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Quick & Easy Guides
A Quick & Easy Guide to Consent
A quick, easy and important educational illustrated guide to giving and receiving consent in sex, relationships, and other physical contact.
How do you tell someone you want to do stuff with them? How do you ask if they want to do stuff with you? How do you know what stuff you want to do with each other? Enter: Sargeant Yes Means Yes from the Consent Cavalry, a beacon of clarity in a fuzzy minefield of questions. Sarge drops in on a diverse range of folks deciding whether to engage in sexual activity in this short and fun comic guide to communicating what you want, don't want, and how you want it!
With wit and charm, Sarge also includes tips on what affirmative consent looks like, advocating for what you want, and setting boundaries that honor your comfort and safety. The result is a positive resource illustrating how easy it really is to respect each other’s bodies and desires.
Part of the acclaimed QUICK & EASY GUIDE series from Limerence Press.
How do you tell someone you want to do stuff with them? How do you ask if they want to do stuff with you? How do you know what stuff you want to do with each other? Enter: Sargeant Yes Means Yes from the Consent Cavalry, a beacon of clarity in a fuzzy minefield of questions. Sarge drops in on a diverse range of folks deciding whether to engage in sexual activity in this short and fun comic guide to communicating what you want, don't want, and how you want it!
With wit and charm, Sarge also includes tips on what affirmative consent looks like, advocating for what you want, and setting boundaries that honor your comfort and safety. The result is a positive resource illustrating how easy it really is to respect each other’s bodies and desires.
Part of the acclaimed QUICK & EASY GUIDE series from Limerence Press.
80 pages, Paperback
First published October 27, 2020
10 people are currently reading
641 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 173 reviews
July 19, 2020
* I received a free eARC from the publisher via Netgalley. Everything in this review is my honest opinion.
This book is fantastic! This should definitely be taught in schools or be included in a summer reading list of some sort. Heck, there are a lot of grown adults who need to read this book and educate themselves on consent. I love how openly the book wants to incentivize the discussion of consent with your significant other. Consent should be gotten loud and proud as should a no should the situation change.
This book is fantastic! This should definitely be taught in schools or be included in a summer reading list of some sort. Heck, there are a lot of grown adults who need to read this book and educate themselves on consent. I love how openly the book wants to incentivize the discussion of consent with your significant other. Consent should be gotten loud and proud as should a no should the situation change.
January 15, 2021
Fast-paced, clear information about consent in an engaging comics format. I'm really glad we got this for my 13 year old because I doubt he would have stuck it out through the same number of pages of prose, but all the basics are here presented in a straightforward way. A good addition to our small home library of the different books we've gotten for him over the years about bodies and sexuality.
May 17, 2020
These "Quick & Easy Guides" are so helpful and they tackle difficult subjects in a really lighthearted way. I would very much recommend this new one, which is all about how consent works and why it's important. I especially appreciated that it distinguishes between basic consent (the right to say no), which is important, but also a pretty low bar, and affirmative consent, which is about more than just saying "yes" or "no", and is all about communication and sharing wants and needs. I would say this is a must read for anyone, because understanding consent is a must for anyone, not just when it comes to sex.
Rep: non-binary main character, characters of colour, same-gender couples
CWs: discussions of non-consent and sexual violence
Rep: non-binary main character, characters of colour, same-gender couples
CWs: discussions of non-consent and sexual violence
May 5, 2020
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This book is, as the title declares, a quick and easy guide. It’s a good starting place for teenagers to learn about consent and I was pleasantly surprised by how many aspects of consent were covered in so few pages. The end of the book features a concise summary, followed by a questionnaire for the reader to explore thoughts about their own boundaries, as well as a list of useful resources on where to go for more advice and information.
I appreciated the inclusion of different genders, sexualities and definitions of ‘sex’ – all things which many schools fail to discuss in sex education. The book also includes mention of kinks, sex workers, STDs, sex between minors and sex while intoxicated, and succeeds in discussing these topics in an informative, rather than judgemental way.
