Be Brave by Karen Rochester

Hey there! Welcome to Sex Ed Rescue, where I review awesome books that help kids understand love, sex, relationships, and growing up. Today, I want to talk about a book called Be Brave by Karen Rochester. This book is all about speaking up when something happens that makes you feel not so good.

Now, I stumbled upon this gem about five or six years ago, and it’s been a valuable resource ever since. Be Brave is a book that addresses the topic of sexual abuse and how important it is to talk to someone about it. It’s a tool that can be used to start conversations with children and teach them about protective behaviors.

Life is usually fun and enjoyable, but sometimes things happen that don’t make sense. You might encounter something bad that leaves you feeling helpless. You’ll try everything to make it go away, but nothing seems to work. It’s during these tough times that being brave and sharing your feelings with someone can make a world of difference.

Being brave comes in many forms. It could mean showing something you’ve made or learned, even if you’re shy or worried about being judged. It could also mean speaking up when someone’s behavior is wrong, like standing up against teasing or owning up to something you did, even if you might face consequences. We all have moments when we need to be brave, and it’s important to normalize that feeling and let kids know that it’s okay to be scared or find it hard to talk about certain things.

One of the toughest times to be brave is when someone has hurt you. It could be sexual abuse or bullying at school. This book can be used in various situations, which is great because it leaves room for flexibility. It emphasizes that no one has the right to hurt your body, your feelings, your family, your friends, your pets, or your things. It doesn’t matter who they are or how important they may seem.

After someone has hurt you, you might notice changes in yourself. You might experience different feelings or have bad dreams. Your behavior might change, and that’s completely normal. You might cry more, say or do things you wouldn’t normally do, or feel afraid to go to certain places or engage in activities you used to enjoy. People might notice these changes and ask what’s wrong, but it’s okay if you don’t have all the answers right away. Being hurt can make you act differently, and that’s okay.

It’s natural to start questioning yourself and wondering if you’re to blame for what happened. But let me make it clear: the person who hurt you did something very wrong. It’s not your fault. They might have even told you to keep it a secret, but there’s one big move you can make to help yourself: tell someone. By speaking up, you can start to feel better, and it can prevent the situation from happening again. It takes bravery to share something and ask for help, but it’s worth it.

This book also guides you on how to choose the right person to talk to and encourages you not to give up if you feel hesitant at first. Keep trying until you find someone who can support you. Eventually, you’ll find the right person, and they’ll help you make that awful thing go away. This book can even be used in counseling sessions, and it has the potential to spark conversations about other important topics, like the impact of pornography.

I really love this book, and I’m keeping it on my bookshelf for future reference. It’s a powerful tool that can make a difference in a child’s life. So if you’re looking for a resource to help kids understand the importance of speaking up and seeking help, Be Brave is definitely worth checking out.

I hope this review was helpful to you. If you have any questions or need further guidance, feel free to reach out. Cheers!