I have a little secret by Kimberley McEwan

Short Summary

The book I Have a Little Secret by Kimberley McEwan, illustrated by Rachel Greg, is a gentle yet powerful story that helps children understand the difference between safe secrets and unsafe ones. It tackles the difficult topic of sexual abuse in a way that is compassionate, age-appropriate, and empowering.

Age Group

Suitable for children aged 5 to 8 years.

Topics Discussed

Prevent Sexual Abuse | Sexual Abuse

Buy a Copy

Buy a copy of I have a little secret by Kimberley McEwan from Amazon.

What this book is about

• The story follows a little girl and her teddy bear as they talk about secrets. It makes the distinction between fun secrets (like surprises) and unsafe secrets that feel uncomfortable or cause “butterflies in the tummy.”
• It introduces the concept of listening to those inner warning signals – teaching kids to trust their feelings if something doesn’t feel right.
• The book sensitively explores grooming, showing how abusers may try to manipulate children into keeping secrets. It makes clear that secrets about bodies are never safe to keep.
• Children are encouraged to share worrying secrets with a trusted adult, reinforcing the message that talking helps to keep them safe.
• It reassures kids that while surprises are fine to keep, unsafe secrets must always be told. This empowers children with the confidence to speak up.
• The story ends on a hopeful note: when the child tells her parents, the unsafe situation stops, showing children the power of speaking up.
• With its beautiful illustrations and gentle language, this book gives parents a valuable tool for starting conversations about boundaries, body safety, and asking for help when something feels wrong.

I hope you find this book review helpful!

Happy talking!
❤️ Cath