By Our Reporter
Ugandan-American Author Lillian Butele Kelle has written a new book. After the release of her first book, the critically acclaimed autobiography titled “I know now it was all for good – learning that nothing just happens”, Ms. Kelle is venturing into the world of Children’s books.
Describing her new book titled “THE BAD TOUCH” as “probably the most important book I will ever write”, Lillian says she wrote the book to teach young children (in age appropriate language) about the dangers of CSA (Child sexual abuse).
“I wish I had read such a book as a child, perhaps my own abuse could have been prevented,” Ms Kelle (a survivor of CSA) said three months ago speaking to us on the phone from her home in Las Vegas, Nevada where she has lived for over fifteen years.
In the colorfully illustrated book, the main character Tamu and her brother Tito learn (through a story) narrated by their mother about the different types of bad touching and what they can do to protect themselves from it. This book however is more than just a story. There are review questions, and parent/teacher resources at the end of the book that make it a powerful learning tool.
“When parents say to me that they are conflicted what is the appropriate age to start talking to their children about such things my answer is always the same. If pedophiles don’t care about how young your children are, why should you?’’ said Ms. Kelle, in response to our question about the appropriateness of the subject matter for such a young audience. “Child molesters have no boundaries when it comes to your children. These cowards are basically predators. They prey upon your weaknesses and your children’s innocence. They study your habits and the habits of your children. They lay in wait for the right moment to pounce. They are extremely good at what they do such that some children may not even be able to tell you when the actual molestation begun. We as a society have clearly failed in the fight against this silent epidemic, but we can turn the tide by empowering the target group and that is our children. If we teach our children to recognize this evil, then they are more likely to Say no, to resist, to run and to tell. I pray that the government sees the need to make this book mandatory reading in our schools.”
L.B. Kelle’s new book will be launched on 21st August, 2015 at 6pm at Protea hotel, Kololo. It will be available for sale starting 22nd at all Aristoc book stores and BookPoint at Village mall, Bugolobi .
If you can’t make it to the book launch but would like a chance to meet this inspirational author, she will be holding a book signing at the Aristoc branch at Garden city on the same Saturday. The book will also be available in e-book format on Amazon.com. Date of availability for the e-book will be announced soon.