Description:
Tell Everyone: Break the Silence of Child Abuse is a tool for parents, educators, and community specialists - social workers, first responders, medical personnel, therapists, etc. - to teach children to recognize and report abuse. Tell Everyone teaches children through the use of opposites, defining abusive experiences by comparing and contrasting abuse and kindness, and gives them a voice to share their stories.
Through powerful, simple, repetitive prose and stunning, inclusive watercolor illustrations, Tell Everyone: Break the Silence of Child Abuse is presented in two sections. The first section defines verbal, physical, and sexual abuse by giving examples of how children might experience them. It teaches them that "abuse is NEVER OKAY." The second section defines verbal, physical, and sexual kindness. By contrasting abuse with kindness, and defining these terms in revolutionary ways, Tell Everyone: Break the Silence of Child Abuse helps children understand what abuse looks like when or if they experience it, empowers them to refuse to keep secrets - TELL EVERYONE what is happening to them - and get the help they deserve.
Review Quotes:
"As a School Counselor, I cannot say enough about this book. Tell Everyone: Break the Silence of Child Abuse teaches children to distinguish between the intricacies of abuse, powerfully self-advocate by reporting abuse, and recognize appropriate expressions of love and kindness." - Stephanie Richardson, M.Ed, School Counselor
"This book will be incredibly helpful for parents, caregivers, teachers, and instructors to help them talk to children about the very sensitive topic of abuse. The illustrations are an incredible representation of the principles described and help the child feel comfortable talking about this important topic. I would highly recommend this book and the illustrations in it to be a regular part of helping adults navigate this ever-crucial conversation." - Sam Richardson, Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist
"Kim's deep desire is that this book will serve to rescue children who are being abused, and even better, keep children from being abused. The way she approaches this delicate subject is with tenderness and compassion. She does not want to make children afraid of everyone, but she desires to help children be safe. Read this book to and with your child, remembering to stop and allow them to ask questions. Be sure to explain thoroughly (at their level) all questions. If some form of abuse is broached in reading this book, contact the authorities. Assure the child that they did not do wrong, and telling is always the correct response. Be supportive of your child." - Philip Van Heusen for Reader's Favorite
"Broaching the topic of abuse with children is never easy, but this picture book gives readers, educators, and caregivers developmentally appropriate language to talk about it. Aguilar divides abuse into three areas-verbal, physical, and sexual-and presents short examples of each. She then offers concise, repetitive commands that children can voice and use to get out of abusive situations." -reviewed by Angela Leeper from American Library Association