5 stars
I loved this book so much! It take a sometimes-tricky concept and perfectly fits it into a high-energy, engaging read that focuses on personal choice, verbal consent, and the validity of one’s own likes and dislikes.
This book does a great job of presenting its messages in a way that is easy for young readers to understand while still being fun and interesting. It shows that it’s okay to say no if you won’t want to be touched. Great portrayal of the spectrum from people who don’t like touch at all, to those who usually like it, to those who like it with certain people or in certain situations. The book presents all of these as perfectly valid and the individual’s choice.
There’s also a great emphasis on consent in the form of asking first. Many cultural and social situations normalize touch between people but it’s important to note that not all people like that. Teaching this to children early helps set them up to more easily navigate the world, both in feeling comfortable themselves and making others feel comfortable.
I also loved that the book showed the difference between liking a person and liking an action. Just because someone doesn’t want a hug doesn’t mean they don’t like you. We need to stop pushing kids and making them feel uncomfortable by equating hugs/kisses/touch with love.
A great starting point for teaching children to respect others and that their own preferences are valid. Told in simple words with great examples and fun, colorful illustrations, this book brings high energy and understanding to a topic that can be hard to tackle. Very well done.