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God Made Me
God Made All of Me: A Book to Help Children Protect Their Bodies
This simply told, beautifully illustrated story from the authors of Rid of My Disgrace and Is It My Fault? helps two- to eight-year-olds understand why their bodies matter and distinguish between appropriate and inappropriate touch. God Made All of Me gently opens a conversation that every family needs to have.
30 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 1, 2015
16 people are currently reading
932 people want to read
About the author
Justin S. Holcomb
47 books28 followersJustin Holcomb is an Episcopal priest and a professor of theology and Christian thought at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary and Reformed Theological Seminary. He previously taught at the University of Virginia and Emory University. Justin holds an M.A. in Theological Studies and an M.A. in Christian Thought from Reformed Theological Seminary and a Ph.D. from Emory University. He serves on the boards for REST (Real Escape from the Sex Trade) and GRACE (Godly Response to Abuse in Christian Environments).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 96 reviews
January 28, 2018
This is one of the most important books we own.
October 19, 2023
This is not a "fun" story but I think they walk a really good line of not being "scary" and being very clear for kids. I really appreciate that they cover everything in a matter of fact way and encourage adults to be very intentional about how they communicate (using and teaching anatomically correct words, not implying a child should be responsible for your emotions ex. "I'm sad, can you give me a hug?", not having secrets).
My favorite parts are the emphasis that:
1. God made every part of your body and it is good
2. If any touch anywhere on your body makes you feel uncomfortable, you can say "no, stop" to the person and get help.
My favorite parts are the emphasis that:
1. God made every part of your body and it is good
2. If any touch anywhere on your body makes you feel uncomfortable, you can say "no, stop" to the person and get help.
April 28, 2025
This is a critical book to read as a parent . It's a simple book for such a heavy topic to share with your children. I'm very thankful for how tactful and well written this book is . We read it often.
March 28, 2018
I love this book and its specific, healthy language. The emphasis on talking without shame while also setting boundaries without shame is wonderful. Highly recommend to parents, teachers, and others who frequently interact with children and want to explore safe, clear ways of talking about this difficult subject.
September 15, 2022
Excellent resource! This is a must have resource to educate children and parents alike. As the title suggests, our bodies are good gifts from God, and this is a book about how to help children protect their bodies. I highly recommend this book.
June 3, 2018
A good way to talk to your children about appropriate touching. I like how it distinguishes between secrets & surprises.
5/30/18 Read with Julia.
6/1/18 Read with Julia.
5/30/18 Read with Julia.
6/1/18 Read with Julia.
Want to read
September 23, 2018WORLD comments here.
February 26, 2016
In recent months, the issue of sexual abuse has come to our attention as one which we can no longer ignore. This is especially true in the church where it is often brushed under the carpet and covered up. Often times it is the victim who is blamed and, in effect, re-victimized. To be clear, this hasn't come to the forefront of our minds due to personal experience or any specific case. The sad truth is, you don't have to try hard to find a news story about abuse. As a result, both Jami and I have a growing burden for the victims of abuse (sexual or otherwise).
Part of this process for us has been to actively research how we can best protect our children. We have taken small steps to do what we can to prevent abuse in our childrens lives. One of these small steps is simply talking about these things. At church, as much as possible we keep our children within our field of vision and always make sure that our children never go to the restroom alone in public places. Since this has been on our hearts we were very excited to have the opportunity to review a wonderful little book called God Made All of Me by Justin and Lindsey Holcomb.
A book such as this must have been very difficult to write. No book on this topic can cover the vast amount of information that we as parents need to know. No abuse case is the same; some occur by teachers, some by family friends, and some by family members. While most victims of abuse are abused by non-family acquaintances (58%) a significantly large number of the assailants (34%) are family members. Since this book is intended to be read by parents to children, one of the things it was unable to address is the horrible instances in which a parent is the one doing the abuse. However, the purpose of this book is to get parents and caregivers an appropriate way to introduce the topic to children. In light of that, this a wonderful resource! The obvious answer to the previous objection is that the parents who will read this to their children are not the ones abusing them, so it was unnecessary to include in the book.