I didn’t always like the tone of the book – I can see how the main character may be seen by teenagers as preachy (he does most of the talking), which I think is likely to put them off the book and distract from the content. The main character also introduces himself as “Sargent Yes Means Yes from the Consent Cavalry” – surely I can’t be the only one who cringed at that? Teenagers don’t want to feel patronised; they want to be spoken to like adults – something the book succeeded in at some points but not others.
Overall, a useful book for young people to explore the topic of consent, but I’m not sure how well teenagers will respond to the tone.
This book is, as the title declares, a quick and easy guide. It’s a good starting place for teenagers to learn about consent and I was pleasantly surprised by how many aspects of consent were covered in so few pages. The end of the book features a concise summary, followed by a questionnaire for the reader to explore thoughts about their own boundaries, as well as a list of useful resources on where to go for more advice and information.
I appreciated the inclusion of different genders, sexualities and definitions of ‘sex’ – all things which many schools fail to discuss in sex education. The book also includes mention of kinks, sex workers, STDs, sex between minors and sex while intoxicated, and succeeds in discussing these topics in an informative, rather than judgemental way.
I didn’t always like the tone of the book – I can see how the main character may be seen by teenagers as preachy (he does most of the talking), which I think is likely to put them off the book and distract from the content. The main character also introduces himself as “Sargent Yes Means Yes from the Consent Cavalry” – surely I can’t be the only one who cringed at that? Teenagers don’t want to feel patronised; they want to be spoken to like adults – something the book succeeded in at some points but not others.
Overall, a useful book for young people to explore the topic of consent, but I’m not sure how well teenagers will respond to the tone.
November 11, 2020
Another mandatory read for sex ed classes - this really lays out the basics in an understandable way. I feel like it might skew more new adult than young adult, but certainly any age group with questions could read it. I'll be recommending this to any of my creative writing students who aspire to write romance, especially in the YA demographic.
October 19, 2021
The importance of consent in sexual activity is presented in a mildly humorous but mostly straightforward manner with lots of repetition to drive the point home. Another fine entry in the Quick & Easy Guide series.
October 14, 2022
My library's community is trying to get this title banned so I thought I should give it a read. I wish they had books like this when I was a kid, heck even if it wasn't a graphic novel! It's so informative, I learned some new things about affirmative consent that I will be taking with me in any future relationships!
April 5, 2020
A Quick & Easy Guide to Consent is all that it promises to be! It's very concise and informative, short and simple to read, but at the same time engaging and just fun to look at.
I loved the disclaimers and content warnings at the beginning. It talks clearly about what it is and is not. I also loved that it was inclusive and openly talked about genders, both that gender bias does exist and that consent and lack of consent isn't tied to gender.
On that note, yay to the non-binary guide who moderates the lesson that is this book, that was a lovely touch!
As I said before the art is fun to look at and also inclusive in body types and skin colours.
The book also made sure to talk about social norms and how that affects how we communicate, particularly about sex and consent. There's talk about how talking about sex is a skill that you can and should practice! For that it provides checklists and conversation starters to practice sexual and consent focussed communication, as well as more resources. It also includes direct quotes from several sexual consent educators.
My favourite touch and what was actually new to me was how clear it was that consent can and should go so much further than "not assault," and that it can and should go past that entirely to truly be affirmative, which is referred to as gold standart of consent.
I received an ARC and reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
I loved the disclaimers and content warnings at the beginning. It talks clearly about what it is and is not. I also loved that it was inclusive and openly talked about genders, both that gender bias does exist and that consent and lack of consent isn't tied to gender.
On that note, yay to the non-binary guide who moderates the lesson that is this book, that was a lovely touch!
As I said before the art is fun to look at and also inclusive in body types and skin colours.
The book also made sure to talk about social norms and how that affects how we communicate, particularly about sex and consent. There's talk about how talking about sex is a skill that you can and should practice! For that it provides checklists and conversation starters to practice sexual and consent focussed communication, as well as more resources. It also includes direct quotes from several sexual consent educators.
