I recently picked up Irma Joyce’s book Never Talk to Strangers at my son’s latest school fundraiser. Stranger safety is a huge concern of mine. I want my sons to be able to walk to school on their own, to run freely at the park, and to negotiate crowded cookouts without me hovering. I’m doing my best to teach them stranger safety without invoking nightmares. Irma Joyce’s book is a great tool in my quest.
Joyce’s narrative is a read-out-loud rhyme scheme that kept my sons’ attentions. She repeats the line “never talk to strangers” often enough that my sons were filling in the phrase when I started to say it. Their participation in the reading gives me confidence that they are digesting the message. The examples include zoo animals in everyday life situations – someone knocking at the door, an animal talking to you at a store, etc.
She elaborates the message to also include who is appropriate for a child to talk to. I really like this part. One of my sons is shy. If I gave him the chance to talk to no one, he may take me up on it in situations like birthday parties. Joyce defines the difference between strangers and friends that you don’t know yet in a fun, but clear manner. One example she gives is when a friend of yours introduces you to one of their friends.
Joyce paired up with illustrator George Buckett for the visuals. His drawings help drive home Joyce’s message and provide lots of detail for a child’s eye to take in. The images remind me of a calmed-down Richard Scarry book.
As for retention of the content, I asked my sons “can you talk to someone that mommy and daddy introduces you to?” and “if they can talk to someone that mommy doesn’t know in a store?” They answered both questions correctly and then they asked if I would read the book again…always a good endorsement if you ask me.
by Lena Cox, aka MomOfSuperheroes
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Great to know. This is such a hard subject to talk about with kids. As you point out, it’s hard to find the balance between teaching them and frightening them! That said, being a little bit scared is probably not a bad thing either!
Ashley, Thanks for your comment. I’m reviewing a video next week that my kids really love. The target age for the video is 3+. I’ll email you the link when I write the review.
I just found your blog and love it! And thanks for the book recommendation. I struggle with this so much because my little guy is so social which I love about him but also worries me. Thanks for sharing!
Tracy, Thank you. We got that book through the HBBP book fair. I’m sure Wake County library has it as well.
I am a very long time watcher and I just considered I’d stop by and say hello for that 1st time. I genuinely appreciate your posts. Thank you