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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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
Most of the time you like to get a hug or a kiss, but sometimes you don't want to be touched. At these times it's okay to say "no", because your body belongs to you. In simple, reassuring language, therapist Cornelia Spelman explains that a child's body is his or her own; that it is all right for...

Toddler

FROM MY HEAD TO MY TOES
Raisman, Aly
Paper Book
A joyful ode to loving and caring for our bodies, from Olympic gold medalist and advocate Aly Raisman and bestselling artist Bea Jackson. My body is my own. My body is just right for me, From my head to my toes From My Head to My Toes...

Preschool

Don't hug Doug
Finison, Carrie
Paper Book
Meet Doug, an ordinary kid who doesn't like hugs, in this fun and exuberant story which aims to spark discussions about bodily autonomy and consent--from author Carrie Finison and the #1 New York Times bestselling illustrator of The World Needs More Purple People, Daniel Wiseman.<...

Preschool

Consent (for kids!) : boundaries, respect, and being in charge of you
Brian, Rachel
Paper Book
With clear explanations, fun illustrations, and expertly-presented information, Consent (for Kids!) is an empowering introduction to consent, bodily autonomy, and respect for yourself and others. Consent is like being ruler of your own country.....

Kids


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