6 Illuminating Books to Teach Children About Consent

Updated on 6/26/2018 at 1:46 PM

Do your children know to stop hugging someone who maybe doesn't want to be hugged? Do they understand the types of secrets they can keep and the ones they should share? These questions deal with your children's ability to give and receive consent. While you want to teach them to respect other people, especially elders and authority figures, you also want them to know that they can and should speak up about their boundaries. Since this subject can feel overwhelming to talk to your kids about, and it's easy not to know where to start, books are always a great choice. The visual aids are engaging and interesting to kids, while still getting the valuable lesson across. Keep reading for six books that will help you start the vital discussion about consent.

Miles Is the Boss of His Body

Miles should be having fun at his birthday party, but how can he when everyone keeps grabbing him? He has had enough of the pinching and tickling and too tight hugs, so he declares himself the boss of his body.

Appropriate For Ages: 8-12

Click to Buy: Miles Is the Boss of His Body ($12)

Some Secrets Should Never Be Kept

Knight Sir Alfred is too young to stay home alone when his mother works, so Lord Henry watches over him. Although their relationship starts off well, Lord Henry starts touching Alfred inappropriately, and Alfred is not sure if he should tell anyone.

Appropriate For Ages: 3-11

Click to Buy: Some Secrets Should Never Be Kept ($10)

God Made All of Me: A Book to Help Children Protect Their Bodies

This book combines Biblical scripture and Christian teachings to explain consent to children. It discusses bodies, the term "private parts," and the difference between appropriate and inappropriate touching. It also assures children that they can say "no, thank you" to anyone who wants to touch them, even if it's someone they love.

Appropriate For Ages: 2-8

Click to Buy: God Made All of Me: A Book to Help Children Protect Their Bodies ($13, originally $16)

I Said No! A Kid-to-Kid Guide to Keeping Private Parts Private

After Zack King went through a traumatic event with a friend, he and his mother wrote this book to teach other children the appropriate responses to bad situations. This book is full of phrases for children to learn to set their own boundaries and express them. It also explains what children should do if they are being bribed or threatened to stay quiet, and how to deal with the emotional fallout after the trauma.

Appropriate For Ages: 4+

Click to Buy: I Said No! A Kid-to-Kid Guide to Keeping Private Parts Private ($9, originally $13)

Sex Is a Funny Word

This book covers gender, sexuality, relationships, consent, and anatomy in a way that includes all sorts of body types and identities, so that children can see themselves in the book. This book is designed to spark conversations about relationship values, provide children with the correct terms for their anatomy, and get readers thinking about their personal identities.

Appropriate For Ages: 7-10

Click to Buy: Sex Is a Funny Word ($16, originally $24)

My Body! What I Say Goes!

In this book, primary school teacher Jayneen Sanders explains the physical manifestations of feelings and emotions. This helps children recognize the signs when they're feeling unsafe and helps them put the feeling into words. She then discusses why everyone should know safe people who will listen whenever anyone feels unsafe.

Appropriate For Ages: 3-10

Click to Buy: My Body! What I Say Goes! ($10)