‘Masana the Brave’ helps young girls navigate first periods without shame

A new children's book aims to help young girls navigate their first periods without shame. South African author Puno Selesho has released Masana the Brave: A Story About Growing Up, an illustrated book that uses the story of a confident young girl to introduce conversations about menstruation, puberty, and growing up. Selesho, who previously worked on a social media campaign with Lil-Lets, created the book to address the stigma and silence often surrounding menstruation.

The story follows Masana, a dreamer, performer, and lover of her family, community, and dog. When Masana experiences her first period, she demonstrates that even confident girls can struggle with complicated emotions as their bodies change. Selesho emphasizes that bravery means being able to show up even when one is not okay. The book aims to tackle cultural messages that can make menstruation a source of shame, such as girls feeling like they are no longer girls or being perceived as dirty.

Selesho hopes that by presenting the message through a story, the book will make educational information more relatable and accessible. She also hopes the story will inspire girls to see themselves as future writers, illustrators, and storytellers.