This sweet little book is done very well. With colorful pictures, the book is written in a way that helps adults talk to children about boundaries with their bodies. It is tactful, discreet, and respectful.

This was an excellent book for kids, especially in today's social and political climate. It very sweetly describes how someone's body is their own to make decisions about, and how to ask for consent and respect others. I really liked the rhyming verses, and the message was loud and clear while still being a very sweet and kind story. I would definitely recommend this book. I received a free copy of this book from netgalley and the publisher in exchange for my honest review.

I'm a Consent Educator and I adore this book.
Consent is not as straight-forward as "yes" and "no." Navigating body-boundaries means navigating social-emotional interactions empathically, respectfully, and with a sensitivity for individual differences.

With such sweetness and attention to developmental appropriateness, the author shows how consent can look when done well, when done not-so-well, and what it means to respect others' choices and preferences.

My favorite line, "Your body and your heart are yours and you choose how to share." Such a powerful message of bodily autonomy that I know I wish I had as a child.

Highly recommend for ages 2-6!

I was granted complimentary access to an eARC of Rissy No Kissies by the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Rissy No Kissies is a cute little storybook for preschool through primary grade aged children about a little lovebird named Rissy who doesn't like being kissed. All of her family and friends this she's weird, rude, or sick because "Everyone knows all lovebirds love kisses," and this makes Rissy feel out of place. Rissy is assured that it's okay not to like kisses, she's still a lovebird, and there are so many other ways she can show her friends and family that she cares.

This book presents the important themes of consent, neurodiversity, and appropriate ways to show affection in ways that small kids will be able to understand. It fits a wide variety of situations, from instilling a strong sense of physical privacy and consent in young children of all sorts to possibly reassuring kids with / explaining about kids with autism and other differences that lead to different sensory difficulties and preferences. I can see this book being used by parents, daycare caregivers and school teachers alike to teach these important lessons.

The watercolour illustrations are absolutely beautiful, as well!

Everyone knows Lovebirds are fond of kissing, and being kissed. Duh! But not Rissie. She doesn't want ANY kissies. Not from anyone.

And everyone wants to give her kissies. But she rebuffs them all, with a startling "no".

In the end she has to explain to a small crowd of family and friends that she likes to show affection in other ways, and to please respect her boundaries, thank you. And Rissie is of course right.

The book represents the idea that anyone's consent is important and final, in a clear way, with accompanying funny/cute pictures.

I, for one, will now use 'kissies' instead of dreary old 'kisses'.

Childhood is not all happiness, it is also about knowing yourself and learning to say 'No' to what you don't like. Rissy is a small little lovebird who does not like getting kisses from anyone. While everyone finds her mean or rude or sick and doubts is she even a lovebird... Her mother agrees that only Rissy decides what she likes or dislikes. It's her body so she has the right to say "No".
Most of the times, kids are taken for granted that they love hugs and kisses, but just as adults they should be asked for permission before touching them. People should respect if a child disagrees to hug or kiss.
The book is easy to understand and conveys the message very clearly.

A lovely book about a really important topic! Rissy makes her dislike of kissies very clear, yet no one seems to listen until her mum helps her figure out how to show everyone she still loves them despite not wanting kissies. Told with lovely rhymes, matched well by the beautiful watercolour illustrations.The rhymes, along with repetitions, are sure to make it a great read-along choice! Some americanisms, but this doesn't take away from the story or the message of autonomy and the right to decide what happens to your own body - an important message for young people to learn and made easy to understand in this gorgeous book! I also really liked the inclusion of the notes for Kids and Caregivers in the back. Overall, a really useful and fun addition to any collection!

This is a fantastic children's book about a little lovebird called Rissy who shows her family that she does not wish to receive kisses from them. Rissy feels that there must be something wrong with her due to this, as her family and friends complain about it. However, her Mum tells her that there is nothing wrong with her and that there are other ways for people to show affection to each other. The book explains to children that it is important not to touch someone without their permission and that if someone touches them and they do not like it, they should tell an adult about it right away. I think this is a great book to show children that it is ok if they do not wish to be touched in a certain way and that they are in charge of their body and who can touch it. It shows them that they must respect their bodies and respect other people's bodies too.

