It's My Body

Rating:
Summary: Very needed...
Review: There are many plusses to this book. That it was even written and is available is a HUGE plus. It is a message that children need to hear...over and over and over...That it is their body. That they have the right to feel *good* or *not good* about what someone is doing to it...and that they can say that, LOUDLY.

I do wish it was more visually *interesting* as it really is geared to younger childen. It could use more color to keep up the interest. Unfortunately, I tended to lose my son's interest when I was reading this... When he was young a *message book* wasn't strong enough reason to sit still, he visually needed the pictures. That said, I still did read this when from time to time. I would just pick up where I *lost* him the previous time.

The importance of this message can't be underscored enough and I don't think that the lack of visual *punch* is enough of a reason to not buy this. On the contrary, I think you should find every way you can to teach this message to your children.

Rating:
Summary: Very needed...
Review: There are many plusses to this book. That it was even written and is available is a HUGE plus. It is a message that children need to hear...over and over and over...That it is their body. That they have the right to feel *good* or *not good* about what someone is doing to it...and that they can say that, LOUDLY.

I do wish it was more visually *interesting* as it really is geared to younger childen. It could use more color to keep up the interest. Unfortunately, I tended to lose my son's interest when I was reading this... When he was young a *message book* wasn't strong enough reason to sit still, he visually needed the pictures. That said, I still did read this when from time to time. I would just pick up where I *lost* him the previous time.

The importance of this message can't be underscored enough and I don't think that the lack of visual *punch* is enough of a reason to not buy this. On the contrary, I think you should find every way you can to teach this message to your children.

Rating:
Summary: It's My Body review
Review: This book is a good effort & very simply based. However, the illustrations are very plain & non-colorful. It was not very sucessful in keeping my child's interest & attention. It is not specific about good/bad-touch examples, but more about how one might feel about them. Unfortunately, I think a child's feelings are often quite confused in regards to this issue, especially when programmed in a continual incestual relationship. So, the message in this book might not be understood by a young child. It could be a helpful book in some cases, but I'm looking for something more helpful.

Rating:
Summary: It's My Body review
Review: This book is a good effort & very simply based. However, the illustrations are very plain & non-colorful. It was not very sucessful in keeping my child's interest & attention. It is not specific about good/bad-touch examples, but more about how one might feel about them. Unfortunately, I think a child's feelings are often quite confused in regards to this issue, especially when programmed in a continual incestual relationship. So, the message in this book might not be understood by a young child. It could be a helpful book in some cases, but I'm looking for something more helpful.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent empowerment for any child
Review: When I worked with abused kids, I came across a wonderful paperback book called "It's My Body" in which a little kid talks about how he/she (drawing is quite gender-neutral) likes giving and receiving some touches, like when Daddy holds his hand or when he climbs into Mommy's lap. He doesn't like giving or receiving some touches, like when GreatAunt Sally hugs him too tight or when someone he doesn't know very well wants him to give them a kiss. If he receives or is asked to give a touch he doesn't like, he says, "Don't do that. I don't like it!" or "I won't do that. I don't like it!" (I believe it mentioned some necessary touches like seeing the doctor...)

We took the book in to my son's pre-K and read it to the class, and all the kids got to chime in and say in a big loud voice, "Don't do that. I don't like it!" They loved it. It is a very non-threatening book, but it allows the child to practice noncompliance in a big loud voice with lots of approval from trusted adults.

Most child molesters select their victims based on the victim's compliance. A young child is naturally reluctant to refuse the demands of an adult. If you train the child from babyhood that he is not only allowed but encouraged to state his noncompliance with some demands on his body, you have given the child a tool to protect himself. A loud refusal attracts attention, which is the LAST thing a pedophile wants, and it may well scare off a predator.

Is it sometimes embarrassing for the parent? Yes! When GreatAunt Sally tries to hug your 3-year-old child and he loudly proclaims, "Don't do that. I don't like it!" you do have a little explaining to do.... When you reach out to give your four-year-old a kiss and he says, "Don't do that. I don't want kisses anymore," it is *very* hard to catch yourself and calmly say, "OK, it's your body and you have the right to decide that." (It was certainly hard for me!)

This is a wonderful book to help any parent make his child less vulnerable to abuse, either physical or sexual. It is very easy to read with your child, very non-threatening, and can be quite fun. I highly recommend it.