🟢 Kid Lit Book Review: Yes! No!: A First Conversation about Consent

When someone says or shows NO, it’s our job to listen and stop right away. 

There are lots of ways people say NO when they don’t want to do something, 

so we need to pay extra attention.

REVIEWER: Alyssa Anderson

RATING: 🟢 Recommended

Yes! No! A First Conversation About Consent by Megan Madison and Jessica Ralli is a  children’s book about permission that showcases different scenarios where children give or do not give their consent. Important topics like what “no” looks like and sounds like are discussed. There is also a discussion on the importance of listening when someone says “no” to you. The story teaches children that they have the right to make choices about their bodies. Children are also taught to stand up for themselves and to ask for help from adults.

The authors of this book are two women who are early childhood educators, and they are women who work with victims of sexual assault. They are qualified to teach children on this topic and they are very passionate about the importance of having conversations regarding consent. 

I recommend this book to children and people of all ages. This is age-appropriate and can be applied to locations such as recess and situations such as learning to say no when one does not want to be chased. This book can also be applied to difficult conversations about abuse and sexual assault. One warning about this book is that there is a lack of representation of non-binary children and boys.  However, this book is great overall because it can be an important reminder for children and adults that we have a right to feel comfortable with our bodies and that it is important to listen when other people say no.  

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ABOUT THE REVIEWER

REVIEWER BIO: Alyssa is a senior at Portland State University studying Speech and Hearing Sciences. She enjoys working with children and advocating for those who can't yet advocate for themselves.