Book Review
A short overview of this book
Things Ellie Likes by Kate E. Reynolds has been written about masturbation for girls with autism and related conditions.
It talks about how masturbation is a private activity, where it should and shouldn’t happen, and general hygiene. A book that you could use with children of all abilities, especially if they have trouble remembering your family rules. It does talk about ejaculation, which usually happens at around 13½ (+/- a few years).
This is a book that can be used with all children, regardless of their ability. I read this (and the boy version) with my 9 year old son, several times and he loved it. Plus it started some great conversations about our family rules plus the fact that masturbation changes as kids go through puberty.
Kate E. Reynolds also has other books that you may find helpful.
Ideal Age
Ideal for children aged 9 to 14 years.
Buy this book
✅ Buy a copy of Things Ellie Likes by Kate E. Reynolds from Amazon.
Video Transcription
A transcription in case you are more of a reader than a listener
Hey there! I’m Cath Hak from Sex Ed Rescue, your go-to channel for all things puberty and growing up. Today, I want to talk about this awesome book called Things Ellie Likes by Kate E Reynolds. It’s a book about sexuality and masturbation for girls and young women with autism and related conditions. But here’s the best part: it’s a book that can be used for any child, regardless of their ability. How cool is that?
Now, let’s get straight to the point. This book doesn’t beat around the bush. It’s simple, direct, and it normalizes behaviors that many people enjoy. Ellie, the main character, likes dancing, making pizza, and listening to music – just like lots of other people. But she also likes to touch her vagina and breasts, and guess what? Other people do too! The book has some explicit images, so it’s a good idea to take a peek before reading it with your child. I tend to dive right in, but hey, it’s always good to be prepared.
The book also talks about what’s private and what’s public. Ellie learns that some things, like masturbating, are private and should be done in the right place and time. It’s important to respect our bodies and follow the rules. And guess what? Boys have private zones too! We all have parts of our bodies that we keep private when we’re out in public. It’s just the way it is.
Sometimes, Ellie feels excited and wants to touch herself when she’s in public. But she knows she has to wait until she gets home. It’s a reminder that those feelings are normal, but there’s a time and place for everything. When she finally gets home, she takes off her clothes (although you might want to adapt that part depending on the situation), does her thing in her bedroom like any other girl, and then cleans up afterward. Simple as that!
What I love about this book is that it opens up a conversation about masturbation for any child. And if you have a child with a disability going through puberty, it’s even more important to talk about it. Masturbation happens because of sexual tension and frustration, and it feels good! So this book can really help you navigate those conversations, especially if you’re struggling with setting boundaries.
I hope this summary gives you a good idea of what Things Ellie Likes is all about. It’s a straightforward, no-nonsense book that can help you and your child have open, honest discussions about an important topic. Cheers!