My favourite touch and what was actually new to me was how clear it was that consent can and should go so much further than "not assault," and that it can and should go past that entirely to truly be affirmative, which is referred to as gold standart of consent.
I received an ARC and reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
October 29, 2020
Another education guide from Isabella Rotman, a very good companion (though aimed at older readers) to Wait, What? A Comic Book Guide to Relationships, Bodies, and Growing Up.
November 28, 2021
Probably my favorite in this series so far! Real clear and chipper, well presented all around.
September 3, 2020
I am big fan of the Quick & Easy Guide series from Limerence Press because I think they cover a lot of ground and really provide with a good amount of information for moving ahead. However, with this book, I was kind of taken aback by the complicated language that was used as it definitely made it less 'quick & easy'. All of the information provided was really good and I liked that there was a disclaimer page that set my expectations before we delved into the book.
For a graphic novel, I think this book relied way too heavily on text. Having read the other books in the series which set an atmosphere and give me a sense of progression as I move along the book with interesting visual, this book did not meet my expectations.
I really, really liked the subject matter that was discussed. I liked that it focused on the "Yes Means Yes" ideology rather than the "No Means No" one that is most often discussed in popular spaces. I do believe that 'no means no' is an important and good ideology but the 'yes means yes' ideology provides for a more nuanced conversation, and this book is full of them. I really liked that it tried to cover as much ground as possible and the checklist at the end of book is a great addition!
In conclusion, I loved the topic this book covered and how it covered it, but for me the graphic part of the graphic novel was lacklustre.
Thanks to Oni Press for providing me an e-ARC via NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion.
Find me elsewhere: Blog | BookTube | Instagram | Twitter | The Story Graph
For a graphic novel, I think this book relied way too heavily on text. Having read the other books in the series which set an atmosphere and give me a sense of progression as I move along the book with interesting visual, this book did not meet my expectations.
I really, really liked the subject matter that was discussed. I liked that it focused on the "Yes Means Yes" ideology rather than the "No Means No" one that is most often discussed in popular spaces. I do believe that 'no means no' is an important and good ideology but the 'yes means yes' ideology provides for a more nuanced conversation, and this book is full of them. I really liked that it tried to cover as much ground as possible and the checklist at the end of book is a great addition!
In conclusion, I loved the topic this book covered and how it covered it, but for me the graphic part of the graphic novel was lacklustre.
Thanks to Oni Press for providing me an e-ARC via NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion.
Find me elsewhere: Blog | BookTube | Instagram | Twitter | The Story Graph
May 9, 2023
Content Warning: This book talking about sex and the reality of sexual violence but does not show visual depictions or graphic descriptions. This may be triggering to survivors of trauma or bring up discomfort for people who are sex repulsed.
Overview:
In this book you will learn about sexual consent in sex, relationships and physical contact. And you will learn the importance of sexual consent and communicating with your partner.
Thoughts:
I saw this in the library and thought it was great that there was a book on consent. What I didn't realize (because I didn't read the back which maybe I should have) was when the cover says "consent" it means sexual consent. I thought it would have been more a broad term on consent and just consent in everyday life, but that wasn't the case.
I read this book anyway and putting all my feelings aside because I have my own personal triggers from this book, it was a good job on covering a lot of important topics on sexual consent and respecting people and their bodies.
I liked that it gave you a couple of sheets at the back of the book for a guide for talking with your partner about your wants when you have sex.
And it really goes to show you that majority of pornography is not consensual at all!
Overview:
In this book you will learn about sexual consent in sex, relationships and physical contact. And you will learn the importance of sexual consent and communicating with your partner.
Thoughts:
I saw this in the library and thought it was great that there was a book on consent. What I didn't realize (because I didn't read the back which maybe I should have) was when the cover says "consent" it means sexual consent. I thought it would have been more a broad term on consent and just consent in everyday life, but that wasn't the case.
I read this book anyway and putting all my feelings aside because I have my own personal triggers from this book, it was a good job on covering a lot of important topics on sexual consent and respecting people and their bodies.
