Feeling Safe

School Library Journal

K-Gr 2 This photo-picture book unsuccessfully attempts to reassure young children about many disturbing subjects. Bullying, racial prejudice, sexual abuse, and physical abuse are some of the subjects hinted at. But beyond urging children to tell others when they feel unhappy, the text offers little insight into these problems and is sometimes dangerously misleading. A girl stands by the open door of a red van; the caption reads, ``Always think carefully before accepting a lift with someone else, whether you know them or not.'' No criteria for judging the situation are given. Marc Brown's Dinosaurs's Beware (Atlantic, 1982) does a better job with the one-sentence warning ``Don't take rides with strangers.'' For a reassuring and age-appropriate treatment of sexual abuse, see My Body Is Private (Albert Whitman, 1984) by Linda Girard. A young child exposed to physical abuse will find help in Don't Hurt Me, Mama (Albert Whitman, 1983) by Muriel Stanek. Carolyn Polese, Gateway Community School, Arcata, Calif.