I have an autistic son and it feels like this book was written for him. He HATES kisses. He HATES the word love. I have never forced either of these things on him, but instead found things he does like. He loves nose bumps and hugs. He likes when I say I like him and really care about him. I think books like this will make him feel better about himself and comfortable in his own skin. I truly hope to see more books like this published.

Rissy No Kissies by Katey Howes, illus. Jess Engle was a charming book with a message that is long overdue. It follows the adventures of Rissy, a lovebird, as she tries to navigate her life and share that despite being a lovebird she does not want physical affection. As a mother to two children with autism, I am going to share this book with others (especially grandparents) who do not understand that it is acceptable to show love in ways outside of physical touch.

My boys are similar to Rissy with clearly defined boundaries, social stories are crucial to helping them learn. My older son said he often feels this way so this was a good book for me to gain greater understanding and gain empathy for his day to day struggles. It was especially important for Rissy to receive reassurance from her mother that “you get to pick the ways you want to show us you care.” Tips for children and caregivers were also shared at the end of the book.

The illustrations are colorful and they draw even the youngest reader in. Short sentences make the topic accessible for all. Watching the evolution of Rissy feeling uncomfortable to gaining confidence is clearly depicted with great detail. It is clear to all that showing affection can be accomplished in multiple ways thanks to the sweet lovebird Rissy,

I was provided a free advance reader copy from Carolrhoda Books in exchange for my honest review from Net Galley. The opinions shared in this review are my own.

I received an electronic ARC from Lerner Publishing Group through NetGalley.
Empowering story that offers an excellent example of body autonomy. Rissy the Lovebird does not like kisses and she emphatically says this when others try to kiss her. They don't understand so think something is wrong with her rather than acknowledge her right to this option. Rissy talks with her mom who reassures her she is fine and this is who she is. This empowers Rissy to find her courage to share with others how she wants to show and receive affection.
Kudos to Katey Howes for creating this story to encourage children of all ages to be true to themselves and know it is okay to set boundaries with their bodies and feelings. Love the information at the end for both children and adults. This is one every family should own and read together.

I thought this was a simple way to explain that some people don't like being kissed or hugged. I am a firm believer in consent and believe it starts when we are kids and understanding boundaries. It was well done.

This introductory picturebook is so damn important to teach kids, and mostly for adults to make them understand what to explain and how to let the kids know about consent, the different ways of showing affection and how to take permission and how it's our right for others to take permission from us before they touch us even if they don't mean harm.

I find this book quite relevant and urgent.

The illustrations and the artwork look effortlessly awesome.

I just love the story presentation.

Thank you, authors and the publisher, for the advance reading copy.

Adorable story and wonderful illustrations. Perfect book to read to children to teach them that everyone is different!

Rissy is an adorable baby lovebird who...doesn't like to give kisses? What? But hey, Rissy, it's okay that you don't like giving kisses, you have your own way of showing affection! Tells a great story about body autonomy in a way kids can understand with adorable characters and easily to understand language.

This book really spoke to me as a kid that didn't like having to give hugs and kisses to people. I'm glad that we're starting to allow our kids to make their own decisions about who and when to touch or be touched. It would have made my childhood a whole lot easier.

Rissy is a sweet little lovebird who doesn't like kisses. Yes, you heard correctly... does NOT like kisses. How can that possibly be? After all she is a lovebird? Her friends and family think that perhaps she is sick, confused or just being down right rude. Poor Rissy how can she make those around her understand that kisses are just not her thing?

This heartfelt book highlights the message that everyone is different and that one's body, feelings and heart belongs to them alone and are to be respected by others. Rissy explains that she does like affection but how it is received and by whom it is given should be up to her. She certainly has boundaries and she desires that others adhere to her wishes. She feels she should give her consent and that it not be assumed that she likes kisses just because she is a lovebird.

The rhyming is fun and the watercolored illustrations are truly adorable. This book will be a great conversation starter regarding acceptance, respect and consent. Notes at the end of the book provide further information and help for kids, parents, and educators. I highly recommend this book.

Rissy No Kissies is the story of Rissy the Lovebird who doesn't like kisses. It is a beautifully written and illustrated story telling the message that we must respect others wishes.

