Child Abuse Prevention Referrals

Book Reviews

"Those Are MY Private Parts" is an excellent companion book on sexual abuse prevcention to help parents teach a child that their body parts are theirs and NO one has the right to touch them or use them as part of a game or fun activity. The author writes this work from the eyes of a child - in a child friendly, easy to understand language - a difficult feat on a difficult subject.

Dorothy M. Neddermeyer, PhD, author, "If I'd Only Known...Sexual Abuse In or Out of the Family: A Guide to Prevention", international speaker and inspirational leader with 26 years experience in sexual abuse prevention and recovery.

www.drdorothy.net

An excellent children's book about the important issues of body awareness, self-esteem and self-assertive behavior. It helps to educate children even at a very young age to protect themselves and address their questions to people they can trust. I highly recommend this book to parents, caregivers, nursery school teachers, family counselors and child psychologists.

In the United States sex and sexual abuse have been taboo issues for too long. It's time to talk to our children and “to teach them about sex before the child molester does.”

Diane Hansen put this important message into playful rhymes which makes children stronger and more confident about their basic human rights-the right to have private parts, the right to set clear boundaries and the right to say “NO!”

Jutta Manzo, Ph.D.

Dear Diane,

I received your book and have already had a chance to read it to one of my 4 year old clients. When I finished, he said, "Read it again". He loved saying, "Those are MY private parts," with me each time I read it. Also showed it to a colleague who wants to borrow it for a 3 year old client next week. It is an adorable book and well done. I am happy to have it because it seems there is little written for the little ones that they really understand. Congratulations on this great project! I will pass it on to more of my colleagues and they may want to order one.

Thank you for being an important friend to children.

Dr. Karyl McBride, Ph.D, P.C.

Hi Diane:

I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate you on such a great book.

My team delivers child protection training to primary and secondary schools across Lincolnshire, England. Since receiving the book I have included it in the 'bumpf' I display on my training courses. I highlight the book as a good example of how to address the subject of keeping children and young people safe. I think my staff find it diffucult to address the subject of child protection/safety and your book is a useful tool to help staff and children alike. Everybody knows about stranger danger but as we know, most abusers are known to the children they harm. I hope more and more schools, families and children will find out more about keeping safe. Thank you for sending it to me. I will continue to use it. The simple pictures and rhymes in the book are great.

Many thanks,
Ruth Fox
Assistant Child protection Officer
Education and Cultural Services

In today's worl it's sad but true that parents need to discuss certain difficult topics with their children while they are still very young in order to protect them. But how do you teach a child about something they aren't supposed to know about until they are older? You begin by teaching the basics. And one basic that should be taught to all children is that their body is private.

The book, "Those Are My private Parts" is one resource that can help parents open discussions and empower their children against child abuse. The book's message is to let children know that they have a right to and that they SHOULD keep their bodies private - from friends, family members, and even neighbors down the street. The rhyming sentences and short verses make it easy to read this book to young children, and each page reinforces the book's message to children by repeating the phrase, "those are my private parts!" The book also includes a note to parents and two pages of facts on child sexual abuse.

MyParenTime.com highly recommends this book - from the simple rhymes to the colorful illustrations done by a child, this book is a wonderful tool for parents to help protect their children.

~My ParenTime June 2005