Teach Kids Body Safety: Top 9 Books That Help Prevent Sexual Abuse

Did you know that teaching kids about body safety is one of the most effective ways to protect them from abuse?

When children understand personal boundaries, recognize inappropriate behaviors, and who to go to for help, they are far less vulnerable to harm.

The truth is hard to hear: 

• 1 in 10 children will experience sexual abuse before their 18th birthday (Darkness to Light). 
• 93% of children who are sexually abused know—and are often related to— their abuser (Rainn).

Those numbers are heavy—but there is hope. Education is a powerful prevention tool. When we educate and empower our kids, we give them tools that can actually prevent abuse.

But starting these conversations can feel awkward or overwhelming! That’s where books come in.

Reading together makes tough topics feel more natural. Books give you a script, a story, and a way to connect with your child that doesn’t feel like a lecture. 

Plus, kids often see books as trustworthy—if it’s in a book, it feels real and believable.

Below we have a powerful list of prevention-oriented books for adults and kids, plus one very special book to help kids heal. 

Our pick for adults

📖 Body Safety for Young Children: Empowering Caring Adults by Kimberly King
This go-to guide for parents and caregivers offers tools for: 

• Teaching children about body autonomy.
• Setting safe boundaries.
• Identifying trusted adults.

You'll also find real-life “what-if” scenarios, social media safety tips, and ready-to-use scripts that make tough conversations feel a little easier—and a lot more effective.

Our favorite children’s body safety books that can prevent sexual abuse

📖 Some Parts Are NOT for Sharing by Julie Federico
Perfect for younger children, this small book uses friendly fish characters to introduce body safety. Through colorful illustrations and easy language, kids will:

• Learn the difference between appropriate and inappropriate touch.
• Understand the importance of personal space and privacy.
• Begin to build early awareness of their own body boundaries.

This book provides a sweet and reassuring first step into body safety conversations.

 📖 I Said No! A Kid-to-Kid Guide to Keeping Private Parts Private by Kimberly King
Written from a child’s perspective, this book speaks directly to kids in a way they can relate to. It helps them:

• Recognize unsafe situations and respond confidently. 
• Handle peer pressure, threats, and bribes with confidence.
• Understand that it’s okay to keep asking for help—even if the first adult doesn’t listen.

📖 Say "NO!" and TELL! by Kimberly Perry
This interactive book series—featuring Daxton the Dolphin for boys and Maisie the Butterfly for girls—uses storytelling and imagination to teach essential body safety skills in a gentle, age-appropriate way that preserves innocence. We especially love the scenarios at the back of the book! Kids and parents will:

• Explore body awareness and safe boundaries through engaging stories.
• Practice safety strategies with interactive role-play.
• Learn a memorable personal safety jingle with simple action steps.
• Create and use a Personal Safety Family Plan together.

📖 The Brave Knight by Diane Tarantini
Told as a captivating fairy tale, this story about a girl, a dragon, and a brave knight helps children build awareness and confidence in a gentle, empowering way. Through the story, kids will:

• Learn to recognize the warning signs of grooming behaviors.
• Understand that it’s okay to speak up when something feels wrong.
• Be encouraged to trust their instincts and seek help from safe adults.

This beautifully written book opens the door to important conversations about safety in a way kids can understand.

📖 My Voice Is My Super Power by Shariea Shoatz
This engaging story follows Buddy, a young boy who learns that his voice is a powerful tool for when it comes to staying safe. Through his journey, kids will:

• Learn how to set personal boundaries with confidence.
• Identify trusted adults they can turn to for help.
• Understand that their voice is a tool they can use to protect themselves and others.

A great read for helping kids feel strong, heard, and supported!

Related: 

Three Powerful Ways to Guard Against Child Sexual Abuse

The 3 Big Red Flags of Sexual Abuse

Teach kids to recognize and reject grooming tactics like pornography

We’ve heard from parents, grandparents and teachers who all said that teaching their kids how to respond to pornography prevented child sexual abuse!

And it makes sense because preventing child sexual abuse is also about protecting them from grooming tactics. 

One common tactic? 

Exposing children to pornography. 

Sadly, many abusers use porn to desensitize kids, break down their boundaries, and make harmful behavior seem normal. 

That’s why teaching kids to reject pornography—before someone else introduces it—is another powerful layer of protection from sexual abuse.

Lisa Thompson of the National Center on Sexual Exploitation explains:

“Kids will be safer from someone who may try to show them porn to groom them. If they’ve been taught to reject pornography, they’re not going to look at it. They’re going to say, ‘Oh that’s not a good picture, I’m not going to look at that,’ and then they’ll tell a trusted adult.”

That’s exactly what the Good Pictures Bad Pictures books are designed to do.

📖 Good Pictures Bad Pictures: Porn-Proofing Today’s Young Kids by Kristen Jenson
This bestselling read-aloud book makes it easy for parents to start the conversation about pornography in a natural, non-awkward way. Geared for ages 7–11, it uses science, simple analogies, and relatable scenarios to help kids:

• Understand what pornography is and why it’s harmful to their developing brains.
• Learn how to recognize and reject inappropriate content.
• Apply the five-step CAN DO Plan to respond with confidence when they see pornography.
• Deepen their understanding through “Let’s Talk!” questions at the end of each chapter.

With updated research and practical tips for caregivers, this book is a trusted, empowering resource for every family in the digital age.

📖 Good Pictures Bad Pictures Jr.: A Simple Plan to Protect Young Minds by Kristen Jenson

Designed for ages 3–7, this beautifully illustrated book introduces young children to digital safety in a gentle, age-appropriate way. It helps kids:

• Recognize when a picture or video isn’t safe.
• Remember the simple and empowering Turn, Run & Tell plan.
• Learn five foundational safety rules for navigating today’s digital world.
• Feel confident talking to trusted adults when something doesn’t feel right.

This book is a reassuring and effective way to begin critical conversations—before kids are even reading on their own.

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Helping kids heal: One special book for recovery

📖 The King’s Daughter by Joshua Gilman
While most of the books above focus on prevention, The King’s Daughter is a gentle, healing story for kids who may already be hurting. With beautiful illustrations and a fairy-tale tone, it delivers a powerful message: your worth never changes—no matter what.

This book helps children:

• Rebuild self-confidence and inner strength.
• Understand that what happened to them does not define them.
• Feel empowered to speak up and seek help.

A comforting reminder that even in the hardest moments, healing and hope are possible.

Related: Sibling Sexual Trauma: 7 Myths That Endanger Children & Disempower Parents

Start body safety conversations today

Teaching body safety isn’t about scaring kids—but empowering them. When they understand that their bodies belong to them, that they have the right to say no, and that safe adults will listen and help, they’re better protected—not just from potential sexual abuse, but from repeated harm as well.

Want more resources to help protect your kids? Explore all our body safety articles.

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