Here’s a list of children’s books that can develop healthy personal boundaries.
Personal body boundaries can keep children safe and out of trouble. But the problem is that many kids don’t know how to keep themselves safe. So, I put together this book list filled with books that can help preschoolers, kindergarteners, and elementary school-aged children develop healthy personal boundaries. You might also enjoy books about anger management for kids.
Statistics say the average age for a child to be sexually abused is the age of four. I was molested starting at the age of four, and as of this writing in 2016, my daughter will be four next month. So I need these books to help my daughter develop healthy personal boundaries, so she won’t find herself in the trouble I did.
Healthy Personal Boundary Books for Kids
While in graduate school studying psychology, I learned that one of the primary reasons young girls and boys fall victim to sexual abuse is because they don’t know any better. They don’t know how to communicate what’s going on with the trusted adults in their lives.
I was sexually abused as a child. I remember spending the night at my best friend’s house when I was four. When I woke, I was being dragged across the living room floor in a sleeping bag by her older brother. And unfortunately, I continued to suffer his abuse until my family moved away five years later.
I want to make sure that my daughter knows better than I did. Reading these books helps me teach her what’s okay and what isn’t regarding her body boundaries. I sleep better at night, knowing that these books may make a difference. Maybe they will work for you too.
Look for these books that help kids develop personal boundaries at your local library or used bookstore. I have provided affiliate links for your convenience if you cannot find them.
Books That Help Kids Develop Healthy Personal Boundaries: Books for Kids
No Means No! by
‘No Means No!’ is a children’s picture book about an empowered little girl with a powerful and clear voice on all issues, especially those relating to her body and personal boundaries. You can read this book to children from 3 to 9 years and use it as a springboard for discussions regarding children’s choices and their rights.
Your Body Belongs to You
by
This book is positive and assertive without being frightening. It lets young children know that it’s all right to choose when and by whom they are to be touched.
I Said No! by
by Helping kids set healthy boundaries for their private parts can be daunting and awkward for parents, counselors, and educators. Written from a kid’s point of view, I Said No! Making this task a lot easier.
No Trespassing – This Is My Body! by
by Siblings Katie and her little brother Kyle learn about personal safety, private parts, and “thumbs up & thumbs down” touches by talking with their mom in a loving and easy-to-understand manner. Parents can use this book to begin this critical discussion with their children with an empowering dialog that is never fearful.
An Exceptional Child’s Guide to Touch by
by The rules of physical contact can be tricky to grasp, and children with special needs are at a heightened risk of abuse. This friendly picture book explains how to tell the difference between acceptable and inappropriate touch, helping the child with special needs stay safe.
Those are My Private Parts by
Those Are My Private Parts conveys to children that no one has a right to their body and is filled with great information for parents and other adults concerned about children’s well-being. Most importantly, it includes the critical message that NO ONE should touch your private parts.
Amazing You! Getting Smart About Your Private Parts by
This title tackles essential body awareness and sex education. The text speaks directly to young children, differentiating between body parts that are visible most of the time and those that are kept hidden, showing the differences between girls and boys and offering a simple explanation of how babies are made without explicit reference to sex.
It’s My Body by
Here’s a powerful book for enhancing self-esteem. Children can learn safe boundaries, distinguish between “good” and “bad” touches, and respond appropriately to unwanted touches.
The Right Touch by
by The Right Touch reaches beyond the usual scope of a children’s picture book, and it is a parenting book that introduces a challenging topic–the sexual abuse of young children. Any trusted caregiver can read this gentle, thoughtful story aloud to a child.
Some Parts are NOT for Sharing by
Children can learn the boundaries of appropriate touching in a very non-threatening way by reading this book.
Good Touch Bad Touch by
In this simple and engaging guide, Mandee and Bobby explain “good touches” and “bad touches.” They describe how to recognize each kind of touch, their differences, and how to respond. Next, they talk about private areas and what to do if someone touches you in those places. They explain that it’s not okay to keep a secret about private areas, even if the person who touched you says bad things might happen if you tell.
Miles is the Boss of His Body by
by 
Miles Is The Boss Of His Body is a fun, engaging way to explore the potentially complex topic of kids’ safety. On his 6th birthday, Miles’ excitement is dimmed when he finds himself pinched, noogied, hugged too tight, picked up, and tickled by his well-intentioned family and decides he’s had enough! When Miles decrees that he is the “Boss of his body,” his whole family expresses support and respect for his boundaries.
My Body Belongs to Me by
Without being taught about body boundaries, a child may be too young to understand when abuse is happening—or that it’s wrong. This straightforward, gentle book offers a tool that parents, teachers, and counselors can use to help children feel, be, and stay safe.
Some Secrets Should Never Be Kept by
This book is an invaluable tool for parents, caregivers, teachers, and healthcare professionals to broach the subject of safe and unsafe touch in a non-threatening and age-appropriate way.
Books That Help Kids Develop Healthy Personal Boundaries: Resources for Parents and Caregivers
Body Safety Education: A Parents Guide to Protecting Kids from Sexual Abuse by
Here’s a step-by-step guide for parents and carers on protecting children from sexual abuse through personal Body Safety Education. This guide for parents, teachers, and other caregivers contains simple, practical, and age-appropriate ideas and essential information on how abusers groom and signs that a child may be sexually abused.
Healthy Personal BoundarY Books for Kids from Toddlers Through Childhood
As parents, teachers, counselors, and caregivers, we need to help our children develop healthy personal body boundaries. These books for preschoolers and up will help children understand and identify good and bad touches.
Learning to say no to unwanted advances from friends and strangers is vital to a child’s social-emotional health and development. It may save them from molestation and sexual abuse.
You may also like Books That Teach Kids Important Life Lessons and the other book lists below. Click on the links to see them.
I’d like to also suggest a great book for kids ages 3-10. It’s a fantastic resource that takes many of the lessons in the books you recommend and turns them into practices for kids and their adults to do together.
Hello Antonie,
If you would like me to consider a book to add to this list, you can send it to the address listed on our “Terms of Service” page. Thanks!