Book Review
A short overview of this book
Miles is the Boss of His Body by Samantha Kurtzman-Counter & Abbie Schiller is a great book for starting important conversations with your child about body autonomy, personal boundaries, assertive communication and consent.
The main message of this book is that you’re the boss of your own body. Which means you have a say in who can touch your body, as well as in how you can be touched.
This is an important body safety lesson for kids to learn, and books like this can help with getting the message across.
You can learn more on this page, about how to talk to kids about sex education.
Ideal Age
Ideal for children aged 5 to 8 years.
Buy this book
✅ Buy a copy of Miles is the Boss of His Body by Samantha Kurtzman-Counter & Abbie Schiller 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 website and YouTube channel, I help parents find better ways to talk to their kids about sex. Today, I want to share a popular book that can help you discuss body safety and consent with your little ones.
It’s called Miles Is The Boss Of His Body by Samantha Kurtzman Counter and Abby Schiller. This book is part of a series, and I’ve seen it recommended by parents everywhere. I was lucky enough to get a copy from the library, and I’m excited to tell you about it.
The story revolves around a little boy named Miles who just had his birthday. As he returns home, different people start touching him without his permission. His grandpa grabs his cheek, his brother wraps his arms around his neck, and even his little brother annoys him. It seems like everyone is touching him because it’s his special day.
Naturally, Miles gets angrier and angrier because people are invading his personal space. Then, the chicken guy shows up and tickles him with a feather. And as if that wasn’t enough, the pizza guy pats him on the head. Finally, Miles reaches his breaking point and gathers everyone’s attention. He says, I’ve had enough! It’s my birthday, and I’m tired of being pinched, hugged too tight, and touched in ways I don’t like. I’m six, and I’m the boss of my body!
He storms off and shuts the door, feeling confused. He loves his family, but it doesn’t feel like they’re respecting his boundaries. A few minutes later, they knock on the door, and Miles thinks he’s in trouble. But surprise! They apologize and tell him they’re proud of him. They explain that no one should ever touch him in ways he doesn’t want. Then, Miles asks, What if I don’t want to hug or kiss someone? Can I just wave or give a handshake? And you know what? They say, Yes, that sounds like a plan.
After all the commotion, they all enjoy some birthday cake together. This book is great because it tackles the important topic of body consent. It helps kids understand that they have the right to decide who can touch them and how. At the end of the book, there’s a note that suggests different conversations you can have with your child about body safety.
Now, it’s important to note that this book focuses on one side of the conversation. Kids also need to learn that while they’re the boss of their own bodies, they should respect other people’s boundaries too. So, there are other conversations to have and other books to explore. But overall, Miles Is The Boss Of His Body is a fantastic starting point for these important discussions.
In today’s world, where unfortunately more and more children experience inappropriate touching, it’s crucial for kids to learn these skills. So, grab a copy of this book and let’s start those important conversations. Cheers!
