Book Review
A short overview of this book
Together: A First Conversation About Love by Megan Madison is a beautiful book for toddlers and young children about love, relationships and families.
I am a huge fan of these books, and i think that every family should have all of the board books written by this author.
This is what the publisher has to sya about it.
A beginner’s exploration of love, relationships, and families – the latest in the FIRST CONVERSATIONS board book series, which offers adults the opportunity to begin important conversations with young children in an informed, safe, and supported way.
Developed by experts in the fields of early childhood and activism against injustice, this topic-driven board book offers clear, concrete language and beautiful imagery that young children can grasp and adults can leverage for further discussion.
While young children are avid observers and questioners of their world, adults often shut down or postpone conversations on complicated topics because it’s hard to know where to begin. Research shows that talking about issues like love, relationships, and families from the age of two not only helps children understand what they see, but also increases self-awareness, self-esteem, and allows them to recognize and confront things that are unfair, like discrimination and prejudice.
This fourth book in the series begins the conversation on love with a supportive approach that considers both the child and the adult. Stunning art accompanies the simple and interactive text, and the backmatter offers additional resources and ideas for extending this discussion.
You can learn more on this page, about how to talk to kids about sex education.
Video Transcription
A transcription in case you are more of a reader than a listener
Hey there! I’m Cath Hakanson, and welcome to Sex Ed Rescue.
On my website, Sex Ed Rescue, I help parents find an easier way to talk to their kids about love, sex, relationships, and growing up. One of the things I love doing is reviewing books because, let’s face it, as parents, we have a lot on our plates. But books can make these conversations a natural part of our everyday lives. They can help us navigate those tricky topics that we might not be sure how to approach.
Today, I want to tell you about a fantastic book called Together: A First Conversation About Love by Megan Madison, Jessica Rallion, and Andy Pasch area. It’s part of a series of board books that are just beautiful. If my kids were younger, I would definitely be buying these books.
What makes these books even better is that they provide ways to continue the conversation. They cover topics like healthy sexual development, showing love, grown-up relationships, queer love, when love is hard, nurturing healthy relationships, heteronormativity and resistance, and building a loving world. They give you ideas on extra conversations you can have with your kids.
One thing I really appreciate about this book is the way it explains why it’s important to talk about love and diversity. Our world is diverse, and not every family looks the same. Kids start to notice these differences as they interact with other families and children. They may question whether they’re normal or not. Books like this can help them understand that everyone is different, and that’s totally okay. It talks about what a family is and what love means in a simple and beautiful way.
The book starts off by explaining that everyone in the world deserves love. And the diversity in the illustrations is just fantastic! You’ll see families of all kinds, including a person in prison reading a story to a baby and people dressing up as mermaids. It breaks gender stereotypes and shows that love can take many forms. It even challenges the idea that love is always between a prince and a princess, reminding us that love can be between anyone.
The book also addresses the fact that love isn’t always easy. Sometimes we have fights, but that doesn’t mean we don’t love each other. Feelings can change, and that’s okay too. It even touches on the topic of domestic violence and abuse, which I found surprising but important. Not every family is loving, and it’s crucial for kids to know that if someone hurts them, it’s not because they love them. The book encourages finding a safe place and reminds kids that as they grow older, they’ll have more choices.
The book also challenges stereotypes about what a family should look like. It calls out the messaging we often see in advertisements and movies, where families are portrayed as a mom, dad, and two kids. It shows that families come in all shapes and sizes, with two moms or dads or in different arrangements. It’s all about creating a world where everyone feels included.
I can’t rave enough about these books. They’re truly inclusive, not just in a stereotypical way. The authors have done an amazing job, and I can’t wait for the rest of the series to come out. These books are timeless and will be cherished by families for years to come. Trust me, they’re a must-have for every family’s bookshelf.
I hope you found this review helpful. I don’t usually get this excited about books, but these ones are truly special. So go ahead and grab a copy for your family. Cheers!
