Connor Kissed Me

By Zehava, Sarah K. Turner
Hardcover: $20.95

In this empowering picture book, Miriam navigates her confusion about an unprovoked kiss–finding her voice and using it to assert her personal boundaries.

Description

Miriam is so surprised when her friend Connor kisses her that she doesn’t know how to react. Not sure what to do, she turns to the people around her–her best friend, the recess monitor, her teacher–but everyone has a different reaction and advice for Miriam. It’s not until she gets home and talks with her mom that Miriam stops to ask herself how she feels about Connor’s kiss.

With simple text and expressive illustrations, Connor Kissed Me introduces young readers to consent and bodily autonomy in plain terms: always ask someone if it’s okay to kiss or hug, and listen if they say no!

About the Creators

Zehava

Zehava is an author as well as a former editor and bookseller. She and her family make their home in Montreal, Quebec where she is the head librarian at a school. Connor Kissed Me is her debut picture book.

Sarah K. Turner
Sarah K. Turner

Sarah K. Turner is a picture book and graphic novel artist. Her biggest goals are to spread love, acceptance, and positivity through her work. You can see more of her art at sarahkturnerart.com.

Awards

  • Best Books for Kids & Teens 2024

    Canadian Children's Book Centre

Reviews

  • "The author tactfully makes the points both that letting adults know something unsettling has occurred is important and that it then may be necessary to go to someone else for help as well. . . Provides children the opportunity to acknowledge [Miriam's] determination and follow her lead."

    - Booklist
  • "The cartoonlike images are digitally rendered in muted primary colors and pair well with the simplicity of the language where each sentence is structured to create a rhythm and repetition that help younger learners. . . A worthwhile purchase for collections used by school staff."

    - School Library Journal
  • "The digital art's cartoonish appearance exudes vibrancy and movement, easily catching and maintaining attention. Facial expressions take up much of the page, providing an opportunity for interaction in storytimes and asking children to speculate on how characters feel. . . In succinct and instructive language, the book successfully conveys the message about the importance of using your voice."

    - Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
  • "Connor Kissed Me is a portrait of what so many young people experience in their earliest years of life—the 'Me Too' moments that go unseen and unheard in elementary schools. Importantly, Zehava's clear narrative helps children and grown-ups alike learn how to respond, developing shared ideas on not just what consent means—but how it looks and what it sounds like. Zehava's narrative in Connor Kissed Me shows aspects of childhood that are commonplace, but are all too often shushed away, ignored, or seen with disregard. Along with Sarah K. Turner's illustrations, author Zehava helps grown-ups understand that what may seem like a tiny deal to adults is a gigantic deal to children, and the blueprint provided for responding to those early, often dismissed 'Me Too' moments, is paramount. "

    - Kass Minor, Educator, Author of Teaching Fiercely: Spreading Joy and Justice in Our Schools

Hardcover

  • ISBN 9781643791180
  • Publication Date Sep 19, 2023
  • Trim Size 8 × 10 in
  • Weight 0.75 lbs
  • Page Count 40
  • Interests

  • Audience Children
  • BISAC Category 1 JUV / Social Themes / Emotions & Feelings
  • BISAC Category 2 JUV / Social Themes / Self-Esteem & Self-Reliance
  • BISAC Category 3 JUV / Social Themes / Friendship
  • Themes Childhood Experiences and Memories, Conflict resolution, Fiction, Identity / Self Esteem / Confidence, Integrity / Honesty, Kindness / Caring, Realistic Fiction, Respect / Citizenship, Responsibility, Self Control / Self Regulation
  • Reading Levels

  • Age Range Ages 4 - 8
  • Grade Range Grades PreK - 3
  • Guided Reading I
  • DRA 16
  • Interest Level Grades PreK - 3
  • Lexile Code AD
  • Lexile Level 430
  • Reading Level 1
  • Bebop Reading Emergent
  • ADA Site Compliance-Accessibility Policy