Without being taught about body boundaries, a child may be too young to understand when abuse is happening--or that it's wrong. This straightforward, gentle book offers a tool parents, teachers, and counselors can use to help children feel, be, and stay safe. The rhyming story and simple, friendly illustrations provide a way to sensitively share and discuss the topic, guiding young children to understand that their private parts belong to them alone. The overriding message of My Body Belongs to Me is that if someone touches your private parts, tell your mom, your dad, your teacher, or another safe adult.

Jill Starishevsky has been an assistant district attorney in New York City since 1997, where she has prosecuted thousands of sex offenders and dedicated her career to seeking justice for victims of child abuse and sex crimes. Her mission to protect children, along with her penchant for poetry, inspired My Body Belongs to Me.

A mother of three, Jill has been featured on The Oprah Winfrey Show and is a prevention specialist who, through media appearances and public speaking events, teaches how to recognize and prevent child sexual abuse.

She lives in New York City.

Angela Padrón is a writer and illustrator of children's books and educational material. She also works as an adjunct professor and freelance writer.

Angela earned her M.F.A. in illustration from Academy of Art University to go along with her two other graduate degrees in bilingual education and reading education, a B.A. in art and an A.A. in music.

When Angela is not working, she enjoys spending time in her studio creating works of art using batik, watercolor, pastels, and charcoal or relaxing at the beach with her family.

She lives in Pembroke Pines, Florida