God Made All of Me starts off with a wonderful note to parents and caregivers to explain the need for such a book and how we want to convey the message that all of our bodies (private parts included) were wonderfully designed to be very special. It is written in the form of a story about a mom and dad sitting down with their children to have a discussion about their bodies are and how some parts, as special as they are, are not meant to be shared and touched by others. One of the things that both Jami and I really liked was how the Holcombs explained the difference between a secret and a surprise. There are times when we don't tell someone something because we are keeping a surprise for them. However, we should never keep secrets. After one child (David) describes what a secret is his father responds by saying,
"That's Right . . .and we don't keep secrets because we don't have anything to hide from each other.If anyone ever tells you to keep a secret from Mommy or me, tell us right away. You won't get in trouble for telling us."
As simple as this concept was, it was something that neither Jami nor I had really thought much about. Abuse thrives on secrecy and the way to combat it is to break down the oppressiveness of secrets.
One of the more impressive things about God Made All of Me is the tact which the Holcombs exercised in describing body parts in the book. We have read some books intended for young children which simply went too far. There are some things that young children just don't need to know yet. We appreciated that they chose to use the appropriate anatomical names rather than using slang or minimizing the special nature of our private parts. Parents will want to know that the Holcombs use the appropriate anatomical names for our private parts. This is important because it helps to convey the message that our bodies are special and not something to be ashamed of by using code word or by trying to make it cute rather than dignified.
We can't say enough good things about this book. It is a wonderful book that will help parents easily have an otherwise awkward discussion with their children. Our children had a lot of questions when we read it to them and it has opened up some doors for conversation. They even help Jami and I out by reminding us that we don't keep secrets when we accidentally use the word.
Click HERE to search Amazon for the best price on God Made All of Me.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from New Growth Press in exchange for an online review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
Part of this process for us has been to actively research how we can best protect our children. We have taken small steps to do what we can to prevent abuse in our childrens lives. One of these small steps is simply talking about these things. At church, as much as possible we keep our children within our field of vision and always make sure that our children never go to the restroom alone in public places. Since this has been on our hearts we were very excited to have the opportunity to review a wonderful little book called God Made All of Me by Justin and Lindsey Holcomb.
A book such as this must have been very difficult to write. No book on this topic can cover the vast amount of information that we as parents need to know. No abuse case is the same; some occur by teachers, some by family friends, and some by family members. While most victims of abuse are abused by non-family acquaintances (58%) a significantly large number of the assailants (34%) are family members. Since this book is intended to be read by parents to children, one of the things it was unable to address is the horrible instances in which a parent is the one doing the abuse. However, the purpose of this book is to get parents and caregivers an appropriate way to introduce the topic to children. In light of that, this a wonderful resource! The obvious answer to the previous objection is that the parents who will read this to their children are not the ones abusing them, so it was unnecessary to include in the book.
God Made All of Me starts off with a wonderful note to parents and caregivers to explain the need for such a book and how we want to convey the message that all of our bodies (private parts included) were wonderfully designed to be very special. It is written in the form of a story about a mom and dad sitting down with their children to have a discussion about their bodies are and how some parts, as special as they are, are not meant to be shared and touched by others. One of the things that both Jami and I really liked was how the Holcombs explained the difference between a secret and a surprise. There are times when we don't tell someone something because we are keeping a surprise for them. However, we should never keep secrets. After one child (David) describes what a secret is his father responds by saying,
"That's Right . . .and we don't keep secrets because we don't have anything to hide from each other.If anyone ever tells you to keep a secret from Mommy or me, tell us right away. You won't get in trouble for telling us."
As simple as this concept was, it was something that neither Jami nor I had really thought much about. Abuse thrives on secrecy and the way to combat it is to break down the oppressiveness of secrets.
One of the more impressive things about God Made All of Me is the tact which the Holcombs exercised in describing body parts in the book. We have read some books intended for young children which simply went too far. There are some things that young children just don't need to know yet. We appreciated that they chose to use the appropriate anatomical names rather than using slang or minimizing the special nature of our private parts. Parents will want to know that the Holcombs use the appropriate anatomical names for our private parts. This is important because it helps to convey the message that our bodies are special and not something to be ashamed of by using code word or by trying to make it cute rather than dignified.
