Not Everyone Is Nice

Not Everyone Is Nice helps young children understand body safety and boundaries through the story of a child who encounters a stranger asking for help finding a lost pet. The book introduces critical safety concepts in an accessible format for early readers. The narrative follows the protagonist's encounter and subsequent decisions while highlighting key rules about personal safety and trusted adults. Through straightforward dialogue and situations, children learn practical strategies for handling potentially unsafe interactions. The book's focus on empowerment and prevention makes it a useful resource for parents, teachers, and caregivers to discuss personal safety with young children. The story reinforces core messages about trusting instincts and seeking help from known, trusted adults. The themes emphasize children's agency and ability to recognize warning signs while maintaining an optimistic tone that avoids creating unnecessary fear or anxiety. This balance allows for meaningful discussions about safety while preserving children's sense of security.

Parents and educators who reviewed this children's book note that it introduces stranger safety in an accessible, non-frightening way for ages 4-8. The story resonates with families who want to discuss "tricky people" and personal boundaries. Readers appreciate: - Clear, age-appropriate messaging without causing anxiety - Discussion prompts for parents - Illustrations that support the safety concepts - Focus on awareness rather than fear Common criticisms: - Some find the scenarios too specific/limited - A few mention the writing style is basic Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: 4.2/5 (128 ratings) Amazon: 4.5/5 (367 ratings) One parent reviewer on Amazon stated: "This opened up natural conversations with my 5-year-old about what to do in uncomfortable situations." A teacher on Goodreads noted: "The message is straightforward but could benefit from more diverse examples."

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📚 The book teaches children about "tricky people" rather than focusing on "stranger danger," which experts now consider an outdated concept since most harm to children comes from people they know. 🎨 The illustrator, Erik DePrince, chose warm, friendly colors for the positive characters and darker, muted tones for potentially dangerous situations to help young readers identify visual cues. 👥 Author Frederick Alimonti drew inspiration for the book from his experiences as both a father and a volunteer for child safety organizations. 🔍 The story follows Kathy, who encounters a situation with a stranger at a playground—a common scenario that research shows occurs frequently in public spaces where children play. 📖 The book includes a discussion guide for parents and caregivers, helping them navigate conversations about personal safety without causing unnecessary fear in children.