CONSENT
ASK FIRST MONKEY (Juliet Clare Bell, Abigail Tompkins)
Ask First, Monkey! (Jessica Kinsley, 2020) is a quietly powerful picture book that gives children language for a tricky social moment without feeling preachy.
Meet tickletastic Monkey. He's the best tickler in the world, ever; even his mum says so. And there's nothing he loves more than tickling ALL his friends at playtime! But what happens if some of his friends don't want to be tickled?
At its heart, this is a story about consent, boundaries and empathy towards others, but the playful animal characters and a situation young children instantly recognise. Monkey is enthusiastic and affectionate, but not everyone wants what Monkey wants. The bright illustrations clearly show how characters feel when their boundaries are respected, and crossed. The repeated, gentle reminder to ask first becomes both a refrain and a skill children can practise in real life. What works especially well is that the book doesn’t frame mistakes as bad behaviour - Monkey isn’t shamed for getting it wrong. Instead, he’s guided, and that makes all the difference. This models a compassionate approach that grown ups can easily mirror.
OH NO, BOBO! (Donna David, Laura Watkins)
Oh No, Bobo! (Quarto, 2020) is a gentle, reassuring picture book that explores personal space and permission in a way that young children can easily understand and relate to.
Bobo the orangutan is tired and just wants a good night’s sleep - but his well-meaning attempts to solve his problem lead him to crossing others’ boundaries. When the roles are reversed and Bobo’s own space is invaded, he realises the error of his ways. ;earning it’s OK to say ‘no’ and just as important to listen when someone else does.
Feelings are clearly shown, allowing children to recognise discomfort, frustration and sadness through the expression and body language. The soft, engaging illustrations and simple narrative make this an accessible read for younger children, while the ‘Next Steps’ page at the back provides helpful guidance for extending the conversation.