We can't say enough good things about this book. It is a wonderful book that will help parents easily have an otherwise awkward discussion with their children. Our children had a lot of questions when we read it to them and it has opened up some doors for conversation. They even help Jami and I out by reminding us that we don't keep secrets when we accidentally use the word.
Click HERE to search Amazon for the best price on God Made All of Me.
This review first appeared on my blog at Teleia Philia.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from New Growth Press in exchange for an online review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
August 31, 2015
To my knowledge, this is a singular and unique book: A book written to help children protect themselves from sexual assault and abuse from a distinctly Christian perspective. The Biblical doctrines of creation (God mad all things good) and protection (It's ok to say no) are written at an accessible level for children to understand appropriate and inappropriate touch.
One of the central lines to the book is "God made every part of your body and God called every part of your body good. Some parts of your body are for sharing and some parts are not for sharing." Children are encouraged to clearly say No when they do not want to be touched. Additionally, the private parts are defined by bathing suit and underwear lines - a helpful starting point that's easy for kids to understand. Even Grandma gets told No with confidence to illustrate saying No to kisses (unwanted touch), even to family members.
Clear language about body parts and names are used, with good justification which the authors explain in the back. The introduction and final remarks aim to equip parents (and all involved with caring for children) with clear facts about sexual abuse and clear, simple steps to help protect their children.
This book is timely and helpful. I would recommend all parents have this and read through it with their kids. It may not take precedence over Curious George, but it wasn't designed to. It's aimed to equip our children against real threats to their safety, without making them fearful of everybody. The aim is to equip children, not scare them. In this way, it not only uses Christian categories, but illustrates sober Christian grace.
One of the central lines to the book is "God made every part of your body and God called every part of your body good. Some parts of your body are for sharing and some parts are not for sharing." Children are encouraged to clearly say No when they do not want to be touched. Additionally, the private parts are defined by bathing suit and underwear lines - a helpful starting point that's easy for kids to understand. Even Grandma gets told No with confidence to illustrate saying No to kisses (unwanted touch), even to family members.
Clear language about body parts and names are used, with good justification which the authors explain in the back. The introduction and final remarks aim to equip parents (and all involved with caring for children) with clear facts about sexual abuse and clear, simple steps to help protect their children.
This book is timely and helpful. I would recommend all parents have this and read through it with their kids. It may not take precedence over Curious George, but it wasn't designed to. It's aimed to equip our children against real threats to their safety, without making them fearful of everybody. The aim is to equip children, not scare them. In this way, it not only uses Christian categories, but illustrates sober Christian grace.
October 26, 2015
The instructional content of this book is written as a conversation between two kids and their parents. Bible verses related to the subject matter are interspersed with the illustrations. While all of it is good and important information, it makes for a disjointed narrative. I think this book is better as a parent resource than as a children’s book. The dialogue between the kids and parents doesn’t make for a good story, but it is a helpful example of different guided conversations you can have with your kids about touching, boundaries, and feeling safe. A section at the end of the book (9 Ways to Protect Your Children From Sexual Abuse) is designed to give parents a fuller understanding of the subject matter – from why it’s important to use proper names for private parts to why it’s important to allow children to set boundaries with all touching, even kisses from relatives. I am glad to have this resource for the ongoing education about appropriate touch.
November 7, 2019
Really appreciated this; beautiful, gentle book introducing concepts of privacy and consent. The basic point: God made all of me, and all of my body is good; some parts are for sharing and some parts aren’t for sharing. Reinforces that it’s always okay for kids to say no to unwanted touch and differentiates between secrets (always tell someone) and surprises (fun, like birthdays). My kids liked it and it makes these conversations super easy to have. CAVEAT: if your child can read you may want to keep it out of their reach. Before and after the storybook section are more detailed information sections for parents that might be troubling for young readers.
August 27, 2018
Easy to read with cute illustrations this book teaches young kids about how all of his/her body is good but some parts are private.
It covers good touch vs bad touch and surprises vs secrets. It also has a few pages of information for the parent or guardian to read about child sex abuse. As with all books like this, I think it is beneficial if the adult pre-reads it in order to be more prepared to discuss and answer questions that a child might have.
