Child Safety Book List

In honor of Child Abuse Prevention Month in April, the Children's Justice Center has shared a list of titles they recommend for children.

We recommend previewing books before reading them with your child and being ready for any questions your child may have about the book’s content. Reading together with your child can open the door to important conversations about body parts and safety. Reading books together may be a nice introduction to an adult-led conversation on rules or expectations. Not all books cover every aspect of child safety, reading a variety of books on many topics opens the door for important discussions on difficult topics.

As part of sharing these books, we encourage you to start conversations about body safety at your child’s developmental level, using correct names for all body parts, including genitalia. This empowers children to speak up if they experience inappropriate, uncomfortable, or confusing touches. Many of the included books also provide guidance on sharing this content with your child to help with these conversations.

Updated March 20, 2025
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Can I give you a squish?
Neilson, Emily
Paper Book
An important lesson on consent for over-exuberant little huggers, nestled inside this lighthearted, summery story about expressions of love and friendship. Kai is a little mer-boy who's big on hugs--or "squishes," as he and his mama call them. But not everyone's a fan of Kai's...

Toddler

Bodies are cool
Feder, Tyler
Paper Book
This cheerful love-your-body picture book for preschoolers is an exuberant read-aloud with bright and friendly illustrations to pore over.   From the acclaimed creator of Dancing at the Pity Party and Roaring Softly, this picture book is a pure celebration of all the...

Toddler

Yes! No! : a first conversation about consent
Madison, Megan
Paper Book
A picture book edition of the bestselling board book about consent, offering adults the opportunity to begin important conversations with young children in an informed, safe, and supported way. A board book bestseller - now in picture book! Developed by experts in the...

Toddler

Your body belongs to you /
Spelman, Cornelia,
Paper Book
In simple, reassuring language, therapist Cornelia Spelman explains that a child's body is his or her own; that it is all right for children to decline a friendly hug or kiss, even from someone they love; and that "even if you don't want a hug or kiss right now, you can still be friends."...

Toddler

Don't hug Doug (He doesn't like it)
Finison, Carrie
Paper Book
Meet Doug. Doug doesn't like hugs. He thinks they're too squeezy, too squashy, too squooshy, too smooshy. However, Doug is a master of high fives (and low fives and side fives). Some people like hugs, other people don't. The only way to find out is to ask!

Preschool

My body belongs to me from my head to my toes
Geisler, Dagmar
Paper Book
Now every parent, grandparent, or teacher can explain to a child the difference between appropriate and inappropriate touching in a way that young boys and girls can understand. As a child, there are constantly people trying to pick you up, hug you, or tickle you. Sometimes,...

Preschool

My body! what I say goes! : a book to empower and teach children about personal body safety, feelings, safe and unsafe touch, private parts, secrets and surprises, consent, and respectful relationships
Sanders, Jayneen
Paper Book
This comprehensive, empowering and age-appropriate children's book will teach children about respect, consent and body boundaries. It also explores safe and unsafe feelings, early warning signs, a safety network, the correct names for private parts, safe and unsafe touch, and the difference between...

Preschool

The huge bag of worries
Ironside, Virginia.
Paper Book
A reassuring picture book encouraging children to open up about their fears and anxieties to help manage their feelings. The perfect book to soothe worries during stressful times. Wherever Jenny goes, her worries follow her - in a big blue bag. They are...

Kids

Let's talk about body boundaries, consent & respect : a book to teach children about body ownership, respectful relationships, feelings and emotions, choices, and recognizing bullying behaviors
Sanders, Jayneen
Paper Book
Everyone has a body boundary, and everyone's body boundary needs to be respected. This engaging and beautifully illustrated book will spark empowering conversations around body boundaries, consent and respect. Written in a child-friendly and easily understood manner, the text offers...

Kids


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