The Every Body Book of Consent by Rachel E. Simon

Rating:

4 Stars

Themes:

Non-Fiction, Kids Non-Fiction

Thoughts:

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. This is such a great book for teaching bodily autonomy to kids. It would have been great to have this as a kid, being a girl in one of the generations raised to put others needs first. It was great to see how to handle disappointment and rejection and different forms of no or nonconsent. The section explaining the difference between private information, surprises and secrets and when secrets should be told to a trusted adult to help protect against grooming, and also explaining in a child friendly way what exactly grooming is for them to be more aware themselves. I personally loved the bit about disabled people and consent regarding their medical aids since as a disabled person myself this is something I’ve seen adults struggle with. The illustrations are also great and diverse which can help different kids feel identified with and pay more attention to.

Favourite Quote:

"Even if we’re not in a culture that values consent and body autonomy, we can create that culture by saying loudly and clearly what our bodies want and need."

Comments

Vincent: A Graphic Biography by Simon Elliott

Rating: 4 Stars Themes: Comic, Non-Fiction, Biography Thoughts: I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. This is a great little book on Vincent van Gogh. It is very detailed containing pieces of his life such as changing careers and failed love interests that are often not considered when we think of van Gogh, instead favouring his art and mental health. The illustrations were really well done and at times helped to bring levity to the story which isn’t often the happiest of lives.

The War of Sober by Edward Rand

Rating: 4 Stars Themes: Non-Fiction, Self-Help, Addiction, Psychology Thoughts: I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. This is a great book not just for addicts trying to establish and maintain their sobriety but also psychologists, counsellors and the people working with them. It approaches the experience of addiction from the perspective of going to war and may help those who can’t get along with the 12 steps, contingency management or other forms of therapy traditionally used. It’s also helpful to have Edward detail his own experiences and approaches throughout so it feels less clinical and shows he does know what he’s talking about when he mentions the difficulties so it comes across less patronising than some self-help addiction books. Favourite Quote: "It doesn't matter what happened yesterday. Win or lose, if we are still alive, we must decide to be different today and then make the correct choices today, because friends, ...

Broken Glass by Sarah Kay

Rating: 3 Stars Themes: Poetry Thoughts: I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. This collection is mixed for me, some of the poems were really good and all were definitely emotive but I think so many poems on the Hamas attack and subsequent war which is highly politically charged a little difficult to tackle. Favourite Quote: "What good is it to open my heart when in the end, you will stab it in the back?"

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