It covers good touch vs bad touch and surprises vs secrets. It also has a few pages of information for the parent or guardian to read about child sex abuse. As with all books like this, I think it is beneficial if the adult pre-reads it in order to be more prepared to discuss and answer questions that a child might have.
February 26, 2020
Rating: 3/5
Genre: Picture Book (Religious)
Audience: 2 years – 8 years
This is a picture book that helps familiars talk to their children about sensitive issues. This book allows children to learn how to protect their bodies.
1. This book fits in the specific category of religious picture books because this book helps children to understand that God made every part of them and why they are so special and should be protected.
2. The illustrator used simply designs but also beautiful drawings in order to set the tone for the story being told and ideas being presented.
3. I would use this book as a parent to young children in order to teach them about safety and protecting their body through Christ.
Genre: Picture Book (Religious)
Audience: 2 years – 8 years
This is a picture book that helps familiars talk to their children about sensitive issues. This book allows children to learn how to protect their bodies.
1. This book fits in the specific category of religious picture books because this book helps children to understand that God made every part of them and why they are so special and should be protected.
2. The illustrator used simply designs but also beautiful drawings in order to set the tone for the story being told and ideas being presented.
3. I would use this book as a parent to young children in order to teach them about safety and protecting their body through Christ.
December 21, 2020
Another one of those difficult reads with the kids. Well, mainly the first couple of times. It’s very necessary and nerve racking every time I ask if anyone has ever touched them or asked them to keep a secret. I really appreciate the book. It’s not fool proof or a guarantee but it definitely helps the kids recognize the language used by predators and gives them the tools needed to resist advances.
April 25, 2023
What an important resource for parents to talk about private parts, not keeping secrets, and overall body safety from a Christian perspective. It was very well written and was incredibly helpful during conversations with my 3.5 year old. I’d recommend it for 3 yo through grade school since it can be a launching point to deeper conversation for older kids
September 22, 2021
This book puts all that I want to convey about safe touching, good body words/language, and communication about bodies into one easy read with sweet pictures. I’m so thankful for Godly resources that help protect children, and this is one of the best I’ve found so far!
March 2, 2020
I would recommend this book to anyone! It’s a great way to introduce body safety rules to kids starting at a very young age.
December 4, 2019
Excellent
March 5, 2024
*PROTECT OUR KIDS*
October 3, 2015
If you are like most parents, you probably recognize how important it is to educate and protect your children from sexual predators. However, without guidance, you may be unsure of the best way to broach this topic with really young children.
That’s where Justin S. Holcomb and Lindsey A. Holcomb come in.
This couple recently wrote God Made All Of Me – A Book To Help Children Protect Their Bodies. This educational resource is designed to help parents with 2 to 8 year olds educate their children about their bodies in a way that they can easily understand.
The overall message of the book emphasizes that God created their bodies good, that some body parts are private, and that there are ways for them to differentiate between safe and inappropriate behavior.
The book can be divided into three parts.
* The book opens with a letter to the parent or caregiver that provides a statistical basis for the book.
* The middle section is the “story” part of the book – but it’s really more of an interactive teaching tool for parents to share with their children than a traditional children’s story. The illustrations by Trish Mahoney are beautifully rendered and provide the perfect accompaniment to this portion of the book.
*The final section of the book, 9 Ways To Protect Your Children From Sexual Abuse, contains helpful tips for parents.
Although God Made All Of Me is presented as a children’s book, the strength of this book lies in the guidance that the authors provide to parents on how to broach this topic with their children (part three of the book). The tips in the final section of the book are quite helpful.
However, in the children’s portion of the book, the message is not as strong or as clear-cut as it should be. For instance, in the beginning of this section, the message that “When God made people he called it very good” overlooks the fact that we live in a fallen world and not everyone has our child’s best interest at heart.
Further in the book, the identification of certain adults as trustworthy – daddy, teacher, doctor – does not take into account that sometimes, the people closest to our children take advantage of their trust, and we as parents need to prepare them for that possibility.
God Made All Of Me is an important book – we definitely need more resources like this within the Christian community.
