Yes Means Yes!: A Picture Book About Consent
Once/Now/Then/After Series
on Goodreads (25)
What’s inside...
This Kickstarter-funded picture book about consent presents various scenarios in which kids (and even adults) might feel uncomfortable, and addresses how to express and respect those boundaries and concerns. Drawing on the author's experiences as a librarian and her own personal experiences growing up, the book discusses bodily autonomy and how it is approached in society. Illustrated by Kai Kwong, the book aims to provide empathetic and positive ways to instill understanding of respecting each others' comfort zones.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
3-7
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What does 'consent' mean to you, and why do you think it is important?
Can you think of a time when you asked for permission or said no? How did it make you feel?
Why is it important to respect other people’s decisions when they say yes or no?
How would you ask for permission if you want to borrow something from a friend?
What are some ways you can show you understand and respect someone’s answer?
Tip: Role play these questions
Set a comfortable atmosphere for the child to express thoughts freely without judgement.
Relate the theme of consent to familiar situations at home or school to make the concept more understandable.
Encourage the child to come up with personal examples about consent, ensure to listen actively to their experiences.
After discussing the key questions, guide your child on how to apply the principles of consent in daily interactions.
Reinforce the importance of consent through praise and positive reinforcement when they practice it in real life.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Understanding Consent
Explanation: Through engaging illustrations and straightforward text, 'Yes Means Yes!: A Picture Book About Consent' illustrates scenarios where children interact and make decisions about their personal space and comfort levels.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to voice their own comfort and respect others’ boundaries in everyday interactions, such as during playtime or while sharing toys.
Example Lesson: Empathy and Respect for Others
Explanation: The book promotes empathy by showing how characters feel when their boundaries are either respected or disrespected, helping readers to understand the impact of their actions on others.
Real-World Application: This helps children grasp the importance of treating others kindly and respecting personal choices in school and social settings.
Example Lesson: Confidence in Expressing Feelings
Explanation: Characters in the book demonstrate the empowering feeling of saying 'yes' or 'no,' which encourages children to be confident in expressing their own feelings and choices.
Real-World Application: Kids can apply this to their lives by confidently making choices about participation in activities or expressing when they are uncomfortable.