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Books for children on abduction and abuse prevention--that won't frighten your child (or you)
Help us find child safety books that don't talk about "strangers."
Parents often ask me to recommend safety books they can share with their kids. But it's tough to find materials that don't rely on the misguided concepts of "stranger" or "stranger-danger." (There is more below on why teaching about "strangers" is a poor idea.)Here's a list of children's safety books recommended by the Polly Klaas® Foundation. Won't you share your favorites? The guidelines we're looking for are below.
P.S. Most are available from the library as well as from booksellers.
While I'm thinking about it--here's a safety book(let) for parents
Order our free Child Safety Kit and sign up for monthly safety news
- Child Safety Kit -- FREE!!
- 24 pages that show parents how to teach their children about abduction prevention--without scaring them. Includes two home-use fingerprint and DNA documents.
Children's safety books for abduction and abuse prevention
We're looking for safety books that:
* Are not based upon "stranger danger" -- in fact, don't even mention "strangers."
* Teach children how to recognize and avoid danger.
* Show children safe ways to get help when they can't ask a parent or teacher.
* Teach children how to say, "No," -- loudly --and when is the right time to say it.
* Tell children not to keep secrets.
* Encourage children to tell and keep telling until someone helps.
* Remind kids it's not their fault if someone hurts or tricks them.
In other words, books that are practical and empowering, and are not fear-based--we're looking for books like these:
(You can review the list, share the list, vote for your favorite book, or make additions. If you add a new title, please write a review. We'll read it too, and add our comments.)
I Like You to Make Jokes With Me, but I Don't Want You to Touch Me/Me Gusta Que Bromees Conmigo, Pero No Quiero Que Me Toques by Ellen Bass
Shows both parents and children how children can s more...0 points
I Promise I'll Find You by Heather Patricia Ward
Almost all children feel that they have been lost, more...0 points
It's My Body (Children's Safety & Abuse Prevention) by Lory Freeman
A very non-threatening and extremely effective boo more...0 points
Telling Isn't Tattling by Kathryn M. Hammerseng
Teaches children it's not only okay---but importan more...0 points
Trouble With Secrets by Karen Johnson
Teaches children to distinguish between hurtful se more...0 points
What to Do If You Get Lost (The Abduction Prevention Library) by Cynthia MacGregor
Almost all children are afraid of getting lost and more...0 points
Was this list helpful?
Why teaching "stranger danger" is a poor idea
(And what can you teach instead?)
* Children think "strangers" are dirty and scary looking. But most people who intend to harm children are careful to look nice and act friendly.* There's more risk from people a child knows than from "strangers." 90% of child sexual abuse is by people known by the child, not by strangers. Less than 1% of abductions are the sterotypical "stranger" kidnappings that grab the headlines. If you only teach your child about "strangers" you are providing minimal protection.
* If children need help when you are not there, they'll need to ask someone they don't know. If you've told them to avoid "strangers" they may not be able to ask for help. More than one child has stayed lost because he or she hid from rescuers who were "strangers."
And what can you teach instead of "stranger danger?" Check out our free Child Safety Kit (order link above) and monthly safety eNewsletter.
