Welcome to Consent!

The #1 best-selling guide to navigating consent for tweens and teens of all genders, from the award-winning authors of Welcome To Your Period and Welcome to Sex. 

Adolescent health expert Dr Melissa Kang and journalist Yumi Stynes (Ladies, We Need to Talk) have written the only guide you need to figuring out the rules of consent. Whether you’re a curious 11 to 14-year-old, or the parent of someone with a bunch of questions, this book is reassuring, interesting, and full of the info you need! Understanding consent is important for people with all kinds of bodies, in all kinds of circumstances – from getting a haircut or letting the doctor check your blood pressure to hugging a friend, picking up a child, or kissing someone. After all, consent isn’t always communicated with a clear ‘Yes, you can!’ or ‘No, you can’t!’  This brilliant, critically acclaimed guide breaks down numerous situations involving consent and bodily autonomy, including dealing with new or changing feelings, recognising power imbalances, staying safe in online spaces, and keeping relationships mutually comfortable. Through relatable illustrations, clear explanations, and real-life examples, readers will learn how to actively listen and observe, set boundaries, and speak up for themselves and others. Experts Yumi Stynes and Dr. Melissa Kang approach this crucial topic with passion, awareness, and empathy. ‘Impressively comprehensive… The overarching message is that everyone deserves to set their own boundaries and have them respected. ★★★★★’ –Commonsense Media ‘Utterly indispensable.’ –Readings ‘Thorough and empowering.’ –Kirkus

I’m ready for this book if:

I’m curious about how consent works. I will get a haircut or visit the doctor on my own one day. I think I might kiss someone or have a relationship in the future (even if I’m not ready to yet). I don’t know how to actually TALK about consent. It’s hard to say no. I don’t know when to say yes. I find consent confusing!

★ HIGHLY COMMENDED: Australian Book Industry Award for Book of the Year for Older Children ★ ★ A BEST CHILDREN’S BOOK OF 2024: Bank Street College of Education ★Read the whole Welcome To series by Dr Melissa Kang and Yumi Stynes:

Welcome to Your Period: Your easy, no-silly-questions guide to handling it like a boss
Welcome to Your Boobs: Your easy, no-silly-questions guide to your breast friends
Welcome to Consent: How to say no, when to say yes and everything in between
Welcome to Sex: Your no-silly-questions guide to sexuality, pleasure and figuring it out

 

Author Biography

Dr Melissa Kang and Yumi Stynes are the best-selling, award-winning authors of four books together: Welcome to Your Period, Welcome to Your Boobs, Welcome to Consent and Welcome to Sex.

Most people know Dr Melissa Kang as the longest-serving expert behind the iconic Dolly Doctor column, but she’s also a practising medical doctor for marginalised young people and has academic roles at the University of Technology Sydney and the University of Sydney. She is fifth-generation Malaysian-Chinese Anglo-Australian, which makes specialising in adolescent sexuality and sexual health all the more interesting. She continues to speak about these topics in the mainstream media.

Yumi Stynes is a second-gen Japanese-Australian TV and radio presenter who, like a lot of us, had to ‘unlearn’ period shame. She’s currently the host of Ladies, We Need to Talk, an award-winning podcast that explores all the trickiest topics and taboos about women’s health, including periods, discharge, difficult motherhood, and whether or not your vagina is weird.