Review by Booklist Review
Ages 3^-6. Spelman does a good job of introducing the difficult subject of sexual abuse to very young children. A beginning note to parents offers tips for teaching the very young about their right to privacy (they can even decline innocent hugs from relatives and friends), but Spelman's best advice concerns secrecy--"Explain to your children that any touching which has to be kept secret is not good touching." Her text incorporates these principles, presenting them in developmentally appropriate language: "When you don't want a hug or kiss, it's okay to say, `No, not right now, please!'" Soft watercolor illustrations complement the text. Although never disturbing or explicit, they still manage to convey, through the use of facial expressions and body language, how children feel about being touched A good, solid book on the subject and one of the few appropriate for this age group. --Lauren Peterson
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by School Library Journal Review
PreS-Gr 2This book is positive and assertive without being frightening. It lets young children know that it's all right for them to choose when, and by whom, they are to be touched. It goes on to define "private parts" as "the places on your body covered by a bathing suit," and states that they should never be touched by people other than medical personnel and adults helping with bathroom functions. The prefatory note to parents is an important one as it reminds them to trust a child's instincts and concerns related to unwanted touching. Weidner's simple watercolors are adequately rendered and are appropriate to the content. Even with its basic vocabulary and limited scope, this book will need to be, and should be, shared one-on one.Rosie Peasley, Empire Union School District, Modesto, CA (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Horn Book Review
In a nonthreatening tone, the text explains to young children that they always have the right to refuse a touch, hug, or kiss from anyone, even from someone they love and trust. The soft watercolors provide a warm atmosphere in which families can feel comfortable discussing the differences between appropriate and inappropriate touches. From HORN BOOK 1997, (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
