We Can Say No by Lydia Bowers (Author) and Isabel Muñoz (Illustrator)
Just days ago I got to visit with one of the dear kiddos in my life. He requested I read him books and I happily obliged. One of the books his parents had gotten for him from the library was We Can Say No by Lydia Bowers (Author) and Isabel Muñoz (Illustrator).
In We Can Say No, two classmates named Zakiya and Sami talk about how they both don't like when the school's librarian, Ms. Cindy, touches their hair. Zakiya wants to tell Ms. Cindy to not touch her hair, but Sami feels nervous about telling an adult no. One of their teachers, Mr. B, overhears their conversation and talks to them about how they are allowed to say no to someone touching any part of their bodies (including their heads and hair) to anyone (and they don't even need to be polite about it). Feeling supported by Mr. B, Zakiya and Sami find their voices and tell Ms. Cindy to not touch their hair. Ms. Cindy respects their boundaries and apologizes for having touched their hair in the past.
Overall, We Can Say No is a great introduction for young kids about how to assert what feels okay and what doesn't with their bodies. It assures any young reader that they are allowed to tell anyone (even an adult that they may like) no and that no is (in itself) a complete sentence. While the story focuses on the touching of hair, other kinds of touch (including sitting in Santa's lap or being pressured into giving hugs) are also discussed.
Along with Bowers's words, Muñoz's illustrations are sweet, clear, and effective. The kids and adults are all rendered in a pleasant and easy-going way, but their depictions do also clearly show the emotions of the characters. This combination is effective in allowing children to relate to the characters and understand them.
I highly recommend We Can Say No by Lydia Bowers (Author) and Isabel Muñoz (Illustrator).
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