C is for Consent by Eleanor Morrison

Book Review

A short overview of this book

C is for Consent by Eleanor Morrison is a children’s book that helps parents to teach kids about consent and to make their own choices about touch.

This book focuses on encouraging kids to make their own decisions regarding touch ie is it okay for someone to touch you and how would you like to be touched (if at all). It also reminds children that they too, need to ask for permission before touching someone else. Plus it also talks about what to do if someone gives you a gift ie you don’t have to hug or kiss them unless you want to, and that there are other ways you could thank them.

Consent is a topic that children can start to learn about from a young age. You don’t have to wait until they are in their teens or in a relationship. You can learn more in this blogpost about how to teach your child about consent.

By starting early, you can teach them the basic principles of consent, and talk about things like teaching kids to ask permission before touching someone or taking their toy, that they are the boss of their own body, and how to say no and to stop people from doing something that you don’t like.

And books can be an invaluable tool for having this important conversation!

Ideal Age

Ideal for children aged 3 to 7 years.

Buy this book

Buy a copy of C is for Consent by Eleanor Morrison from Amazon.

Video Transcription

A transcription in case you are more of a reader than a listener

Hey there! I’m Cath Hak from Sex and Rescue. Sorry for any confusion, I have two channels and sometimes mix things up. So, Sex Ed Rescue is my YouTube channel and website where I talk about all things related to sex education.

One of the things I love doing is reviewing books because they are such a valuable resource for talking to kids. Today, I want to share my thoughts on a book that came out a couple of years ago. Initially, it was targeted for kids aged birth to three, but I personally think it’s a bit advanced for toddlers. Let me walk you through it and explain why.

The book tells the story of Finn and a party where different people show up. I really appreciate the fact that it’s culturally diverse, with characters of different races, backgrounds, and abilities. It’s inclusive and suitable for all types of families, which is awesome.

The book starts off with Grandma wanting a hug, but Finn isn’t in the mood. And you know what? That’s totally okay! Finn’s dad steps in and says it’s alright not to give hugs if you don’t want to. Then, Grandpa leans down to kiss Finn, but Finn’s mom reminds him to ask for permission first. Grandpa asks, and Finn responds with a maybe hand signal.

Later, Aunt and Uncle want Finn to come sit with them, but Finn politely declines. The book doesn’t cover what to do if someone keeps asking or doesn’t listen when you say no, but I guess that’s because it’s targeting kids under three. However, there are plenty of other conversations you can have about consent with kids.

Finn explains to them that his parents say he doesn’t have to do something if he doesn’t feel like it. The book also addresses the misconception that just because someone gives you a gift, you don’t have to hug or kiss them. It suggests alternative ways to show affection, like high-fives or fist bumps. And hey, if someone doesn’t want to be touched at all, that’s totally fine too!

One important aspect the book emphasizes is that while you have the right to say who touches your body, you also need to ask for permission before touching others. It’s a great lesson for little kids to learn about respect and boundaries.

At the back of the book, there are some discussion questions for older kids and things you can talk about as a family. It’s not a bad little book, but I do think the cover and being a board book can be a bit misleading. However, the simplicity and beautiful illustrations make it a pretty book to read.

Books like this are fantastic because you can slip them into your nightly reading pile. You can even have Grandma or another relative read it to your child if they need a lesson in understanding boundaries. It’s a subtle way to challenge and change people’s views.

Overall, this book provides language and examples that can help you navigate conversations about unwanted touch with family and friends. I hope this review was helpful, and I apologize if the sound quality isn’t perfect. I haven’t made videos in a while, but I’m excited to be back. Cheers!

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