Review
"Want a Hug? is a great introduction for young children to learn about consent and respect of every person's boundaries - critically important lessons for all human beings." - Mike Domitrz, Author of Can I Kiss You? A thought-provoking look at relationships, intimacy, and sexual assault
"This book fills a gap that has concerned me for years. We are telling kids to “say no” all the time, which is very important, and now, here’s a book that suggests they can SAY YES, and ACCEPT YES. The book emphasizes that they have rights and can set boundaries, but that they can be affectionate as well. Allowing, even encouraging children to be physically affectionate with each other is a good thing. This is a good read, an important point, and a book that parents and children can discuss together. It will allow them to further help children distinguish between warm and friendly touches and those that are crossing a line.." - Eliana Gil, Ph.D., Founder and Senior Clinical Consultant, Gil Institute for Trauma Recovery and Education, Fairfax, VA
"As a psychologist, I work with folks who have been deeply injured by the lack of respect for boundaries. This book is a fabulous way to teach people, from a young age, the importance of permission before touch. I love how the book gives specific and clear language for what permission sounds like. This gem of a children’s book teaches both the freedom to assert preferences regarding touch as well as how to show respect for the desires of others. If every parent read and discussed this with their children my profession would have less repair work to do in the future." - Dr. Elsbeth Martindale, PsyD, Therapist, Trainer, Supervisor, and Author
"This sweet and helpful little book provides clear, accessible, child-friendly language around consent. Inclusive age-appropriate illustrations show how to ask for consent, how to take No for an answer, and how to say Yes or No. The balance of clarity and complexity make this book a must-have for teaching children about the crucial and nuanced matter of consent." - Ricky Greenwald, Psy.D, founder of Child Trauma Institute, and parent
"Christine has taken the concept of consent around touch to an important audience - children. Trailblazing this conversation is one of the most important endeavors in the prevention of future traumatization. She makes this conversation of permission to touch accessible to children and adults alike, provides clarity to an area that has been historically ambiguous and empowers children to set boundaries around their bodies while respecting those of others." - Athena Phillips, LCSW, Founder, Integrative Trauma Treatment Center
"Want a Hug? is a powerful tool for planting the seeds of consent culture with elementary school children. The welcoming message is strung together with poetic language that young children will engage with easily. Discussing consent with children can feel like a challenging undertaking for many parents and teachers but Want a Hug? offers a resource that they will undoubtedly love and use again and again." - Dr. Laura McGuire, Nationally recognized sexuality educator, trauma-informed specialist, and inclusion consultant at the National Center for Equity and Agency
"A powerful guide for little minds just learning how "yes" and "no" aren't one-way commands but recognitions of mutual respect." - Meghan Laslocky, Writer, Journalist, and Parent
"Want a Hug? should be in every parent’s and teacher’s library! It’s a crucial resource for teaching foundations of consent to young kids and – unlike many other books of its kind – shows kids exactly how to ask for and refuse consent in all kinds of situations. Plus, the diverse and dynamic illustrations make it appealing to kids and adults alike, and the rhyming text is easy for kids to follow and remember. As a sexuality educator who works with elementary school kids, I’ve been looking for a book like this for a long time. Finally, it’s arrived!." - Rebecca Koon, MA
