Book Review
An overview of the book
Everyone’s Got a Bottom by Tess Rowley, was published by True – Relationships and Reproductive Health (Formerly Family Planning QLD), and is what I would call a first book for sex education in the early years.
By a first book, I mean that this book should be the first book that a family should think about buying on sex education and protective behaviours (keeping kids safe from sexual abuse). In the early years (ie before they go to school), there are a lot of similarities between sex education and protective behaviours.
Everyone’s Got a Bottom covers a lot of the age-appropriate topics that are recommended for younger children. You can find an age by age guide to what kids need to know about sex in this blogpost.
The penis shown in this book is intact ie it has a foreskin. This book does not display circumcised penises.
In the early years, sex education for kids is about keeping kids safe from sexual abuse, slowly introducing boundaries around behaviour and places, introducing rules about what is safe and not safe, talking about how our bodies differ but are also the same, talking about diversity and other stuff.
This book covers a lot of really important foundations for sex education. By foundations, I mean the stuff that kids need to know about first, before they are ready to start learning about the more complicated stuff, like how babies are made!
This book talks about:
- that the different parts of our bodies do different things
- that kids can choose whether they want to hug or kiss people
- that eventually kids can look after their own body eg brush own teeth, wash own face, etc
- that nudity is ok but only in certain places
- what the private parts are
- the difference between boys and girls (boys have a penis and girls have a vulva)
- that smaller kids may need help with washing their body – private parts included
- sometimes people like to be private and that is okay
- families have rules that are there to keep kids safe
- the touching rule means that nobody can touch a kids body (including our private parts) for a good reason
- it is not okay for someone bigger or older to touch or see my private arts or to show me theirs – that is rude
- If someone wants to do something that is rude, kids should tell a trusted grown up
- we don’t keep secrets about bodies or private parts – secrets are about surprises and presents
- we can talk about everything with our parents
Reading Tips
Like most books that are about body parts and sexuality, you will want to make sure that you look inside Everyone’s Got a Bottom first, before you start reading it to your child. That way, you won’t find any unexpected surprises! And you will know what to expect.
You can find some tips in this article on how to read ‘sex ed’ books like Everyone’s Got a Bottom.
As with most books for younger children, you don’t have to read every page and you can also change the words, if you feel that it is too wordy for your child (most 3 year olds would not be able to sit still for all of this book). I didn’t read this book word by word until my kids were about 4 or 5.
Everyone’s Got a Bottom is one of the books that every child needs to have in their book collection. The language and the content is very age-appropriate and it raises the opportunity for parents to start teaching their kids what they need to know to keep safe from sexual abuse.
It is the book that I buy for friends and my own family when their kids turn 3!
Ideal Age
Ideal for children aged 3 to 5 years.
Buy this book
✅ Everyone’s Got a Bottom is now being published by the Author. If you live in Australia, you can order it here. If you live outside Australia, still check to see if international shipping has been added or if there are any suppliers worldwide.
Video Transcription
A transcription in case you are more of a reader than a listener
Hey there! Let’s dive into a summary of the transcript for ‘Okay Everyone’s Got a Bottom’ by Tess Rowley and Jodie Edwards. This adorable book follows the adventures of Ben, Jack, their baby sister Emma, and their furry friend Soxy.
The story starts off by introducing the concept that our bodies have different functions. Ben and Jack have lots of fun playing in the sand pit, but when Emma tries to eat the sand, their mom gently wipes her face and explains that our mouths are for eating food and talking. She gives Emma a kiss and a big hug, showing her love. It’s a sweet way to teach kids about the purpose of our mouths and the importance of boundaries.
The book emphasizes that kids are the boss of their own bodies. It encourages them to speak up and say no if they don’t want to do something. It’s a great way to introduce the idea of protective behavior and empower children to make their own choices.
The story continues by highlighting the importance of self-care. From washing our face to brushing our teeth, we learn how to take care of ourselves. Emma is learning to brush her teeth with the help of her dad, who reminds her that her mouth belongs to her and she needs to learn to look after it. It’s a simple rhyme that reinforces the message of personal responsibility.
Boundaries are introduced when Emma runs outside with no clothes on and Jack playfully teases her. Their mom explains that they need to put clothes on when they go out, setting a simple rule about appropriate attire. As kids grow older, more layers of rules can be added to teach them about different situations.
The book then moves on to discussing private parts. It explains that everyone has private parts, such as vulvas, vaginas, penises, and testicles. It’s a gentle way to introduce the concept of gender differences and normalize the idea that we all have different body parts.
The importance of privacy is emphasized when the story mentions showering. Sometimes, we want to be alone and that’s okay. It’s a great way to teach kids about personal boundaries and respecting others’ privacy.
The book also addresses the topic of touch. It sets a rule that nobody should touch our bodies, including our private parts, without a good reason. It’s important to teach children that they have the right to say no and that they can always talk to a trusted adult if someone makes them uncomfortable. Secrets are also discussed, clarifying that we don’t keep secrets about our bodies or private parts.
The story wraps up with a lighthearted moment, where the family cat starts cleaning itself. It reminds us that everyone has body parts and private parts, and it’s something we can talk about openly. The book ends with a playful rhyme, reinforcing the idea that we have control over our own bodies.
Overall, ‘Okay Everyone’s Got a Bottom’ is a fantastic book that lays the foundation for sex education and protective behaviors. It covers important topics in a reassuring and age-appropriate way. It’s a great resource to have on hand until your kids are ready to learn more about how babies are made. I hope this summary helps! Cheers!