However, it’s a book that should be read and used with discernment so that you can adapt it to your family’s needs, particularly based on the age of your child.
I rate this book 3.5 stars.
For more information about this book, visit Create With Joy.
Disclosure: I received a copy of this book from the publisher for review purposes. However, the opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
That’s where Justin S. Holcomb and Lindsey A. Holcomb come in.
This couple recently wrote God Made All Of Me – A Book To Help Children Protect Their Bodies. This educational resource is designed to help parents with 2 to 8 year olds educate their children about their bodies in a way that they can easily understand.
The overall message of the book emphasizes that God created their bodies good, that some body parts are private, and that there are ways for them to differentiate between safe and inappropriate behavior.
The book can be divided into three parts.
* The book opens with a letter to the parent or caregiver that provides a statistical basis for the book.
* The middle section is the “story” part of the book – but it’s really more of an interactive teaching tool for parents to share with their children than a traditional children’s story. The illustrations by Trish Mahoney are beautifully rendered and provide the perfect accompaniment to this portion of the book.
*The final section of the book, 9 Ways To Protect Your Children From Sexual Abuse, contains helpful tips for parents.
Although God Made All Of Me is presented as a children’s book, the strength of this book lies in the guidance that the authors provide to parents on how to broach this topic with their children (part three of the book). The tips in the final section of the book are quite helpful.
However, in the children’s portion of the book, the message is not as strong or as clear-cut as it should be. For instance, in the beginning of this section, the message that “When God made people he called it very good” overlooks the fact that we live in a fallen world and not everyone has our child’s best interest at heart.
Further in the book, the identification of certain adults as trustworthy – daddy, teacher, doctor – does not take into account that sometimes, the people closest to our children take advantage of their trust, and we as parents need to prepare them for that possibility.
God Made All Of Me is an important book – we definitely need more resources like this within the Christian community.
However, it’s a book that should be read and used with discernment so that you can adapt it to your family’s needs, particularly based on the age of your child.
I rate this book 3.5 stars.
For more information about this book, visit Create With Joy.
Disclosure: I received a copy of this book from the publisher for review purposes. However, the opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
February 2, 2016
There are so many mixed messages about our bodies going around in the world today. So the authors have delivered an excellent, faith based book for young children that will explain God's idea for about the body he made for them. Each page is designed to visually and verbally capture a child's attention while getting an important message across. Children will learn that God made them special, what is appropriate and inappropriate touch, the differences between secrets and surprises, and so much more. At the back of the book is a few pages for the parents on sexual abuse and how to protect your children.
Every page is full of color, various fonts, and delightful illustrations. My daughter (6 yrs old) really enjoyed the book and asked lots of questions. I liked all of the Bible verses spread through out the book and the concise and easy-to-understand delivery of the message. This is a book that all parents should read to their children. It's an excellent conversation starter for a topic that is a must in families today. Highly recommended book for anyone working with children, as well.
I received this book free of charge from Litfuse Publicity in exchange for my honest review.
Every page is full of color, various fonts, and delightful illustrations. My daughter (6 yrs old) really enjoyed the book and asked lots of questions. I liked all of the Bible verses spread through out the book and the concise and easy-to-understand delivery of the message. This is a book that all parents should read to their children. It's an excellent conversation starter for a topic that is a must in families today. Highly recommended book for anyone working with children, as well.
I received this book free of charge from Litfuse Publicity in exchange for my honest review.
August 28, 2020
Great book about children learning to protect their bodies from sexual abuse. I love that the author makes mention that secret should not be used as a word. When I think about it, there really is no reason a child should use the word secret. It is great for caregivers and parents to know what we should universally accept. I also like that the book makes clear that while all parts of the body are good, some are just private. I am a pediatric nurse and I have had to have this conversations with some patients. This is very helpful to refine my language to best keep them safe. I think refining the voice that we have with children in general is a good way to steward the hearts of little ones around us.
October 12, 2016
This is a difficult topic that is handled with forthright integrity. The Holcomb's neither back away from the topic, nor over-dramatize it. In clear language, they lay out boundaries for children and their bodies. Unique illustrations with pops of color complement a good, but not outstanding, story line. Bible references and principles provide a foundation for the value of individuals and their God created bodies. Recommended.
