Book Review
A short overview of this book
This Period in my Life by Saskia Boujo is a lovely book that has been designed to inform and prepare young people for their first period. It is one of the few period books that are inclusive, with ungendered language used throughout. Which means it is also suitable for transgendered children who have periods.
I really like the approach that this author has taken with this book, as it is more than a book filled with facts. It is also a journal, which means it has activities and places for your child to reflect on their own period. It also encourages the reader to become more in tune with their body so that they can understand how their hormones may influence their day to day life.
It takes a nice simple approach that kids will easily understand and feel comfortable with reading.
This book includes:
- Facts on periods and straight forward science about the menstrual cycle.
- Practical and achievable advice on menstrual products, with an emphasis on sustainability and safe disposal.
- Hints and tips for self-care during the more challenging phases of the cycle.
- Easy steps to tackle period poverty and to normalise period conversations at school
- 2 years worth of monthly charts for tracking cycles
- Templates, quizzes and colouring pages as well as plenty of space to doodle away…
You can learn more on this page, about how to talk to kids about sex education.
Ideal Age
Ideal for children aged 11 to 14 years.
Buy this book
✅ Buy a copy of This Period in my Life by Saskia Boujo from the Author.
Video Transcription
A transcription in case you are more of a reader than a listener
Hey there! I’m Cath Hak, and welcome to Sex Ed Rescue. On my YouTube channel and website, I review books that can help parents with sex education. Today, I want to talk about a book called This Period In My Life: Period Guidebook Journal by Saskia Boujo. Sorry if I mispronounced the name!
Now, there are plenty of books out there about periods, but what sets this one apart is its holistic approach. It goes beyond just explaining what periods are and how to take care of them. It dives into the hormonal changes that come with our cycles and how they can affect our moods and energy levels. It’s all about helping uterus owners become more in tune with their bodies and accepting the natural fluctuations that come with it.
This book is actually a journal, which is super cool! It encourages kids to start charting their cycles. Knowing your cycle is not only important for understanding your body, but it can also help you know when you’re fertile or ovulating. Trust me, this knowledge can be a game-changer when it comes to family planning. I used to work in Women’s Health, and I’ve seen so many people struggle with conception simply because they weren’t aware of their fertile days. This book provides a handy charting section at the back to help with that.
And let’s talk about the illustrations! They’re absolutely beautiful. The author has done an amazing job with this book. It’s gentle and not overly sarcastic like some other books out there. I’ll show you the index real quick, so you can get a sense of what it covers. You can pause and take a closer look if you want. It covers everything from body parts and how periods work to breaking down the cycle into seasons. I love that approach!
It also offers advice on managing PMS, dealing with period pain, choosing sustainable period products, and even has a section on self-care. Oh, and it doesn’t forget to celebrate the first period! It’s important to make that milestone special. The book also explains all the different parts of the vulva and how they function. Plus, there are activities throughout the book that you can do with your child or tween, making it a great tool for starting conversations.
The book goes into detail about the different phases of menstruation and how they can impact us physically and mentally. It even suggests things we can do to feel better and things to avoid. It covers everything from different foods to historical methods of managing periods and the evolution of period products. It’s a comprehensive guide that goes beyond just the basics.
So, if you’re a parent who wants your child to have a deeper understanding of their menstrual cycle and how it can affect their daily lives, this book is for you. It’s informative, engaging, and will definitely spark some great conversations. I hope this review helps you out. Cheers!
