5 comments about Making Children Mind without Losing Yours.

1. This is a must read for all parents...even the ones whose kids "mind" or don't think they need to. This book is more about being a good parent and being happy with the end result. It has made such a positive impact on my family, that I have told anyone that would listen about it.



2. ....probably you will see yourself in this book and help your child become all they were meant to be. Help yourself and your kids, give it a read.



3. This is a great book for anyone who wants to know how to get children to understand discipline.



4. This book is for every parent whether their child is difficult to raise or not. Easy read and many examples to help you implement the discipline.



5. Leman does it again. This book tells it like it is and gives us a great alternative to whatever it is we are doing that is not working! I could have done with a few less sports analogies, but overall this is a great, quick read with some very effective techniques.

5 comments about The Five Love Languages of Teenagers.

1. Great resource for parents on how to help your children feel loved and appreciated. Helps to build their self confidence and show them that they are valuable and special. The book has many insights into the teens thoughts and needs at this stage in their lives. I will listen to it over and over.



2. This is such a positive book. If you are struggling with your teen you should learn their language. This book is very rewarding to parents and teens. Love it !!!!



3. I am a probation officer that teaches a parenting class for parents of strong-willed or out-of-control teenagers. I personally believe in this book so much that I purchase them, out-of-pocket, to give to parents who have perfect attendance in my class. This book has helped them not only with their teenagers, but also with all their relationships.



4. In keeping with the invaluable information in his marriage book, the information about how to love someone according to their love langauge has proved to be a great help with my son. He has struggled for years since his dad had an affair and walked out. I wasn't listening to how my son was trying to tell me he needed to be loved. I wish that I had known about this book 3 years ago...it would've made such a difference in how he has dealt with things since the divorce.



5. This was a great book. I would recommend it to everyone who has children, especially teens.

5 comments about Toddler 411, 2nd Edition: Clear Answers & Smart Advice For Your Toddler.

1. This is a great, helpful book! I am a first time mom and my child is now 16 months old. When I am unsure of something, I grab the book and almost always find an answer!



2. had high expectantions after baby 411 and I am not disappointed at all. Easy to understand, lots of relevant information, all of it important at one point or another in our childs progress.



3. This book, just like babies 411, is very easy to read and finding answers to your burning questions is not a problem. Love the was it's written, these laddies approach all problems with a good attitude and a sense of humor. I highly recommend it.



4. I have the Baby 411 book and love it so I wanted Toddler 411 once my daughter grew out of the baby book. I think their books are informative and helpful. Highly recommend!



5. I initially purchased Baby 411 on the recommendation of a friend who is also a mid-wife. When my son hit 12 months, I graduated to Toddler 411. Again, another well-written & well-researched but fun-to-read book.
   
   My favorite part about this series is that when I have what I suppose is an unusual question and think to myself, "This probably won't be in there, but I'll look anyway..." voila! It's there. It's like these authors are reading my mind. Great work.
   
   Kristin Delfau, EA
   The Turbo-Mom's Guide to Saving Money Without Wasting Time
   coming January 2009 from Aji Publishing

5 comments about Where Did I Come From?.

1. When my children (now 34 &32) were beginning to ask the "questions" I purchased many books on the subject. This was by far the best. I have loaned my copies of "Where Did I Come From" and "What's Happening To Me" to many people across the area, and all have found them informative, helpful, and delightful. This one has disapeared from our home library, so I am replacing it now with a copy for my grandson, so that it will be here when he asks the "questions". A must have for all parents!



2. Where did I come from? The question every child asks and every parent feels awkward in answering. Well, that problem is solved once you obtain this gem of a book with hilarious and accurate illustrations. It is just as wonderful now as it was in the 1970's when it was first published, and I read it to my children. Soon I will be reading it to my small grandchildren. Even parents love this book written by the now famous Peter Mayle. Snap it up while it is still in print!



3. My parents gave me this book and the next in the series "What's Happening to Me?" when I was a young girl (10-ish) and had begun asking questions. While I don't think that it is ever an easy conversation for parents and children, this book WITHOUT A DOUBT made it alot easier! I actually remember thinking that if this was how I was made, I was glad I didn't have to learn that directly from my parents mouths!! My questions were absolutely answered. Answered honestly. As I look back I remember that the best part was that it was written in the context of sex being about love. I think that that was the most resounding thing about it. I want my children to see that in these books, and not the clinical definition which never seems to include that. I am buying these for my sons and I have nothing but praise for how they are written and how they make it easier to begin "the conversation'!!



