• Must-have Children's Books on Personal Safety

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    Some Secrets Should Never Be Kept

    Jayneen Sanders, Craig Smith

    Paperback (Educate2Empower Publishing, Jan. 1, 2015)
    'Some Secrets Should Never Be Kept' is a beautifully illustrated children's picture book that sensitively broaches the subject of keeping children safe from inappropriate touch. We teach water and road safety, but how do we teach Body Safety to young children in a way that is neither frightening nor confronting? This book is an invaluable tool for parents, caregivers, teachers and healthcare professionals to broach the subject of safe and unsafe touch in a non-threatening and age-appropriate way. The comprehensive notes to the reader and discussion questions at the back of the book support both the reader and the child when discussing the story. Suitable for children aged 3 to 12 years.Story is a great medium to discuss difficult topics. 'Some Secrets Should Never Be Kept' was written to ensure children are armed with knowledge if they are ever touched inappropriately; and from the first unsafe touch, a child will understand to tell a trusted adult and keep on telling until they are believed. It is an important book and one that all children need to hear. Forewarned is forearmed! This book is supported by free activities and child protection resources on our website. 'Some Secrets Should Never Be Kept' is available in 7 languages including English, Spanish, German, Chinese, Japanese, Italian and French.Body Safety Education (also known as protective behaviours or child sexual abuse prevention education) involves so much more than focusing on stranger danger. In fact, 95% of sexually abused children will know their abuser and only 5% will be strangers. It is also crucial for children to learn that they must never keep secrets that make them feel bad or uncomfortable (in fact, we teach it's best not to have secrets in families, only happy surprises). The trouble with secrets is that they are the main tool used by child molesters to ensure children remain silent about the abuse. Ensuring the secret is kept is of utmost importance to the perpetrator. Therefore, threats and insisting no-one will believe the child is used as a way of controlling the child to be silent. Through Body Safety Education parents and children will learn the importance of there being no secrets between us. Parents and carers need to be on the lookout for signs of sexual abuse in children and grooming behaviour which is often focused on themselves as well as their children. The answer to the question, 'How do I keep kids safe from sexual abuse?' is simple; teach them Body Safety Education from a very young age. Always use the correct names for their genitals, ensure they know that the parts covered by their swimsuit are known as their private parts, and that private means 'just for you', and consequently not for sharing. This is known as the swimsuit lesson. When you teach your child that 'your body belongs to you' you are empowering them with confidence through knowledge.Body Safety Education also involves teaching your child that no-one can touch their private parts, and if they do, they must tell a trusted adult until believed.Kids need to be safe as well as feel safe. Teaching a child that private means 'just for you' and that their private parts are found under their swimsuit is a valuable lesson that can prevent child molestation. The sexual abuse of children is regrettably very common. Approximately 1 in 3 girls and 1 in 6 boys will be sexually abused before their 18th birthday. You can help stop child abuse by teaching social and physical boundaries to kids and that some parts are not for sharing. A child needs be able to proclaim loudly and with conviction that, 'My body belongs to me', 'I am the boss of my body' and that 'From my head to my toes, I say what goes'. Please note: the author uses 'safe and unsafe touch' or 'inappropriate touch' as preferred terms for good and bad touch which may be confusing for a child as bad touch (inappropriate touch) can often feel good, i.e. be pleasurable and this can cause confusion for a child.
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    Your Body Belongs to You

    Cornelia Maude Spelman, Teri Weidner

    Mass Market Paperback (Albert Whitman & Company, Jan. 1, 1997)
    In simple, reassuring language, therapist Cornelia Spelman explains that a child's body is his or her own; that it is all right for children to decline a friendly hug or kiss, even from someone they love; and that "even if you don't want a hug or kiss right now, you can still be friends." She goes on to define private parts and stresses that "it's important to tell if someone tries to touch your private parts."
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    Let's Talk About Body Boundaries, Consent and Respect: Teach children about body ownership, respect, feelings, choices and recognizing bullying behaviors

