About the book:
God Made All of Me: A Book to Help Children Protect Their Bodies
"God made every part of you!"
It's easy to convey the message to children that their bodies---or particular parts of their bodies---are shameful. This misconception fuels confusion, embarrassment, and secrecy, and often prevents children from recognizing or reporting sexual abuse.
God Made All of Me is a simply-told, beautifully-illustrated story to help families talk about these sensitive issues with two- to eight-year-old children. Because the private parts of our bodies are private, the home is the ideal environment where a child should learn about his or her body and how it should be treated by others.
God Made All of Me starts from the fundamental truth that God created everything and applies that truth---the doctrine of creation---to kids and their bodies. It equips parents to talk with both boys and girls about their bodies and to help them understand the difference between the appropriate and inappropriate touch of others. God Made All of Me allows families to build a first line of defense against sexual abuse in the safety of their own homes.
God Made All of Me is the first children's book written by Rid of My Disgrace authors Justin and Lindsey Holcomb. Parents of young children themselves, the Holcombs regularly counsel victims of sexual abuse and are profoundly aware of the dangers kids face. Their simple and relatable story, designed to help children protect their bodies, will be an important resource for every family with young children.
Purchase a copy: http://bit.ly/1j72kTN
My thoughts-
It seems like every time you turn on the news these days your hear about someone being sexually assaulted and those are only the ones that are reported. I can not even imagine how many people have been through something like that and feel too ashamed to come forward. It would be especially confusing to a child. I have 3 kids, all school aged, and I have tried to keep an open line of communication with them about their bodies, but telling them how to avoid sexual assault is a conversation that is difficult to even know where to start. God Made All of Me is a book that every single parent should have in their children's book collection. This book is presented in a way that is understandable to young children, but doesn't over elaborate on sexual assault. The focus is on teaching children that they are in control of who touches them (whether that be an unwanted hug, kiss, embrace, or inappropriate touching) and that they can say no. It gives them the words to stay in control of the situation and the power to know that if something ever happens that makes them uncomfortable that they 100% CAN tell a trusted adult (like mom, dad, or a teacher). I read this book with my three children, ages 6, 6, and 8, and they had questions or things to add on nearly every page. It definitely started a dialogue for my family and I am certain it would for yours as well. I absolutely think every parent should own a copy of God Made All of Me. It will help you start a conversation that may be tough to tackle on your own.
About the authors-
Justin Holcomb, PhD, is an Episcopal priest and professor of theology
and Christian thought at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary and
Reformed Theological Seminary. He is the author of "On the Grace of
God," "Know the Heretics," and "Know the Creeds and Councils," as well
as the coauthor of "Is It My Fault?" and "Rid of My Disgrace." He also
serves on the boards for REST (Real Escape from the Sex Trade) and GRACE
(Godly Response to Abuse in Christian Environments). |*|*| Lindsey
Holcomb, MPH, counsels victims of sexual assault and domestic violence
and is the cofounder of REST (Real Escape from the Sex Trade). Lindsey
has provided crisis intervention to victims of sexual assault and
domestic violence and conducted a variety of training seminars to
service providers. She is also the coauthor of "Is It My Fault?" and
"Rid of My Disgrace."