4. I gave this book two stars instead of one because it won't hurt the child if he/she reads it. But it's definitely not what I had in mind for the first conversation with my 8-year-old daughter about how babies are made, and I'm glad I looked at it at the store before committing.
   
   Problem number 1 is that there is too much emphasis on the description of the sexual intercourse and feelings during it. For this age, I would prefer something focused on reproduction and anatomy. The whole book is just a dozen pages, and this part takes up three or four of them! The description is cheesy, silly and just doesn't do the deed any justice ('wiggling' and 'tickling' are the typical words).
   
   Problem number 2 is, as mentioned by other reviewers, that it's very male-centric. There is nothing about where the egg comes from, nor a picture of it. When the anatomical differences are discussed, it simply says boys have a penis and girls don't, end of discussion, and not what girls do have.
   
   Problem number 3 is that the font is too large with small spacing, so I found it hard to read. And I didn't fancy the pictures much.
   
   I also find it kind of distasteful that there is a whole page in the beginning talking about what an embarrassing subject this is and how difficult it is to talk about it. Maybe if sex education books didn't start with warnings like that and dealt with the matter in an age-appropriate manner, it would be much easier.



5. I checked this book out in a local bookstore, and I have to say, I was pretty disappointed in it. I didn't like the overall "masculinity" of the book as a whole. They give names to female anatomy that I don't think are conducive to a child's learning of the physiology of humans, and yet the male parts are given straight forward names. Why do the female ones get slang words instead?
   
   I wasn't happy with the effort put into describing all aspects of sex. Why do children need to know exactly what it feels like, what it looks like, etc? Really, shouldn't they just learn that it's an expression of love and they'll learn the rest soon enough? Don't children have enough on their plates as it is without them having to deal with graphic sexuality at such young ages?
   
   I truly feel the best way to talk to your child about sex is to do just that, talk to them. Don't just go buy some book and hand it to them and expect that to work.

5 comments about Frindle.

1. Frindle is one of the most entertaining kids' books out there because it encourages kids to be bold and creative and wait for big results. I love the way the fun premise turns out to be a sneaky way to teach kids about etymology and the evolution of language. This one goes to the top of the class!



2. I cannot read this book without being charmed over and over again; at my age it is a quick and delightful read that instantly shuttles me back to the golden age of elementary school and that one kid that just had to egg everyone on.
   
   Certainly, there is a lot of teacher-praising going on in this book that might be a little self-fulfilling, but I don't think that lessens the magic much, and what remains is a wonderfully clever tale of the power of determination and creativity.
   
   And over the most mundane of things: what used to be called a pen.
   
   Besides the wildly interesting story, Clements keeps up great character development as his lead wonders just what the price of fame is--gladly, it all ends happily and justly without any forced morals.
   
   No wonder this is a modern kids classic.



3. With a wonderful plot twist not too far from the end, Frindle is an instant favorite with kids of all ages. It's not just about a new word for pen, but about the qualities of all good stories. I wish they sold Frindle T-shirts and hats and pens in the real world... I would buy them!



4. Clements' most popular book! My first introduction to the writing of Andrew Clements was Things Not Seen, which I highly recommend. Although Frindle was written for a younger audience than the "Things" series, I still enjoyed the story and I appreciate the lesson it teaches. Everyone has the ability to make changes happen in the world, no matter how insignificant their impact may seem.
   
   It really is hard to get people to accept a new word when they already have been using another word for the same thing. Reading Frindle, I couldn't help but remember my own language project to eliminate the descriptor "Handicapped" (otherwise known as "the H-word") in reference to people with disabilities. Unlike Nick Allen, I wasn't really trying to replace an existing word but rather eliminate it because it was unnecessary (my main focus was on parking and other signage). Just like Nick, when my letter to the editor was published in our local newspaper, it got responses such as: "show more respect for the dictionary", "stop trying to change our language", "there is no valid reason" etc.
   
   I applaud Andrew Clements for showing that we do indeed create our language, that our language changes and IT'S OKAY! Not only that - I love that Nick tested what he was taught! Very well done!