I liked that it gave you a couple of sheets at the back of the book for a guide for talking with your partner about your wants when you have sex.
And it really goes to show you that majority of pornography is not consensual at all!
April 25, 2022
I'm not normally a "this should be required reading" person, but I do feel that way about a book like this. High school, or that weird college freshman class or workshop they make them go to- this should be required for that. We throw these kids out into the world of being adult with maybe some advice on using condoms, but nothing really on communication. Reluctant yeses and intoxicated yeses aren't really yes; being "okay with it" is really different from being "into it." I really liked "No one is being hurt by not having sex right now" (p47) as food for thought. Maybe young people today are already being talked to about this, but I know it's something that was never covered for me. I'm glad to see it exist!
December 15, 2020
Thanks to Netgalley for an e-arc of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review
This was great! I was not sure what to expect with this because the title and cover seemed very cheesy like its for teens. Although, I think this would work great for anyone who is sexually active! This is a comprehensive and easy to follow comic about everything pertaining to consent as it relates to relationships and sexual interactions. It is cheesy, but I think it's all the more adorable for it. I sat through this in less than an hour. It was really quite fun and more importantly, educational!
5/5
This was great! I was not sure what to expect with this because the title and cover seemed very cheesy like its for teens. Although, I think this would work great for anyone who is sexually active! This is a comprehensive and easy to follow comic about everything pertaining to consent as it relates to relationships and sexual interactions. It is cheesy, but I think it's all the more adorable for it. I sat through this in less than an hour. It was really quite fun and more importantly, educational!
5/5
May 13, 2020
A Quick & Easy Guide to Consent is wonderfully informative and important for everyone. I truly believe anyone from the young teens and above can (and should) read this short graphic novel. Maybe you will even want to fill in the quite extensive checklist about what you consent to, for yourself but maybe also to share with your partner.
The guide covers several scenarios and answers questions in the form of conversations between couples and Sarge Yes Means Yes (they/them).
Consent is always good to talk about but if you don't know how you can show them this short graphic novel.
The guide covers several scenarios and answers questions in the form of conversations between couples and Sarge Yes Means Yes (they/them).
Consent is always good to talk about but if you don't know how you can show them this short graphic novel.
July 6, 2020
Thank you to the publisher for giving me a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
I feel like a lot of people in society nowadays could learn a lot of this book. I know for a fact that many people alive today do not know what it is like to actually get consent from someone so I think this book is really important.
Just because you don't hear a "No." doesn't mean that you have their consent. Periodtttt.
I feel like a lot of people in society nowadays could learn a lot of this book. I know for a fact that many people alive today do not know what it is like to actually get consent from someone so I think this book is really important.
Just because you don't hear a "No." doesn't mean that you have their consent. Periodtttt.
September 3, 2025
Obligatory "I'm not really the target audience for this book" given my age and history but hey that doesn't stop some people and that's why this book exists.
I never remember there being a specific conversation regarding consent when I was doing sex ed in school and frankly that's disturbing. These kinds of books should be mandatory reading.
I never remember there being a specific conversation regarding consent when I was doing sex ed in school and frankly that's disturbing. These kinds of books should be mandatory reading.
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July 8, 2020
An excellent guide to consent! Definitely recommending that my library purchase a copy of this as soon as it becomes available.
April 1, 2020
Thank you NetGalley & author!
This is a very important book. It tackles a serious situation in a lighthearted way. It focuses on what consent is and what it isn’t. It quick and easy to follow. I would recommend people to read it
This is a very important book. It tackles a serious situation in a lighthearted way. It focuses on what consent is and what it isn’t. It quick and easy to follow. I would recommend people to read it
April 24, 2020
| Reader Fox Blog |
I love the teachable graphic novels that have gained popularity in the past year, and the Quick & Easy Guides are a huge part of that. In my mind, the best thing about each of these is how diverse they are, be it by sexuality and gender or race. A Quick & Easy Guide to Consent by Isabella Rotman is an utterly fantastic example of how amazing these educational guides can be. In this round of beautifully illustrated panels, our narrator takes us on a journey to lean about just what consent is, as well as how to recognize, use, and respect it.
