Book Review
A short overview of this book
Nonnie Talks About Relationships by Mary Jo Podgurski (and written in consultation with Al Vernacchio) is a lovely book for talking to tweens about the many different types of relationships people may have.
What I like about this book is that it talks about crushes, love, friendships (fake and real) and the need for socialisation and fitting in. Healthy and unhealthy relationships are also explored along with love, attraction, jealousy and obsession.
This is one of the many books in the Nonnie Series, which is a collection of books that approach tough conversations with kindness and respect. She has also written:
- Nonnie Talks About Sex
- Nonnie Talks About Puberty
- Nonnie Talks About Gender
- Nonnie Talks About Trauma
- Nonnie Talks About Pregnancy and Birth
- Inside Out: Your body is amazing inside and out and only belongs to you.
- Nonnie Talks About Consent
I am a huge fan of these books as they are the sort of book that you can sit down and read together with your child, and complete the activities at the end of each chapter. Plus they lead into the topic very gently in a non-confronting way. These books are all based around the story of 2 children and a grandmother who helps them to understand tough topics.
I think that parents will find this book an invaluable resource!
You can learn more on this page, about how to talk to kids about sex education.
Ideal Age
Ideal for children aged 8 to 12 years.
Buy this book
✅ Buy a copy of Nonnie Talks About Relationships by Mary Jo Podgurski from Amazon.
Video Transcription
A transcription in case you are more of a reader than a listener
Hey there! I’m Cath Hak, and welcome to Sex Ed Rescue. I’m here to help parents find an easier way to talk to their kids about sex and relationships. Sex Ed Rescue is not only my website, but also my YouTube channel where I share all kinds of helpful resources. Today, I want to talk to you about a fantastic book called Nonnie talks about relationships by Mary Jo Pedgersky.
This book is recommended for kids in years three to eight, which is usually around the ages of seven to thirteen. What sets Mary Jo Pedgersky apart is that she has a nursing background and works directly with teens and children. She really knows her stuff and it shows in her writing. This book is not your typical read, though. It’s an activity book!
What’s great about Mary Jo Pedgersky is that she collaborates with other experts. For this book, she teamed up with Alvan Actio, who has written an amazing book for parents of teens about talking to kids about sex and consent. It’s fantastic to see his involvement in this project. Nonnie talks about relationships is filled with information, activities, and more.
Now, I’ll be honest, these books can be a bit pricey. But I’m hoping that one day they’ll be available as printables, which would make them more affordable. Nevertheless, this book is a valuable resource for parents who want to have conversations about relationships with their kids. As our children grow older and go through puberty, it’s important to talk to them about dating and relationships. We want them to have healthy relationships and avoid unhealthy ones.
This book covers all types of relationships, not just romantic or sexual ones. It helps kids understand what’s healthy and what’s not. The story follows two children and their journey, with Nonnie, their grandmother, being their go-to person for questions. It’s like a storybook with factual information woven in. Even if you can’t read it with your child, like I experienced with my own twelve and a half year old, it still gives you ideas for conversations.
So, if you’re looking to start conversations about healthy relationships and how to stay safe and strong in them, Nonnie talks about relationships is definitely worth considering. It might not be a book you read cover to cover with your child, but it will provide you with valuable insights and conversation starters. Give it a go!
Cheers!
