My Imaginary Friend: A Girl, that No One Else Can See, Appears and Helps Kathann Find the Courage to Tell About Sexual Abuse - Softcover

Inhaltsangabe

My Imaginary Friend is an award-winning children’s book about body safety, personal boundaries, courage, and the importance of telling a trusted adult when something feels wrong.

Kathann is a seven-year-old girl with a vivid imagination and a difficult secret. With the help of her imaginary friend, Becky, she begins to understand her feelings, recognize unsafe touch, and find the courage to speak up. Written with care for children affected by sexual abuse, this gentle story helps young readers understand that what happened is not their fault – and that telling a safe adult can lead to protection, help, and healing.

Told from a child’s perspective, My Imaginary Friend gives parents, caregivers, teachers, counselors, and therapists a supportive way to begin conversations about body safety, personal boundaries, unsafe touch, and the importance of speaking up.

Through heartfelt illustrations and age-appropriate storytelling, this book helps children understand that they are not alone, their voice matters, and safe adults can help protect them. In Kathann’s story, speaking up leads to action, support, and protection from further harm.

Kids Will Learn

• That their feelings matter
• Body safety, personal boundaries, and the right to say no
• How to find courage when something feels scary or confusing
• That they are not alone, and it is not their fault
• That unsafe or inappropriate touch should never be kept secret
• That telling a safe adult can lead to support and protection

Ideal Settings
• Parent-Child Discussions – Helping families begin delicate conversations with care
• Children’s Libraries – Supporting body safety and personal awareness in a child-friendly format
• Classroom Settings – Helping teachers introduce safety, boundaries, and trusted-adult conversations
• Therapy & Counseling Sessions – Offering a gentle story-based resource for children processing difficult experiences

Praise from Professionals
• Having worked extensively in my practice with survivors of sexual molestation, I know how frightened and alone they often feel with shame from their secret. This book offers permission and encouragement to reveal that secret, which in turn provides the opportunity to move from shame to healing. Congratulations to the author for helping to break the devastating silence. —Judy Justin, M.A., L.M.F.T., Fallbrook, CA

• In a supportive and gentle dialogue, the author raises important issues of trust and fears about the results of telling. With a comfortable and easy-to-read story of strength and encouragement, it not only benefits children who are victims of abuse but also helps other children speak out if something bad happens to them. The story teaches children that they have the strength to tell an adult when someone hurts them. It is also a wonderful way for parents to discuss the topic with their children without scaring them. This book would be a great addition to libraries. —Tracy Roberts, Write Field Services

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2nd edition, published October 2024
1st edition, published July 2013, now unpublished.

Winner of the Skipping Stones Honor Award – 2008
Books selected for this award are evaluated for their literary quality, cultural relevance, and potential to inspire positive values among young readers.

Author's Note
Children need safe, calm ways to talk about their bodies, their boundaries, and their feelings. My Imaginary Friend was created to help children understand that they can speak up when something feels wrong and that safe adults can listen, help, and protect them.

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