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Best Books Helping Parents Start Body Safety Conversations
10 Body Safety Books Every Protective Parent Should Own:
🕵️♀️As a former child abuse detective and a mum who’s walked the tightrope of wanting to protect without overloading. I’ve seen the impact that well-chosen books can have. They spark conversations that keep kids safe. They make body safety normal, not taboo.
And they remind our kids that they are allowed to have boundaries, and we will back them.
If you’re ready to make body safety a part of everyday life, these books are a bloody good place to start.
You don’t have to do it perfectly.
You just have to do it consistently.
Books give you the words. You bring the love, the leadership, and the follow-through.
These stories aren’t just bedtime reads. They’re armour. They’re tools. They’re your way of saying, “I will not stay silent, and I will not let the world teach you what I should have.”
You don’t need to be an expert, just a parent who’s willing to:
✅Learn ✅Read ✅ and Lead
Your kid is watching. Let them see what protection looks like.
1. My Body! What I Say Goes!
Written by Jayneen Sanders | Illustrated by Farimah Khavarinezhad
Empowers kids to say no, understand consent, and reinforces that their body is their own.
2. Some Secrets Should Never Be Kept
Written by Jayneen Sanders | Illustrated by Craig Smith
A bold but beautiful story that teaches kids the difference between safe and unsafe secrets. A must-have.
3. Let’s Talk About Body Boundaries, Consent and Respect
Written by Jayneen Sanders | Illustrated by Sarah Jennings
This one dives deeper into everyday boundaries, great for helping kids navigate friendships, school, and group settings.
4. No Means No!
Written by Jayneen Sanders | Illustrated by Cherie Zamazing
Short, punchy, and perfect for little ones. Normalises the idea that “no” is a complete sentence and should be respected.
5. Secret or Surprise
By Three Brave Hearts
My personal top pick for this topic. Gentle, inclusive and Aussie as they come, this book helps kids clearly understand the difference between fun surprises and unsafe secrets. It’s gold.
6. My Underpants Rule
By Kate & Rod Power
Bright, cheeky, and incredibly effective. This one teaches the concept of private parts with rhyme and humour, kids love it, and it sticks.
7. Only for Me
Written by Michelle Derrig| Illustrated by Nicole Mackenzie
A gentle rhyming book that empowers children to understand their body’s privacy and the importance of speaking up.
Do you have an idea for a book but not sure where to start? You can watch Laura’s FREE webinars on Getting Started with writing a children’s book!
8. Someone Should Have Told Me
Written by Holly-ann Martin| Illustrated by Marilyn Fahie
This one’s for you, parents. Holly-ann speaks the truth about how to talk to your kids about inappropriate content, sexting, and unsafe online behaviour. If you’ve felt unsure, start here.
9. My Body is Mine, My Body, My Choice, My Body
By Crystal Hardstaff
A stunning set of three body safety books covering everything from consent to tricky people to trusting your instincts. Soft, empowering, and trauma-informed.
10. Conversations with Kids: Body Safety Cards
By Kristi McVee
Not a book, but a tool you need. These cards make it easy to have age-appropriate chats about body safety, private parts, instincts, consent, and safe adults.
👉 Grab your set here → Coversations with Kids Body Safety Cards
👉 Want my ongoing help? Join the KidSafe Collective Membership for ongoing guidance, tools, and community.
This article is by Birchy’s Books special guest author – Kristi McVee. You can find and follow Kristi on her website & socials.
Kristi’s good friend (and former child abuse detective) Kayelene Kerr has an online bookshop stocking almost all of the books mentioned in this article at: www.esafekids.com.au/shop. She has offered anyone 25% off postage when you use Kristi’s code: ‘Kristi’.
About Kristi:
Founder of Child Abuse Prevention and Education Australia, Kristi McVee is a Child Safety Expert specialising in empowering and educating parents around child abuse prevention and online safety. Kristi spent 10 years in the police force as a specialist child interviewer and a detective senior constable. After retiring from the force Kristi is on a mission to raise awareness and make an impact in the fight against child abuse.
This post may contain affiliate links. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a small commission.
Using Books for Body Safety Education
Why? Because one conversation won’t cut it, but the right stories can change everything.
This Article has been written for Birchy’s Books by guest author and Child Safety Expert – Kristi McVee 👏
For more insightful resources from Kristi, you can visit her socials and website:
Here’s the thing: kids don’t learn the most important stuff in one big sit-down talk. They learn through repetition. Through play. Through stories. Through the tone of your voice and the way you show up when it matters.
That’s why books are one of the most powerful tools you can use when it comes to body safety education.
They help take the pressure off.
They open the door to tricky conversations.
They give your child language, context, and confidence.
The Indie Author Diaries
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