Please Tell!: A Child's Story About Sexual Abuse (Early Steps) (Paperback)

~ Jessie Ottenweller (Author) "Dear friends everywhere, I was hurt by someone I loved and trusted, when I was four..." (more)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Written and illustrated by a young girl who was sexually molested by a family member, this book reaches out to other children in a way that no adult can. Jessie's words carry the message, "It's o.k. to tell; help can come when you tell."

This book is an excellent tool for therapists, counselors, child protection workers, teachers, and parents dealing with children affected by sexual abuse.

Jessie's story adds a sense of hope for what should be, and the knowledge that the child protection system can work for children. Simple, direct, and from the heart, Jessie gives children the permission and the courage to deal with sexual abuse.

"Please Tell! is a beautifully simple book with a profoundly important message for children who have been sexually abused: the abuse wasn't their fault. Written and illustrated by Jessie, herself a pre-teen survivor of sexual abuse, it tells kids just what to do to get the help they need."
Kristin A. Kunzman, abuse therapist and author of The Healing Way: Adult Recovery from Childhood Sexual Abuse

About the Author

Nine year old Jessie's words and illustrations help other sexually abused children know that they're not alone, that it's OK to talk about their feelings, and that the abuse wasn't their fault. Reaching out to other children in a way that no adult can, Jessie's words carry the message, "It's o.k. to tell; help can come when you tell." Please Tell! is an excellent tool for therapists, counselors, child protection workers, teachers, and parents dealing with children affected by sexual abuse. Jessie's story adds a sense of hope for what should be, and the knowledge that the child protection system can work for children. Simple, direct, and from the heart, Jessie gives children the permission and the courage to deal with sexual abuse.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4-8
  
• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: Hazelden; 1 edition (July 1, 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0894867768
• ISBN-13: 978-0894867767
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 8.3 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #106,898 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in this category: (What's this?)

  #59 in

  Books > Health, Mind & Body > Self-Help > Abuse

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars teaches kids how to tell, May 2, 2004

By A Customer

I'm really impressed with this book. It's told in the first person by a little girl who is sexually abused by her uncle in terms that a young child can understand. It discusses how she is supported by her family, and how it is seeing a psychologist. It really does a good job of destigmatizing sexual abuse. It also encourages children who have been (or are being) abused to keep telling trusted adults about it until someone helps them. In the back it also provides a fairly long list of people who it is okay to tell.

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best help to help, July 7, 2007

By	Carmen M. Silva Franco "Marcela" (Atlanta, GA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Amazon Verified Purchase

Please Tell is one of the most amazing help I ever had with my clients. My youth get a comfort when they read this story. They don't feel alone any more, because another girl like them had the same bad experience. Then, they feel confident to talk about their own abuse.
It's the best help for helpers.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Please Tell, January 15, 2009

By	C. McCuan - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I am a counselor and recently adopted a little girl who suffered unspeakable abuse. This book assisted her in being able to talk with her therapist about her abuse so that her healing could begin. The fact that the book is written by a child allows children to relate on their level. I recommend this book for therapists working with children of abuse and families.