Both an information and appreciation post 🙏These are my 45 books written since 2011! With 'Some Secrets Should Never Be Kept' the very first! ❤️ Many thanks to the talented @craigsmithillustration
Also included in this number are my 12 books from the 'Little Big Chats' series and the 4 books from my new series for toddlers 'Little Chats Big Voices'.
And one book I adore ... for the arrival of a new baby is 'Love Little One'.
Please check them out on the website (link in bio) and there are always lots of FREE posters and activities.
BTW: my teaching background is forever present in my writing. Before I begin the writing process, I determine what learning outcomes I wish for both the child and accompanying adult reader to come away with. The majority of my books have Discussion Questions to help adults unpack the learning with the child, and most have accompanying Lesson Plans for educators.
All the illustrations and written words in my books are human-created. In fact, on the website you can check out the 'Meet the Illustrators' page. It is such an honour to work with such wonderful and brilliant creatives! And I am most grateful!
@craigsmithillustration@farimah.khavarii@cheriezamazingillustration@sarahjscribbles@clare_elsom@jasmine_seymour_gudyung@paulajbecker@creativedewen@twoandthreecreations@stephfizercoleman@camilacarrossine_animation@martina_illustrates@sofiagcardosoo@summermaconart@vivian.mineker@irenebo_illustration
Lesley Danson
Amanda Gulliver
Wonderful designers
@studiospartels@johuntbookdesign@hazellam___@wishpom
Astrid Hicks. #kids #kidslit #kidsbooks #childrensbook #parents
I’m immensely proud to be a part of ‘One Talk at a Time’ and to be launching a suite of resources in partnership with @ChildSafety.gov.au to support this campaign.
This topic is one that I am dedicated to and passionate about. For the past 20 years, I have been using storybooks to educate children and young people on body safety, consent and respectful relationships.
While the Australian community has come a long way when it comes to understanding of child sexual abuse, I know there are still many people that feel too uncomfortable to have proactive conversations about this topic.
The reality is that child sexual abuse is preventable and we all have a role to play. It can feel uncomfortable, but conversations with children, young people and other adults have the power to prevent child sexual abuse.
Check out the resources we’ve developed to support you to have these conversations with the children and young people in your lives: https://www.childsafety.gov.au/storybook
You can also find more information, discussion prompts and questions, and free resources on my website: and the link is in my BIO
Just thought I'd share as it is #harmonyweek and there are 12 wonderful kids of various nationalities in this series!
✨ Special Offer! Get $20 off the Hard Cover Slipcase Set for a limited time!
The Little BIG Chats series is here to help parents, caregivers, and educators have open and age-appropriate conversations with early learners about crucial, and sometimes tough, topics. Using children's picture books, each page offers questions for your child to interact with and discuss. You can also use the Discussion Questions provided on the inside back cover of each book to guide your discussions. Feel free to stop at any time to unpack the text together, following your child's lead in the conversation.
Suitable for ages 2 to 6, this series includes 12 books:
Empathy: Exploring the meaning of empathy and kindness
I Always Try: Developing a growth mindset of resilience and persistence
Feelings: Understanding different feelings and emotions
Everyone is Equal: Introducing the importance of gender equality and diversity
Around the World: Celebrating the importance of racial equality and diversity
Mindfulness: Exploring the importance of mindfulness and learning calming skills
Families: Celebrating diversity in families
Consent: Introducing consent and body boundaries
My Safety Network: Introducing a Safety Network (3 to 5 trusted adults a child can go to if they feel unsafe)
My Early Warning Signs: Exploring Early Warning Signs and what to do if a child experiences these signs
Private Parts are Private: Learning private parts are private and what to do if touched inappropriately
Secrets and Surprises: Learning the difference between secrets and surprises
Don't miss this special offer to start meaningful conversations with your little ones! 📚💬 #LittleBIGChats #ChildrensBooks #Parenting #SpecialOffer
We have lots of FREE posters to encourage gender equity including the poster 'How Do You Know If You Are in a Safe Relationship?' There are 5 posters or consolidated into one. Go to website under FREE RESOURCES link in my bio
Please display this poster.
🚨One of the biggest concerns parents have right now is their child’s safety online.
🧑🧒 Around 8 in 10 parents report concern about online risks like cyberbullying and harmful content (Ralph et al., 2024).
🧑🧑🧒🧒 In some surveys, over half of parents rank online safety as their top concern—above physical and mental health (ECPAT International, 2023).
👩🏽💻As parents we are increasingly aware that our children can do amazing things online but they may also face serious risks.
👧🏽🧒🏼We want to keep our children safe online, but we aren’t always sure how to have conversations about online safety or how to support our kids to build the skills they need to stay safe online.
