Saturday, January 17, 2009

Nanny & Au Pair Book Reviews

Weekly Trip to the Library

Subscribers to Be the Best Nanny Monthly Guide http://www.bestnannynewsletter.com/ often comment that their favorite column in the nanny newsletter is "Weekly Trip to the Library." Due to the popularity of the column we hope to include reviews of your favorite children's, parenting, and nanny books each Saturday on this blog. Please feel free to email us your favorite book reviews to Stephanie@bestnannynewsletter.com.

Listed below are some children's books on the topic of privacy we have been discussing on the blog for the last two-weeks.

It's My Body: A Book to Teach Young Children How to Resist Uncomfortable Touch
By Lory Freeman
Ages: 3 to 8
Publisher: Parenting Pr., Inc. Pub., January 1982
ISBN-13: 9780943990033
Preschool children can learn safe boundaries, how to distinguish between "good" and "bad" touches, and how to respond appropriately to unwanted touches. This is a powerful book for enhancing self-esteem.


Your Body Belongs to You
By Cornelia Maude Spelman
Ages: 5 to 6
Publisher: Albert Whitman Pub., March 2000
ISBN-13: 9780807594735
In simple, reassuring language, therapist Cornelia Spelman explains that a child's body is his or her own; that it is all right for children to decline a friendly hug or kiss, even from someone they love; and that "even if you don't want a hug or kiss right now, you can still be friends."


My Body Is Private
By Linda Walvoord Girard
Ages: 5 to 8
Publisher: Albert Whitman Pub., January 1984
ISBN-13: 9780807553190
A mother-child conversation introduces the topic of sexual abuse and ways to keep one's body private. It teaches that children can enjoy good touches such as hugs, while understanding the difference between a good touch and a bad touch.


Who Is a Stranger and What Should I Do?
By Linda Walvoord Girard and Abby Levine
Ages: 7 to 11
Publisher: Albert Whitman Pub., April 1993
ISBN-13: 9780807590164
This book explains how to deal with strangers in public places, on the telephone, and in cars, emphasizing situations in which the best thing to do is run away or talk to another adult. It describes "kind" strangers, the stranger who is not a child's friend, strangers in public places, "doorbell" strangers, and others. The book provides children with ten "what if" situations.

Please share your favorite children's, nanny, or parenting books with us. Email Stephanie@bestnannynewsletter.com with your book reviews.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Here's a book that can be helpful on this topic.

Be Safe, Jane, Be Safe: Teaching Children About Personal Safely

By Linda Hagler

Thanks for the great resources.
Nanny Tara in Morristown, NJ

Anonymous said...

Keeping Kids Safe By Phina Tobin and Sue Levinson Kessner is superb as well.
From Melinda Nicholson, a nanny from Wisconsin

Anonymous said...

Great books. I have just one more suggestion.
"The Right Touch" by Sandy Klevin
I'm learning a lot from your newsletter.
Professional Nanny
Kendall White
Atlanta Georgia Suburbs

Anonymous said...

It is a very important topic but a very difficult one to discuss with the family I work for. I want to warn nannies to speak with the parents before discussing such topics with their children. You don't want to get blamed for saying something inappropriate. It's good to know how the parents want you to discuss it. The topic should and will come up, you need to follow the parent's wishes.
Mindy, Infant Specialist, Richmond, Virginia