    Jayneen Sanders, Sarah Jennings

    Paperback (Educate2Empower Publishing, Nov. 10, 2017)
    Teaching young children about body boundaries, both theirs and others, is crucial to a child’s growing sense of self, their confidence and how they should expect to be treated by others. A child growing up knowing they have a right to their own personal space, gives that child ownership and choices as to what happens to them and to their body. It is equally important a child understands, from a very young age, they need to respect another person’s body boundary and ask for their consent when entering their personal space. This book explores these concepts with children in a child-friendly and easily-understood manner, providing familiar scenarios for children to engage with and discuss. It is important that the reader and the child take the time required to unpack each scenario and explore what they mean both to the character in the book, who may not be respecting someone’s body boundary, and to the character who is being disrespected. It is through these vital discussions that children will learn the meaning of body boundaries, consent and respect. Learning these key social skills through such stories as 'Let’s Talk About Body Boundaries, Consent and Respect' and role-modelling by significant adults can, importantly, carry forward into a child’s teenage years and adult life.
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    My Body Belongs to Me from My Head to My Toes

    Dagmar Geisler, International Center for Assault Prevention, pro Familia

    Hardcover (Sky Pony, Jan. 7, 2014)
    Now every parent, grandparent, or teacher can explain to a child the difference between appropriate and inappropriate touching in a way that young boys and girls can understand.As a child, there are constantly people trying to pick you up, hug you, or tickle you. Sometimes, though, children fall victims to people who try to touch them inappropriately.But how do you tell someone, most likely an adult, that you don’t want to be touched? Or, if it has already happened, how do you tell an adult you trust about what happened? You’re only a child, and they’re the adults. Why would they believe you?My Body Belongs to Me from My Head to My Toes is an educational tool to help instill confidence in children when it comes to their bodies. The narrative of the story is led by a girl named Clara, who encourages kids to say “no” if they are uncomfortable with physical contact. The narrator gives readers tips about what they can say or do to avoid unwanted physical contact, or how to tell the right people in the event it has already occurred.My Body Belongs to Me from My Head to My Toes is an invaluable resource that gives children a voice in uncomfortable situations.
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    I Said No! A Kid-to-kid Guide to Keeping Private Parts Private

    Kimberly King, Zack King, Sue Rama

    Perfect Paperback (Boulden Publishing, Dec. 1, 2016)
    Helping kids set healthy boundaries for their private parts can be a daunting and awkward task for parents, counselors and educators. Written from a kid's point of view, I Said No! makes this task a lot easier. To help Zack cope with a real-life experience he had with a friend, he and his mom wrote a book to help prepare other kids to deal with a range of problematic situations. I Said No! uses kid-friendly language and illustrations to help parents and concerned adults give kids guidance they can understand, practice and use. Using a simple, direct, decidedly non-icky approach that doesn't dumb down the issues involved, as well as an easy-to-use system to help kids rehearse and remember appropriate responses to help keep them safe, I Said No! covers a variety of topics, including: What's appropriate and with whom. How to deal with inappropriate behavior, bribes and threats. When and where to go for help, and what to do if the people you re turning to for help don't listen. Dealing with feelings of guilt and shame. I Said No! is a Mom's Choice Awards® Gold Recipient
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    God Made All of Me: A Book to Help Children Protect Their Bodies

    Justin S. Holcomb, Lindsey A. Holcomb, Trish Mahoney

    Hardcover (New Growth Press, Sept. 8, 2015)
    God Made Every Part of You! It's easy to convey the message to children that their bodies or particular parts of their bodies are shameful. This misconception fuels confusion, embarrassment, and secrecy, and often prevents children from recognizing or reporting sexual abuse.God Made All of Me is a simply-told, beautifully-illustrated story to help families talk about these sensitive issues with two- to eight-year-old children. Because the private parts of our bodies are private, the home is the ideal environment where a child should learn about his or her body and how it should be treated by others.God Made All of Me starts from the fundamental truth that God created everything and applies that truth to kids and their bodies. It equips parents to talk with both boys and girls about their bodies and to help them understand the difference between the appropriate and inappropriate touch of others. God Made All of Me allows families to build a first line of defense against sexual abuse in the safety of their own homes.God Made All of Me is the first children's book written by Rid of My Disgrace authors Justin and Lindsey Holcomb. Parents of young children themselves, the Holcombs regularly counsel victims of sexual abuse and are profoundly aware of the dangers kids face. Their simple and relatable story, designed to help children protect their bodies, will be an important resource for every family with young children.Simple, relatable story for two- to eight-year-old children, designed to help them protect their bodies.Includes colorful, age-appropriate illustrations.Conveys a clear message that God made every part of the human body and that every part is, therefore, good (the doctrine of creation.)Gently opens the conversation about sexual abuse that every family needs to have.Facilitates open conversations about appropriate and inappropriate touch.Overcomes confusion, secrecy, and embarrassment about bodies with truth.
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    My Body Belongs to Me