Many thanks to the author, publisher and netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Written by Katey Howes and illustrated by Jess Engles, Rissy No Kissies tells the story of Rissy, a lovebird who, in contrast with all the other lovebirds around her, does NOT like kisses. With lovely images and adorable rhymes, Rissy No Kissies addresses the incredibly important concepts of consent and bodily autonomy in a sweet, child-appropriate way. This is a must-buy for parents and other caretakers of little ones.

Thank you to Carolrhoda Books and NetGalley for the ARC!

Yes Yes YES! 5 huge stars to this empowering and sweet tale about claiming and standing up for what feels right to do with your own body! What an important message!

Rissy the lovebird doesn't like kisses, and although everyone tells her she's rude/mean/sick/etc for refusing kisses, she has to figure out how to stand up for how she feels. There's even a great section in the back for saying what you do like, and how to say no to what you don't like. A great intro to consent.

I loved the message, rhyming words, and gorgeous watercolor illustrations. I'm definitely buying this one for my child!

Thanks so much to Lerner Publishing Group and NetGalley for this advanced digital copy in exchange for my honest review!

Beautiful artwork that should engage even the shortest attention span. Heartfelt and important message that should connect with young (and older) readers and stay with them for a long time.

I loved the cute lovebirds and all the bright colors. The message in this book is such an important one. No one should feel judged for feeling different and boundaries need to be respected.

Rissy No Kissies was a cute and heartwarming read. I loved the author's use of lovebirds to tell a very important message to kids. The n pictures are bright and colorful which will keep kids of all aged engaged. Rissy teaches us that its ok to be unique and its ok to speak up for ourselves. She also teaches us to listen to each others nerds and wants. This message was communicated in a clear and effective manner. Loved it!i

I was attracted to this book because of the really cute bird on the cover and the fun title. This is the story of Rissy, a lovebird who doesn't like to show affection the same way as the rest of her family does, with kisses. She has her own ways, and still loves her family and friends very much.

Some children, like Rissy, are more sensitive to touch. This story is for them, so that they can start to learn other ways of communicating affection.

Thanks to NetGalley for providing me with a free copy in return for an honest opinion.

I received an arc of this title from NetGalley for an honest review. Great book about someone who likes things differently than others.

It's a cute story. Somehow I think the story should have kept simple for young readers. Too many words to read.

Rissy No Kisses tells the story of a lovebird chick who doesn't like kisses, and whose loved ones need to realize that she has other ways to show and share affection. It's a lovely, cute little book that uses rhyme, repetition, and simple language to teach young readers about the importance of consent and bodily autonomy. The illustrations by Jess Engle are lovely, a watercolor-style wash of vibrant colors and rounded, expressive figures - plus adorable details like the Nest & Home magazine being read by Mama Lovebird - that perfectly suit the story. The notes about bodily autonomy at the end, one to kids and one to caregivers, are a helpful, informative touch, and the rhyming style of the story is perfect for reading aloud. I'd recommend this to any parent of young children.

Thank you to Carolrhoda Books and NetGalley for the advance review copy!

I love this book, and will definitely be reading it to my kids. It's such a cute book with a great message about body autonomy. Easy to read and teach little kids about speaking up for themselves and to respect other's as well. Plus it has adorable pictures.

"Rissy No Kissies" is a book with nice illustrations, about a little love bird named Rissy who does not want to show affection through kissing. The book takes the reader through situations that the other little love birds enjoy, such as kissing relatives and friends goodbye. When Rissy asks her mother if there is something wrong with her, her mother explains that no, there are lots of ways to show caring for others.

This is a book which teaches kids to protect their bodily autonomy and that it is ok to be different. I recommend this book for children age 2-4, to start a discussion at home about not being forced into hugs and kisses if they are uncomfortable.

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Beautifully illustrated, delightfully rhyming, and above all: a clear, age-appropriate lesson on bodily autonomy and consent. This book shows kids that it's okay to not like certain forms of affection (kissing, hugging, etc), and teaches parents how to respect that. All in a way that is approachable and empathetic- the book does an excellent job on focusing on Rissy's emotional journey rather than getting preachy about consent culture.