Chilly Stomach

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Author/Authors: Jeannette Caines

Type or emotional/crisis issue(s) addressed: SEXUAL ABUSE

Year of Publication: 1986

Publisher & Location: Harper & Row, Publishers

ISBN #: 0-06-020976-3

Target Age Level: Lower elementary

# of Pages: 32

Quality of Illustrations: Colorful illustrations

Brief Summary: Whenever the girl’s Uncle comes over, she gets a chilly stomach. The book never specifically states the issue other than the girl does not like it when he kisses her on the lips or tickles her. She especially does not like it when he spends the night. The girl tells her friend about her chilly stomach and the cause. She hopes that her friend will tell her mom who will then call to tell the girl’s mom. However, she is afraid that her parents will not like her anymore. This story really hints around the issue and does not give a clear path to follow to resolve the problem. At least she tells her friend and it shows that it is serious enough that she is going to tell her mom. One thing I do like about this book is that it portrays the feeling a young child may have when there is abuse, and the conflicted feelings about what to do.

Post reading activity:
If using this book, a good activity would be to use puppets or toy figures to role play what happens next in the book. Role play the friend’s mom talking to the girl’s mom and showing that mom is not going to be mad at her. Role play a resolution and then talk about the child’s fears.