Melanie Notkin

Early Praise for SAVVY AUNTIE

“What a wonderful gift this book is for aunties of all of ages, backgrounds, shapes and varieties! This world is full of child-loving childless women (myself included) and finally we have been given a clever and thoughtful voice of our own. Read this book, embrace it, pass it along: ‘Savvy Auntie’, like the women it celebrates, is destined to be dearly loved.”
Elizabeth Gilbert, bestselling author of Eat, Pray, Love and Committed

“Melanie’s book is invaluable to me as a mom – and as a Savvy Auntie and godmommy myself – because I understand what a gift it is for a child to be loved by so many adoring grownups. On behalf of the kids and moms, thank you, Savvy Auntie!  We love you!”
Tori Spelling, Bestselling author and Actress

“Nothing makes people happier than loving relationships — and in this marvelous celebration of Savvy Aunties’ love for their nieces and nephews, Melanie Notkin shines a much-needed spotlight on a bond that brings so much happiness to so many people.”
Gretchen Rubin, Bestselling author of The Happiness Project

“Savvy Auntie celebrates one of the most precious—and heretofore unsung—relationships on the planet.   I love this book.”
Christiane Northrup, M.D., ob/gyn physician and author of the New York Times bestsellers: Women’s Bodies, Women’s Wisdom and The Wisdom of Menopause.

“Savvy Auntie not only celebrates Aunties, it validates the unique and important role Aunts play in the lives of children who they ADORE.  I highly recommend this book for all Aunties. It provides sage advice and guidance from preparing for the arrival of the baby and safety tips to building nurturing relationships with nieces and nephews throughout their young lives!”
Rosemarie T. Truglio, Ph.D., Vice President, Education & Research, Sesame Workshop

“You’ll be blown away by Melanie Notkin’s expertise on America’s cool aunts, who are over-loved yet overlooked by marketers. If you want to gain the hearts and dollars of these kid-loving, high-spending women, SAVVY AUNTIE is a must read.”
Mary Lou Quinlan, CEO, Just Ask a Woman, author, What She’s Not Telling You

“Here’s a Jewish mother’s secret: having aunties around to love our kids and give us the support we need is priceless. Melanie’s book honors our sisters and friends and I can’t think of anyone more deserving.”
Jill Zarin, Real Housewife of New York and Co-author, Secrets of a Jewish Mother

“Savvy Auntie is not only hugely informative, it’s great fun to read. Give it to all to your girlfriends–they’ll thank you, and so will all their lucky nieces and nephews. A great gift for anyone who loves kids.”
Melissa Kirsch, author The Girl’s Guide to Absolutely Everything

“A joy to read. Savvy Auntie is a fun, comprehensive guide that no Auntie (of any kind) should be without! We can’t wait to buy it for our friends.”
“The Guncles” – Bill Horn & Scout Masterson

“With this savvy guide, Melanie has changed the way we will begin to look at women and family in America. She’s identified the one thing all women – straight, gay, married, single, or partnered – have in common: an unconditional love for the children in our lives. What a gift she’s given her Auntourage.”
Jenny Stewart — Entertainment Journalist, Voted “10 Amazing Gay Women in Showbiz”

Reviews

“A chic guide for new and experienced aunts that establishes their valuable family role.

Challenging the cultural stigma associated with childless women, Notkin creates a distinctive voice that draws attention to the value of an aunt’s role in families. She addresses “every Savvy Auntie—or really, any grown woman—whose life doesn’t fit the two-kids-one-husband-two-car-garage mold,” and cursorily lists all the different types of aunt in an attempt at inclusion. The author addresses an audience that has ample time and resources, most evident in the sections “Gift-Giving Savvy” and “Money and Legal Savvy.” Generous advice on how to cope with pregnancy envy and suggestions on how to increase fertility speaks to a particular group of women. Notkin does, however, include practical information, such as lists of birthing methods, infant care and safety tips. No matter what kind of aunt readers might be, the author urges them to think outside the box when she suggests that new aunts throw a party, “the DebutAunt Ball,” to celebrate their unique role in the family. Advice and lists are sprinkled with witty puns that encompass the evolving role of the aunt and the changing nature of family in the modern era. Notkin ends with discussion points that can be used to bring together a supportive community of Savvy Aunties.

Communal childrearing at its finest.”

“After realizing there were few resources for the non-moms who still share their lives with children, new aunt Melanie Notkin founded SavvyAuntie.com, a community of what she’s dubbed “PANKs:” Professional Aunts No Kids. Her site and new book are filled with smart, frank advice about being a positive aunt for kids. And with guidelines for gift-giving, clothing and size charts, and fun but healthful foods (wontons, potstickers!), we think they’re great resources for anyone with little ones in their lives –parents, grandparents, you name it.” (Better Homes and Gardens, March 2011 issue)

Coping Conversations: My guest is author Melanie Notkin, author of the new book, Savvy Auntie.” We discuss how her personal life led to the writing of the book, how being an aunt is far more important than many people think, and how her practical advice and tongue-in-cheek sense of humor will make this book a best-seller.
Click play button below to listen…

Blogs

Juicy Communications

… And gosh do I wish somebody had given me this book way back when! Melanie Notkin’s “Savvy Auntie”  is the PANK’s guide to life with children. I’ve never seen a book that so clearly defines life with children for those who don’t fit the American mold of as Melanie says “two-kids-one-husband-two-car-garage…” Read on…