Book Review
A short overview of this book
Hamish and the Secret Shadow by Liz Walker and Don Truss is a book for tweens about online pornography.
This book is a little different, as it isn’t a book that is just filled with facts. It is a fiction book, which means that it uses a story to educate kids about the risks associated with watching online pornography.
So the book talks about what it can feel like when you see sexually explicit imagery, why kids shouldn’t be watching it, what to do if you find it , and what to do if you are already viewing it.
What I like about this book is that there is no blame placed on the child. Plus there are questions at the end of the book, that can be used to reflect on what has been learnt.
All in all, it is a book that parents can use to start meaningful conversations with their tween about internet porn.
You can learn more in this article, about how to talk to kids about pornography.
Ideal Age
Ideal for children aged 10 to 13 years.
Buy this book
✅ Buy a copy of Hamish and the Secret Shadow from Amazon.
Video Transcription
A transcription in case you are more of a reader than a listener
Hey there! I’m Cath Hak, and welcome to Sex Ed Rescue. This is where I help parents get more comfortable with sex education. On my website, I share a better way for parents to talk to their kids about sex – open, honest, and respectful conversations that align with your values.
Today, I want to tell you about a book called Hamish And The Secret Shadow by Liz Walker and illustrated by Don Truss. It’s a chapter book with some cool illustrations. Now, what makes this book special is that there aren’t many resources out there for kids about puberty. Sure, there are a couple of books by Holly-ann Martin and some cyber safety books that touch on the topic. Usborne Books also has one that mentions it. But most of these books are pretty factual and don’t dive deep into the subject.
That’s where Hamish And The Secret Shadow stands out. It’s a fictional story about a little boy named Hamish who lives in a city that’s a mix of medieval and modern times. Sometimes kids get tired of reading factual books, so it’s nice to have a story to talk about these things.
The book starts off with Hamish being introduced to pornography by another child. He gets drawn into it and starts having bad dreams and flashbacks. He’s not sure how to deal with it, but luckily, he finds an older person to talk to who helps him understand and cope with pornography.
Throughout the book, the story emphasizes that pornography is not good for children, but it also acknowledges that it can be hard to stop watching it once you’ve seen it. There’s no blame or guilt here, just information. The book also talks about characters and early warning signs to help kids recognize when something isn’t right. It emphasizes the importance of feeling safe and being able to talk to someone about anything, even secrets.
The approach in this book is all about protective behavior. It encourages kids to identify trusted people they can talk to and to listen to their bodies for warning signs. It also teaches them how to use devices safely and who they can turn to for help.
So, that’s the gist of the book. It’s a different approach to talking about pornography with your child, and it can be a great starting point for conversations. I hope this summary helps you out. Cheers!
