Noni Says No

PreS-Gr 2—Noni can do many things, from tying shoelaces to reciting the alphabet backwards. Yet, no matter how much she wants to tell her friend Susie "no," she always goes along with the girl's suggestions-even when she proposes shaving off all but a single tuft of Noni's hair. Susie, on the other hand, has no trouble rejecting Noni's requests. The impressionistic illustrations perfectly convey Noni's emotions; her embarrassment about her shorn head, her unhappiness about giving in to her friend's movie selection, and her mounting anger over sleeping on the floor while Susie takes her bed will all be apparent to readers. When Noni finally summons the courage to refuse her friend's request, Susie's reaction surprises her, but it is likely to reassure children who find themselves in a similar predicament. This book could generate good discussion about standing up for one's self and handling difficult relationships, including ways to establish and maintain friendships when everyone involved has a chance to react honestly and without fear.—Kathy Piehl, Minnesota State University, Mankato