Ruby Luna’s Moontime by Tessa Venuti Sanderson

Short Summary

Ruby Luna’s Moontime Staff by Tessa Venuti Sanderson is a warm, practical, and relatable book for tweens and early teens about getting a first period, managing it at school, and navigating puberty changes. It’s written by an author who understands what girls are going through, making it an excellent tool for parents wanting to support their children through this stage.

Age Group

Suitable for children aged 10 to 12 years.

Topics Discussed

Australian | Periods | Puberty

Buy a Copy

Buy a copy of Ruby Luna’s Moontime by Tessa Venuti Sanderson from Amazon.

What this book is about

• Ruby Luna’s Moontime Staff tells the story of Ruby Luna, a girl who gets her first period and learns how to manage it with the help of supportive parents, teachers, and friends.
• Ruby Luna is the first in her class to get her period, so readers see how she handles being “the first” and what solutions can help, like teachers having a red box of supplies or keeping a stash of pads.
• The story also talks about different period products, including pads, tampons, and menstrual cups, with diagrams to explain how they work.
• It even normalises topics like masturbation and vulva anatomy, which helps reduce shame and encourages body confidence.
• A particularly useful part of the story is when Ruby Luna notices another girl’s underwear has a brown patch. Instead of thinking it’s something embarrassing, she recognises it as dried period blood – a normal but often confusing first sign of menstruation.
• The author, Tessa Venuti Sanderson, also runs workshops for kids and parents about celebrating becoming a woman, which shines through in the book’s accurate and empowering approach.
• Parents can use this book to open up honest discussions about puberty, periods, and growing up, while helping their child feel prepared and less alone.

I hope you find this book review helpful!

Happy talking!
❤️ Cath