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Jessica Biel has penned a children’s book about periods, hoping to give parents the confidence to talk to their kids about menstruation.

‘A Book About Periods’ is a collaboration between the actress, DK (a Penguin Random House subsidiary) and PERIOD.

“People don’t talk enough about periods,” Jessica explained. “So I wrote this book to change that. If we grownups have the confidence to tell the truth about how menstruating bodies work, then we’ll give the kids around us the agency and voice to talk about their own bodies with confidence, now and for the rest of their lives!”

Jessica Biel period book

Jessica Biel period book

The book is set for release in May, but can be preordered now on Amazon.

However, the launch of the book hasn’t been without controversy. After Jessica shared the news on her Instagram account, followers started asking why the word ‘girl’ isn’t used in the book or in Jessica’s video.

Many people said they were confused about why the word ‘girl’ was being avoided.

“‘Kids book’….’we need to talk to our kids’….’so many kids experience this’….not once using the word GIRL. When talking about a book regarding GIRLS having periods. Yes…let’s ‘normalise’,” wrote one follower.

Another commented: “I’m confused right off the bat about why the word “girl“ is obviously avoided.”

“Remember that only biological FEMALES can have periods. Period. End of story,” said another.

Jessica Biel period book

Jessica Biel period book

However, there were also lots of supportive comments, from parents who explained that boys need to know about periods too.

“Why is everyone so up in arms about not using the word girl? I taught my 4 year old son about periods so he can one day be a supportive partner or friend to someone with a period. I wish I had this book available when I did. Everyone should understand more about periods so that girls and women don’t have to feel shame or secrecy around it.”

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  • So good to normalise this because it’s such a normal occurrence that many girls are ashamed to discuss and even mothers who weren’t provided with support from their mothers because of generational gaps

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  • Wonder where she got the idea to write about periods? I think it’s a fantastic idea because some Mum’s and Dad’s don’t know how to explain it.

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  • Hopefully the book and the title will promote wider discussion with all children about periods which are a normal part of life.

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  • I think its a good idea. Hopefully educated both males and females.

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  • Good initiative. I hope it works.

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  • Everyone does need to know about periods, however, I do agree with the comments- only biological females can have periods. It doesn’t matter how you identify…

    Reply

  • We don’t need a book to normalise periods, ere$tions, vu$vas, testi$als, an@s’, etc. But I had to use symbols to write this because MoM have obviously set certain words to remove the post!


    • I’m not sure if I agree, a book can be a helpful tool, besides open conversations.
      I consider to buy a book (different than this one) for my youngest who has down syndrome who is 10yrs old now. She doesn’t understand the talk but a book may have pictures and simple explenations and raise curiosity

    Reply

  • We don’t need a book to normalise periods, erec$iins

    Reply

  • What a fantastic book. Well done Jessica. Young kids need to know about this and not be embarrassed by it.

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  • I think this is fantastic and I’m so glad this can now be part of normal conversation, not a secret that girls/females have to bear.

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  • Normailising is a good thing and I agree that both sexes should know about it.

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  • I certainly think it should be explaining that girls get periods only. Sure boys can learn about them too, but this book seems to have a weird agenda.

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  • So women do not have to feel ashamed about their periods… just that they are women!
    Society has swung from one form of oppression to another.

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  • Good on Jessica to release a book. But its always a catch 22 for anyone who releases books. You will have the minority group give hell over labelling the gender but then you have the majority who is disappointed over the fact the correct gender wasn’t used. For me, I have two boys and eventually I will need to explain to them both about females & periods. My eldest son has ASD so he is delayed in comprehension for his age. So explaining this to him will be overwhelming and he will be confused. He will panic if I don’t use the correct genders. He will be taught girls/women/ladies get periods – Not the word people. Using terms girl/woman/female or boy/man/male is very vital for his understanding. At the end of the day, the pronouns are getting misused and people need to stop confusing others. There is nothing wrong in talking truth that girls get periods, not “people”.

    Reply

  • My boys and girls learned together about periods, wet dreams and whatever else they wanted to know about. My kids learned together about it all, so I jave no worries that the word ‘girl’ isn’t used in the book.
    If you are going to normalise this and speak openly about it as we all should then both sexes need to know all about it.

    Reply

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