Book Review
A short overview of this book
Because It’s My Body! by Joanne Sherman is a book that will help kids to understand that they are the boss of their body. And that if they don’t feel like a hug or being tickled, that they have the right to say no.
The book is very simple and focuses on just this one aspect of body safety, so you may also want to discuss what to do if the person doesn’t listen.
You can learn more on this page, about how to talk to kids about sex education.
Ideal Age
Ideal for children aged 5 to 7 years.
Buy this book
✅ Buy a copy of Because It’s My Body! by Joanne Sherman from Amazon.
Video Transcription
A transcription in case you are more of a reader than a listener
Hey there! Welcome to Sex Ed Rescue with Cath Hak. On this YouTube channel, I review a ton of books about sex education, and now I’m adding books on protective behaviors and preventing sexual abuse. You can also find all these resources on my website to help you have those important conversations with your kids about sex and start their sex education journey.
Today, I want to talk about an older book called Because It’s My Body by Joanne Sherman. This book is one of the first body safety books that came out, probably in the 80s or maybe even earlier. Oops, my guessing skills are a bit rusty! It actually came out in 2002. But hey, let’s dive into it!
The book starts off by introducing Lindsay and her friends. They’re just like you and me, having fun being little. You know, getting tickled, going on rides, and getting lots of hugs and kisses. People play all sorts of funny games with you, but sometimes you just don’t feel like it, right? And that’s totally okay!
So what do you do in those situations? What if your babysitter starts tickling you and you don’t want them to? The book tells you exactly what to say: No tickling right now, please. And if they ask why, you can say, I don’t feel like laughing. And if they keep asking, you say it loud and clear, Because it’s my body.
The book goes on to talk about other situations too. Like when your uncle wants to play, but you want to do something else. You can say, Because I want to do other things and because it’s my body and I don’t feel like it right now. It’s all about encouraging you to be in charge, to speak up for yourself.
And what about when your grandma’s best friend comes to visit and always gives you those tight hugs? Well, you can offer a high five instead and say, I don’t want a hug today. Thank you. It’s all about being polite and giving you a choice in how you want to be greeted and touched.
The book even has a cool part where they’re pretending to be doctors. The doctor says they want to look inside your mouth, but you can say, But I’ve got a sore thumb, not a mouth. And guess what? You don’t have to let them because it’s your body!
This lovely little book simply reminds us that we’re the boss of our bodies. We have the right to say no if we don’t feel like being hugged, kissed, or tickled. And you know what? We can suggest doing something else instead. It’s all about setting boundaries and making sure people understand what’s okay and what’s not.
So there you have it, a simple and straight-to-the-point book that empowers you to take control of your body. It may be an older book, but its message is still so important. Alright, cheers!