I really don't think I could have enough praise for these graphic novels, and this one in particular. Consent is a topic that so many these days somehow do not understand and having a reference to explain it is extremely important. I hope that there will one day be a time in which consent is widely taught to everyone to the point that books like this will not be as necessary as they are, but for now, I am glad that they exist.
The artwork that illustrates the essential message that this book is sending remains absolutely gorgeous. I've found myself genuinely appreciative of these novels and impressed with the way that they deliver information. All topics are presented in easy to understand ways. They're thoroughly engaging are always impressively informative.
I would recommend them to just about anyone, and this one especially.
I was provided a free copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
| Instagram | Twitter | Reader Fox Blog | Bloglovin’ | Facebook |
I love the teachable graphic novels that have gained popularity in the past year, and the Quick & Easy Guides are a huge part of that. In my mind, the best thing about each of these is how diverse they are, be it by sexuality and gender or race. A Quick & Easy Guide to Consent by Isabella Rotman is an utterly fantastic example of how amazing these educational guides can be. In this round of beautifully illustrated panels, our narrator takes us on a journey to lean about just what consent is, as well as how to recognize, use, and respect it.
I really don't think I could have enough praise for these graphic novels, and this one in particular. Consent is a topic that so many these days somehow do not understand and having a reference to explain it is extremely important. I hope that there will one day be a time in which consent is widely taught to everyone to the point that books like this will not be as necessary as they are, but for now, I am glad that they exist.
The artwork that illustrates the essential message that this book is sending remains absolutely gorgeous. I've found myself genuinely appreciative of these novels and impressed with the way that they deliver information. All topics are presented in easy to understand ways. They're thoroughly engaging are always impressively informative.
I would recommend them to just about anyone, and this one especially.
I was provided a free copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
| Instagram | Twitter | Reader Fox Blog | Bloglovin’ | Facebook |
April 7, 2020
This arc was provided by Limerence Press, via Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.
TW: discussion of sexual violence, emotional manipulation & non-consent
Another informative Quick & Easy Guide that this time covers consent, more specifically, affirmative consent. It explores what consent means and how it should be expressed, with different scenarios to illustrate it. Consent is about communication between partners and not assumptions about what each other want.
It also explains how consent is ever-evolving and what determines that a person is capable of consenting (e.g. underage or under the influence), which leads to the discussion of sexual violence and the forms it can take.
Overall, all of these guides are must-reads for not only explaining its topic but the inclusive narrative it uses. If you can, get your hands on this and pass it on!
TW: discussion of sexual violence, emotional manipulation & non-consent
Another informative Quick & Easy Guide that this time covers consent, more specifically, affirmative consent. It explores what consent means and how it should be expressed, with different scenarios to illustrate it. Consent is about communication between partners and not assumptions about what each other want.
It also explains how consent is ever-evolving and what determines that a person is capable of consenting (e.g. underage or under the influence), which leads to the discussion of sexual violence and the forms it can take.
Overall, all of these guides are must-reads for not only explaining its topic but the inclusive narrative it uses. If you can, get your hands on this and pass it on!
January 7, 2022
To see more reviews check out MI Book Reviews.
I got an ARC of this book.
I teach sex ed at the local county jail to the juvenile inmates. To start a class when I have a new group of kids that are a bit more shy and don’t know me, I ask them to shout out my favorite C word. They usually stare at me like a deer in the headlights for a few minutes. Then they start shouting every word they aren’t allowed to say while in custody. They get so mad when I tell them “no, its consent”.
Until now, there has not been an easy reference that I could give them about consent. I had to make my own. I based it around the idea I learned in college in psychology called informed consent. If I had a way with words and the ability to create art, then this book would have come about years ago. This book covers every single thing I try and get my kids to learn, but with slightly different language. This book is a treasure. It is the best resource I have ever seen on consent.
