A Very Touching Book...for Little People and for Big People

Author(s): Jan Hindman

Type of emotional/crisis issues addressed: boundaries, sexual abuse, appropriate/inappropriate touching

Year of Publication: 1983

Publisher & Location: AlexAndria Associates; Baker City OR

ISBN #: 978-0961103415

Target Age Level: Upper and Lower Elementary. But when I asked when to start reading this to children the author suggested you "lay it on your belly" while pregnant (she was a very funny and good lady).

# of Pages: 56

Quality of Illustrations: very good, colorful (warning: illustrations show body parts that normally aren't shown)

Brief Summary (1-2 paragraphs): A book written from the perspective of an adult talking to a child about body parts and touching (both good and bad). Discusses how this topic is embarrassing for adults. Also addresses secrets and how they are destructive.

Personal Comments/Biases, and/or things to consider when using this book with children: This author is/was an authority on the subject of child sexual abuse. Many people, I think, are offended or embarrassed by the content of the book, however being a therapist for sex offenders and victims, my opinion is that these things need to be talked about with parents and their children. This book helps make it easier. Recommend this book for any parent.

Activity:
This book provides a lot of opportunity for discussion with any age children. Allow the child(ren) to ask questions and have the adult answer them openly.

My Body is Private

Author(s): Linda Walvoord Girard; illustrator, Rodney Pate

Type of emotional/crisis issues addressed: sexual abuse

Year of Publication: 1984

Publisher & Location: Albert Whitman & Company, Morton Grove IL

ISBN #: 978-0-8075-5319-0 (paperback)

Target Age Level: Lower Elementary, Upper Elementary

# of Pages: 26

Quality of Illustrations: black & white with yellow highlights, pencil drawings

Brief Summary (1-2 paragraphs): Julie is a young girl, her mother is teaching her about physical boundaries with others--what is appropriate and what is not. Positive examples and negative examples and how to deal with them.

Personal Comments/Biases, and/or things to consider when using this book with children: Have recommended this for parents looking for ways to talk to their children about boundaries and child abuse. Pictures aren't all that great but content good. There is a page for parents (last page) that directs parents on how to talk with their children about sexual abuse. Rare, considering it was published in 1984. More for prevention than for dealing with a crisis that has already happened.

Activity:
At the end of the book there are pointers and a guide for parent/adult reading with the child. Follow those suggestions.