Eyes, Knees, Boundaries, Please!: My First Book About Private Parts and Consent for Ages 4 to 8 by Tallulah May and illustrated by Jess Pauwels is a gentle, empowering, and age-appropriate picture book that introduces young children to body autonomy, private parts, and the basics of consent in a positive, shame-free way. Published in early 2025, it quickly became a popular choice for parents, educators, and pediatricians looking for a clear, kind, and non-scary resource for early body-safety conversations.
What the Book Covers (in Very Simple Terms)
The story follows a cheerful, curious child who learns four big, important rules about their body:
- Eyes — Look with kindness and respect. We don’t stare at other people’s bodies in a way that makes them uncomfortable.
- Knees — Keep a respectful distance. We don’t touch other people’s private parts (and they don’t touch ours) unless it’s for health/safety reasons with a trusted grown-up (doctor, parent helping with bathing, etc.).
- Boundaries — Everyone gets to decide who touches their body and how. “No” is a complete sentence. It’s okay to say no even to hugs or tickles from people you love.
- Please — Always ask first (“May I hug you?” / “Can I hold your hand?”) and listen to the answer. If someone says no, we say “Okay!” and respect it.
The book uses simple, rhyming text and bright, friendly illustrations to show:
- Different kinds of families and kids of various skin tones, hair types, and abilities
- Private parts labeled clearly and matter-of-factly (using correct anatomical terms like penis, vulva, buttocks)
- Everyday situations (playground hugs, doctor visits, family kisses) where consent matters
- How to speak up (“Stop! I don’t like that!”) and how trusted adults should respond (“Thank you for telling me. I’ll stop.”)
- That bodies belong to us—no one gets to touch without permission, and no one should ever make us keep secrets about touching
Why It’s So Well Loved
- Shame-free and positive — Never uses scary words like “bad touch” or implies kids are responsible for abuse. Focuses on empowerment (“Your body belongs to you!”) and healthy boundaries for everyone.
- Age-perfect language — Short sentences, repetition, and rhymes make it easy to read aloud and remember.
- Inclusive illustrations — Diverse kids and families, no stereotypes, very matter-of-fact about bodies.
- Parent guide at the back — Simple tips on how to talk about consent and body safety with young children, plus suggested language for different situations.
- Non-religious & non-alarmist — Works for secular and faith-based families alike; focuses on safety and respect, not fear.
Who It’s For
- Ages 4–8 (read aloud to younger children; early independent readers 6–8 can enjoy it too)
- Parents, grandparents, teachers, counselors, pediatricians, and librarians who want a developmentally appropriate way to start body-safety conversations
- Any child who is curious about bodies, personal space, or why some touches are okay and others are not
Quick Tips for Using It
- Read it together in a calm moment (not right after an upsetting incident).
- Pause to answer questions and let your child point to body parts on the page if they want.
- Revisit the book every few months as kids grow—new questions come up at different ages.
- Pair it with real-life practice: “May I tickle you?” / “Do you want a hug goodbye?”
In short, Eyes, Knees, Boundaries, Please! is one of the clearest, kindest, and most empowering early body-safety books available. It gives children simple words and rules they can actually use (“Eyes, knees, boundaries, please!” becomes a catchy household phrase), while giving grown-ups a comfortable script for these important conversations.
Highly recommended for any family with kids 4–8 who want to teach consent, body ownership, and respect in a joyful, shame-free way.
If you’re looking for companion books, many families pair it with:
- Your Body Belongs to You by Cornelia Maude Spelman
- Let’s Talk About Body Boundaries by Jayneen Sanders
- C is for Consent by Eleanor Morrison (for slightly younger kids)
Happy (and safe) reading!