    Jill Starishevsky, Sara Muller

    Hardcover (Safety Star Media, Sept. 1, 2009)
    Speaking to children on their own terms, this critically acclaimed book sensitively establishes boundaries for youngsters. In a non-threatening, engaging manner, this guide teaches kids that when it comes to their body, there are some parts that are for “no one else to see” and empowers them to tell a parent or teacher if someone touches them inappropriately. Telling the story of a gender-neutral child who is inappropriately touched by an uncle’s friend, this tale delivers a powerful moral when the youngster reveals the offender and the parents praise the child’s bravery. Most importantly, this narrative assures young ones that sexual molestation is not their fault, and by speaking out, the child will continue to grow big and strong. A “Suggestions for the Storyteller” section is also included to assist in facilitating a comfortable discussion afterwards, thereby helping to prevent the unthinkable from happening to any child. With inspirational rhyming and beautiful illustrations, this is a compelling and uplifting message of what is right and wrong.
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    My Body! What I Say Goes!: A book to empower and teach children about personal body safety, feelings, safe and unsafe touch, private parts, secrets and surprises, consent, and respectful relationships

    Jayneen Sanders, Anna Hancock

    Paperback (Educate to Empower Publishing, July 1, 2016)
    The crucial skills taught in this book will help children to protect their bodies from inappropriate touch. Children will be empowered to say in a strong and clear voice, "This is my body! What I say goes!" Through age-appropriate illustrations and engaging text this book, written by the author of 'No Means No!' and 'Some Secrets Should Never Be Kept', will teach children the following crucial and empowering skills in personal body safety: • identifying safe and unsafe feelings • recognizing early warning signs • developing a safety network • using the correct names for private parts • understanding the difference safe and unsafe touch • understanding the difference between secrets and surprises • respecting body boundaries. Approximately 20% of girls, and 8% of boys will experience sexual abuse before their 18th birthday (Pereda, et al, 2009). Parents, caregivers, and educators have a duty of care to protect children by teaching them Body Safety skills. These skills empower children, and go a long way in keeping them safe from abuse - ensuring they grow up as assertive and confident teenagers and adults. Also included in this book are in-depth Discussion Questions to further enhance the learning and to initiate important family conversations around body autonomy.
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    Respect!: Consent, Boundaries and Being in Charge of YOU

    Rachel Brian

    Hardcover (Wren & Rook, Jan. 9, 2020)
    Be the ruler of your own body!Your body belongs to you and you get to set your own rules. But you may have boundaries for different people and sometimes they might change. Like when you hi-five your friends and kiss your kitten, but never the other way round! From communicating how you feel, setting boundaries and spotting unhealthy relationships, to reflecting on your own behaviour and being an awesome bystander, this book will have you feeling confident, respected and 100% in charge of you.Brought to life with the incredibly funny and informative illustrations from viral animator Rachel Brian, this is the perfect introduction to consent for kids and families everywhere.
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    My Body is Special and Private

    Adrianne Simeone, Bobby Davison

    eBook (, Dec. 15, 2018)
    This introduction to body safety is designed to empower and educate the youngest of readers to understand that their bodies are special and deserving of respect, and that it is always right to tell. As a survivor, advocate and mother I believe introducing body safety education to children at a young age is essential to normalizing the conversation and supporting the importance of bodily autonomy and appropriate behaviors. While there are a number of good books on this topic, I found that many were too complex for children and families just starting conversations about body safety. This book addresses four main lessons: 1. Your body is special and it belongs to you2. Private parts are the parts of our body covered by bathing suits/underwear3. We do not look/touch each other's private parts 4. It is always right to tell if someone has shared or touched private parts I hope you will use this simple book as a launching point for further discussions regarding body safety in your daily life. Bathtime/potty are great opportunities to remind children these parts are private. Respecting a child's wishes when they do not want to be hugged/touched/tickled enforce the idea that they have a right to decide how to be touched. Please visit: TheMamaBearEffect.org for more information and down-to-earth tips to help keep your children safe and empowered to know that abuse is NEVER their fault.
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    Do You Have a Secret?

