We Check In with Each Other

by Lydia Bowers, Isabel Muñoz (Illustrator)

Help young children understand that it’s okay to establish personal boundaries and change their minds.

Physical and emotional awareness are key foundations of consent. We Check In with Each Other gives children a vocabulary to understand that they can change their minds at any time, develop and communicate personal boundaries, and build their social and emotional skills.

The second book in the We Say What’s Okay series, We Check In with Each Other follows Harrison as he checks in with himself and with his classmates throughout the day to see if they’re still having fun and feeling safe. Using the book as a read-aloud, educators and families can model the language Harrison’s teachers use to support children as they learn to listen to their body signals and respect the personal boundaries of others. The author, who hosts workshops and trainings on teaching consent for families and early childhood educators around the country, offers additional activities in the back of the book.

Digital content includes a song from Peaceful Schools with downloadable audio files and sheet music.

We Say What’s Okay Series
Teach the building blocks of consent in a child-friendly and developmentally appropriate way. 
Centered on a class of preschoolers, this series helps teach young children the social and emotional skills they need to understand the complexities of consent. Each book covers a consent theme, such as how to recognize the physical sensations that emotions create, look for body language cues, ask for and listen to choices, and know that our bodies have value. With believable, everyday situations and diverse characters, children can see themselves and others reflected in each story—and develop a vocabulary to communicate consent and feelings. Every book in the series is accompanied by a song from Peaceful Schools with downloadable audio files and sheet music.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Parenting

38 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 18, 2021

About the author

Lydia Bowers is a speaker, consultant, and trainer who happily exists in the Venn diagram overlap between early childhood and sex education. After spending almost two decades of working directly with children as a classroom teacher and a parent, she is passionate about reframing sexuality conversations. Lydia now teaches families and educators how to talk to children about subjects like gender, reproduction, and abuse. When she’s not traveling around the country for conferences and speaking engagements, she lives in Cincinnati with her husband and two children and adds to her growing collection of children’s book character tattoos as often as she can. Follow her on TikTok @consenteducator and Instagram @lydiambowers.

Reviews

[Afsaneh Moradian · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a great way to introduce young children about personal boundaries. A friend can decide they no longer want to play something or decide they are too tired to continue playing a game. When children can become excited and want to continue playing what they love, this book is a helpful reminder to listen to others and what others need. This would make a great book for preschool or kindergarten circle time.

[Sandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not the most engaging book, but it's so important to give good examples of consent and boundaries, and the didactic nature means it almost has scripts, which can be really useful for adults and children alike. I think this is a good one for most collections, especially with all those hug picture books that don't look at consent!!

Many thanks to edelweiss and the publisher for the digital arc.

[Deborah · Rating 5 out of 5]

A meaningful story about the importance of children and adults learning how to stop, reflect and check in on each other. Be it a time to rest after playing or wanting to share a tickle or not, children can learn how to create awareness of other's needs as well as their own.

[Tara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Story 4
Illustrations 4

[Molly · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like this concept- it's an element of consent that I don't think gets much attention.

[Wanda ❣️ · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was so well done!!

[Maura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Always love these books. They teach good lessons and I appreciate the diversity in the illustration. You don’t often see a dad with tattoos in kids books, but in this one you do.

[Karol · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super introduction to introduce young children about personal boundaries.
Includes a guide and resources for adults.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book about consent with everyday examples. I got this from the library, but will probably buy a copy for our home because it should be read regularly.
There are also a few pages in the back specifically for parents about teaching and practicing consent.