It's My Body: A Book to Teach Young Children How to Resist Uncomfortable Touch

My little one was getting to the age when I needed to start teaching the "stranger danger" etc (just over three years old), and when I saw good reviews on this book I decided to add it to my purchase. When it first arrived I was disappointed at the simplicity of the structure of the book, but once I read it I was EXTEREMLY HAPPY that I had bought it. This book has the perfect wording for introducing your child to self awareness and protection. No scary terms, just simple instructions on the basic concept of "MY BODY IS MINE." I purchased another book and also a video at the same time, but I have set those aside for perhaps another few months, when I feel that the bigger "stranger" concepts are more understandable. I give a HUGE thumbs up to this book for any parent, because even if you aren't ready to deal with the tough issues of abuse, this is the perfect way to help your child prevent someone from taking advantage of them.

This simple book is all about empowering our young kids to say no to uncomfortable touch. The simple illustrations and language help kids understand it is okay to say "No!" to anyone when they don't like what's happening. It includes examples of times kids like to be touched, like giving a hug or holding a baby's hand. And some times when they might not like to be touched, such as someone holding them too tightly. They then provide a script for kids to practice saying if someone touches them in a way they don't like or asks them to touch them in a way that makes them feel uncomfortable. Teaching our kids their bodies are their own and they have the right to decide when they will share their bodies is a message that will serve them in the long term and that's what this little book is all about!

This book is a great way to start teaching your kids about appropriate and inappropriate touching. This is a tough subject, and I didn't want to scare my little ones about this, and this book does a great job of showing children how to be assertive and say "NO" when someone wants to touch the child or wants the child to touch them.

There are many plusses to this book. That it was even written and is available is a HUGE plus. It is a message that children need to hear...over and over and over...That it is their body. That they have the right to feel *good* or *not good* about what someone is doing to it...and that they can say that, LOUDLY. I do wish it was more visually *interesting* as it really is geared to younger childen. It could use more color to keep up the interest. Unfortunately, I tended to lose my son's interest when I was reading this... When he was young a *message book* wasn't strong enough reason to sit still, he visually needed the pictures. That said, I still did read this when from time to time. I would just pick up where I *lost* him the previous time. The importance of this message can't be underscored enough and I don't think that the lack of visual *punch* is enough of a reason to not buy this. On the contrary, I think you should find every way you can to teach this message to your children.

When I worked with abused kids, I came across a wonderful paperback book called "It's My Body" in which a little kid talks about how he/she (drawing is quite gender-neutral) likes giving and receiving some touches, like when Daddy holds his hand or when he climbs into Mommy's lap. He doesn't like giving or receiving some touches, like when GreatAunt Sally hugs him too tight or when someone he doesn't know very well wants him to give them a kiss. If he receives or is asked to give a touch he doesn't like, he says, "Don't do that. I don't like it!" or "I won't do that. I don't like it!" (I believe it mentioned some necessary touches like seeing the doctor...) We took the book in to my son's pre-K and read it to the class, and all the kids got to chime in and say in a big loud voice, "Don't do that. I don't like it!" They loved it. It is a very non-threatening book, but it allows the child to practice noncompliance in a big loud voice with lots of approval from trusted adults. Most child molesters select their victims based on the victim's compliance. A young child is naturally reluctant to refuse the demands of an adult. If you train the child from babyhood that he is not only allowed but encouraged to state his noncompliance with some demands on his body, you have given the child a tool to protect himself. A loud refusal attracts attention, which is the LAST thing a pedophile wants, and it may well scare off a predator. Is it sometimes embarrassing for the parent? Yes! When GreatAunt Sally tries to hug your 3-year-old child and he loudly proclaims, "Don't do that. I don't like it!" you do have a little explaining to do.... When you reach out to give your four-year-old a kiss and he says, "Don't do that. I don't want kisses anymore," it is *very* hard to catch yourself and calmly say, "OK, it's your body and you have the right to decide that." (It was certainly hard for me!) This is a wonderful book to help any parent make his child less vulnerable to abuse, either physical or sexual. It is very easy to read with your child, very non-threatening, and can be quite fun. I highly recommend it. (original review published April 2002)