Megan Bayliss is an advocate for children’s safety in her home country of Australia, working as a social worker. Her blogs on child sexual abuse have caught our attention and her devotion to bringing this to the forefront is admirable. In a desire to help her spread her word about the importance of keeping our children safe and teaching them how to deal with would-be predators, I’m reviewing her children’s book “Bitss of Caramel Marmalade on Toast.”
Bitssy is a half-dingo who lives in the city with her owner. She has a beautiful backyard full of plants, flowers and trees where she can relax and enjoy the Australian climate. She also has a big front yard, but she never goes there. It’s too dangerous.
Right across the street is a mean dog named Caramel, who has threatened to tear Bitssy up if she goes into her front yard, and Bitssy believes it. Caramel is sweet and loving to the humans in the neighborhood, but all the animals are scared of her, knowing what she is capable of doing to them.
One day Marmalade, a sassy orange cat, comes wandering into Bitssy’s yard and teaches her some very important lessons about maintaining personal space and that it’s okay to speak up and defend yourself. I found it interesting that Megan chose a dingo as Bitssy’s breed, as dingoes can’t bark, but in the book, Bitssy did find her voice and managed to stand up for herself.
It did cost her. She took some bites and cuts. But that was nothing compared to the self-respect she gained and the confidence she acquired by letting her voice be heard.
There is a lot of symbolism in the book. Caramel was smooth and manipulative, making everyone around her believe that she was the nicest dog around, while only Bitssy knew what she really was. This is how the predator acts. They endear themselves to parents and other grown-ups, making themselves appear harmless, while all the time, stalking their young victims. Just as Caramel threatened to hurt Bitssy, the predator will threaten the child, making it seem impossible for them to tell what has happened to them.
Bitssy learns to use her voice to tell Caramel to stay away from her personal space and from her body. Using the imagery of a wolverine, she taps into her own strength and unleashes it on Caramel. Children can find their voices as well, to tell their parents or other grown-ups what has happened. They don’t have to live in fear.
Another incident that is dramatized in the book takes place between two children, Matty and Cindy. Cindy decides to make fun of Matty, teasing him about his private parts. Matty quietly but firmly tells her to stop talking about him that way. I found that very important. Not only should children understand that improper touching is wrong, but that they don’t have to take verbal abuse either.
I admire Megan for her determination to educate children and parents about ways they can stay safe and how to deal with the situation if they ever are victimized, and I know that I for one have learned a great deal from her.
(This book was published in 2006 by Imaginif Pty Ltd.)
Related Blogs:
Teachable Moments in Protective Play
How to Ask a Child if They’ve Been Sexually Abused
Sexual Violence Awareness Month