Before I taught sex ed, I thought I knew what consent was. I thought it wasn’t that hard of a concept, but when you start talking to teenagers it gets more muddled. Many of the teens I work with use or have used illegal substances, some are in the facility under rape charges. Consent matters so much, but when you start talking to at risk youth everything gets more complicated. How do I explain that you can’t consent to a 30 year old man when the girls brag about their baby daddies? How do I explain that using meth makes it so consent is hard or impossible to give when they don’t understand that meth changes the way you can think? The book tackles really tough subjects in a way that is direct and understandable.
When I bring up taking naked pictures to teens, I spend the rest of the class explaining that it is child porn. They don’t believe me and they try to go out of their way to trip me up. I have had so many of the teens admit to filming themselves with others and sending pics on a regular basis. Yet it is child porn. The book is matter of fact. I can see others reviewing a book like this and saying that talking about child porn is not relevant to teens or consent, but it really really is. This book holds no punches. It covers topics that are so important and so needed for teens (and everyone else too honestly), but is not being talked about.
My only issue I have with this book is that I don’t already have a copy to use in my class. It is a great resource. It goes beyond just basic heteronormtive sex to talk about kink. The teens always want to talk about kink. They are fascinated by it. Kink makes things a bit more muddled for the teens to. Having it be so up front and matter of fact was amazing. I love this book so much.
I got an ARC of this book.
I teach sex ed at the local county jail to the juvenile inmates. To start a class when I have a new group of kids that are a bit more shy and don’t know me, I ask them to shout out my favorite C word. They usually stare at me like a deer in the headlights for a few minutes. Then they start shouting every word they aren’t allowed to say while in custody. They get so mad when I tell them “no, its consent”.
Until now, there has not been an easy reference that I could give them about consent. I had to make my own. I based it around the idea I learned in college in psychology called informed consent. If I had a way with words and the ability to create art, then this book would have come about years ago. This book covers every single thing I try and get my kids to learn, but with slightly different language. This book is a treasure. It is the best resource I have ever seen on consent.
Before I taught sex ed, I thought I knew what consent was. I thought it wasn’t that hard of a concept, but when you start talking to teenagers it gets more muddled. Many of the teens I work with use or have used illegal substances, some are in the facility under rape charges. Consent matters so much, but when you start talking to at risk youth everything gets more complicated. How do I explain that you can’t consent to a 30 year old man when the girls brag about their baby daddies? How do I explain that using meth makes it so consent is hard or impossible to give when they don’t understand that meth changes the way you can think? The book tackles really tough subjects in a way that is direct and understandable.
When I bring up taking naked pictures to teens, I spend the rest of the class explaining that it is child porn. They don’t believe me and they try to go out of their way to trip me up. I have had so many of the teens admit to filming themselves with others and sending pics on a regular basis. Yet it is child porn. The book is matter of fact. I can see others reviewing a book like this and saying that talking about child porn is not relevant to teens or consent, but it really really is. This book holds no punches. It covers topics that are so important and so needed for teens (and everyone else too honestly), but is not being talked about.
My only issue I have with this book is that I don’t already have a copy to use in my class. It is a great resource. It goes beyond just basic heteronormtive sex to talk about kink. The teens always want to talk about kink. They are fascinated by it. Kink makes things a bit more muddled for the teens to. Having it be so up front and matter of fact was amazing. I love this book so much.
August 7, 2020
ARC provided by the publisher—Oni Press—in exchange for an honest review.
The title of the graphic novel is a complete and accurate depiction of all that it contains. Through cute and simplistic illustrations, informative monologues, and numerous examples, Isabella Rotman provides a lighthearted but serious guide on consent.
There are a few things that I really appreciated. Rotman focuses on affirmative consent, rightfully placing the entire conversation of consent in a positive light. Furthermore, the characters we see span the continuum of skin color, body type, and preference. This obviously helps more readers see themselves in the narrative.
