A psychologist and former Stellenbosch University (SU) student is set to publish a new children’s book, which focuses on teaching children about consent.
The book, titled Ask Me First, is the seventh book that will be published by Garth Newman, author and co-founder of Super Three Books. The book is authored and illustrated by his wife, Yumna Sadan, and will be available for R39 via the Super Three Books online bookstore, according to Newman.
“The latest [book] will be available on 26 May. The Super Three books are available there for free as well,” said Newman. The Super 3 ebook series, also written by Newman, is the origin of the online bookstore’s name, according to the Super Three Books website.
Luna and the Curious Cricket and Luna and the Astronaut of the Mind were among the books first released by Super Three Books. These books focus on teaching children about mental health. PHOTO: Keanan Hemmonsbey
Newman completed his masters degree in psychology at SU in 2007, and currently practices as a clinical psychologist at his own private practice in Brackenfell, he said in a written response to MatieMedia.
“My training [in psychology] has definitely helped in the conceptualisation and writing of the books,” he said.
The Ask Me First book aims to educate, uplift and empower children with the knowledge that their bodies are their own, according to Sadan, who is also an illustrator and designer for Super Three Books.
“[Ask Me First] is on the topic of consent and body autonomy,” said Sadan. “It’s a read-along, rhyme-aloud book for young children and caregivers that will hopefully spark important conversations,” she added.
While the books can be downloaded for free as ebooks, they can also be bought as hard covers, said Sadan. The parents who purchase books from Super Three Books reaffirm the purpose of the books, she said.
Garth Newman and Yumna Sadan, the co-founders of Super Three Books and authors of Ask Me First. PHOTO: Instagram/@super3books
“My child is two and a half, so the idea of mental health is a foreign concept,” said Shameez Patel Papathanasiou, a customer at Super Three Books. “We will be exploring the underlying themes, and should she come across something with mental health issues, it would be easy to be able to draw back to [these] stories to help her understand,” continued Papathanasiou.
Super Three Books was launched last year, according to Newman.
“It started with a single childrens ebook, which my wife [Sadan] and I wrote to help kids deal with the anxiety of the pandemic and lockdown,” said Newman. “The ebook got traction, and we subsequently wrote another three ebooks aimed at helping kids deal with the pandemic,” he said.
Garth Newman explains the importance of Super Three Books.