Thank you to NetGalley and Lerner Publishing Group for my ARC.

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A great example of what consent and setting boundaries can look like shown through a very emphatic little lovebird.

This book was very cute. I liked that the text was rhythmic and short. I appreciate the trend in picture books now talking about bodily autonomy for kids. It did feel a little forced have all the examples of "No Kissy" but it did not come across as overly didactic as so many of these books do. I would definitely give this to families who wanted to talk about bodily autonomy with their kids along with the book "Can I Give You a Squish?"

At the beginning (including reading the title), I was amazed. The illustration is so cute that I want to cuddle Rissy! But, it is true that what I perceived as good is not the same as others. They might have different feels about things and we have to respect that. Human tend to make fun of people who are not the same as themselves. They bullied and make others life miserable.

Through this book, kids are taught to respect others preference. I was bullied as a kid, and I can attest that it was a nightmare to go to school. So anything that helps reduce hurting each other is a big help to reassure that less kids will suffer.

First, the illustrations in this book are darling, and I love the characters being lovebirds. This book is a great read to show kids that they don't have to show affection unwillingly and that nothing is wrong with that. It shows them how to speak up for themselves and ask their parents questions when they think that maybe they aren't "normal". A very important read for young children. Perfect for preschoolers and kindergartners.

I really enjoyed this book. As a non-affectionate person myself, I really connected with Rissy. I have definitely been through all the things that Rissy went through and I think this is a really good book to let people know that just because they like kisses or hugs, doesn't mean that everyone should like kisses or hugs, and it shouldn't be forced upon people.

Rissy No Kissies is an incredible book. It shows readers that everybody expresses love and appreciation in different ways and that is okay. Specifically I was thrilled to see a book teaching consent and setting boundaries in scenarios that children deal with daily. Personally I was very much like Rissy growing up I didn't like to be hugged or my back rubbed when I was upset. When others did those things it would make me more upset and I felt uncomfortable similarly to Rissy. If I need a hug I would say it, and my parents knew this but not everyone had the same boundaries. I didn't know how to say I don't like that or how to set those boundaries and express what I felt. I was afraid that people would lash out or be sad and upset. I didn't want people to look at me differently. I knew these things were coming from a place of love at that age and I didn't want others to feel unappreciated or unwanted. Just like Rissy when her grandmother tried to kiss her when she bumped her head, and she said no and her grandmother said she needed manners. In the last few pages I was proud to see that the author encouraged care givers to learn and teach body autonomy, boundaries, consent, and sensory processing. As the author mentioned it is never too early to teach these things. I feel as if many people don't realize or don't understand the importance of these concepts and how their understanding or lack thereof them will affect children later on. I would highly recommend this book to anyone, and wish to see more like it.

I really appreciated this book about consent, especially when it comes to children and what may make them uncomfortable. I would definitely read this with my students in any SEL study about consent.

Finally a well done book that touches on consent and boundaries! This book is about Rissy who is a bird that does not like kisses. However when stating "RISSY NO KISSES" friends and family call her mean and rude. When Rissy talks to mama love bird Rissy learns that it is okay to say no to kisses and doesn't have to do anything she feels uncomfortable with. 0

When reading this to my 5 year old daughter I really felt that she got the concept. She showed her emotions in the proper spots of the book such as sad when Rissy was being called rude and happy when told it's her body and can say no to anything she is uncomfortable with. She also loved how vibrant and well done the illustrations were and kept her attention well.

There is something for the parents here as well! A really awesome discussion guide that makes it easy to talk about sometimes sensitive topics such as boundaries and consent. This is a great book to pick up!

Thank you Netgalley, Lerner Publishing group Katey Howes and Jess Engle for giving me a copy in exchange for an honest review.

The writing had a great rhythm and the illustrations were a cute watercolor style. The messaging regarding boundaries, consent, and loving yourself for who you are really wrapped this book up in a refreshing way.

I enjoyed the way this book approaches the concept of body autonomy. The little love bird is thought to be quite strange because it doesn't like to be kissed. The poor bird is even accused of being rude and unkind. The little love bird eventually learns to show affection to others in a way that is comfortable.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.