An Exceptional Children’s Guide to Touch by Hunter Manasco
Short Summary
An Exceptional Children’s Guide to Touch by Hunter Manasco is a clear, respectful, and inclusive book that helps children understand physical boundaries, different kinds of touch, and personal safety. Originally created for neurodivergent kids, it’s also a fantastic tool for all families looking to start conversations about safe, appropriate touch and consent in everyday situations.
Age Group
Suitable for children aged 3 to 10 years.
Topics Discussed
Disability
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Buy a Copy
Buy a copy of An Exceptional Children’s Guide to Touch by Hunter Manasco from Amazon.
What this book is about
- An Exceptional Children’s Guide to Touch breaks down different types of touch into categories like accidental, friendly, hurtful, and touching yourself – making it easier for kids to understand and name their experiences.
- It teaches children that their body belongs to them and that certain body parts (like the groin, breasts, nipples, and mouth) should not be touched by others.
- The book includes specific, real-life examples – like what to do when someone bumps into you by accident or when someone wants to take your photo.
- It talks about body privacy in a straightforward way, including when and where it’s okay to touch yourself. This part is handled with clarity and care, making it a great support for conversations about private behaviour.
- It also addresses the concept of consent around photography, which lays the groundwork for later discussions about sexting and digital safety.
- The language and layout are especially helpful for children who are neurodivergent or need more concrete explanations to understand boundaries and social expectations.
- The illustrations are simple but effective, and the book includes helpful notes for parents and caregivers to support further discussion.
- While it was originally written for kids with autism, I recommend it for all children – especially if you want to give clear, unambiguous messages about body safety and touch.
I hope you find this book review helpful!
Happy talking!
❤️ Cath