Review by Booklist Review
Geared toward helping adults discuss potentially tricky topics with the youngest set, this sturdy entry in the First Conversations series broaches the topic of consent. Inviting artwork featuring toddlers, kids, and families of all types gives this board book a congenial tone, and straightforward descriptions are paired with direct questions and prompts--"Tell me about a time you changed your mind"--to encourage little ones to consider their own feelings. Affirmative consent, bodily autonomy, and correct vocabulary for body parts and more (including when adults make choices to keep kids safe, regardless of whether those kids agree) are all addressed in the frank, easy-to-understand text. Robust back matter directed at adults offers helpful explanations for why each concept is important and tips for how to positively model good practices around consent. Meaningful guidance for children and adults together.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by School Library Journal Review
K-Gr 2--Colorful illustrations and simple questions to discuss offer a lighthearted path into a serious topic. The concept of consent is explained in simple, direct terms: "If someone says YES, it means you have their consent. But if they don't say YES, the answer is NO." Familiar examples such as hugging and tickling are used to illustrate the topic, as well as various ways, verbal and nonverbal, in which someone might communicate a "No." There are explicit words and illustrations for various body parts (examples include "butt" and "nipples") and these are entirely appropriate in context. The book includes a mix of characters of varying skin tones and ethnicities. Though this has been published as a board book, the pages are far more text-heavy than one usually encounters in this format, making the text accessible only to an adult or older reader. Includes an author's note and four pages of back matter which include explanations of such topics as Bodily Autonomy, Power and Adultism, and Affirmative Consent. VERDICT Perfect for a parenting or school counseling collection, the book's format may not be the best choice for school libraries.--Sue Morgan
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
