"Honors the contemporary understanding of gender... A much-needed and extremely well-researched update to the menstrual canon." -- Clara Hendricks, Cambridge P.L., MA, School Library Journal
"A leading UK expert on menstruation and founder of the menstrual discourse and social justice movement Period Positive, Quint brings her knowledge and humor to this upbeat, comprehensive guide to periods. Aimed at pre-teens before their first period or those who've recently started menstruating, it's also inclusive, using gender-neutral language, such as "people who get periods" or "period owners." Accompanying vibrant illustrations, featuring both diverse cis-gender girls and trans boys, echo this inclusivity. Divided into three sections, the guide begins with some basics, from female anatomy to what happens during periods to menstrual cycle phases. The second section focuses on managing periods, addressing topics such as what periods look like, techniques for charting one's cycle, menstrual supplies, and painful periods. In the final "Period Positivity" section, the author counters the historical shame of menstruation and negative imagery in the media with myth-busting and encouraging discussion. Quint shares snippets of her own period experiences throughout, making the material all the more relatable. An excellent resource for anyone new to periods." -- Angela Leeper, Booklist
About the Contributors:
Chella Quint is a Brooklyn-born, Sheffield-based designer, writer, and performer. A former drama teacher and head of PSHE (Personal, Social, Health and Economics Education), Chella coined the phrase 'period positive' in 2006 and founded #periodpositive to use humour and joy to challenge menstrual taboos, and find long-term solutions to period poverty. She became a leading expert on menstruation education in the UK, advising on regional and national policy on menstruation education and period poverty. She created the Period Positive Pledge as a framework for developing menstruation-inclusive policy and outreach. Chella writes and performs solo shows, delivers public engagement projects and designs installations on themes inspired by science, health, taboo, product design and social justice.
Giovana Medeiros is a Brazilian illustrator, based in Lisbon, Portugal. She graduated in Fashion Design at SENAI/Criciúma, Brazil, and went to Dublin to study a Higher National Diploma at BCFE. Giovana's work focuses mainly on children's illustration, but has also been applied to a series of different mediums such as books, magazines, textiles, advertising, games, and apps. She works mainly digitally, but in her spare time likes to explore traditional painting with watercolor and gouache. Her main inspirations come from nature, women, daily life, literature, and her travels.