl's Guide to Menstruation (Hardcover)

by Joann Loulan (Author), Bonnie Worthen (Author), Bonnie Lopez (Author), Chris Wold Dyrud (Illustrator), Marcia Quackenbush (Illustrator) "Magazines, billboards, television and movies show girls and women who are tall and slim, have faces with no pimples, never wear glasses and seem to..." (more)
Key Phrases: pelvic exam

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
A Girl's Guide by JoAnn Loulan and Bonnie Worthen, first published in 1979 and newly revised and updated, thoroughly covers questions about puberty and menstruation. The authors emphasize the positive (e.g., "Being comfortable with your own body is important") and use diagrams to familiarize readers with the inner workings of their bodies, including what happens during menstruation. A question-and-answer format in the last three chapters allows girls to locate easily the information they seek. A parent's guide bound into the back suggests how to begin a conversation about puberty, what to cover, etc. A thoughtful approach for young women facing changes. ; Jan.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

From Booklist
Gr. 5-7. The most obvious change in this revised edition (originally published in 1979 by Volcano Press) is the artwork. The design and the black-and-white line drawings, this time by Chris Wold Dyrud and Marcia Quackenbush, are far more appealing than those in the earlier book. The organization is also much better, with clear subheads setting up answers to questions about such basic, very practical matters as "What do I do when I get my period for the first time?" and "What kind of exercise can I do?" The text has undergone a few changes, too (there's acknowledgement of PMS, for example), though much is the same in its coverage of topics ranging from tampons and cramps to a pelvic exam. New to this edition are a calendar for photocopying and an index (awkwardly positioned before the helpful guide for parents). Unlike Robie Harris' It's Perfectly Normal (1994), the focus here is strictly on menstruation; this is not a book about puberty or an introduction to sexuality. But it's a warmly encouraging book, that tells it like it is for young girls. Stephanie Zvirin
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 100 pages
• Publisher: Book Peddlers; 4th edition (March 2, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0916773973
• ISBN-13: 978-0916773977
• Product Dimensions: 7.3 x 7.3 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #565,659 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Exactly what I've been looking for....., September 13, 2005

By	Kim (NJ, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Period.: A Girl's Guide (Paperback)

This book will be perfect for my 9 yr old and I to use as we discuss her next few years. It is so clear and written at a level she will surely understand. I have read MANY MANY books but they all mesh this topic in along with topics which are too old for a 9 yr old. However three of her friends have already started so she needs to be informed now.

As everyone has mentioned the text and drawings are very clear. I was afraid I would have to sketch things out for her - but not now since it's all here. The more teenage topic is quickly referenced on two separate pages in this book - but if she asks I will just say it's for a later discussion. I will be using this book along with Nancy Rue's "The Body Book, It's a God Thing". Both of these books are very well suited for a 9 yr old.

I passed on "The Care and Keeping of You" and "Ready, Set, Grow" for adding in too much information that young girls don't need at ages 9 or 10.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Break the ice with humor, July 15, 2000

By	Janice M. Hansen (California United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Period (Paperback)

I am so sad to see this book is out of print, but I will still recommend it because the book became a wonderful tool to break the ice of informing young girls on the facts of life.

While I have always been very open with my girls, it helps to let them have some private time with a book to learn about menstuation. This book offers so much informtion pertinent to what they need to know, but is presented in such a delightful way, that questions were easily asked and answered. The book features drawings and short bursts of questions and answers. The answers are in depth enough, yet can still facilitate furthur exploring between mother and daughter. The humor involved is appropriate and lightens the subject matter with respect. Truly a helpful book from adolescents and mothers alike.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great for Young Girls, October 24, 2005

By	Barbara L. Warren (Williamsburg, VA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Period.: A Girl's Guide (Paperback)

My daughter is nine... I wanted something that would help her with "the basics" without getting into too much detail about sex. I was looking for something that would focus on HER body and how she is feeling... this book did that perfectly!