My Body Belongs to Me

As a child advocate for well over 30 years, it's a relief for me that finally, a powerful book has been written for parents and children! Through her beautiful poetry and storytelling talents, Jill Starishevsky empowers children, as young as three, to own their bodies and to seek help if they are being sexually abused. As an experienced prosecutor of child abuse and sex crimes, Jill Starishevsky knows first hand where the gaps are; she's filled them with this book! I recommend this book to all parents; it also provides helpful discussion tips for parents, as well, since it's often difficult to introduce this critical topic to children in conversation. I'm so grateful that Jill Starishevsky used her experience to protect and nurture innocent children, and prevent child sexual abuse.

Jill Starishevsky, an Assistant District Attorney in New York City who has prosecuted hundreds of sex offenders, has written a book to help parents bring up the delicate subject of sexual abuse with their children. "My Body Belongs to Me" combines simple, rhyming words with lovely drawings to help children understand, "This is my body, and it belongs just to me." The book also instructs kids to tell someone when they're touched inappropriately and reassures them that "they did nothing wrong" when abuse occurs. In addition to these tips, "My Body Belongs to Me" also includes a letter to parents and resources for more information. I highly recommend it for all families with children between the ages of 3 and 10.

The subject of sexual abuse is not one that I quickly think to talk about with my children yet it is a topic that I believe is very important to address. I want my kids to know what is appropriate and what is not, I want them to know who to talk to if they ever feel uncomfortable. But am I talking to them about this? When is a good time to do that? What is a good way to touch on this subject in an age appropriate way? I applaud Jill for taking action in an area that she saw a need and helping to equip us as parents to educate our children. I read this book with my 5 year old son and found that it lead comfortably into talking about this subject in a way that might have been more difficult to do otherwise.

This is a difficult subject to bring up. But it's also a necessary one in this day and age. The TV talks about child sexual abuse all the time. My grandkids wanted to know what that was. So I bought this book and I am so happy I did. It is the best little book, it's not scary and it makes the child the hero for telling. The kids really liked it. My grand kids are ages 4 to 9 and it opened up a very good discussion. With all the news on the Jaycee Dugard case we have turned it into a teaching moment. Thank you Jill for so skillfully discussing such a sensitive subject.

The author skillfully captures an extremely difficult subject using simple language any child can understand. With clear pictures and straightforward verbiage, the book is an invaluable resource for parents and childcare workers. It's never too early to broach the subject of personal space and the right to say 'no!', even to adults. Ms.Starishevsky does so masterfully. Christine Louise Hohlbaum is the author of The Power of Slow: 101 Ways to Save Time in Our 24/7 World and Diary of a Mother: Parenting Stories and Other Stuff.