Kids Books for Child Abuse Prevention Month

April is Child Abuse Prevention month, and if you have kids, work with kids, or love a child, this matters to you.

In the U.S., statistics estimate that 1 in 4 girls will be a victim of sexual abuse by her 18th birthday, and 1 in 13 boys will be. Over half a million children are known to authorities. Half a million. Known. Close to 1800 children died in the U.S. in 2024 from abuse and/or neglect. One would be too many. 1800 is unfathomable.

While there are several ways we can work hard as a community to completely eliminate child abuse, one of the important things parents (educators, community leaders, etc.) can do is to equip children with knowledge; conversations about boundaries, safe touch, and trust.

Many of us were not raised with these conversations and frankly find ourselves at a loss on how to approach them with our own children now. Read a book together allows you to experience the book side-by-side (which can be less intimidating than face-to-face), and also gives you a touch point as a parent when your child inevitably asks questions (remember in the book when Mama Bear explains that there are a few 'bad apples' in every bunch? And you can't tell from the outside if someone has your best interest at heart? - as an example.)

Many of the books are linked below, just click the picture.

Book Recommendations

We Can Say No

Body Boundaries Make Me Stronger

Consent Ninja (the whole series is gold, though)

Let's Talk about Body Boundaries, Consent, and

Respect

Good Pictures, Bad Pictures Jr.

Good Pictures, Bad Pictures

Rissy No Kissies

Do You Have A Secret?

I Said NO!

Miles is the Boss of His Body

Your Body Belongs to You

Some Secrets Should Never Be

Kept

My Body's Mine

My Body! What I Say Goes!

Me and My Amazing Body

Berenstain Bear's Learn about Strangers

Teach Your Dragon Body Safety

My Body Belongs to Me

These are just a few, but should be a good start to building your safety book library at home! If you have a favorite that's not on this list, please comment it below.

This blog is written and maintained by non-clinical staff. It should therefore be taken as psychoeducation only and not as medical advice or a replacement for therapy. If you are experiencing an emergency, please call 911. If you are experiencing a mental health crisis that is not life-threatening, please call 988.