Read
September 26, 2015The Holcombs, who’ve already written two exceptional but difficult to read books on sexual abuse and domestic violence, have taken a different approach with this book—they’re giving parents a tool with which to teach their kids about their private parts, consent, and what to do if they need help.
My full review is available at: http://www.bloggingtheologically.com/...
My full review is available at: http://www.bloggingtheologically.com/...
March 10, 2023
Much needed, and very well done. Our bodies are given by God and have great dignity value and worth.
July 18, 2025
I don’t know of another book like this, so I have to give it four stars for meeting a need for my young family. Delineating between the use of “secret” versus “surprise” is a valuable inclusion in this book. I do find their use of the proper names for body parts on one page rather abrupt or disjointed (even with my children knowing these words already); not that I have a suggestion of how to do it better though. After reading “God Made Babies,” I think I might actually read that one with my children first, then introduce this book later.
I especially want to note with this book though – and for other books like this – that the authors add more explicit parental information on the first and final pages, forgetting that children who can read (like my 6-year-old) are going to want to read this book on their own. I’m not sure how to allow her to do that now! PLEASE format the book assuming a child is going to flip through it alone at some point. (Who would like a six-year-old to ask them about the sexual abuse statistics in the introduction?) Leave this more explicit vocabulary/information out, post it as an online resource, or put it in a page that can be ripped out, so I can let my kid peruse at her leisure, ponder the topic, and ask more questions. I get that this is a topic for parental guidance, but the book is written in such a way that there’s no reason I need to read the book with her every single time she looks at it.
I especially want to note with this book though – and for other books like this – that the authors add more explicit parental information on the first and final pages, forgetting that children who can read (like my 6-year-old) are going to want to read this book on their own. I’m not sure how to allow her to do that now! PLEASE format the book assuming a child is going to flip through it alone at some point. (Who would like a six-year-old to ask them about the sexual abuse statistics in the introduction?) Leave this more explicit vocabulary/information out, post it as an online resource, or put it in a page that can be ripped out, so I can let my kid peruse at her leisure, ponder the topic, and ask more questions. I get that this is a topic for parental guidance, but the book is written in such a way that there’s no reason I need to read the book with her every single time she looks at it.
August 6, 2020
This is such a great book. Explains consent and private body parts in a way kids can understand. Bible verses are used in an empowering way so kids know their bodies are good and they are in charge of their own bodies. This book doesn't have any pictures of private parts, but there are many other kids' books that go into that information if you need it. This book is more heavy on the consent side of things. I love this book because in the church environment historically there has been so much shame and secrecy surrounding these topics, and it's good to have something faith-based, but also positive and empowering. The abuse that has occurred in churches recently has often made me feel worried and afraid for my own family, but books like these really can help combat that.
November 21, 2025
I’ve been reading a number of books about privacy and consent with my toddlers, but this is by the far the most comprehensive one I’ve found at our library. I liked it so much after one read that I ordered a copy, as this is the type of book I would return to many times. It presents clear information about tough topics without being “scary” or making someone ashamed of their bodies. as my girls age, it will allow for more conversation too. The book has some pages for parents to help guide these discussions too. I loved the Christian perspective of the book, though the information is so good that even non-Christians should be able to appreciate it. Already have recommended to several friends with preschoolers.
April 26, 2018
Justin Holcomb and Lindsey Holcomb provide parents as well as pastors, educators, Sunday School teachers, and children's ministry directors with a tool for protecting children with truth from God's Word. If you are a parent or caregiver of a young child, this book is a must read and a needed conversation starter!
See full review at: http://www.entrustedbygod.org/2018/04...
See full review at: http://www.entrustedbygod.org/2018/04...
May 4, 2024
The reason I gave this 2 stars is because this book only works if you are living in a 2 parent family where both parents are safe adults. It doesn't allow for a situation where a parent might be the abuser. In fact it could reinforce their abuse in an unhelpful way. The content and the questions and phrases suggested and explained are helpful aside from this concern, but this is a potential obstacle.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 96 reviews