Vaginas and Periods 101 by Christian Hoeger and Kristen Lilla

Hey there! Welcome to Sex Ed Rescue, I’m Cath Hak, your friendly sex educator. On my YouTube channel and website, I cover all things related to sex education, including book reviews. Today, I want to talk about a self-funded book called Vaginas And Periods 101 by Christian Hoger and Kristen Lilla.

Now, this book isn’t widely available like your typical Amazon or Book Depository find. You’ll have to order it directly from the authors because it’s a pop-up book. Pop-up books are usually published by big companies, but self-funded ones don’t have the print-on-demand option for pop-ups. But let me tell you, pop-up books are awesome! I’m a big fan and have quite a collection.

Vaginas And Periods 101 isn’t the only pop-up book on this topic, but it’s the latest one to hit the shelves. The book mainly focuses on periods and period products, with a little bit of information about what’s down there. It’s like an introduction to periods for kids, suitable for ages eight and up, maybe even younger.

The book starts by giving some basic information and then dives into what the inside looks like. I really appreciate that the book is inclusive and doesn’t assume that all girls have vaginas or vulvas. It acknowledges that some kids are transgender too. Thumbs up for that!

One of my favorite parts is the section on the menstrual cycle. It explains the different phases and even has a cool illustration showing how the egg moves during ovulation. Then it goes into detail about period products. There are disposable pads, cloth pads, and period pants. Period pants are amazing because they give kids peace of mind knowing they won’t leak through their clothes. We also have tampons, but I wish they had included different types, like applicator tampons, which are popular in other countries. Nevertheless, they do show what a tampon looks like on the inside.

The book also covers cups and sponges, which might be more suitable for older kids. Personally, I think it’s great to provide information, but for younger children, it might be a bit overwhelming. But hey, knowledge is power!

Oh, and did you know there are other period products out there? Like disposable diaphragms, reusable tampons, and cloth pads. Some adults even use crocheted ones! But I’m not an expert on toxic shock syndrome, so do your research.

The book also emphasizes that vulvas come in different shapes and colors. There’s even a mirror page so kids can take a look at their own. Just a heads up, I wouldn’t use it as a mirror for myself, because everything gets blurry! The book also talks about the different colors of blood, although I wish they had included the bright red that kids often see when they wipe with toilet paper.

Lastly, the book covers vulva and vagina care, reminding kids not to stress too much about smelling nice down there. It’s all about normalizing and embracing our bodies, which is fantastic!

At the end of the book, you’ll find some positive comments and additional resources. Now, I have to mention that this book isn’t cheap. I paid around $50 to $60 Aussie dollars, including postage, to get my copy. So, it’s more of a luxury book for sex educators like me who love collecting resources. But don’t worry, there are other more affordable options out there if you’re just starting conversations about periods with your kids.

Who knows, maybe one day this book will be picked up by a publisher and become more accessible. Until then, it’s a great resource for introducing younger kids to periods, vaginas, and vulvas. I hope this review helps you make an informed decision.

Cheers!