Book Review
A short overview of this book
Nonnie Talks About Trauma by Mary-Jo Podgurski can be used to minimise trauma in children who have seen images online or in the media, or have overheard adult conversations, that they don’t understand.
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
- Nonnie Talks about Relationships
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.
So why is a book about trauma being included in a list of sex education books?
It’s included because kids are often exposed to information and/or images that they do not understand. And if we want them to be able to process and understand what they have seen, in a way where it does not harm them, then we need to help them.
And this book is a useful tool that will allow you to help your child to do this. Especially if your child has seen sexually explicit information.
This is a lovely book that isn’t just a storybook, but a workbook as well. It is divided into chapters, with an activity at the end of each chapter. Which means that you can then talk about what was just discussed and apply it to your child and family.
Ideal Age
Ideal for children aged 8 to 12 years.
Buy this book
✅ Buy a copy of Nonnie Talks About Trauma 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. This website is all about helping parents find better ways to talk to their kids about sex, love, relationships, growing up, puberty, porn, and all those tricky conversations about sexuality. I share a lot of videos on YouTube, so if you want to learn how to have more open and honest chats with your kids about sex, I suggest you head over to the website and sign up for the newsletter. Let’s have those conversations with less cringe and more confidence!
Now, let’s talk about a book by Mary Jo Podgurski that I recently bought. It’s called Noni Talks About Trauma, and it’s designed for kids in grades three to eight. My son is nine, almost ten, so I think it’s perfect for him. However, my 13-year-old daughter might find it a bit tricky because she’s in high school now and reading bigger books. But hey, every kid is different!
The Noni series is amazing, and I highly recommend all of Mary Jo’s books. This one caught my attention because I’ve been thinking about how to talk to kids about pornography and the potential trauma it can cause. This book addresses that beautifully. It also touches on the topic of trauma in general, inspired by the unfortunate shootings that have happened. Mary Jo’s books always start off the same way, with a big question and a promise to answer some of them. I love that she encourages kids to ask their parents or a trusted adult if they still have questions.
Noni, the grandmother in the books, is someone the kids talk to when they need extra help. The stories build on each other, and the conversations are built on trust and rapport. Mary Jo takes her time to address the important topics, and I appreciate that.
The book also includes a glossary, which is fantastic. It explains terms and concepts that kids might be unsure about. There’s even a section that talks about the trauma of being exposed to certain things and how kids can process those feelings by talking about them. It’s not just about shootings or violence; it can be anything that’s disturbing or scary for kids, like those weird YouTube videos or violent movies.
What I really love about Mary Jo’s books is that they’re broken down into chapters, making it easier to navigate. She includes questions and prompts for kids to think about, and even coloring pages to engage them in conversation. Sitting down with your child and working through the book together can be a great bonding experience. It’s a big book, with around 60 to 90 pages, but as a clinician and educator, I find it incredibly useful in helping my kids process their thoughts and emotions, so they don’t carry any unnecessary burdens.
I hope this review helps you out. Cheers and take care!
