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Vendor
Mohrbooks Literary Agency
Sebastian Ritscher
Original language
English
Categories

YES! NO!

Isabel Roxas Megan Madison Jessica Ralli

A First Conversation About Consent

Based on the research that race, gender, consent, and body positivity should be discussed with toddlers on up, this read-aloud board book series offers adults the opportunity to begin important conversations with young children in an informed, safe, and supported way.
This book serves to normalize and celebrate the experience of asking for and being asked for permission to do something involving one's body. It centers on respect for bodily autonomy, and reviews the many ways that one can say or indicate 'NO'.

Megan Pamela Ruth Madison is a lifelong student of radical Black feminism and an early childhood educator. She holds an MS in early childhood education from Dominican University and a BA in studies in religion from the University of Michigan. She is currently pursuing her PhD at Brandeis University's Heller School for Social Policy. When she's not working on finishing up her dissertation, she works as a trainer for the Center for Racial Justice in Education, the Human Root, and the New York Early Childhood Professional Development Institute, facilitating workshops for teachers on race, gender, and sexuality.

Jessica Ralli is the Coordinator of Early Literacy Programs at Brooklyn Public Library, where she develops and manages programming for BPL's award-winning First Five Years initiative. She received her MA in Early Childhood Special Education from Teachers College, Columbia University, and previously taught in schools, childcare centers, and museums. She has written about early literacy and library services for young children in School Library Journal (where she co-authors the "First Steps" column with Rachel G. Payne) and has presented on play-based learning at the American Library Association Conference, Young Child Expo, and the Bank Street Center for Children's Literature.

Isabel Roxas is an author/illustrator, micro-publisher, ceramicist, and avid reader. She was born in Manila, Philippines, and was raised on luscious mangoes, old wives' tales, and monsoon moons. She now works in the backroom of an art gallery in Manhattan where she writes and illustrates stories, designs books, and creates small objects in clay and resin. Her illustrator credits include picture books Hello Universe by Erin Entrada Kelly (2018 Newbery medal winner), Let Me Finish! by Minh Lê (named an NPR Best Book of 2016) and Day at the Market by May Tobias-Papa (2010 winner of the Philippine National Book Award). Isabel is the founder of Little Big Time Press, where she publishes artist books and zines for children. She is also a frequent contributor to Babybug and Ladybug Magazine. Her work has been recognized by American Illustration, HOW Magazine, and 3x3 Magazine of Contemporary Illustration. Her debut comic book for young readers, The Adventures of Team Pom: SQUID HAPPENS, will publish in June 2021. Follow her on Twitter @studioroxas and Instagram @studioroxas.
Available products
Book

Published 2022-02-01 by Rise x Penguin Workshop

Comments

Colorful illustrations and simple questions to discuss offer a lighthearted path into a serious topic. The concept of consent is explained in simple, direct terms... Perfect for a parenting or school counseling collection.

Dutch: Rose ; Korean: Totobook

Authors Megan Madison and Jessica Ralli were on CBS Mornings to discuss their First Conversations board book series! The six minute segment provides tips on how and when to have conversations with the young people in their life on topics of race and gender. Read more...

Geared toward helping adults discuss potentially tricky topics with the youngest set, this sturdy entry in the First Conversations series broaches the topic of consent. Inviting artwork featuring toddlers, kids, and families of all types gives this board book a congenial tone, and straightforward descriptions are paired with direct questions and prompts - "Tell me about a time you changed your mind" - to encourage little ones to consider their own feelings. Affirmative consent, bodily autonomy, and correct vocabulary for body parts and more (including when adults make choices to keep kids safe, regardless of whether those kids agree) are all addressed in the frank, easy-to-understand text. Robust back matter directed at adults offers helpful explanations for why each concept is important and tips for how to positively model good practices around consent. Meaningful guidance for children and adults together.