Questions we're often asked

The Woo Cycle is an award-winning children's picture book that introduces children aged 4 to 8 to periods and the menstrual cycle through storytelling, curiosity and imagination.

Created by mother and daughter Marlou and James Cornelissen and beautifully hand illustrated by Maia Moore, it helps parents, carers and educators answer children's natural questions in a gentle, honest and age-appropriate way.

When James was six years old, she accidentally called the womb “Woo”. Instead of correcting her, we fell in love with the idea.

Woo became a curious little character who helps children understand the menstrual cycle in a way that feels playful rather than overwhelming.

Most children's books about periods focus on puberty. The Woo Cycle starts much earlier.

We believe children don't need “the talk”. They deserve honest conversations from the moment they start asking questions.

The book also introduces the menstrual cycle as a cycle, rather than simply explaining periods.

The book has been written for children aged 4 to 8. It's perfect for:

• curious children
• parents
• grandparents
• carers
• teachers
• health professionals

Absolutely. Understanding our bodies shouldn't be divided by gender.

During our pilot, parents read The Woo Cycle with both boys and girls. We saw no meaningful difference in how children engaged with the story, the questions they asked or the conversations that followed. Curiosity isn't gendered.

Periods affect everyone, whether directly or indirectly, and we believe all children benefit from growing up with knowledge, empathy and confidence.

No. It's about curiosity, body literacy and understanding the menstrual cycle as a natural part of life.

Periods are simply one chapter in a much bigger story.

Yes. Although the story is imaginative, it has been created alongside menstrual health expertise and reflects age-appropriate, evidence-informed information.

Because children connect with stories. Giving Woo a personality helps make an unfamiliar concept feel friendly rather than frightening.

Because we wanted every page to feel full of warmth, care and imagination.

Every illustration in The Woo Cycle was lovingly hand drawn by Maia Moore over 18 months. We mention this often because, in a world where AI-generated imagery is becoming increasingly common, we think it's important to celebrate the creativity, craftsmanship and countless hours that went into creating Woo's world by hand.

Absolutely. One of the lovely findings from our pilot was seeing dads embrace the story just as naturally as mums.

Several fathers told us they had assumed conversations about periods would be “mum territory”. Reading The Woo Cycle together gave them the confidence, and the excitement, to realise these are conversations every parent can have.

That's completely okay. You don't need to have all the answers.

Sometimes the best response is: “That's a really good question. Shall we find out together?”

That's okay too. Some children read the book once, others ask 100 questions. Both are perfectly normal.

Yes. In fact, that's exactly the idea.

The earlier conversations happen, the more normal they become.

Because periods aren't scary. They're a normal part of life.

The Woo Cycle was created over 18 months by a small but very determined team.

The story was co-created by Marlou and her daughter James, whose wonderfully honest questions inspired the entire concept. Every illustration was lovingly hand drawn by illustrator Maia Moore, bringing Woo's world to life with incredible warmth, care and imagination.

Along the way, the book was read by families, parents, carers and children, whose feedback helped shape the story into what it is today. It has always been important to us that The Woo Cycle feels relatable, engaging and sparks genuine conversations.

An incredible team of volunteers supported the research, outreach and event management for the launch event in Liverpool on 9 July 2026.

No. It's part of Period Reality's wider mission to ensure every child has access to honest, age-appropriate body literacy education.

We certainly hope so. The intention from Marlou, James and Maia is to continue building The Woo Cycle together.

Watch this space.

Yes. We're currently developing:

• classroom resources
• activity sheets
• conversation guides
• lesson ideas
• family resources

We're also actively seeking funding to make these as accessible and inclusive as possible.

Absolutely. Schools are welcome to get in touch at thewoocycle@periodreality.org if they'd like to learn more.

Not yet, but this is something we are building. Please email us at thewoocycle@periodreality.org so we can reach out to you when it's ready.

That is amazing. We are slightly obsessed with the book too. You can support us by:

• leaving an Amazon review
• recommending the book to a friend
• asking your local library to stock it
• telling your child's school
• sharing your reading experience on social media with #TheWooCycle
• donating a copy to another family

Your support means the world to us.

