Have You Started Yet?: You and your period: getting the facts straight by Ruth Thomson and Chloe Thomson
Every young girl will face her periods starting but it’s the preparation which goes on beforehand which will determine whether or not this is seen as the body developing naturally or a problem. Both are attitudes which are likely to stay through life and it’s obviously better that it’s the former rather than the latter. Have You Started Yet gives factual information in an informative and reassuring manner and in a form which is easily readable to girls of about nine years old and above.
| Have You Started Yet?: You and your period: getting the facts straight by Ruth Thomson and Chloe Thomson | |
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| Category: Children's Non-Fiction | |
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Reviewer: Sue Magee
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| Summary: A straight-forward, no nonsense guide to the changes which a young girl faces. Clearly written and with excellent illustrations. Definitely recommended. | |
| Buy? Yes | Borrow? Maybe |
| Pages: 112 | Date: March 2010 |
| Publisher: Macmillan's Children's Books | |
| ISBN: 978-0230744905 | |
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This is a revised edition of a classic title first published in 1980. Despite the fact that menstruation is common to all women it’s still clouded by rumours, embarrassment and old wives’ tales. There are clear explanations of exactly what periods are, why they happen and how they will affect you, not just physically, but emotionally too. It takes the questions which young girls need answering and provides simple and practical advice on everything from exercises which might help to ease cramps through to how to cope if your period starts and you have no protection with you.
It’s friendly and no nonsense. There’s advice about looking after yourself – eating well and not over-indulging in sweets and chocolate just because you’re feeling low and making certain that you get the amount of sleep which you need – as well as the different types of sanitary protection which are available and how they should be used, including such important advice as not using a tampon at night if you sleep for more than eight hours because of the danger of toxic shock syndrome. It helps girls to feel that they’re in control of what’s happening to them, rather than at its mercy.
This isn’t a sex education book. Familiarity with the facts of life is assumed to some extent – with references to what you should do if you miss a period and there’s a chance of pregnancy – but they’re not gone into in any detail. I found this helpful as it allows the young girl to deal with practical matters in a comfortable way without having to cope with the concept of sexuality at the same time. Definitely recommended, but it's a book to buy rather than borrow as it's most useful as a reference book to return to time and time again. I wish I'd had something like this available!
I’d like to thank the publishers for sending a copy to the Bookbag.
I found this to be a better book than It’s a Girl Thing, but we can also recommend Think Pink by Lisa Clark for its sensible guide to life for the pre-teen girl.
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You can read more book reviews or buy Have You Started Yet?: You and your period: getting the facts straight by Ruth Thomson and Chloe Thomson at Amazon.co.uk Amazon currently charges £2.99 for standard delivery for orders under £20, over which delivery is free.
You can read more book reviews or buy Have You Started Yet?: You and your period: getting the facts straight by Ruth Thomson and Chloe Thomson at Amazon.com.
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Audrey Whelan said:
Dear Book Bag
I love this book. My mother gave this book to me after we had 'The Talk' back in 1980 when I was 11 years old. I now have 10 year old twin daughters who are due to go to secondary school in September so I am preparing to deliver 'The Talk' myself. I didn't think this book would still be available but I was delighted when I searched on-line and discovered that it's not only available but that it has recently been updated.
I have ordered them a copy each and I intend to read it again before we have the discussion in the summer to familiarise myself with the level of information in the book.
Thank you very much Ruth Thomson and Chloe Thomson for being there for me again!
Kind regards
Audrey Whelan
Manchester