<p>This paper studies the growing trend of picture books which teach child readers through story and direct learning about consent, their bodies, and preventing abuse and undesired touching. It also examines the positive outcomes for children—and society at large—raised on them. Beginning in the 1980s, picture books provided explicit instruction and advice for children on the topic of body safety and addressing sexual abuse. In the following years, these books have increased in publication numbers and in the breadth of their content. Picture books aimed at consent empower children to recognize and speak their body boundaries in addition to respecting the autonomy of others. This paper analyzes four current and available picture books. Then, this paper provides an exploration of how picture books regarding consent remain inaccessible for many families due to their invisibility in commercial and critical spotlights. It concludes with action steps the reader can take to promote these picture books and their work in protecting children from abuse.</p>

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On the Rise: Picture Books as Tools for Teaching Consent and Body Autonomy

  • Megan Riddle

摘要

This paper studies the growing trend of picture books which teach child readers through story and direct learning about consent, their bodies, and preventing abuse and undesired touching. It also examines the positive outcomes for children—and society at large—raised on them. Beginning in the 1980s, picture books provided explicit instruction and advice for children on the topic of body safety and addressing sexual abuse. In the following years, these books have increased in publication numbers and in the breadth of their content. Picture books aimed at consent empower children to recognize and speak their body boundaries in addition to respecting the autonomy of others. This paper analyzes four current and available picture books. Then, this paper provides an exploration of how picture books regarding consent remain inaccessible for many families due to their invisibility in commercial and critical spotlights. It concludes with action steps the reader can take to promote these picture books and their work in protecting children from abuse.