Book Review
A short overview of this book
Hello, World! My Body by Jill McDonald is a first book for babies and toddlers about their body. It names the different part of the body and explains what they do eg. your ears will help you to hear things.
But it doesn’t include the genitals. I don’t know of any board books that do.
Despite this, it is still a helpful book for laying down the early foundations for conversations about bodies.
You can learn more on this page, about how to talk to kids about sex education.
Ideal Age
Ideal for children aged 3 years and under (babies and toddlers).
Buy this book
✅ Buy a copy of Hello, World! My Body by Jill McDonald 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. On my YouTube channel and website, I review all kinds of books and help parents have better conversations with their kids about sex. Books are amazing because they make those conversations so much easier. You don’t have to worry about what to say because you can just grab a book and read something different every time.
Now, I know it might sound a little strange to talk about sex education with babies and toddlers, but hear me out. Sex education is all about giving our kids the skills, knowledge, and confidence to have loving and healthy relationships when they grow up. And these conversations start when they’re really young. One of the first things we can talk about is their bodies – naming body parts, helping them understand that everyone is different, and teaching them to accept and love their own bodies.
That’s where board books come in! They’re perfect because they’re made with thick cardboard, so they’re durable and safe for little ones. Now, don’t worry, these books aren’t filled with explicit images. I haven’t published my own board book yet, but in the meantime, there are some great options out there. Let me tell you about one called Hello World My Body by Jill McDonald.
This book takes your child on a journey from the top of their head to the tips of their toes. It talks about what their eyes, ears, and nose do – giving them a better understanding of how their body works. It even mentions the mouth, which is not only for smiling and breathing but also for kissing and hugging. You can use this as an opportunity to talk about consent too.
The book also covers different types of hair, which is important because we all have different hair textures and colors. It’s great for teaching diversity and acceptance. It even touches on disability and different skin tones, which is fantastic for promoting inclusivity.
Now, I have to be honest, this book doesn’t go into detail about genitals. It seems like mainstream publishers are a bit hesitant to tackle that topic. But hey, at least it mentions the belly button! You can use this book to start talking about body parts with your child. Ask them where their nose, ears, mouth, hands, and toes are. And if you want to make it fun, you can throw in questions like Where’s your penis? or Where’s your vulva? My kids used to giggle when we played this game because they knew they didn’t have certain body parts. It’s all about making it casual and enjoyable.
So, if you’re looking for a book to introduce your little one to body awareness, Hello World My Body is a great choice. It’s a gentle way to start those conversations and help your child develop a positive relationship with their own body. Cheers!
