aliciakindlereads's review
5.0
I enjoyed reading this book. The version I received has pictures and artwork along with the text so I enjoyed that aspect of reading. This book broke down how to get consent, what to watch for, and how to define consent. I recommend this for college students, the working class, teenagers, and even couples. No one is exempt of this information and it is a topic that is not widely discussed.
josephinelemonade's review
5.0
god i wish something like this existed when i was growing up.
im definitely gonna loan this book to my cousins/nephew/niece once they are old enough for it
im definitely gonna loan this book to my cousins/nephew/niece once they are old enough for it
crowyhead's review
4.0
This is a great book for teens on consent, and how it applies not just to sex, but to everything. While the language is clear, it can feel a bit dense at times, so would probably be best for slightly older teens or read in smaller chunks. There's lots of great opportunities for discussion! I especially appreciated that Hancock addresses the way racism, sexism, etc. can impact agency.
aflv_reads's review
4.0
The publisher kindly offered me a reader copy via NetGalley. Yet, this is an honest review of the book expressing my own opinion.
I absolutely loved this book. As a future English teacher, I want to have this book in my hands in every classroom and work with it and the kids. This is noted a Children's nonfiction, but it would be extremely beneficial for adults. Adults may need more background information and such, but the author delves into things that I--an adult-- haven't thought about.
What I loved the most was that the author talks about power dynamics and interesectionality. Consent is about being able and free to choose, and that has resonated with me. Why do we say yes? To please ourselves or someone else? Is is the same for others who haven't had the same privilege and freedom?
The author also talks about nonconsensual actions and provides a list of people to talk to. It was delicately done. But I felt like it was too delicately as in the author could have delved into it more. The more discourse happens beforehand, the more it can prevent from bad things to happen.
The illustrations were too distracting and took too much space in my e-ARC. It is Children's Nonfiction, but I found the illustrations took much from the actual words, and the words were too important to miss. Furthermore, the author has a chapter about "isms" which I found well done and necessary. I really liked that it was included. But in my opinion, it was a miss not to include Islamophobia and discrimination against people with a different religion. Not when women who wear hijab or niqab can get verbally or physically assaulted for wearing hijab or niqab. Not when there's such antisemitism in political parties in the author's country. It was a very important miss.
Alas, no book can be perfect, and in my opinion, dialog about consent is of utmost importance, and this book can be easily used by educators and parents for their children, but fellow adults, don't dismiss it too soon. I think you'll learn something, too, if you read it. But it's up to YOU.
4 stars – ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Author: Justin Hancock
Publisher: Quarto Publishing Group – Frances Lincoln Children's Books
I absolutely loved this book. As a future English teacher, I want to have this book in my hands in every classroom and work with it and the kids. This is noted a Children's nonfiction, but it would be extremely beneficial for adults. Adults may need more background information and such, but the author delves into things that I--an adult-- haven't thought about.
What I loved the most was that the author talks about power dynamics and interesectionality. Consent is about being able and free to choose, and that has resonated with me. Why do we say yes? To please ourselves or someone else? Is is the same for others who haven't had the same privilege and freedom?
The author also talks about nonconsensual actions and provides a list of people to talk to. It was delicately done. But I felt like it was too delicately as in the author could have delved into it more. The more discourse happens beforehand, the more it can prevent from bad things to happen.
The illustrations were too distracting and took too much space in my e-ARC. It is Children's Nonfiction, but I found the illustrations took much from the actual words, and the words were too important to miss. Furthermore, the author has a chapter about "isms" which I found well done and necessary. I really liked that it was included. But in my opinion, it was a miss not to include Islamophobia and discrimination against people with a different religion. Not when women who wear hijab or niqab can get verbally or physically assaulted for wearing hijab or niqab. Not when there's such antisemitism in political parties in the author's country. It was a very important miss.
Alas, no book can be perfect, and in my opinion, dialog about consent is of utmost importance, and this book can be easily used by educators and parents for their children, but fellow adults, don't dismiss it too soon. I think you'll learn something, too, if you read it. But it's up to YOU.
4 stars – ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Author: Justin Hancock
Publisher: Quarto Publishing Group – Frances Lincoln Children's Books
theunrealerin's review
informative
reflective
medium-paced
4.5
An excellent guide to consent for the YA cohort. Great repeated examples to guide thinking and behaviour
sarah_faichney's review
5.0
"Can We Talk About Consent?" is an extremely valuable resource aimed at young people aged 14 and over. I loved everything about it! The language is accessible, for starters. Justin Hancock kicks us off with a legal definition of consent before presenting different scenarios and analogies. He also explicitly invites the reader to decide for themself whether to continue reading. Hancock uses plain language to discuss tricky issues such as individual and collective agency, power and privilege and provides a catalyst for young people to have conversations about consent.
Although this is a book about so much more than consent alone. It's about our ability to make choices and how to be assertive, whilst acknowledging that everyone has different preferences, sexually and otherwise. For me, the section on "Negotiating A Greeting" normalises what would often be viewed as an ASD response and I found the concept of bringing that into the mainstream refreshing.
Hancock also explores peer pressure, drugs and alcohol, activism and politics. It is made clear throughout that the section on sex can be skipped if desired.
I thought that the Toni Morrison quote was beautifully utilised. Towards the end there are several practical activities which lay out the framework for decision-making in a simple (but not patronising) format. Just when you think it can't possibly get any better, there is a Glossary, Resources section plus signposting for various national services. Justin Hancock really has thought of everything! A particular highlight for me was the inclusion of Should Stories as I hadn't heard the term before but it makes such perfect sense.
Fuchsia MacAree's illustrations throughout the book are vibrant, colourful and diverse bringing the text to life brilliantly.
Although this is a book about so much more than consent alone. It's about our ability to make choices and how to be assertive, whilst acknowledging that everyone has different preferences, sexually and otherwise. For me, the section on "Negotiating A Greeting" normalises what would often be viewed as an ASD response and I found the concept of bringing that into the mainstream refreshing.
Hancock also explores peer pressure, drugs and alcohol, activism and politics. It is made clear throughout that the section on sex can be skipped if desired.
I thought that the Toni Morrison quote was beautifully utilised. Towards the end there are several practical activities which lay out the framework for decision-making in a simple (but not patronising) format. Just when you think it can't possibly get any better, there is a Glossary, Resources section plus signposting for various national services. Justin Hancock really has thought of everything! A particular highlight for me was the inclusion of Should Stories as I hadn't heard the term before but it makes such perfect sense.
Fuchsia MacAree's illustrations throughout the book are vibrant, colourful and diverse bringing the text to life brilliantly.
cathyp72's review
5.0
This was an extremely accessible and timely book concerning consent for children and young adults. It handles the issue both lightly and with sensitivity, considering a wide range of situations where we need to consider consent, not just sex, but in our everyday relationships. It's well written, engaging and very informative with plenty to both think about and discuss.
My thanks to NetGalley for the ARC in return for an honest review.
My thanks to NetGalley for the ARC in return for an honest review.