POWERFUL YOU

A simple story about the power of two little words.

A round-headed human with skin the white of the page and their anthropomorphic animal friends traverse a world of options opened up by yes and no. Pops of color, especially present in spread-spanning words like powerful and massive, illustrate how those two words can help “look…after your heart.” Straightforward text explains that “You can say yes to trying new things,” “to making new friends,” and to “help[ing] others,” with the characters dancing and steeling themselves before climbing mountains. Saying no is an equally positive response: “No can help keep you safe” and establish boundaries, even though “it can take courage to say no,” and it might make your “insides feel wiggly.” (The only unsafe situation presented involves a ball in the middle of a road.) This tame, spare, and direct read-aloud offers open-ended examples, making it a potentially useful primer for teachers, parents, and caregivers to introduce children to some of the fundamentals of consent. A combination of thick black lines, generous use of white space, and frothy bursts of color work to make this visually appealing as well. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

A helpful introduction to yes and no.