What Does It Mean To Be Safe?

What Does It Mean to Be...?

by Rana DiOrio

Children need easy guidelines to help them understand how to protect themselves and feel secure in their environments.
Rana DiOrio's newest addition to her award-winning series explores physical, emotional, social, and cyber safety in non-threatening ways that spark meaningful conversation between adults and children about staying safe.

Kindle Format 8 eBook: Ideal for reading picture books with full page illustrations

Genres: Picture Books, Nonfiction, Childrens

32 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2011

Reviews

[Runa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think the content of the book itself is a very brief overview, which is important for young people, but I'm most enthusiastic about the breakdown at the end of the book that gives specific examples of each concept. Some of the things mentioned are kind of abstract, especially to young children, so having pictures with examples and lists that explicitly break each point down is essential, and I'm very thankful the author took the care & time to include it.

Also can we just acknowledge how great it is to see a book that focuses so much on emotional safety as being equally important to physical safety, which is far more commonly discussed? Yes good love it

[La Coccinelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is one of those kids' books that's probably best read by an adult and child together.

Rana DiOrio and Zhen Liu take us through many different ways we can be and feel safe. It's not about building walls (I like that bit!) but instead about empowerment. The text tells kids what being or feeling safe means, and the accompanying illustrations play out the words.

Aside from the adorable illustrations, though, the highlight of the book for me was the stuff at the end in which each point from the book was elaborated upon with examples. This is why I say it's probably best read with an adult and child together. Those end notes could spark some interesting discussions (and add clarity for the child) about situations that are pertinent in the child's own life.

Tackling the concepts of inclusivity, consent, and bullying (among others), What Does It Mean to Be Safe? is a strong title for teaching about personal safety, as well as the safety of others.

Thank you to NetGalley and Little Pickle Press for providing a digital ARC.

[Patricia Kemp Blackmon · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this story a young boy contemplates what it means to be safe. He recalls being called safe as he played baseball. Then maybe if he was locked up in his room he would be safe. But this is not the kind of safe they are talking about in this book. Safe is making right decisions not letting peers persuade you into doing something you know is not safe. Keeping information like your address, phone number and other private information that could lead to an unsafe situation and more.

* * *

Stated in the description of about this series:
Physical safety
Emotional safety
Social safety
Cyber safety
It explores in unthreatening ways that spark meaningful conversation between adults and children about staying safe.

* * *

It is necessary to discuss the dangers our children may face when a trusted adult is not around to guide the child. Even the smallest child needs to be safe. This book will help without scaring or threatening the child.

The author writes this story so they can understand and along with the illustrations they will be able to relate to the different situations and hopefully keep them in mind if ever a similar situation occurs.

I really appreciate the Green fact the publisher states, "We print and distribute their materials in an environmentally-friendly manner, using recycled paper, soy inks, and green packaging."

I highly recommend this book.

I rated this book 5 out of 5.

Disclosure: I received a free copy of this book from Little Pickle Press for review. I was in no way compensated for this review. It is my honest opinion.

[Breanna Samuels · Rating 2 out of 5]

Reading this book to student would be a good way to teach some safety techniques to them however the author of this book could have taken more time to organize their idea better. The counterexamples he/she used as to what being safe does not mean are confusing and they do not really add much to the book. Her examples of what it means to be safe out way the counterexamples seemingly ten to one making the counterexamples unnecessary. With that being said, the ideas the author used of what is considered safe, are concepts that children really need to know and start practicing at a young age so the book could be useful if it were reorganized.

[Adriana · Rating 5 out of 5]

My unborn child loves this book specially when I say No she gives me a kicks me. Love the message, love the drawings love everything about this book.

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an electronic copy from Little Pickle Press through Edelweiss+
DiOrio takes readers through the various definitions of being safe. They emphasize ways each child should feel safe and protected and welcomed in a variety of settings. The illustrations emphasize each point and offer examples to build from. Don't miss the information text at the end that offers further ways for everyone to feel safe. Guidance for adults is also included.
This is a terrific family or class read together to emphasize welcome and belonging.