Absolutely. We love seeing Woo out in the world.

Please tag @TheWooCycle and @PeriodReality, and use the hashtag #TheWooCycle.

Yes, we'd love to. We offer:

• author visits
• assemblies
• interactive workshops
• parent sessions
• staff training

Some visits are funded through partnerships and sponsorship, while others are available on a paid basis. If travel is covered, we're happy to travel anywhere.

Yes. Independent bookshops are welcome to contact us directly at thewoocycle@periodreality.org.

We're also available through Gardner and Ingram.

Absolutely. Libraries are very welcome to get in touch at thewoocycle@periodreality.org.

Yes. One of our biggest dreams is to ensure every child has access to The Woo Cycle, regardless of their circumstances. You can:

• donate directly
• sponsor books
• fund a local community

Support on FundRazr →

Yes. Corporate sponsorship helps us donate books to schools, libraries and community organisations.

We'd love to hear from you at thewoocycle@periodreality.org.

Yes, and we'd love to explore it with you.

Many organisations are looking for meaningful ways to support the families and communities they work with. Whether you're an employer, local authority, NHS Trust, charity, school, sports club or community organisation, we'd be delighted to discuss gifting books as part of your programmes or initiatives.

Please get in touch at thewoocycle@periodreality.org and we'll explore what might be possible together.

Every child deserves access to body literacy. We're committed to exploring partnerships to make The Woo Cycle as accessible as possible. This includes exploring:

• British Sign Language
• Braille
• audio
• large print
• inclusive educational resources
• multiple languages

We're always looking for partners to help make this happen.

Please do. We're looking for:

• accessibility experts
• translators
• researchers
• charities
• educators
• healthcare organisations
• publishers

We'd love to hear from you. We're actively exploring translation partnerships and are currently in conversations around Spanish and Portuguese editions.

Please get in touch at thewoocycle@periodreality.org.

We're always interested in speaking with mission-aligned partners who want to help bring The Woo Cycle to children in their own communities.

Yes, we'd love that. Please get in touch at marlou@periodreality.org.

We love conversations about children's books, parenting, education, menstrual equity and social entrepreneurship.

We're incredibly grateful for the response The Woo Cycle has received since launching. Highlights so far include:

• Amazon #1 Best Seller in the Netherlands
• Amazon #1 Hot New Release in the Netherlands
• Top 20 in the UK Children's Books on Maturing category
• stocked by independent bookshops and libraries across the UK
• early interest in international translations and partnerships

For a book published by a small charity, every milestone means the world to us. Thank you to everyone who has supported, reviewed and shared The Woo Cycle.

Absolutely. Media enquiries: marlou@periodreality.org.

We'd love to collaborate. We're looking to connect with:

• schools
• charities
• publishers
• healthcare
• researchers
• universities
• corporate sponsors
• foundations
• translators
• influencers
• brand ambassadors

Absolutely. If you create content that aligns with our mission of helping children grow up with body literacy and confidence, we'd love to hear from you.

We occasionally gift copies of The Woo Cycle to creators, educators and community voices who genuinely believe in what we're building. We especially love authentic reviews, family reading moments, honest reflections and creative storytelling.

If that sounds like you, please get in touch at thewoocycle@periodreality.org.

Period Reality is a global charity working towards a world where everyone understands the menstrual cycle and every child grows up with body literacy.

The Woo Cycle is one part of that mission. You can find out more at periodreality.org.

Because body literacy doesn't begin in secondary school. It begins with the very first question a child asks.

That's why The Woo Cycle opens with such a familiar scene: Mum is on the toilet and a curious child wanders in with a question. We've all been there.

Children are naturally curious about the world around them. We believe they deserve honest, gentle and age-appropriate answers when those questions arise, rather than silence or embarrassment.

Our hope is that The Woo Cycle gives parents, carers and educators the confidence to have those conversations, one question at a time.