almanacqueen.com

My daughter came home one day and handed me some letters from school. Her school often gives out updates or letters on current events, co-curricular activities, exam schedules, educational trips, book fairs and etc. However, on that particular day, my daughter waited anxiously for me to read this one letter and before I could finish reading, she whispered to me, “Mom.. can I not attend this one…”. Upon reading the details, I found out that her school is now conducting optional classes for Year 5 girls about sexual education, trust and related topics. She told me she doesn’t want to go for this lesson which starts in term 2 that will take about 2 years to complete the syllabus. Frankly, I would very, very much like her to attend them but I would never, never force her to take something she is not comfortable with. If she is not ready, I figured that I can always supplement some parts of the education with reading materials since she is one who loves reading a lot.
 

Coincidentally, when I saw that Parent Reviewers were inviting parents to do reviews on reading materials for children, (basically medical, science and sexual education) I jumped at the chance to select a book on sexual education. The title of this one is Reena’s Bollywood Dream, written by Jewel Kats and illustrations by Richa Kinra.

 As soon as I received the book in the mail, I was excited and wanted to read the contents straight away. However, after careful consideration, I actually let my daughter get the benefit of being a first hand reader for this book. I wanted her to tell me the story in her own words first without mentally jotting down my own pre-set judgements and biased view as an adult. As soon as she finished reading it, she started relating to me the story and managed to identify all the important educational points for sexual education for someone as young as her. I think this book is very important for young girls who may be reaching puberty soon. The important aspect of this particular story educates the importance of knowing one’s limitations, inappropriate behaviour of any adult and the empowerment of ownself to say ‘NO’. Not only did the story captured all the essence of the educational sector, it was told using simple easy to understand language, packed with lots of creativity, without any cultural barrier and contains great illustrations. Look out for educational glossary as part and parcel of words and meanings used.

As a matter of fact, the book publisher has many other great titles under the Growing With Love Series teaching young girls and boys about sexual education which is very informative. I highly recommend it to parents, teachers and primary schools to add these collection in their reading library.

In this storybook, my girl understood important facts like:

1. You own your own body
2. No one should ask to see any parts of your body that is considered private
3. You have every right to reject and say no
4. Staying safe and knowing whom to trust.

 
Disclosure: I received Reena’s Bollywood Dream by Jewel Kats through Parent Reviewers for review purposes. I am not compensated in any other way. All opinions expressed here are unbiased and 100% my own.