Books can be a wonderful way to help kids learn about body safety, emotions, and healing. Reading books gives caregivers another way to start and have conversations about these topics. Here’s a list of books and tips to make summer reading both fun and meaningful.
Books About Body Safety
Teaching kids about body safety, boundaries, and safe adults is essential. These books explain it in simple, clear ways:
Family of Secrets by Alexis & Alyssa Cino
- This book does a great job explaining by safe vs unsafe secrets and why having a safe adult in a child’s life is important.
My Body! What I Say Goes! by Jayneen Sanders
- This book helps kids understand that they are in charge of their own bodies. It talks about consent and recognizing unsafe situations.
My Body Belongs to Me: From My Heat to my Toes by Pro Familia
- A great tool to help kids learn about boundaries and saying no to things that make them uncomfortable.
Books About Feelings
Understanding emotions can sometimes be challenging to children. These books make it easier for kids to talk about their feelings:
The Color Monster: A Story About Emotions by Anna Llenas
- This book uses colors to explain different emotions, helping kids recognize and name their feelings.
Ruby Finds a Worry by Tom Percival
- Ruby’s story shows kids that talking about their worries can make them feel better.
When Sophie Gets Angry—Really, Really Angry… by Molly Bang
- This book helps kids understand anger and how to handle it in healthy ways.
Books About Healing
Stories about overcoming challenges can comfort kids who’ve faced tough times or know someone who has:
A Terrible Thing Happened by Margaret M. Holmes
- This story follows Sherman the raccoon as he learns to cope with a scary event. It’s a gentle way to help kids process trauma.
The Invisible String by Patrice Karst
- A comforting story that reminds kids they’re always connected to loved ones, even when apart.
Maybe Tomorrow? by Charlotte Agell
- A touching tale about friendship and grief, showing how kindness can help heal heavy hearts.
Books About Belonging
Teaching children to be kind helps prevent bullying. Reading books about differences may also help build self-esteem and resiliency for children who struggle with feeling accepted.
The World Needs More Purple People by Kristen Bell & Benjamin Hart
- This book goes into why being kind, helping others, and having a good time can be helpful for everyone.
We All Belong by Nathalie and Alex Goss
- Exploring how friends can be different in some ways and same in the other, helps kids know that being different is ok!
Thelma the Unicorn by Aaron Blabey
- This book teaches kids to love themselves no matter what.
Books for Children in Foster Care
Children in foster care often face challenges like uncertainty, loss, and questions about their identity. Books can help them process these feelings in a safe and comforting way.
Maybe Days: A Book for Children in Foster Care by Jennifer Wilgocki and Marcia Kahn Wright
- This book explains foster care in simple terms. It helps kids understand what’s happening and reassures them that their feelings are normal.
The Great Gilly Hopkins by Katherine Paterson
- Gilly is a strong-willed girl navigating foster care. Her journey of learning to trust and find her place is both touching and relatable.
Love Makes a Family by Sophie Beer
- This colorful picture book celebrates all kinds of families. It’s a reminder that love is what truly makes a family.
Tips for a Great Summer Reading Experience
Talk About the Stories: Encourage kids to share their thoughts and feelings about the books. Let them ask questions and express themselves freely.
Read Together: For younger kids, reading together can make them feel safe and supported. For older kids, reading the same book and discussing it can be a bonding experience.
Mix Serious and Fun Books: Balance books about important topics with lighthearted, fun stories to keep reading enjoyable.
Seek Help if Needed: If a book brings up tough emotions, don’t hesitate to reach out to a counselor or trusted professional for support.
Conversation Starters
Talking about body safety, boundaries and safe adults is one of the best ways to prevent child sexual abuse. Here are some ways to get those conversations started after reading books about the topic:
“What was the best part of your day? Did anything make you feel uncomfortable?”
“You can always tell me anything, even if it feels scary or confusing. I’m here to help.”
“Your body is yours, and no one should touch it without your permission. If someone does, it’s okay to say ‘no’ and tell a trusted adult.”
“There are safe touches, like hugs from someone you trust, and unsafe touches that make you feel uncomfortable. Always let me know if something doesn’t feel right.”
“If you ever feel scared or unsure, who are some grown-ups you trust and feel safe talking to?”
“Even if someone tells you to keep a secret that makes you feel bad, it’s important to tell a safe adult. Secrets about safety should never be kept.”
“What would you do if someone asked you to keep a secret that made you feel weird?”
“If someone tried to touch you in a way you didn’t like, what could you say or do?”
“What did you think about that story? How would you feel if you were in that situation?”
“What can we learn from this about staying safe?”
Darkness to Light has many conversation starters and tips for talking with children about tough topics:
https://www.d2l.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Body-Safety-Boundaries.pdf
