Book Review
Short Summary
Hamish and the Shadow Secret was written by Liz Walker and illustrated by Don Truss for kids aged 8 to 12.
What This Book Is About
The book features the story of Hamish, a 9-year old kid who is awed by the things he can do on different gadgets but starts to be troubled by the images he sees. It uses a fictional story (which intended readers will enjoy) while also sharing real-life emotions that will help readers understand the implications of being exposed to pornography.
Some of the lessons readers can get from the story are:
- Pornography is not healthy, but once you come across it, it’s easy to get drawn to it and continue watching.
- The body can give warning signs that tell you you’re watching something that’s not good for you; so listen to your body.
- There are secrets that are not safe to be kept for yourself.
- It’s important to have someone older to talk to when you come across porn or are troubled by an online experience.
Reflection and Comments
The lessons in the book revolve around protective behaviours that will help prepare kids and let them know what to do in case they come across porn or get drawn to it. Although the story is fictional in nature, it describes real-life experiences like how those who watch porn may have recurring bad dreams about it, or would feel a lot of different things in their own bodies.
The way the story is told places no blame on Hamish, but it gives safety tips and reminders on what to do next. It comes with a set of guide questions that parents can use to help their kids understand the story and the lessons involved.
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You can buy a copy of this book online. If you are in Australia, we recommend you purchase via Booktopia or Amazon Australia. If you are in India, you can purchase your copy from Amazon India. For all other countries, you can click the Amazon US button below and you will automatically be redirected to your local Amazon page.
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