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.

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.

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.

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 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.