Kids' Books for Healthy Boundaries: Bodies, Consent, Bodily Autonomy, and More
By The Kid Lit Mama
By The Kid Lit Mama
Boundaries are so important! Conversations about consent and bodily autonomy should begin early on in a child’s life, as they can be held in an age appropriate way and apply to so many everyday scenarios. Below are a few books that can spark these important conversations at different ages.
Anzu the Great Listener
Benson Shum
$18.99 $17.66Listening to what others tell you they need vs imposing your own ideas
My Body! What I Say Goes!: Teach children body safety, safe/unsafe touch, private parts, secrets/surprises, consent, respect
Jayneen Sanders and Anna Hancock
$11.44
Yes! No!: A First Conversation about Consent
Jessica Ralli, Megan Madison, et al.
$14.99 $13.94"the bestselling board book about consent, offering adults the opportunity to begin important conversations with young children in an informed, safe, and supported way."
C is for Consent
Eleanor Morrison and Faye Orlove
$14.95 $13.90"The book teaches that it is okay for kids to say no to hugs and kisses, and that what happens to a their body is up to them. This helps children grow up confident in their bodies, comfortable with expressing physical boundaries, and respectful of the boundaries of others."
More Than Fluff
Madeline Valentine
$18.99"Daisy happens to be fluffy--she's a young chick after all. Her friends can't help but want to pet her, squeeze her, and tell her how cute she is. But Daisy doesn't want to be hugged or kissed. She's not just fluff; Daisy has substance! But how can she tell everyone to give her some space without hurting their feelings?"
Can I Give You a Squish?
Emily Neilson
$17.99 $16.73"Kai is a little mer-boy who's big on hugs--or "squishes," as he and his mama call them. But not everyone's a fan of Kai's spirited embrace, which he discovers soon after squishing a puffer fish, who swells up in fright! Kai feels awful; but with the help of his friends, he figures out another way to show his affection, and then everyone demonstrates their preferred ways of being greeted. Because, as Kai realizes, "Every fish likes their own kind of squish.""
Don't Hug Doug: (He Doesn't Like It)
Carrie Finison and Daniel Wiseman
$16.99 $15.80"Doug doesn't like hugs. He thinks hugs are too squeezy, too squashy, too squooshy, too smooshy. He doesn't like hello hugs or goodbye hugs, game-winning home run hugs or dropped ice cream cone hugs, and he definitely doesn't like birthday hugs. He'd much rather give a high five--or a low five, a side five, a double five, or a spinny five. Yup, some people love hugs; other people don't. So how can you tell if someone likes hugs or not? There's only one way to find out: Ask! Because everybody gets to decide for themselves whether they want a hug or not."
Don't Touch My Hair!
Sharee Miller
$17.99 $16.73"t seems that wherever Aria goes, someone wants to touch her hair. In the street, strangers reach for her fluffy curls; and even under the sea, in the jungle, and in space, she's chased by a mermaid, monkeys, and poked by aliens . . . until, finally, Aria has had enough!"
ABC of Body Safety and Consent: teach children about body safety, consent, safe/unsafe touch, private parts, body boundaries & respect
Jayneen Sanders and Courtney Dawson
$11.44"The 26 ‘key’ letters and accompanying words will help children to learn and consolidate age-appropriate, crucial and life-changing body safety and consent skills. Designed as a ‘dip in and dip out’ book, the text, the child-centred questions and the stunning illustrations will reinforce key skills such as consent, respect, body boundaries, safe and unsafe touch, Early Warning Signs, Safety Network, private parts, and the difference between secrets and surprises. Also included are Discussion Questions for parents, caregivers and educators."
Rissy No Kissies
Katey Howes and Jess Engle
$17.99 $16.73"A lovebird who doesn't like kisses? Rissy's friends and family wonder if she's sick, confused, or rude. But kisses make Rissy uncomfortable. Can one little lovebird show everyone that there's no one right way to show you care? Rissy No Kissies carries the message that your body and your heart are yours, and you choose how to share."
Listening to My Body: A guide to helping kids understand the connection between their sensations (what the heck are those?) and feelings so
Gabi Garcia and Ying-Hui Tan
$20.69"Big emotions can be overwhelming! Help your child build on their capacity to engage more mindfully, self-regulate, and develop emotional resilience. Listening to my Body is an engaging and interactive book that guides children through the practice of naming their feelings and the physical sensations that accompany them. From wiggly and squirmy to rested and still, Listening to My Body helps children develop a sensations vocabulary so that they can express what they are experiencing."
We Listen to Our Bodies
Lydia Bowers and Isabel Muñoz
$15.99 $14.87"Deja helps young children recognize their emotions by listening to their bodies. Body awareness is a key foundation of consent. We Listen to Our Bodies gives children a vocabulary to understand and communicate their feelings, develop personal boundaries, and build their social and emotional skills."
We Check in with Each Other
Lydia Bowers and Isabel Muñoz
$15.99 $14.87"Help young children understand that it's okay to establish personal boundaries and change their minds. Physical and emotional awareness are key foundations of consent. We Check In with Each Other gives children a vocabulary to understand that they can change their minds at any time, develop and communicate personal boundaries, and build their social and emotional skills."
We Ask Permission
Lydia Bowers and Isabel Muñoz
$15.99 $14.87"A story that helps with teaching boundaries. Asking for permission is a key foundation of consent. We Ask Permission builds children's social and emotional skills and helps with teaching boundaries by encouraging children to look for body language cues and by asking before hugging or touching others."
We Accept No
Lydia Bowers and Isabel Muñoz
$15.99 $14.87"A story about accepting no for an answer and how to handle the feeling of rejection. Accepting no for an answer is a key foundation of consent. We Accept No builds children's social and emotional skills and helps teach them how to ask for permission, how to respect no, and how to handle rejection."
Hug?
Charlene Chua
$16.99 $15.80" Hug? Charlene Chua (Author) Description How many hugs is too many? This girl's had enough! This humorous picture book explores compassion and the importance of setting boundaries."
I Can Say No
Jenny Simmons and Kristin Sorra
$9.95 $9.25"In I Can Say No, Jenny Simmons teaches children the power of the word "no." Whether it's saying no to bullying or someone invading their personal space or simply to playing with a friend when they need some alone time, children learn that they can use their voice to stand up for what is good in the world, and good for themselves."
A Girl's Bill of Rights
Amy B. Mucha and Addy Rivera Sonda
$17.99 $16.73"In a world where little girls must learn to stand tall, A Girl's Bill of Rights boldly declares the rights of every woman and girl: power, confidence, freedom, and consent. Author Amy B. Mucha and illustrator Addy Rivera Sonda present a diverse cast of characters standing up for themselves and proudly celebrating the joy and power of being a girl."