    Jennifer Moore-Mallinos, Marta Fabrega

    Paperback (B.E.S., March 1, 2005)
    Every child has secrets, and many secrets are fun to keep, for instance, a surprise birthday gift for Mom, or a secret handshake with a young friend. But sometimes, children have secrets that make them feel bad, and these secrets are best shared with their parents, or with some trusted older person. A child who is bullied might be inclined to keep it secret, but it's always best to tell parents about it. Or children who are touched intimately and improperly by an older person will soon feel better if they reveal the secret to parents. This book helps kids distinguish between good and bad secrets. Even very young children have concerns and anxieties, and Let's Talk About It! books are written and illustrated especially for them. Parents are advised to read these books aloud while their preschooler listens and looks at illustrations of the boys and girls in each story. Many children in early grades will be able to read the stories for themselves. Let's Talk About It! books encourage children to explore their feelings, and then to speak openly about things that trouble them.
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    I Won't Go With Strangers

    Dagmar Geisler

    Hardcover (Sky Pony, April 3, 2018)
    Over 75,000 sold, this thoughtful, helpful book was written to help parents explain children the dangers posed by strangers.Lu won’t go with just anyone! She is waiting to be picked up after school. She stands on the sidewalk, all alone, and it starts to rain. Ms. Smith walks by, and offers to take her home. Ms. Smith lives in Lu’s neighborhood—but does Lu really know her? Lu asks herself, what’s her first name? Does she dye her hair red? What’s her dog’s name? And she says, “I don’t know you, so I won’t go with you! And besides, Mama said I should wait.”As other adults—all of whom Lu has met in some capacity before—offer to take her home, Lu continues to consider if she really knows them. One by one, she refuses to go with them. Until, finally, the person Mama said she should go home with shows up—though his appearance is a surprise to the reader!This sensitively narrated story illustrates how clear rules and arrangements can help protect and empower children during an especially vulnerable time of day. The ending includes a prompt for readers to create their own similar “safe” list, and a list of resources for parents.
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    Good Pictures Bad Pictures Jr.: A Simple Plan to Protect Young Minds

    Kristen A. Jenson, Debbie Fox

    Hardcover (Glen Cove Press LLC, Aug. 16, 2017)
    Young children deserve to be armed early against internet dangers. Good Pictures Bad Pictures Jr. makes it easy for parents to protect their young kids ages 3 to 6. Using gentle, age-appropriate messages, children will learn to Turn, Run & Tell when they are accidentally exposed to inappropriate content.Written by best-selling author Kristen A. Jenson of the original Good Pictures Bad Pictures book, the Jr. version is a comfortable, effective way for proactive parents to empower their young kids with their first internal filter!REVIEWS:“It’s never too early to start teaching kids healthy media habits! Reading Good Pictures Bad Pictures Jr. to your young children is a beautiful way to empower them to make safe internet choices.” Sean Covey, Executive Vice President FranklinCovey Co. and international bestselling author of The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens"Our kids deserve to be warned about the very real dangers of pornography in a simple way they can understand. As a mom of two preschoolers growing up in a digital world, I am thrilled to recommend Good Pictures Bad Pictures Jr.!. We loved the hidden cameras inside!" Dawn Hawkins, VP & Executive Director, National Center on Sexual Exploitation"For the sake of the children, I wholeheartedly recommend Good Pictures Bad Pictures Jr. As a grandfather, father and pastor, I can think of no better gift for a child than the ability to reject pornography. Our kids’ future marriages depend on it." Josh McDowell, Josh McDowell Ministries"Earlier is definitely better when it comes to arming children against pornography. This is a beautiful way to begin protecting your youngest children without jeopardizing their innocence. Get it! Share it!” Matt Fradd, Director at Integrity Restored, Speaker, Author, parent
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    A Little SPOT Takes Action! Box Set

    Diane Alber

    Paperback (Diane Alber Art LLC, June 5, 2020)
    This box set includes 8 ACTION Books: A Little SPOT of Kindness A Little SPOT of Patience A Little SPOT of Responsibility A Little SPOT of Organization A Little Respectful SPOT A Little SPOT of Honesty A Little Safety SPOTFinding Your SPOT In The World