The Right Touch: A Read-Aloud Story to Help Prevent Child Sexual Abuse (Jody Bergsma Collection) - Hardcover

Sandy Kleven

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0935699104 ISBN 13: 9780935699104

Publisher: Illumination Arts Publishing Company, 1998

Synopsis

The Right Touch reaches beyond the usual scope of a children's picture book. It is a parenting book that introduces a very difficult topic--the sexual abuse of young children. This gentle, thoughtful story can be read aloud to a child by any trusted caregiver.

In the story, young Jimmy's mom explains the difference between touches that are positive and touches that are secret, deceptive or forced. She tells him how to resist inappropriate touching, affirming that abuse is not the child s fault.

The introduction provides valuable information about sexual abuse and guidance on what to do if your child experiences an abusive situation. Jody Bergsma's gentle illustrations soften the impact of this story; yet this portrayal of a dangerous situation is very realistic. If your child is old enough to sit still and listen to a story, he or she is old enough for The Right Touch.

Used by parents and teachers nationwide to help children avoid sexual abuse, this book won the 1999 Benjamin Franklin Parenting Award. It was a finalist for the Small Press Award and was also "Selected as Outstanding" by the Parent Council, Ltd.

About this title

About the Author

Sandy Kleven is a children's clinician, writer, poet, and film maker. She has worked assisting families for about thirty years. She was the writer for an Emmy Award-winning docudrama, The Touching Problem and past director of the SOAPBox Players, an acclaimed prevention theatre group. Her new book for children, Talk About Touch: Alaska, will be out in the spring of 2012.

From the Back Cover

The Right Touch reaches far beyond the usual scope of a children's picture book. It is a parenting book that introduces a very difficult topic -- the sexual abuse of young children. This gentle, thoughtful story is meant to be read aloud by a trusted caregiver.

In the story, young Jimmy's mom explains the difference between touches that are positive and touches that are secret, deceptive, or forced. She tells him how to resist inappropriate touching, affirming that abuse is not the child's fault.

The introduction provides valuable information about sexual abuse and guidance on what to do if your child experiences an abusive situation. Jody Bergsma's delightful illustrations soften the impact of the story, yet this portrayal of a dangerous situation is very realistic. If your child is old enough to sit still and listen to a story, he or she is old enough for The Right Touch.

Reviews

PreSchool-Grade 3AA picture book that clearly instructs children on how to deal with unwanted and inappropriate touching through a heart-to-heart talk between a little boy and his mother. The author sensitively distinguishes between the loving touch we all need and "secret, deceptive, or forced touching." Children are encouraged to listen to their own feelings, assert their right to stop unwanted contact, and get help from trusted adults "even if it is supposed to be a secret." An informative foreword to adults gives valuable information on communicating personal safety to children and advice for helping those who report abuse. The illustrations of big-eyed children, comfy teddy bears, and fuzzy pets are not distinguished but do contribute to the cozy, safe tone of the book. The primary audience will be parents looking for materials to help them introduce this important topic, but older children will find the clarity and warmth of the message reassuring on their own.ACarolyn Lehman, Humboldt State University, Arcata, CA
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Edition details

• Publisher: Illumination Arts Publishing Company
• Publication date: 1998
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0935699104
• ISBN 13: 9780935699104
• Binding: Hardcover
• Illustrator: Jody Bergsma
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 32