When "No" Is a Brave Word: A Children's Story About Body Safety, Boundaries, and Asking for Help

By Olufemi Samuel Kayode

What if saying "no" could be one of the bravest things a child can learn?

In When "No" Is a Brave Word, Amara discovers that her body belongs to her-and that she is allowed to say no when something does not feel right, even when the person is someone she loves.

Through a warm, relatable story, children learn five simple Brave-No Steps:

- NOTICE - Pay attention to your body's clues.
- NAME - Recognize the feeling.
- SAY - Speak clearly and kindly.
- GO - Step back or move away when needed.
- TELL - Tell a trusted adult when something feels confusing, wrong, or unsafe.

The story is followed by child-friendly activities that help children identify body clues, practise boundary-setting words, identify trusted adults, reflect on uncomfortable situations, and create their own Body Belongs to Me Plan.

A helpful Note for Grown-Ups provides practical guidance for supporting children with healthy boundaries, consent, and safe communication.

When "No" Is a Brave Word is a gentle, empowering resource for children, parents, teachers, caregivers, and classrooms-helping children understand that saying no is not rude or unkind. It is a brave way to communicate their boundaries and ask for help.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: B0HGL81TJT
• ISBN13: 9798194937707
• Release Date: August 2026
• Publisher: Independently Published
• Length: 50 Pages
• Weight: 0.31 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.1" x 8.5" x 8.5"