Our narrator, Sargent Yes Means Yes, can get pretty preachy at times. I kept thinking, as I was reading, that this would be a good YouTube series. It felt a little odd as a graphic novel as the visualizations didn't add much to what was being taught. I also noticed a few misspelled words that can hopefully be corrected before publication.
I've seen other reviewers suggesting this for teenagers. I wouldn't. I think some of the subject matters are too mature for teens and require greater sensitivity and more conversation than a graphic novel has the ability to provide.
Overall, it could serve as a useful starters guide for young adults who are interested in exploring the unfolding world of sex and sexuality.
The title of the graphic novel is a complete and accurate depiction of all that it contains. Through cute and simplistic illustrations, informative monologues, and numerous examples, Isabella Rotman provides a lighthearted but serious guide on consent.
There are a few things that I really appreciated. Rotman focuses on affirmative consent, rightfully placing the entire conversation of consent in a positive light. Furthermore, the characters we see span the continuum of skin color, body type, and preference. This obviously helps more readers see themselves in the narrative.
Our narrator, Sargent Yes Means Yes, can get pretty preachy at times. I kept thinking, as I was reading, that this would be a good YouTube series. It felt a little odd as a graphic novel as the visualizations didn't add much to what was being taught. I also noticed a few misspelled words that can hopefully be corrected before publication.
I've seen other reviewers suggesting this for teenagers. I wouldn't. I think some of the subject matters are too mature for teens and require greater sensitivity and more conversation than a graphic novel has the ability to provide.
Overall, it could serve as a useful starters guide for young adults who are interested in exploring the unfolding world of sex and sexuality.
December 23, 2020
This is a fantastic, clear but in-depth & nuanced guide to consent, which goes way beyond “no means no.” Although it does mention sexual assault (as it’s necessary to do to talk about sexual consent in a meaningful way), it has a substantial trigger warning at the beginning, there is no assault depicted directly, and the vast majority of the book is about positive, affirmative consent. It feels fun, which is awesome and important, I think. And it’s short enough to read while standing/sitting in a bookstore or library, which is also key!
I love the art style so much. It’s so cute and fun, which is perfect for keeping this serious subject from seeming too dry or lecture-y.
It’s also super educational about things beyond consent, like defining a variety of types of sex, safer sex, etc. Overall, I highly recommend this for anyone.
Note: this is intended for adults, I believe, and there are a few explicit drawings (e.g. of genitals next to definitions, people making out & touching breasts or other body parts, & a couple times little stick figures having sex). Personally I think it’s totally appropriate for teens, but I would recommend flipping through it first to see if it seems ok for your house/library/classroom/whatever.
Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC! It’s out now.
I love the art style so much. It’s so cute and fun, which is perfect for keeping this serious subject from seeming too dry or lecture-y.
It’s also super educational about things beyond consent, like defining a variety of types of sex, safer sex, etc. Overall, I highly recommend this for anyone.
Note: this is intended for adults, I believe, and there are a few explicit drawings (e.g. of genitals next to definitions, people making out & touching breasts or other body parts, & a couple times little stick figures having sex). Personally I think it’s totally appropriate for teens, but I would recommend flipping through it first to see if it seems ok for your house/library/classroom/whatever.
Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC! It’s out now.
April 5, 2020
Thanks to NetGalley for the free e-arc!
As the title says, this is a quick & easy guide to consent. Sometimes the concept of consent is so abstract that some people might get confused about it. In this short little comic you will surely clear all your doubts about it and more.
It is very important that everytime you are involved in any kind of sexual act you are 100% sure that you and your partner are completely positive about doing whatever you are going to do. If you aren't, JUST ASK (to stop). I cannot emphasise enough that communication is KEY.
Even if you finish this book without doubts about consent but still struggle on the communication part because of shyness or embarassment, there is a super useful check-list at the end of this book to complete with your likes and dislikes, fantasies, things you are not sure you like but would like to try, your position regarding contraception, etc. You can use it to know what you like better and exchange it with your partner's if you are not comfortable with speaking out loud about it.
