Book
Miles Is the Boss of His Body
by Samantha Kurtzman-Counter, Abbie Schiller
📖 Overview
Miles Is the Boss of His Body follows a young boy navigating physical boundaries and body autonomy during his sixth birthday party. When extended family members and friends shower him with unwanted physical affection, Miles must learn to express his preferences about personal space.
Throughout the story, Miles faces common situations where others assume physical contact is welcome, from tickling to hugging to pinching cheeks. His parents support him as he discovers how to communicate his feelings and set limits with both children and adults.
The book provides a straightforward introduction to consent and bodily autonomy for young children. Through Miles's experiences, children can learn about their right to control physical contact while adults gain insight into respecting kids' physical boundaries.
👀 Reviews
Parents and educators report this book helps teach bodily autonomy and consent to young children in an accessible way. The story follows Miles learning to speak up when family members touch him without permission.
Positive reviews highlight:
- Clear, age-appropriate messaging
- Realistic family situations children can relate to
- Useful discussion prompts for parents
- Diverse character representation
Common criticisms:
- Some found the "boss" language problematic
- A few readers felt it oversimplified complex topics
- Price point considered high for length
Ratings across platforms:
Goodreads: 4.3/5 (284 ratings)
Amazon: 4.6/5 (466 ratings)
"Perfect for teaching consent without being scary," noted one parent reviewer. Another mentioned: "My 4-year-old asks to read it often and now tells people 'I'm the boss of my body' when needed."
Several teachers reported successfully using it in preschool classrooms to introduce body safety concepts.
📚 Similar books
No Means No! by Jayneen Sanders
This book demonstrates personal boundaries and consent through a child who learns to speak up about unwanted touching at a family gathering.
My Body Belongs to Me by Jill Starishevsky A child learns about body safety and the importance of telling trusted adults if someone touches them inappropriately.
I Said No! by Kimberly King, Zack King This safety guide presents scenarios and responses to help children recognize unsafe situations and defend their personal boundaries.
Some Secrets Should Never Be Kept by Jayneen Sanders A story about Sir Alfred teaches children about safe and unsafe touching through a medieval-themed narrative.
Your Body Belongs to You by Cornelia Maude Spelman This book explains body autonomy and personal space through everyday situations children encounter with peers and adults.
My Body Belongs to Me by Jill Starishevsky A child learns about body safety and the importance of telling trusted adults if someone touches them inappropriately.
I Said No! by Kimberly King, Zack King This safety guide presents scenarios and responses to help children recognize unsafe situations and defend their personal boundaries.
Some Secrets Should Never Be Kept by Jayneen Sanders A story about Sir Alfred teaches children about safe and unsafe touching through a medieval-themed narrative.
Your Body Belongs to You by Cornelia Maude Spelman This book explains body autonomy and personal space through everyday situations children encounter with peers and adults.
🤔 Interesting facts
🌟 This book was created as part of "The Mother Company's" series focusing on social and emotional learning for young children
📚 The story was inspired by real-life situations where children felt uncomfortable with unwanted physical contact from well-meaning relatives
👥 Co-author Abbie Schiller founded The Mother Company after working as a television executive, with the goal of helping children navigate social-emotional challenges
🎯 The book specifically addresses "body boundaries" and consent for children ages 4-8, using everyday situations like tickling and hugging
🏆 The book received the Mom's Choice Award and is frequently recommended by child psychologists and educators for teaching bodily autonomy