Noni Says No

Noni #1

by Heather Hartt-Sussman, Geneviève Côté (Illustrator)

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.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Friendship, Fiction

24 pages, Hardcover

First published February 8, 2011

About the author

HEATHER HARTT-SUSSMAN, born in Montreal, graduated from Brandeis University and attended the Sorbonne. She has been a copywriter for BCP in Montreal, a reporter for the Hollywood Reporter, editor-in-chief of international news for TV Guide in French Canada, columnist of the popular “Heather Hartt in Hollywood,” and host of E! Entertainment Television’s The Gossip Show. Nana’s Getting Married is her first book. Heather Hartt-Sussman lives in Toronto with her husband, sons Scotty and Jack, and the family dog.

Reviews

[Lara · Rating 2 out of 5]

An important lesson about standing up for yourself, even with friends. The execution of the story falls a little short, though. It might be a good book for kids who have trouble standing up for themselves (and adults too, might see themselves in Noni) but at the same time, it might be a bit too long for littler ones. As a storytime book, it'd be a hard one to keep my usual crowd focused on. The illustrations are cute and there are silly moments, but not many - more of a lightly serious picture book, I'd say.
Where it really falls short is that there's not really much conclusion. Noni says No once to her overbearing friend, it's ok, but that's it. Where does she go from there?
In all, an OK book, probably best for those who need a little boost standing up for themselves.

[writer... · Rating 4 out of 5]

Letter 'N' for the November THANKSGIVING Letter Challenge . A great Canadian duo of writing and artwork. Enjoyed!

[Elizabeth]

"Noni can do lots and lots of things. [...] The only thing Noni can't seem to do is say no." is how this book opens.

I like that it makes clear that an inability to say No doesn't make you a failure as a person, etc.

It goes on to say that "When Noni was much younger, she had no trouble saying no. [...] But now, if her friend Susie asks to sleep over, Noni says yes, even though she sometimes wants to say no."

Susie is clearly kind of a bossy boundary-pushing kid (she felt very familiar to me, and I really felt Noni's struggle).  She also has no trouble saying "no" herself, but Noni still can't bring herself to say "no" to her.

Finally, Noni has had enough and "digs down deep, braces herself, inhales, and gets ready for the confrontation, the showdown, the fight to end all fights. And in her biggest, bravest voice she finally says it: NO!"  And Susie is totally okay with it.

It doesn't feel like an entirely believable ending to me, but I do appreciate that the story helps us really feel Noni's struggle and also brings Noni to a point where she finally can say "no" and is rewarded for that.

The illustrations are good -- the characters are very expressive.

[Carol · Rating 3 out of 5]

This fell short for me. I was really hoping Noni would get more practice at saying no, especially for the reader's sake. As in, show us what it looks like to say no in different settings. Noni explodes in one big No, and the reader is left wondering if Noni will go back to being steamrolled by her obnoxious friend. I would have loved to see Noni handling her emotions better, and being assertive in a healthy way.

[Lynn Davidson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Noni used to be able to say no, but now she finds it hard to say no, especially to her friend Susie. Whatever Susie asks for she says yes, even when she wants to say no. That gets her into a fine mess! One day Noni has had quite enough and when Noni finally says no it doesn't turn out the way she worried it would. Nicely illustrated.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is filled with easily relatable examples of when kids might want to say no; but feel like they have to say yes to be polite. Like sharing certain toys, letting others cut your hair, or having a sleepover. The main character knows her own boundaries but let's her friend cross them. Then she feels upset about it. In the end she gets the courage to say no and stand up for herself.

[Kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

Noni can do a lot of things on her own, but she can't tell someone "No". She often wants to say "no" but she is not good at confrontations so she always says yes. Finally, one day she had enough with her friend's bad behavior and was finally brave enough to say it.

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book to talk about SEL

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought it was great, until the end (fell flat). My 3.5yo son liked it too

[Jen · Rating 3 out of 5]

A sweet and valuable story about setting boundaries, standing-up for yourself and not letting things fester. Noni often wants to tell her friend Susie "no"--like when she wants to borrow her special doll, or wear her favourite dress, or watch the same movie for the thousandth time. Susie, on the other hand, has no trouble whatsoever saying no. In fact, Susie is a bit of a bossy-pants and convinces Noni one memorable day to cut all her hair off...and this is where the trouble begins. An excellent read-aloud with primary students.

[Tricia · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sometimes children have difficulty saying "no"...and if a parent is trying to work through this type of situation, this book may be a good starting point. Susie takes advantage of Noni and until she is fuming mad, she cannot stand up for herself. Not one I'd choose for storytime but one to recommend if situation warrants.

[The Library Lady · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is the sort of thing I hand out as "bibliotherapy". But having had a child with this sort of problem at my house, I can tell you that I doubt if this would've helped. And where is Noni's mother, keeping Suzie from bullying her child like this? The bit where she cut and dyed Noni's hair would've been my breaking point, I can tell you that!

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good choice for guidance counselors and others who work with students with self-assertion issues. Charming illustrations capture the engaging protagonist who does eventually learn to stand up for herself with her friends.

[Kristin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Book about teaching your child the consequences of being a doormat. Not serious, mostly funny. A little overlong.

[Mike · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great story about how sometimes it is a good thing to say "NO", even if it is to your very best friend.

[Stefani · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book about finding your inner strength and standing up to a friend.

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sometimes it is ok to say no.

[Franki Sibberson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good simple story about learning to stand up for yourself.

[Shelli · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great story of a little girl who can't say "no" even when she really wants to... and really should. Great way to show your young children that it is o.k. to say no.

[EL · Rating 3 out of 5]

Noni learns to assert herself with an overbearing, rude friend.

[Andrea · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very simple book about a little girl who learns how to stand up for herself and say 'no'.

[Heidi-Marie · Rating 2 out of 5]

The lesson I get from this is learning to not be a push-over. But I also think what a jerk of a friend Noni has. Not at all what I was looking for in my RA search.

[Kimberly Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

My daughter enjoyed the message and it was a good conversation starter about standing up for yourself. She recognized that Susie was not a good friend.

[Danielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yes! Yes! Yes! This book IS my childhood, except I never learned to say no. If only I had been more like Noni.
This book is extremely important for children of all ages.

[Debby Baumgartner · Rating 3 out of 5]

When is it okay to say "no'? Nona has trouble saying no to her best friend.