As the title says, this is a quick & easy guide to consent. Sometimes the concept of consent is so abstract that some people might get confused about it. In this short little comic you will surely clear all your doubts about it and more.
It is very important that everytime you are involved in any kind of sexual act you are 100% sure that you and your partner are completely positive about doing whatever you are going to do. If you aren't, JUST ASK (to stop). I cannot emphasise enough that communication is KEY.
Even if you finish this book without doubts about consent but still struggle on the communication part because of shyness or embarassment, there is a super useful check-list at the end of this book to complete with your likes and dislikes, fantasies, things you are not sure you like but would like to try, your position regarding contraception, etc. You can use it to know what you like better and exchange it with your partner's if you are not comfortable with speaking out loud about it.
February 27, 2021
!! Required reading, please!!
I purchased this for my teen collection and while I am ready for parental objections to the depiction of cartoon penises and vulvas, I am 100% here for every single thing in this book.
Clear descriptions of affirmative consent and what that entails is presented in a comic/graphic format that's a quick read but packs a whole lot of vital information (remember Lori Beth?). From what consent is, to who can consent and when and under what circumstances, to how to talk about consent, to what can be considered sexual, to STIs and kink, I can't think of anything more I would want to be covered especially in this short read. I really genuinely mean it when I say this should be required reading in high school (or honestly even middle school). It's queer friendly and has a discussion at the beginning about what sex can look like and how sexual assault can happen to anyone despite its roots being traditionally male-on-female assault. The ending (though not ideal for a public library) has a really great checklist around consent and keeping yourself safe. All the stars for this one!
I purchased this for my teen collection and while I am ready for parental objections to the depiction of cartoon penises and vulvas, I am 100% here for every single thing in this book.
Clear descriptions of affirmative consent and what that entails is presented in a comic/graphic format that's a quick read but packs a whole lot of vital information (remember Lori Beth?). From what consent is, to who can consent and when and under what circumstances, to how to talk about consent, to what can be considered sexual, to STIs and kink, I can't think of anything more I would want to be covered especially in this short read. I really genuinely mean it when I say this should be required reading in high school (or honestly even middle school). It's queer friendly and has a discussion at the beginning about what sex can look like and how sexual assault can happen to anyone despite its roots being traditionally male-on-female assault. The ending (though not ideal for a public library) has a really great checklist around consent and keeping yourself safe. All the stars for this one!
April 15, 2020
It's hard to make educating about consent fun and not overbearing and it's harder to make consent seem sexy. This short, breezy graphic novel doesn't totally succeed with those goals (it's a bit too earnest, to be honest) but it gets really close. It quickly covers a wide range of topics and sexual practices and how consent relates to all of them. I also really appreciated the major point that good communication and trust are the keys to making it easy to talk about consent (and, not incidentally, to having a satisfying sexual relationship).
**Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
**Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
March 29, 2020
I love Oni Press. So when I heard about this graphic novel I was super excited to get a copy. When I saw it was available for download on NetGalley I was so pumped. I love how they're using a fun, easily readable format such as a graphic novel to present a topic that is so pertinent in our society today-consent. I love that the main character who is teaching the reader about consent identifies as they/them. I like how friendly the information is presented. I think this book does a really good job of illustrating what consent is. I really enjoyed reading this book. I highly recommend it.
August 21, 2020
This book explores consent and what does consent means through different (and inclusive) scenarios, and also explains some legal aspect (really interesting even if it's USA centered). It shows again and again how it is important to listen and learn how to read someone reaction, but also to listen to yourself.
This guide, alongside with the Guide to Queer and Trans Identities and the Guide to They/Them Pronouns, is a must read and should be available in every school/highschool.
This guide, alongside with the Guide to Queer and Trans Identities and the Guide to They/Them Pronouns, is a must read and should be available in every school/highschool.
March 27, 2024
I really wish I had this knowledge of consent and what it means when I was younger as it would have saved me from some mentally and physically traumatic events that have severely impacted my life. Please encourage young adults (or anybody of any age!) to become educated on what it means to consent. Anything other than yes is a no.
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