No Means No!: Teaching personal boundaries, consent; empowering children by respecting their choices and right to say 'no!' Paperback – Picture Book, March 28, 2015

I am rewriting this review to reflect book changes.This book has since been fixed for the kindle, and after the issues with the kindle the seller was kind enough to send me a hard-copy as I waited for the kindle version to be fixed.This book is wonderful at teaching children about their bodies and empowering them that their body is theirs, and that the choices that they make about their body should be respected.The "No means no" mantra is both empowering, firm, clear, and simple to remember. When my family try to force kisses, and hugs my daughter doesn't have to come up with an excuse, she knows that if she doesn't want a kiss, or a hug, that it is her body and "No means no".We are so used to a society where you have to kiss a relative, you have to accept hugs, you have to put on that scratchy sweater. It is these ideals that can leave our children vulnerable. A lot of sexual abuse is usually committed by people closest to you, and enforcing the idea to children that they have to do what adults say in regards to their body can leave them open to abuse. It can leave them open to anxiety about not having control over their surroundings.Don't get me wrong, there is a time and a place where I do have to enforce certain things, as a parent, it is unavoidable. And in those times we will talk about it.Teaching your child about their body, giving them power over their body, teaching them what is okay, and not okay in regards to their body is probably one of the most important things. You will give them confidence, you will allow them to make choices which will shape them as an adult to both respect their body, and know that no one has the right to touch them unless they want it.It's really time to make a change and a stand, rape culture has become a big thing. And it really starts at a young age. We teach boys that it's okay to touch and poke and irritate girls because "boys will be boys"We teach our children to accept being touched when they don't want to because "An adult says so".If we start empowering our children at a young age that they have a say in their body, and to respect "No" - We will shape a respectful and confident generation.And when "no's" can't happen - We can use these moments to educate our children - - For example "I'm sorry but I had to hold your hand as we were crossing a busy road and it was dangerous"In short - This book is an excellent start at teaching the power of no, the respect that their body is theirs, and that no one has the right to touch them if they say no.It is beautifully illustrated, and very simply written and easy to follow, and it is easy to start conversations with your child about each subject.I highly recommend this children if you are wanting to teach your child about their bodily rights, and the power and usage of no.

My daughter is 2, nearing 3, and she likes to read this book, which makes me so happy. It is a sweet, shorter story that empowers her about her words! We have been able to use this when family members try to tickle her and she doesn't want to, or they want kisses and she doesn't want to, I quietly remind her that she can choose otherwise and suggest "a high five or to blow a kiss," or with the tickling I tell her that No means No and she can go tell them to stop (I usually call her over to me so that it does stop but she has the opportunity to use her strong voice and have it heard instead of me telling the adult to stop.) She responds so well to it and I am full of joy to have this book as a tool to help me raise a daughter with respect for her body and choices, and the knowledge that her No needs to be honored, too. I recommend this book!

I ordered this book because I care a lot about children having authority over whom they have to kiss and hug. In truth, I didn't expect it to be a page-turner but I wanted to start the conversation with Avery early about boundaries and letting her know that it's okay to say "no." Surprise, surprise, she actually loves this book! It's short and easy to understand and discusses powerful messages around saying no, having a choice, and expressing other options (i.e. we can give a high-five instead of a kiss if we don't want to kiss someone).

We started reading this book to our little girl when she was 3. I am writing a review now because yesterday at five another kid tried to touch her and that night she spoke and told us the day it happened. This book is what gave our daughter and us the basis for the conversation. Big thanks to the author! You helped empower our little girl with the tools to navigate messed-up situation that no one should have to face.

This is a great book to start talking to kids about body boundaries. I read this to my classroom. We did have to talk about how parents have to help them even if they say no sometimes cause thats their job. But i loved this.

It's a great book and in the end it gives parents questions to ask their little ones.i.e. "Has anyone tried to hug or kiss you like this? How did you feel? What can you do if you do not want to hug or kiss someone? Say No! That's right."But I do wonder if there's a boy version so little boys can also read these books.

I waned a very basic starter book for my 3.5 yo and this is perfect. It simply drives home the message that you get to choose who touches your body and gives options of how to say no. It does not go into details of anything else. It presents the main character (a young girl) in a few situations where she doesn't feel like touching somebody (aunt's kisses, wrestling with cousin, holding hands with school friend...) and shows alternatives of how she can say no confidently. This is a great start to building your library about body autonomy.

I bought this for my 2.5 yo son. I wanted to start education about body boundaries early for 2 reasons: the understanding of how sexual predators violate simple boundaries first and realizing how prevalant a problem sexual abuse is and because of society's view (and many family members) that kids need to hug and kiss them. So, I felt it was important, even with my son being so young. And he loves this book! I was so excited! It's his "no book." And I overheard him playing with his little hot wheel cars-one car told the other car, "if you don't want to play, just say no, and that's ok!" I know he learned that from this book. It's simple, easy to understand and provides a lot of examples that really make sense to kids. Bravo! We love this book!