A theme I am seeing more in young adult literature (and I hope in adult novels) is consent. Like many other things, the concept of consent has changed definitions. It used to be “you give agreement to an action by someone else and they can “do” what is agreed on.” Now, I have seen enthusiastic consent used due to the #MeToo culture. I was interested by this one word change, because while people have given consent, it was out of fear for their safety, their job or another’s safety. Making me realize and appreciate how one does need enthusiastic consent.
And this concept is not one that is limited to a certain age. All ages can learn self-care by giving consent. And in the due in July 2025 picture book, Let’s Rumble!: A Rough-and-Tumble Book of Play by Rachel G. Payne and Jose Pimienta, a younger audience can learn about it, too. We have three siblings. Two are rough housing (due to the fact I found the book on an LGTBQ list, I am assuming one is nonbinary and the other is hearing impaired), and they are starting to get a bit too rough, so they stop, but the oldest says we need a code word to say when we need to stop right now because they are not finished playing. After a while, the third sibling joins in, but she is unaware of the rules, so makes a mistake. But here is when consent plays its part. The three of them will agree on their rules, the code word and follow the rules. Not only do the kids get their energy out (rough housing is encouraged by the author) they learn how to be better friends to each other.
Both the text and illustrations are on the simpler side. Short sentences, even only one or two words, are used to convey the action. The images are colorful, much in the way of lack of color space, and allow things to usually be positive, even when things go slightly wrong.
Now, I am not jumping up and down saying this is my favorite book, but it is one of the first books I have seen to obviously have the theme, but is not overly pushy, or feels babyish. It is not my favorite, but I enjoyed it more than I thought I would. Now, the concept could be adapted for other ages, but the book itself is aimed probably at a toddler to about age seven level. There are extras for the parent/teacher/counselor/babysitter/etc. to explore as well.
Read via an online reader copy.