Period Book: Everything You Don't Want to Ask (But Need to Know) by Karen Gravelle, Debbie Palen (Illustrator)

From the Publisher

The essential guidebook for every girl.

The Period Book is a reassuring must-read for every girl about to have her period, and every parent wishing to prepare a daughter for this important milestone. With more than 300,000 copies sold, The Period Book stands out from the pack by specifically addressing younger girls. And with eleven now the average age at which girls get their period, this supportive and practical approach, providing clear and sensitive answers to common questions, is evern more welcome today.

The revised edition includes a new introduction for parents and an additional chapter about body image.

Publishers Weekly

With the help of her 15-year-old niece, Karen Gravelle hits her mark with this accessible guide for adolescent girls. Frank and at times funny, the book focuses on changes that occur during puberty, specifically those accompanying menstruation. Though the scope is, intentionally, not as comprehensive as many handbooks on adolescence, the authors address nitty-gritty, practical details not usually included in such tomes (e.g., tips on improvising a sanitary pad). In addition to answering a range of "What if?" questions that would be embarrassing for many girls to ask, the authors also cover such subjects as what to expect from a visit to a gynecologist; living with pimples, cramps and "weird emotions"; and how to communicate better with parents. A comforting chapter about physical development draws an important distinction between being "normal" and being "like everyone else." Though sometimes silly or cliched, Palen's cartoon illustrations echo the candor of the text and reinforce its kid-friendly approach. Ages 8-up. (Mar.)

Children's Literature

Sexuality books usually upset me. It's not the subject matter. It's just that they put information for a four-year-old in the same book with information for a nine-year-old. So I'll be reading along about how babies are made and suddenly I turn the page and we're discussing orgasm. Gravelle's The Period Book is perfect for girls, 8-11, who are beginning to wonder about getting their periods. When my son was in this phase, he didn't want to read aloud about these things, but my nine-almost ten-year-old daughter does. She and I read this book from cover to cover and almost every page helped her ask a question. We had a wonderful conversation about how all women are connected-and how any woman, anywhere, would be happy to lend you necessary supplies if you suddenly got your period and had none. The book has great suggestions to prepare young girls, and one of the best things we did was take a field trip to discover useful items in our bathroom.

School Library Journal

Gr 4-7-In a friendly, chatty manner, Gravelle explains the external and internal changes of puberty. She gives girls just enough practical details to know what to expect and how to cope with periods. Questions about big and little matters are answered in the same reassuring, sisterly vein. Humorous line drawings add to the light tone. Similar to Period (Volcano, 1991) by Gardner-Loulan, Lopez, and Quackenbush, this title is more direct, has fewer distractions, and the information is well indexed. While it doesn't replace a comprehensive work like Lynda Madaras's The What's Happening to My Body? Book for Girls (Newmarket, 1987), its directness and simplicity makes it a solid choice, especially for younger girls.Martha Gordon, formerly at South Salem Library, NY

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