[Stephanie Hartman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This nonfiction children's book is an absolute must have in my classroom. I would include it into my STEM curriculum and use to to facilitate discussions with the kids about safety in a variety of circumstances. It also has a nuance to 'feel out' and get to know your kids and how they view safety, if they have resources and to offers a variety of good advice for teachers, parents and young children.

[Bianca · Rating 3 out of 5]

Needed a new resource to explain to kids the concept of safety and this is pretty good. I’ve gone with a 3 star rating as I think I will only be able to read about 70% of the pages for it to make sense to the children I work with (e.g. not sure why it starts with odd examples of things that aren’t considered related to safety? - this is confusing)

[Umm · Rating 5 out of 5]

"What Does It Mean To Be Safe" is the first book that I read from this wonderful series. Rana DiOrio again engages her young readers with a simple, interesting text that delivers a lot of information and advice in a few short pages. This book addresses concerns that are very real for children today, including resisting peer pressure and keeping safe while using the internet. It encourages parent and child interaction while at the same time empowering the child to keep herself safe in a myriad of ways.

[Samantha Valadez]

bobby was trying to figure out what it means to be safe.
he tried many diffrent things such as being thrown onto the third place plate but he didnt think that was safe. being safe is about being aware of things and finding the best situation about things.
on the school bus or car being safe is also not bulling people in situations when it isnt needed. also being safe is not being peer pressure such as asking someone sumo into the water when you know they arnt able to swin in deep water.
spread the word and be safe.

[Amanda Murphy · Rating 3 out of 5]

One page in this story really caught my eye. The one where the little boy doesn't want to hug a woman I would take for his grandma. She gives him a high five instead, It got me thinking about how things have changed since I was a child. I've seen my mother often take that same approach with her grandchildren. We know now, and understand, how important it is for our children to know that they are in control of their own bodies. I really liked this book. I appreciated all of the different ways it taught about being safe, but also what it didn't mean to be safe.

[Ellon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Note: I accessed a digital review copy of this book through Edelweiss.

I loved the message of this book and how the author presents the message. I also really enjoyed the talking points at the end of the book. That being said, I'm not sure a kid would pick up this book to read and enjoy on their own. This is more of a teaching tool to help kids understand being safe (which I guess the reader can pick up on with the subtitle). The diversity included in this book was great as well.

[Javen Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is great for first grade and up. This book teaches the meaning of being safe and what to do to stay safe. The author explains what not being safe means and how to start being safe. The book also tells how to be safe with friends. The illustration is great but the words on the book are more powerful than the pictures. This would be a definite book that would be in my classroom library.

[Helena#bookdreamer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great storybook to read to your kids and reiterate the importance of feeling and being safe. The author shows what it means to be safe in a simple, meaningful way. I liked that the author writes out each part at the end. Loved it
Thank you netgalley for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Breezi McClenahan · Rating 4 out of 5]

The idea of safety can be a vague concept for kids, but this book talks about safety in a practical way. It also advocates for technological safety. I also appreciate that the main character is a person of color even if the book has nothing to do with race.

Lexile: AD510L
ATOS: 2.8

Six and One Trait: Ideas

[Rochelle Sondae · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the newest title in the "What does it Mean..." Series. My 2 1/2 year old cousin said, "Nice book" yesterday during our second reading. I love that this company is environmentally friendly and publishing books that kids can relate to.

[Dani · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book #4 in a series for children, this one teaches a child the many ways to be safe and the importance of listening to their inner voice. A great jumping-off point for conversations with parents and teachers. A green publisher, too.

[Deanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

What Does It Mean to be Safe? is an important title to have in your child's library. The illustrations are adorable. and diverse. The book addresses important safety topics of discussion. I will add a copy to my counseling library. Thanks Little Pickle Press and NetGalley for the ARC of this title.

[Brittany Baker · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book has a great balance of simple language in the main picture book and more detailed examples and explanations in the back matter of what being safe looks and feels like. It covers a challenging topic in a positive, empowering way.

[Shelby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Found this gem of a book in a bargain bin at a grocery store!
Read it right there and absolutely loved it! Will definitely be reading this diverse and informative book to my future students and future kids.

Such great messaging for kids and a great teachable topic!

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent choice for parent/teacher collection. Addresses a wide range of topics; positive and inclusive.

[Andréa]

Note: I received a digital review copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.