From My Head to My Toes, I Say What Goes

Consent is a hot topic and one that can be hard to talk about with younger children. Barkla and Lee’s new picture book, From My Head to My Toes, I Say What Goes, tackles this theme in an approachable and fun way. The first-person narrator spends the first part of the book discussing what she consents to - a hug from Mummy, a pillow fight, and trying a new food. Then, halfway though, we get a “But…”, and we learn of the things the narrator does not consent to: a tickling game, being barefoot at a party, and a kiss from Granny. This section, and the book, concludes with ways of saying no (both polite and more assertive) and an acknowledgement that “yes or no are ours to use - the choice is always ours to choose”.

Expertly handling this difficult topic, From My Head to My Toes, I Say What Goes makes the idea of body autonomy and consent easy to understand. The narrator encounters what will be familiar situations for readers and decides how she feels in the moment. Barkla expands this idea of consent beyond hugs and kisses to other choices kids make about their body - what they wear, what they eat, and how they play. The text also addresses the fact that consent is fluid - one day you may feel like getting a kiss from a loved one, but the next day you may not. Also included is the message that we need to respect others' right to say no too.

The text has a nice rhythm and rhyme which makes for a great read-aloud. Barkla is Australian which means that a couple words pop up that may be new for children - slacks for pants, plaits for braids - but these are infrequent and could make for a fun discussion about language.

The illustrations are vibrant and feature diverse characters. In both the “yes” and “no” section, children are shown having fun on the playground, at a birthday party, and at a carnival, furthering the positive portrayal of the concept of consent.

It’s important for children to learn about consent and how to say “no”, and From My Head to My Toes, I Say What Goes can be one part of ongoing conversations about this topic. Empowering children to have autonomy over their bodies is crucial, and this book makes it entertaining and easy to understand.