Common Sense Media Review
By Stephanie Morgan
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Picture book gives young kids tools for discussing consent.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 3+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
In YES! NO! A FIRST CONVERSATION ABOUT CONSENT toddlers and preschoolers are taught the basics of consent. The book begins with two pages about bodies and body parts, including "penis," "vulva," "butt," and "nipple." From there it covers the topic of bodily autonomy and how kids often don't have it (when it comes to bathing, dressing, and safety, for example) and how adults can give kids more control over their bodies in everyday situations (hugging, tickling, pillow fight, etc.). It discusses the concepts of how to ask for consent, enthusiastic consent, and changing consent. There is also a section at the end of the book that offers ways to continue the conversation, with topics including bodily autonomy and vocabulary, the joy of pleasure, power and adultism, affirmative consent, boundaries, and feelings and empathy.
Is It Any Good?
An excellent primer on consent that will serve as a foundational building block for younger readers. "Yes! No! A First Conversation About Consent" goes beyond the basic principles of consent, providing parents with a valuable tool to foster deeper connections with very young readers. The book addresses the concept of children not always feeling in control of their bodies when trusted adults make decisions for them, such as taking a bath or wearing a bike helmet. By acknowledging these situations, the book empowers kids by offering strategies to feel better about adults requesting such actions, like asking first or explaining why. It also teaches the importance of asking for consent in simple terms and introduces the idea of enthusiastic consent, emphasizing that a lack of a clear "yes" means "no." Additionally, the book instills the notion that it's OK to change one's mind, that "what you want for your body matters," "what they want for their body matters, too," and laying essential foundations for healthy relationships and boundaries.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how the kids in Yes! No! A First Conversation About Consent are curious about their bodies and what feels good. How do you know when something feels good or bad? What happens in your body to tell you this feels right or this feels wrong?
Do you always make all the choices when it comes to your body? When a parent or adult makes a choice for your body, for example when they make you wash your hands before a meal or put you in a car seat for a drive in the car, how do you feel about it? How can adults help involve you in taking care of your body?
Have you ever hugged someone without asking? Or been hugged by someone when you didn't want to be hugged? Now that you've read this book, what will you do differently next time?
Book Details
- Authors :
- Illustrator : Isabel Roxas
- Genre : Body Awareness
- Character Strengths : Curiosity , Empathy
- Book type : Non-Fiction
- Publisher : Penguin Young Readers Group
- Publication date : August 16, 2022
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 2 - 5
- Number of pages : 40
- Available on : Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Award : Common Sense Selection
- Last updated : February 9, 2024
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