I have just finished reading a wonderful book with my children, who are 9 and 5: The Superhero Is You by Jasmine Abraham. I think it is perfect for children around these ages.

Being a mother of two, I know talking about your body can be one of the most difficult things in this world. This topic has to be one of the most intimidating and scary ones when it comes to parents and even more difficult if it is not put right. But one thing I know is that if you do not talk about it you are doing your child a disservice.

Working with children for many years now on different themes, I have realised that they can do anything if they start believing. At the same time if you do not believe them, you are not just distorting their imagination but also stopping them from dreaming. The Superhero Is You is one of the most amazing titles I have come across in recent times. Encouraging young minds to take charge of their bodies is all that they want to hear. They believe their loved ones will always protect them but in case they are not around these little ones should know what to do. Making them comprehend the fact that they should not be ashamed or feel guilty of anything uncomfortable that happens to them. They are superheroes who know it is never their fault and they should be able to speak up for themselves anytime. Reading this with me every night, my five-year-old really enjoyed how they can form an invisible magical body bubble and choose who can enter it and who cannot. I could see her eyes sparkle when we talked about who was a part of her safety circle. She reminds me of this every night before our bedtime story time or when we are getting into our night suits. Living in a society like ours, unfortunately, it is always someone close to the family who is involved in such hideous acts – friends, cousins, old house workers, drivers, etc.

My older one, now almost nine and a half, really liked the difference between secrets and surprises. He said he had never thought of it like that. This book might make it very easy for parents to have the ‘my body’ conversation with children. Stories, imagination, creative characters, and superheroes have always made a special part of every childhood and now thanks to this book, Abraham has helped and enabled many children to speak up for themselves – no matter how uncomfortable it might get.

I have friends who even at this age are not able to speak up because we were never taught that way. We always had to greet and hug guests as it was otherwise considered ‘rude’. I feel teaching the little ones at this time might be able to help them have a much solid understanding of their bodies, private parts that cannot be touched as they are not for sharing, the safety circle and not keeping secrets. I have known many organisations working towards child safety and protection but I also believe that unless you engage children and let them know how to handle things, this topic might not be covered the right way.

I recommend this book for every child around the ages of my children but I also know that we as caregivers must also go through it ourselves. Sometimes we don’t apprehend what could go wrong. I should know when my child is uncomfortable. I should be able to tell someone off because of this. I should not make my child feel uncomfortable about telling me anything at all.

We must let our children feel safe, secure, and loved – which cannot be until they can come to us with even the most awkward of conversations.

The Superhero Is You

Author: Jasmine Abraham

Publisher: Reverie Publishers

Price: Rs 1,500

The reviewer is head of Marketing &Business Department at    Pak Mission Society