Come and Tell Me

I very seldom like books that are written to carry a worthy message; it is usually the death-knell for quality and entertainment. Raise three cheers for this book, though. It's a 'Don't go with strangers' book but at last tells the message in the simplest, safest and least upsetting way possible. I have been worried by the 'Stranger Danger' campaign which has been going the rounds for some time. It worries me for two reasons. Firstly because we know that most often danger to children comes not from strangers at all but from people known to the child and a simplistic slogan such as 'Stranger Danger' does not cover that eventuality at all. Secondly, there may be times when a child's life and safety depends on her willingness to approach and trust strangers; after an accident, for example, or if lost or in hospital. 'Stranger Danger' leaves a child with the impression that there is no-one she can trust.

There is a perfectly simple answer to this, however, and it is one that can be explained to even the youngest children and which will be quite easily remembered and understood by them. It doesn't destroy trust or frighten or over-simplify. We just tell children. 'Before you go anywhere with anyone, friend or stranger, ask mummy first.'

As the introduction to this book says, 'If children will come and tell, they do not have to judge friend from enemy... they can simply be told that genuinely friendly people will always approve of their going and telling.'

Come and Tell is the story of Jenny and her mum and begins with the familiar situation of the child who has gone to play at her fiend Darren's house without telling mum. From this base it puts over the message clearly and well. Children from four were quite clear what the story was about and what it told them. 'Tell mummy else she'll worry' as Rachael summed it up. Very worthwhile and valuable, and every infant should have this read to them regularly.