Book Review
A short overview of this book
My Invisible Line by Sarah Rahal and Katie Preston-Toepfer is a fantastic resource that will help parents to start important conversations with their children about knowing (and enforcing) their body boundaries.
I really like this book as it focuses on one part of body safety, and it covers it comprehensively. A common problem that I hear from parents is their difficulty with teaching their child about their body boundaries. And when you have a child with a disability, they are often more vulnerable to inappropriate touch. And adults will often touch them in a familiar way eg tousling their hair in affection or tucking their shirt into their pants.
So I appreciate that this book provides parents with a framework that they can then use when teaching their own children. It gives some fantastic examples of common situations where your invisible line may be crossed, and then suggests how to repair it (or enforce it).
This is a much-needed resource that I think many parents will find helpful! Especially parents of a child with a disability.
You can learn more on this page, about how to talk to kids about sex education.
Ideal Age
Ideal for children aged 4 to 12 years.
Buy this book
✅ Buy a copy of My Invisible Line by Sarah Rahal and Katie Preston-Toepfer from the Author.
NB. This book can be posted to the USA, Canada and the UK.
Video Transcription
A transcription in case you are more of a reader than a listener
Hey there! I’m Cath Hakanson, and welcome to Sex Ed Rescue. This is where I help parents find an easier way to talk to their kids about love, sex, and relationships. Body safety is a crucial part of that conversation, and today I want to share a fantastic book with you called My Invisible Line by Sarah Rahal and Katie Preston Topfour.
Now, what’s great about this book is that it simplifies the concept of body safety beautifully. Each page delivers a different message, making it super easy to understand. And here’s the best part: even though it’s written specifically for children with disabilities, I believe it’s a book that all children can benefit from, regardless of their abilities.
Let’s dive into the pages together, shall we? On the first page, we meet Sam, who draws an invisible line. Sam can draw his line by saying no, shaking his head, making a noise, using his arms, or signing. It’s all about teaching kids that their bodies are their own, and they have the right to decide what happens to them. The authors of this book actually work with children with disabilities, so you know they have a unique and valuable perspective.
Next up, we have Maya, who draws her invisible line by reaching for the door. Julie, being the awesome person she is, closes the door so Maya can change in private. Maya can communicate her boundaries by closing the door, signaling to Julie, asking her to close the door, pointing at the door, or making a noise. It’s incredible how this book shows that communication is possible, whether a child is vocal or not.
Moving on, we come to a page about bedtime. The invisible line here is drawn with curtains, ensuring that no one can peek in and watch them getting changed. It’s all about creating a safe and private space.
Now, let’s not miss a page! Thomas gets on the bus, but Grace, the bus driver, doesn’t like being hugged. Grace communicates her boundaries, and it’s important for children to learn that others may say no to touch as well. Another page tells the story of a child who gets a sore tummy because their sports coach tries to tickle them. The invisible line is drawn by telling mom they don’t like it, shaking their head, crossing their arms, or making a noise. After talking to mom, they get a new sports coach who respects their boundaries.
This book is filled with valuable information. For example, Sarah has a carer, and when Bill wants to show her a movie, she doesn’t feel right about it. Sarah tells her mom, and a new carer comes to look after her. It’s all about empowering children to speak up and take action. There’s also a page about Ada, who knows she’s the boss of her body, but sometimes her teacher tucks her shirt in, which she doesn’t like. The book provides guidance on what Ada can do in that situation.
We also explore scenarios like playing hide and seek and not liking to hold hands. The book offers alternative ways to engage and communicate. Instead of kissing, some kids may prefer to tip or tap each other. And when Mason is in the hospital and needs to put on a special gown, the book shows how he can maintain privacy and draw his own invisible line.
The book even touches on the topic of doctor visits. It’s important to discuss these things because, sadly, there have been cases of sexual abuse by people in health professions. We need to talk to children as if it includes everyone, including teachers, coaches, doctors, and nurses. Privacy is something we all want and deserve, and drawing the line is everyone’s responsibility.
I absolutely love this book because it simplifies body safety and consent in such a wonderful way. It provides numerous examples and is incredibly inclusive, which is crucial. Inclusive books make all children feel comfortable and included. I recently received a message from a mom who burst into tears when her son pointed to a picture in the book and said, There’s a kid like me. It’s moments like these that remind us why inclusivity matters so much.
By reading books like this with our kids and embracing diversity, we can help make the world a better place. So, make sure to check out My Invisible Line and start having those important conversations with your little ones. Trust me, it’s worth it!
Alright, that’s enough from me for now. Remember, this is a great book, and I highly recommend it. Happy reading!
