The new illustrated children's book 'Masana, the Brave: A Story of Growing Up' is now available in Exclusive Books stores nationwide and online. This book was created by South African author Puno Selesho with the aim of using the story of a young girl to initiate discussions about menstruation, puberty, and growing up.
The book was developed as an educational tool intended to combat the stigmatization and silence that often surround the topic of menstruation. The collaboration became possible due to Selesho's previous work with Lil-Lets as part of a social media campaign called 'Be You Period.'
Selesho noted that the goal was to transform information about periods into a story understandable to young readers. She said: 'Sometimes a period can be the moment that makes a flower wilt. So this was just our way to contribute so that the flower could bloom.'
The book is written by Selesho and illustrated by Gabby Corey. It tells the story of Masana—a bright and confident girl who is a dreamer, an artist, and loves her family, community, and dog. Masana experiences uncertainty when she starts menstruating, showing young readers that even confident girls can experience complex emotions during bodily changes.
Selesho emphasized the importance of conveying this message through a story, as traditional educational materials were difficult to grasp. She explained that people themselves are stories, and we are drawn to narratives because storytelling allows creativity to simplify the understanding of educational information.
Furthermore, the book addresses cultural norms and messages that can turn menstruation into a source of shame. Selesho mentioned that some girls hear that starting menstruation means they stop being girls, while others may internalize that menstruation makes them dirty or impure.
However, instead of claiming the book resolves these beliefs, Selesho stated that its purpose is to provide families with a starting point for conversation. She said: 'We created a tool that starts a dialogue and says that it is actually normal.'
Feedback from early readers and adults also confirmed the need to discuss menstruation. Some mothers told her that they wished they had a book like 'Masana, the Brave: A Story of Growing Up' in their time, and some fathers called the book a helpful start for conversations with their children. Reflecting on her own experience, Selesho added that she would like to know that menstruation does not mean the end of childhood or freedom. She concluded: 'Life goes on, and this is the beginning of something new. It doesn't necessarily mean the end.'
Through this book, Selesho hopes to make practical information about periods more accessible while encouraging communication between parents and children, boys and girls, and young people themselves. She also holds hope that the story will inspire girls to see themselves as future writers, illustrators, and storytellers. Selesho concluded: 'I never want childhood to be taken away from a child. Let the wonder, joy, and magic of simple childhood live, even amidst changes in the body and in society.'