Customer Reviews

Those are MY Private Parts

5 star:		(20)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

How do we talk to our children about sexual abuse? What can parents and caregivers say to prevent child sexual abuse? In a society that spends more funding dollars on intervention instead of prevention, Diane Hansen, author of Those Are My Private Parts, has found a simple yet ingenious way to answer those questions. Her book is illustrated with child-friendly drawings in primary colors. The text carries short rhythms with great messages. Every educator and caregiver, as well as children's advocacy centers, should have a copy of this book as a tool to empower children.
Diane Hansen was spurred to action when she heard a perpetrator of sexual abuse on The Oprah Winfrey Show. The convicted child molester revealed how he had used secret tactics and tricks to coerce children into sex acts. A child molester claimed that it is harder to manipulate children who realize the danger. And the danger does not lie solely with a stranger: 93-95% of victims know the attacker! The sting of betrayal runs deep when a child has been abused by someone he/she had initially trusted. Those Are My Private Parts clearly conveys the message to children that no one has a right to his/her body.
"Aunts, cousins, step-fathers, step-brothers,
Nannies, grannies, Pa-Pas or mothers
Never will anyone make me play
A private parts game in any way."
Experts in the field of child abuse state that sexual abuse is a power and control issue, and sex is used as the weapon. The damaging consequences to a child who has been sexually abused are serious, including suicide attempts as well as drug and alcohol abuse. We have to protect our children! Bravo to Diane Hansen for finding a way to teach children to say, "Those are my private parts!" (Perhaps if I had had a book like this as a child I would not have had to write a story of survival from sexual abuse.)
review by Lynn C. Tolson

I bought this book to read to a four year old foster child whose behavior indicated she had been abused. She hung on every word, staring into my face. My 9 yr old became enlightened by it and wound up making a police report against an abuser. She was angry that I hadn't told her what abuse was when she'd first come as a foster child. The thing is that I HAD read her children's books about sexual abuse, but apparently she didn't understand their message. This book is very clear, with its poetic repetition and first person wording "I do not share, No one touches me down there. Those are MY Private Parts!"

I was abused when I was a little girl. The person who did was, as usual, a person trusted by my family. I want my daughter to be aware so she can come and tell me if, God forbid, something near similar happens to her. This book is a good resource to it, the only thing I don't like, it is that the way I understood it, the book tends to demonize or put tabu on your parts. My mom taught me that, although your parts are private, they are a natural part of your body, just like your arms, or legs. When you bath your babies, you, as a parent, treat their parts as another arm, or leg. Only a sick person does otherwise. I don't want my baby to tell me I can not help her finish her bath until she is not ready, only because there is some tabu with her parts. I just want her to tell me: "mommy, I don't need your help anymore because I now am able to clean my parts" just like she would when she is able to wash her arms or legs. The book, the way I understood, does not give some room for parents to do their job when cleaning your little ones. So we are now reading the text telling her that clarification.

This book should be given to all parents to read to their children. It is written in a way so that kids can understand the message loud and clear. I was impressed how the book was a great segway for opening up the conversation with my son about the importance of nobody touching his private parts and vice versa. He also loved that the pictures in the book were drawn by another child, that the words were poetic and rhythmic, and that the message empowered him! It really made him feel that he has control over his body. This will be a book that we read over and over again so the message stays fresh.
A must have for all parents and children!

Being a victim of sexual molestation I completely understand the importance of teaching your children good touch and bad touch, but I was afraid of making my daughter "think" too much about this stuff. I'm not sure of the right answer, but this may have been a bit too much for a 5 year old. Best defense......keep your children close.

I just purchased this book for my five and three year old granddaughters.
I was very pleased with it and my granddaughters related to it strongly. At the bottom of each page it repeats "Those are MY private parts." As I read the book to them, they would repeat that phrase with vigor. It is simple and to the point in rhythmic rhymes with a message that noone is allowed to play games with you that involve your private parts. It also talks about the different people in a child's life and how none of them are allowed to touch their private parts. As sad as it is to acknowledge, most perpetrators of sexual molestration are someone the child knows and loves. This book reaches out to the child and lets them know that no matter who it is that does this kind of behavior, it is still not okay and not to be accepted. It shows them that they can speak out and tell someone they trust, so they can be protected. The book was excellent, and was perfect for the ages of my grandchildren. The issustrations drawn by a four year old had an powerful effect on them also. I would highly recommend it as a tool to help educate and protect and empower children. Being an abuse survivor myself, it is obvious to me that this book is a valuable source for children and adults to end the cycle of abuse.

As the non-offending parent of a three-year-old who was molested by her biological father, I have tried to find the best materials for my daughter and myself. This book is written in rhyme which children love. It is FUN to the child, but also makes them think. Although I believe it is intended for children who have not been abused, it actually resulted in my daughter "talking" about what her daddy did to her. That is a good thing when you know you are not supposed to ASK the child, or lead them, but yet you are instructed by the "professionals" to seek counseling and to TEACH THEM ABOUT GOOD AND BAD TOUCHES. I HIGHLY recommend this book and truly believe it should be required in daycares and early school years.

I did not know how to really approach the subject of private parts with my kids without getting into the whole "why are they private" dialogue. For me this discussion would have included a foray into social norms and customs and ended with "because I said so". This book gives the reader a tool to approach the subject with a simplicity and finality that lets the kids know that their private parts are private and that is the end of the story. I found that very helpful.

Those are MY private parts is exactly what parents and other adults that are concerned about children's well being should be sharing with their kids. The wonderful pictures, riming text and the important message that NO ONE touches your private parts. This is a book I read for my kids regularly and it always opens up discussion. My kids age 4 - 13 and we read it together, like we do other books. I love this book and know that if it had been read to me as a child I would have found a way to speak about the abuse that I suffered for years in my home. I did not know that I could say no to someone touching my private parts! This book has been translated into Icelandic and books sent to every single preschool in the country. I have talked to thousands of concerned parents that have been looking for the right tool to start this delicate conversation, they love this book!! Protecting kids is adults responsibility and that includes to teach appropriate language about body awareness, boundaries and that they can say NO to anybody. Including friends and family. That is much more effective than stranger danger. Over 90% of children abused know the perpetrator. The most important part of reading with your child is the time you spend with your child and the more time we spend with our kids the more likely kids are to share with us their troubles and fears.

A vehicle that is incredibly necessary, yet rarely available in book format that is kid-friendly. Gives kids the POWER to say NO and stay safe. Also teaches them never to be intimidated to keep dangerous and harmful secrets. Diane, thank you so much for caring so much to use your gift of educating the children in a poetic and engaging manner. I truly believe this empowers children. I have been able to use this book without embarrassment to teach my four children ranging from ages 9 down to 3 year of age the tools to keep them safe from sexual predators. (The illustrations by your child for the book really connect with the kids). I have shared this book with the schools in my area, who have been equally impressed with the high teaching-quality of this book!
Kathi Aho