We Say What's Okay

A story about accepting no for an answer and how to handle the feeling of rejection.

Accepting no for an answer is a key foundation of consent. We Accept No builds children’s social and emotional skills and helps teach them how to ask for permission, how to respect no, and how to handle rejection.

The fourth book in the We Say What’s Okay series, We Accept No follows Jamin, who is upset when his friend Zakiya doesn’t want to share a great big extra-squeezy hug at the end of the day. With the help of his teacher, Ms. H, Jamin learns why accepting no for an answer is important, what to do with his sad and angry feelings, and what else he can do when someone doesn’t want a hug. Using the book as a read-aloud, educators and families can model the language Jamin’s teacher uses to support him as he learns how to respect personal boundaries. The author, who hosts workshops and trainings on teaching boundaries and consent for families and early childhood educators around the country, offers additional activities in the back of the book.

Digital content includes a song from Peaceful Schools with downloadable audio files and sheet music.

Educator & Series Information
Recommended for ages 3 to 5.

Reading Level: Grade 1 

Guided Reading Level: H

Centered around a class of preschoolers, the We Say What’s Okay series helps teach young children the social and emotional skills they need to understand the complexities of consent. Each book covers a consent theme, such as how to recognize the physical sensations that emotions create, look for body language cues, ask for and listen to choices, and know that our bodies have value. With believable, everyday situations and diverse characters, children can see themselves and others reflected in each story—and develop a vocabulary to communicate consent and feelings. Every book in the series is accompanied by a song from Peaceful Schools with downloadable audio files and sheet music.

Additional Information
36 pages | 10.00" x 10.00" | Hardcover 

Support young children as they learn the importance of setting physical boundaries.

Being in charge of one’s body is a key foundation of consent. We Are in Charge of Our Bodies builds children’s social and emotional skills and helps with setting physical boundaries.

The sixth book in the We Say What’s Okay series, We Are in Charge of Our Bodies follows Jackson and his classmates as they learn the names for their private body parts, that they can say what’s okay for their bodies, and why it’s important to respect others’ bodies. Using the book as a read-aloud, educators and families can model language to help children as they learn how to set and respect physical boundaries. The author, who hosts workshops and trainings on teaching boundaries and consent for families and early childhood educators around the country, offers additional activities in the back of the book.

We Are in Charge of Our Bodies includes an introduction to adult readers about the book’s topic. Digital content features a letter to share with teachers and families and a song from Peaceful Schools with downloadable audio files and sheet music.

Educator & Series Information
Recommended for ages 3 to 5.

Guided Reading Level: O

Lexile: AD540L 

Centered around a class of preschoolers, the We Say What’s Okay series helps teach young children the social and emotional skills they need to understand the complexities of consent. Each book covers a consent theme, such as how to recognize the physical sensations that emotions create, look for body language cues, ask for and listen to choices, and know that our bodies have value. With believable, everyday situations and diverse characters, children can see themselves and others reflected in each story—and develop a vocabulary to communicate consent and feelings. Every book in the series is accompanied by a song from Peaceful Schools with downloadable audio files and sheet music.

Additional Information
36 pages | 10.00" x 10.00" | Hardcover 

A story that helps with teaching boundaries.

Asking for permission is a key foundation of consent. We Ask Permission builds children’s social and emotional skills and helps with teaching boundaries by encouraging children to look for body language cues and by asking before hugging or touching others.

The third book in the We Say What’s Okay series, We Ask Permission follows Jovan as he learns to ask permission and become a body language detective. Using the book as a read-aloud, educators and families can model the language Jovan’s teachers use to support children as they learn to look for body language cues and respect the personal boundaries of others. The author, who hosts workshops and trainings on teaching boundaries and consent for families and early childhood educators around the country, offers additional activities in the back of the book.

Digital content includes a song from Peaceful Schools with downloadable audio files and sheet music.

Educator & Series Information
Recommended for ages 3 to 5.

Reading Level: Grade 1 

Guided Reading Level: H

Centered around a class of preschoolers, the We Say What’s Okay series helps teach young children the social and emotional skills they need to understand the complexities of consent. Each book covers a consent theme, such as how to recognize the physical sensations that emotions create, look for body language cues, ask for and listen to choices, and know that our bodies have value. With believable, everyday situations and diverse characters, children can see themselves and others reflected in each story—and develop a vocabulary to communicate consent and feelings. Every book in the series is accompanied by a song from Peaceful Schools with downloadable audio files and sheet music.

Additional Information
36 pages | 10.00" x 10.00" | Hardcover 

A story that helps teach young children that it’s okay to say no.

Feeling empowered to say no is a key foundation of consent. We Can Say No builds children’s social and emotional skills and helps teach them that it’s okay to say no.

The fifth book in the We Say What’s Okay series, We Can Say No follows Zakiya and Sami as they learn that their bodies, including their hair, belong to them and that no one should touch them without permission. Using the book as a read-aloud, educators and families can model the language Zakiya and Sami’s teacher uses to support them. The author, who hosts workshops and trainings on teaching boundaries and consent for families and early childhood educators around the country, offers additional activities in the back of the book.

Digital content includes a song from Peaceful Schools with downloadable audio files and sheet music.

Educator & Series Information
Recommended for ages 3 to 5.

Guided Reading Level: M

Lexile: AD520L 

Centered around a class of preschoolers, the We Say What’s Okay series helps teach young children the social and emotional skills they need to understand the complexities of consent. Each book covers a consent theme, such as how to recognize the physical sensations that emotions create, look for body language cues, ask for and listen to choices, and know that our bodies have value. With believable, everyday situations and diverse characters, children can see themselves and others reflected in each story—and develop a vocabulary to communicate consent and feelings. Every book in the series is accompanied by a song from Peaceful Schools with downloadable audio files and sheet music.

