Reaching for the Moon Paperback – September 13, 2015

I have read countless books on the topic of menarche, seeking a book worthy of my daughters' keen attention. I longed for a book that speaks of self love, creativity and honoring themselves. NOW finally, thanks to Lucy Pearce this book exists!Lucy has written a beautifully stunning, gentle, wise and comforting book, which I imagine was inspired by --and perhaps written for--her own lovely young daughters. It is written with loving intention and candor and reiterates so many things I share with my own girls, AND MORE. It is simply written, yet covers topics that many would say are complex. The book offers things that girls can do to celebrate their menarche, and also offers gentle ways she can care for herself emotionally and spiritually, during her moontime, and ideas for physical care.Too often our cleanliness-obsessed western culture focuses on "hygenic" aspects of menstruation and personal products, doing nothing to honor the sacredness and spiritual and emotional aspects of this special time in a girl's life. Menstruation is a beautiful and powerful rite of passage that adds an exclamation point to a girl's creative abilities. Lucy's powerful book uplifts and honors girls and their moontime, as a sacred and beautiful time in a girl's life, to be celebrated and revered, not sanitized or necessarily hidden.Thank you to Lucy, for writing and releasing this powerful book. It's a gem of love and wisdom that will honor and help girls feel empowered by their moontime, as they should! I'm ordering two copies for my own daughters, to go in their butterfly boxes (an assortment of lovely feminine things to honor their menarche when the time comes).

I bought this book for my daughter, and I read it as well. It seems like only yesterday I was holding her in my arms as a tiny little baby, and like many parents, it seems like I barely blinked and so many years have passed, and now she's getting to be of an age where her body is starting to go through changes that I wanted her to be prepared for. I thought his book was very well done. She blends fiction and real life advice and experiences to give an accurate overview of the menstrual cycle. I do think that it has a feel and an approach that embraces ways of viewing menstruation that are not as often associated with western culture or medicine (At least, not mainstream), and for someone of a very traditional western mindset, that may present a problem, and some of her advice, like a menarche celebration, may feel pretty awkward to many with that mindset (but I do think her advice about finding some way to make it seem like a milestone to be celebrated rather then an embarrassing moment of shame is really awesome).And I can definitely say her approach towards using teas and herbs for easing menstrual symptoms isn't mainstream, but it happens to be one I don't have any problem with, as a woman who uses raspberry tea herself to ease those very symptoms. There are studies there to support that particular one, you know ;) This book has a very earthy feel to it, truth be told. But for me, what was most important was how the topic was treated, because I want my daughter to feel like what she will be going through is normal and natural, because it is. And I don't think traditional western culture always does the best job of that, to be perfectly honest.

I highly recommend Reaching for the Moon to any parent, grandparent, older sibling - ANYONE with a young lady in your life. Having open, positive talks about puberty will help girls grow up with confidence, but not only that, they'll grow up knowing that their cycle empowers them. Who wouldn't want that for our daughters?? This book is conversational, and it's not intimidating at all. My 8 year old and I are currently reading through it, and it opens up a lot of dialogue and questions. Please, if we care about the future of our girls, we must help them be all they can be, and that means embracing who they are and who they are growing into.

Reaching For The Moon is an absolute must-give gift for any girl's first moon. I'm 32 years old, and downloaded it with my younger family members in mind. I found myself absolutely enchanted by this thoughtfully written introduction to one's first menses. I would love to give this to my nieces as a gift so that they are more prepared than I was...I didn't know about periods when I first got mine, so I thought I was dying. lol. This not only prepares young women for the practicalities of menarche, it presents the information in such a way that it doesn't seem like a dirty "curse"...it seems like a sacred blessing.

This book was well written. It very naturally leads you forward asking the questions in you heart and answering them as you move along. I am glad for my daughter's age that it does not tell about sex or secular experiences but directs them to their mother or trusted adult. While at the same time it does address the budding sexuality of the young lady.I did not like the suggestion of angle or tarot cards, or runes for increasing their intuition. If that is a concern to you it is a very short paragraph at the end of the book where the discussion is around going inward and resting during your moon time. I will be having a conversation about this with them but will still have my girls read the book.Is there anything about a boys journey into manhood simular to thus I wonder? I have 6 boys to think of too!

Great book for young girls!! Can you imagine a world where every girl began their journey into womenhood with this book and this knowledge?! The world would be transformed. I just love Lucy Pearce, her writing and what she offers the world.

This book is exactly what we need in this world. A way to empower young women to own their bodies and the changes that come from becoming women. Framed in a celebratory and informative way. Giving modern day ritual to this important rite of passage.

OMG I love this book so much. I read it aloud together with my 11yo girl (and my 7yo boy heard bits of it which I think is excellent, too).This book is such a loving, gentle introduction to these topics for a young girl: body changes, menstruation, shifting emotions, female health, etc. I am so glad I read it to/with her, now, before she really enters puberty. It makes these changes seem less scary and rather connects her to nature, the moon cycles and the magic within her body.This is how all young girls should be greeted to womanhood, IMO.I love the author’s warm and intimate tone, too. It really feels like a letter from a trusted, older friend.I’d link this with reading books on coming-of-age rites, such as Kim McKabe’s ‘From Daughter to Woman’ (for the parent, that is). But ‘Reachin for the Moon’ is a must-have for any pre-teen girl.

A must have for every young girl ready to enter her "moon time". My daughter isn't quite there yet, but I bought it as a beautiful resource for her to have when that day happens. So much wisdom in here, and what a lovely and healthy approach to growing up, self care and nurturing body and soul during this transitional time in a young woman's life. Can't say enough good stuff about this book. I will now recommend it to every mother I know with a tweenage daughter in tow. Bless you Lucy for writing this!

I have a ten year old daughter and over the past six months I have been looking for books suitable for her age that we could read together, and/or that she could read independently, about menstruation and coming of age. I purchased 8 books here on Amazon - many of which had numerous raving reviews. But I struggled to like or connect with any of them. Much less want to share them with my daughter. Most were crass and written from an overtly sexualised point of view - trying to be 'cool' rather than authentic.Then I ordered Reaching for the Moon. As soon as I started reading this book it became apparent that it was very different from the rest. It is written in a way that not only honours the rite of passage of menstruation, but also the young girl going through these massive changes in her life. The book is very gentle, each page is filled with wisdom. It covers everything that a young girl of 9-13 needs to know. As a companion to open discussion, it is everything one could want from a coming of age guide. My daughter has now read Reaching for the Moon many times. We have shared some really beautiful conversations prompted by this book.I am going to buy Reaching for the Moon as a gift to all my friends with daughters.

Really great book for adolescents/teenagers and anyone older infact- lovely content, empowering and beautiful- about the power of the menstrual cycle and it's connection to the earth and the cosmos.Totally wish I'd read this as a young woman.Would recommend.