Literally Graphic reviewed Period. by Ruth Redford
A great Gender Neutral Nonfiction Resource
3 stars
I picked this up because of my overall interest in discourse around bodily autonomy, reproductive justice and/or gender.
Content notes for diagrams of organs.
Keywords that came to mind reading this volume? Coming of age, colourful, gender neutral, and fun facts.
Digging into the creative team, there seems to be nothing about Ruth Redford except that they also wrote the Mayo Clinic Press Kids title The Human Body: An alien's Guide. Well that's according to Duck Duck Go. Goodreads does have some older picture book titles under that name as well.
The writing in period is very successful. Succinct, and highly informative. Neutral and not dealing in absolutes, for example "If you have a uterus, you will probably get your period." Something I learned was that apparently PCOS is different for kids and adults. Which makes sense, but hadn't actually thought about it
Aitana on the other hand does have …
I picked this up because of my overall interest in discourse around bodily autonomy, reproductive justice and/or gender.
Content notes for diagrams of organs.
Keywords that came to mind reading this volume? Coming of age, colourful, gender neutral, and fun facts.
Digging into the creative team, there seems to be nothing about Ruth Redford except that they also wrote the Mayo Clinic Press Kids title The Human Body: An alien's Guide. Well that's according to Duck Duck Go. Goodreads does have some older picture book titles under that name as well.
The writing in period is very successful. Succinct, and highly informative. Neutral and not dealing in absolutes, for example "If you have a uterus, you will probably get your period." Something I learned was that apparently PCOS is different for kids and adults. Which makes sense, but hadn't actually thought about it
Aitana on the other hand does have a portfolio website, and according to their about page they are "a Spanish illustrator based in Barcelona. My work is based on a universe full of colour and funny characters that transmit good energy." which does certainly line up with how I saw their work in Period. Which features a wide range of character designs, which combined with the gender neutral language about menstruation, cultivates the most visually inclusive and diverse book about periods that I've read so far. And since there isn't a story, everything we know about the characters is communicated visually, so while race, gender and sexuality are not labeled explicitly, the vibes are largely there. I only wish that they had at least mentioned puberty blockers, which are used by both trans and cis youth in relation to periods (among other things).
Otherwise we cover cups, period underwear and reusable pads. How irregular early periods are. Plus we combats shame and concludes with helpful numbers, a glossary and tips for adults.
Less surprisingly, class and place were not touched on. But, as I say, these are the things I want to think about when I read any book.
Wrapping things up, I liked it, so three out of five stars. It does do many things better then Go With the Flow.