Additional Information
36 pages | 10.00" x 10.00" | Hardcover 

Help young children understand that it’s okay to establish personal boundaries and change their minds.

Physical and emotional awareness are key foundations of consent. We Check In with Each Other gives children a vocabulary to understand that they can change their minds at any time, develop and communicate personal boundaries, and build their social and emotional skills.

The second book in the We Say What’s Okay series, We Check In with Each Other follows Harrison as he checks in with himself and with his classmates throughout the day to see if they’re still having fun and feeling safe. Using the book as a read-aloud, educators and families can model the language Harrison’s teachers use to support children as they learn to listen to their body signals and respect the personal boundaries of others. The author, who hosts workshops and trainings on teaching consent for families and early childhood educators around the country, offers additional activities in the back of the book.

Digital content includes a song from Peaceful Schools with downloadable audio files and sheet music.

Reviews
“I’m so thankful for this book that teaches the concept of checking in; this is an important step for consent. Lydia has once again created a diverse, inclusive, and easy to understand children’s book that tackles an incredibly complex topic in a way that will make it tangible for children of all ages. I plan on using this book often with families, parents, and children to explore the topic of consent. Well done!”—Heather C. Thompson, MS, LPC, RPT, A Safe Place to Grow Counseling
 
“Whether you’re a parent, caregiver, or teacher, We Check In with Each Other is a three-for-one when it comes to helping children learn foundational lessons in consent! Throughout his school day, Harrison checks in on his feelings, checks in on his peers’ interests, and accepts his peers’ choices, even when that means there’s a change in plans. This colorful book is foundational to some of the most important nuances that help kids develop healthy relationship skills they can use now and in the future.”—Sarah Casper 

Educator & Series Information
Recommended for ages 3 to 5.

Teach the building blocks of consent in a child-friendly and developmentally appropriate way.

Centered around a class of preschoolers, the We Say What’s Okay series helps teach young children the social and emotional skills they need to understand the complexities of consent. Each book covers a consent theme, such as how to recognize the physical sensations that emotions create, look for body language cues, ask for and listen to choices, and know that our bodies have value. With believable, everyday situations and diverse characters, children can see themselves and others reflected in each story—and develop a vocabulary to communicate consent and feelings. Every book in the series is accompanied by a song from Peaceful Schools with downloadable audio files and sheet music.

Guided Reading Level: H
Lexile Measure: AD520L 

Additional Information
36 pages | 10.00" x 10.00" | Hardcover

Deja helps young children recognize their emotions by listening to their bodies

Body awareness is a key foundation of consent. We Listen to Our Bodies gives children a vocabulary to understand and communicate their feelings, develop personal boundaries, and build their social and emotional skills.

Through body awareness and recognizing how emotions physically manifest, young children can listen to their bodies for clues about how they’re feeling. Their bodies might feel shaky when worried or like one big sigh when calm and relaxed. By recognizing that physical sensations are trying to communicate something, children can understand when they feel unsafe, calm, or in need of healthy touch.

We Listen to Our Bodies follows Deja and her preschool classmates as they learn to build emotional self-awareness by listening to the physical cues of their bodies. Using the book as a read-aloud, educators and families can model the language Deja’s teachers use to support children as they learn body awareness. The author, who hosts workshops and trainings on teaching consent for families and early childhood educators around the country, offers additional activities in the back of the book.

Digital content includes a song from Peaceful Schools with downloadable MP3 files and sheet music.

Reviews
“This picture book imparts notable lessons about body awareness.”—Publishers Weekly 

“Very highly recommended.”—Children’s Bookwatch

“We Listen to Our Bodies is the book parents have been begging for to help us articulate to our curious littles how to connect with their bodies and put words to what they are feeling. As the parent of both a child with extra needs and a neurotypical child, this book is perfect for both levels of understanding. With kind and gentle authorship and beautifully inclusive illustrations, Lydia and Isabel help parents and children see themselves within these pages. Whether you are a parent, an educator, or someone who recognizes how desperately our kids deserve to understand their bodies, their feelings, and their mental well-being, you won't regret adding this beautiful book to your collection!”—Brynn Burger, The Mama on the Rocks, national speaker, educational resource creator, and parenting coach 

“I absolutely love this beautifully inclusive, trauma-aware book that provides parents and caregivers with a great tool to support a child’s connection to their instincts, feelings, and the signals their body sends to help keep them safe. The characters and illustrations are thoughtfully crafted with representation of diverse identities, abilities, and families, making this a wonderful addition to every home. It’s a must-read if you want to raise a powerful, consent-conscious next generation!”—Melissa Pintor Carnagey, LBSW, founder of Sex Positive Families

Educator & Series Information
Recommended for ages 3 to 5.

Centered around a class of preschoolers, the We Say What’s Okay series helps teach young children the social and emotional skills they need to understand the complexities of consent. Each book covers a consent theme, such as how to recognize the physical sensations that emotions create, look for body language cues, ask for and listen to choices, and know that our bodies have value. With believable, everyday situations and diverse characters, children can see themselves and others reflected in each story—and develop a vocabulary to communicate consent and feelings. Every book in the series is accompanied by a song from Peaceful Schools with downloadable audio files and sheet music.

Guided Reading Level: H

Lexile Measure: AD490L

Additional Information
36 pages | 10.00" x 10.00" | Hardcover