Nonnie Talks About Gender by Mary Jo Podgurski

Short Summary

Nonnie Talks About Gender by Mary Jo Podgurski is a gentle, thoughtful, and conversation-friendly book that helps children understand gender identity, gender expression, and respect for diversity. It uses a warm narrative, relatable characters, and accessible language to help families explore what gender means in a way that feels safe, inclusive, and grounded in kindness.

Age Group

Suitable for children aged 8 to 12 years.

Topics Discussed

Gender

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What this book is about

  • Nonnie Talks About Gender is part of Mary Jo Podgurski’s well-loved series that also covers topics like consent, puberty, body safety, race, and pregnancy.
  • The story follows Alex and Tamika as they chat with Nonnie, a caring grandmother and sex educator, about their experiences with gender.
  • Nonnie helps them unpack ideas like gender identity and gender expression without overwhelming readers with jargon.
  • The book emphasises respect for all people, helping kids understand that there’s no “right” or “wrong” way to play, dress, or express who they are.
  • Concepts such as cisgender and transgender are introduced in a child-friendly way, offering clarity without complexity.
  • Practical guidance for parents is included at the start, suggesting that families read a chapter at a time and have ongoing conversations over several weeks.
  • A glossary at the end provides definitions that support both parent and child understanding.
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I hope you find this book review helpful!

Happy talking!
❤️ Cath

Not sure what to teach about sex ed at this age?

This printable checklist shows you the priority topics for this age, simple scripts to try, reassurance for common worries, and the next step to take.