Must Read: "Noni says No". Nominated for an Ontario Library Association Blue Spruce Award

Noni Says No (Tundra Books, February 2011) is nominated for an Ontario Library Association Blue Spruce Award, which brings recently published Canadian children's picture books to Ontario children ages four to seven, from kindergarten to Grade 2. 

Committees of public and school library practitioners select the 10 nominated titles each year, and students must read a minimum of five of those books to be able to vote for their favourite this month.

Noni can do many things: she can give her baby brother his bottle, she can help her mother in the kitchen, and she can even walk over to her friend Susie’s house. But Noni just can’t say “no.” When she was very small, it was easy saying “no” to everybody, but now that she has a best friend, she wants to please. Noni can’t say “no” to her friend, even when it means she has to hand over a precious toy, or when it means agreeing to a hideous haircut, or even giving up her bed at a sleepover. But when Noni finally finds her voice, the consequences are not what she – or the reader – expects.

Heather Hartt-Sussman’s story, complemented by the playful illustrations of Geneviève Côté, is a comforting exploration of friendship and of the importance of trusting one’s own judgment. Many children (as well as many adults) will root for Noni as she learns that you can stand up for yourself and still be a good friend.

What we liked about this book?

 
Sometimes through books you can teach life lessons because most kids love having a book read to them and you can get through to your child about self improvements they may need to make,  teachings of right from wrong and teaching them when to say No.
My son loves saying NO! at the moment but the book was an enjoyable read.

However Noni learns are a hard lesson when she can't say No and to be honest her friend doesn't seem to be a real friend at all.

Noni finally gets the courage to say NO! after her "friend" pulls the last string.

I think even as adults we've all been there.  I know I've been the "Yes" girl when I want to say "No" and sometimes it takes that one little lesson to learn to say No and not be a doormat.  I liked this book and if you have a little girl that has a hard time saying No!, you might want to read this book for her tonight.

I wanted to bring this book to your attention because I know a little girl who could use this.

The official voting date is April.23,12 to acknowledge World Book Day and Copyright Day though voting is open til the April.30/12
Pop over to the Ontario Library Association for more details.