📒That’s why I’ve partnered with @esafetyoffice to share ‘Let’s talk about being safe online’ by @jayneensandersauthor – a helpful tool that teaches key skills like consent, responsible sharing, protecting personal information, and recognising unsafe situations.
📖 You can download the free book from Let’s talk about being safe online I eSafety Commissioner or head to the link in my bio.
@australianpsychologist
#onlinesafety #onlinesafetyforkids #onlinesafetytips #kidssafety #parenting
Hope was written by me and supported by @anglicarevictoria and @fvree.org.au remembering those today harmed by Family violence . 💔💔 For help and support call 1800respect (1800737732) #familyviolenceremembranceday #familyviolence #familyviolenceprevention #familyviolenceawareness #familyviolencepreventionmonth
Using guilt and shame to force a child’s affection is NOT okay.
Coercing a child to change their “No” to a “Yes" teaches them that their boundaries are negotiable.
We aren’t being rude to Grandma. We are making sure that our children grow up with firm boundaries and the confidence to say “No!” And surely a big excited ‘yes’ to a hug is so much more rewarding than a forced hug.
Empower your child (and bring Grandma up-to-speed) with our early learners title Consent: Introducing consent and body boundaries from the Little BIG Chats series.
Question? “What would you say to Grandma? Have you had an experience similar to Theodore?” Let us know in the comments.
News like this can be incredibly distressing for families, educators and communities.
If you’re feeling unsettled or worried, you’re not alone 💛
When something like this happens, it can shake our sense of trust - especially in places where children are meant to be safe and cared for.
There are systems and safeguards in place in schools and care settings to protect children - and when concerns are identified, they are taken seriously and acted on.
But the reality is, even with these protections, we can’t eliminate risk entirely. And when trust is broken, it’s deeply confronting.
What we can do is continue to focus on what helps keep children safe and supported.
At @Educate2Empower , we believe in giving children the tools and language to understand their bodies, recognise when something doesn’t feel right, and know how to seek help.
Some small but powerful things families can do: • Talk openly about body safety in everyday moments • Use correct names for body parts • Reinforce that children can say “no” to unwanted touch • Build a network of safe, trusted adults • Remind children they can always tell you anything - and they will be believed
And importantly - if something does happen, it is never a child’s fault.
These conversations don’t have to be big or perfect. It’s the small, consistent messages over time that make a difference.
If you’re unsure where to start, or need support, there are many resources available on our website:
As we come to the end of Child Abuse Prevention Month, we’re reminded just how important - and how difficult -this work is.
This is heartbreaking news.
It is always distressing when a child goes missing.
But moments like this feel even heavier when so many people are holding onto hope that they will be found safe.
Sadly, that was not the outcome.
And that is a lot to take in.
We are thinking of the whole community in Alice Springs - the family, loved ones, first responders, and everyone who searched and hoped.
Today, we especially hold in our thoughts Kumanjayi Little Baby 💛
There are no words that can ease a loss like this. 💔
If this news has impacted you, please take care of yourself and reach out for support if you need it.
Support lines:
1800 Respect National Helpline: 1800 737 732
Bravehearts: 1800 272 831
Men's Referral Service: 1300 766 491
Lifeline (24-hour crisis line): 131 114
Victims of Crime Helpline: 1800 819 817
Full Stop Australia: 1800 385 578
No trad wives here! Just amazing young women helping to keep our forests safe. Was so pleased to meet the women of forest management from Cann River. Gender equality alive and well. As it should be! #genderequality #genderequity #empoweredwomenempowerwomen #forestmanagement #amazingwomen
As April - Child Abuse Prevention month - draws to a close, please review your child's body safety rules. I have many posts here and on @educate2empower to help you as well as multiple books and FREE resources on Link in bio directly. ❤️
#childabusepreventionmonth #consent #sexualabuse #children #kids #parents #moms #dads #mums #teachers
📝 FREE Word Search Activity!
Make learning positive self-talk fun and interactive for children! 🎉
This printable activity focuses on friendship, empathy, creativity, and resilience - helping kids see how kind words and positive thinking connect to real outcomes.
💡 Why kids will love it:
Engaging and hands-on word search
Reinforces essential character words
Creates conversations about kindness, resilience, and creativity
✨ Bonus: This activity is just the beginning! Pair it with ‘So Many Words for Me to Be’ by Jayneen Sanders, a delightful dictionary of positive words to help children grow a kind inner voice.
🔗 Download your FREE Word Search – link in bio!
#FreeActivity #PositiveSelfTalk #SocialEmotionalLearning #LittleChatsBigVoices #CharacterEducation #Empathy #Resilience #Creativity #JayneenSanders