5. I bought a classroom set of this book and just finished reading it with my 3rd and 4th grade class. When I went to collect the books, half of the class asked me if they could buy the book from me. That has never happened to me as a teacher before. It is a nice, short book with many avenues for discussion and thought, a great way to get kids hooked on reading.

5 comments about The Handmaid's Tale: A Novel.

1. I received the product within 3 business days and the product was in excellent condition.



2. Considered a modern Classic, The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood had been on my must read list for some time now. I checked it out once before from the library and never got past the first couple of pages before I had to return it. I probably should have left it at that, because I'd rather be wishing I read it, then feeling the keen sense of disappointment like I do now.
   
   The story is narrated by Offred- not her real name; which I'll get to later- in the first person. Technically I don't mind first person. There are quite a number of books I've truly enjoyed from that POV. However, for this book, it didn't work for me. Even though it was written from the most intimate of narratives, I still felt like I was watching from afar. None of Offred's true feelings came through to me, which frustrated me completely, because this story demands that we connect with the character.
   
   Here's the lowdown;
   
   The story is set in the not too distant future where a totalitarian state is in control and the women are treated shamefully- right down to forcing the women to wear oppressive clothing.
   
   Something has occurred- which is never quite clear to me- where the nation's birth rate is nil and many women are unable to have children. (The author hints at a nuclear war but she also hints at the low birth rate trend.) Of course, the men in control blame it on the women and not their own sterile likelihood and have set up a system to alleviate the problem.
   
   Enter The Handmaids. They are women who have been ripped from their families- families from 2nd marriages after divorces and "living together" unions- neither of which are valid in the new States' laws.
   
   These women have given birth to children in the past and are therefore considered an effective tool to alleviate the world "problem". They are reprogrammed and subjugated into becoming the "handmaid" for leaders who are unable to begat children on their wives- much like what happened in Biblical Old Testament times when women were barren.
   
   The new names for The Handmaid's are given to them at the time of their programming and they are a connected to the Commanders they will eventually be given too- names such as Of-glen, Of-warren, and for this narrative, Of-fred.
   
   The premise of the book fell apart for me because it was a little too obvious and preachy, and, to make things worse, I couldn't follow Atwood's style of writing. It also seemed scattered and disjointed- which I believe is why I couldn't connect with Offred.
   
   As scary dystopian fiction, this book's as good as any- it's a frightening world Atwood conjures up. However, I'm giving this one 2 out of 5 because it fell flat and failed to hold my interest- I ended up skimming two chapters towards the end!



3. Cambridge, England, June 25, 2195.
   
   Professor James Darcy Pieixoto discusses the findings of a manuscript titled "The Handmaid's Tale" which in its pristine state consisted of a metal footlocker, US Army issue, circa perhaps 1955--an account of the Gilead regime, city of Bangor, somewhere in Maine.
   
   The author's identity can't be authenticated, but her tale is compelling.
   
   "I'm sorry there is so much pain in this story. I'm sorry it's in fragments, like a body caught in crossfire or pulled apart by force. But there is nothing I can do to change it."
   
   The President of the US and the Congress are all assassinated. The US Constitution is revoked. A matriarchal society ensues, where polygamy is justified for the sake of fertility.
   
   The oligarchy in control, most of which is sterile from radiation can acquire "handmaids" for purpose of procreating. The wives rule the house and submit and attend a fornication ritual so that their husbands can reproduce.
   
   The account is by Offred, a handmaid.
   
   She may leave the home of her lord and his wife once a day to walk to the food market. She must lie on her back once a month and pray her commander gets her pregnant, because in a republic of declining births, Offred and the other handmaids are valued only for their ovaries.
   
   Offred recounts the years before , when she lived and made love to her husband, Luke. When she played and protected her daughter that was given away to a powerful commander. When she had a job, money of her own, and access to knowledge.
   
   "The Fall was a fall from innocence and knowledge," she tells.
   
   Margaret Atwood has created a masterpiece that brilliantly interconnects politics and sex--just like Orwell challenged us in 1984, so will our minds be challenged--and forewarned-- again in Atwood's "Handmaid."



4. This book was written very well. I had the creeps while I was reading it. It reminded me of the movie "Children of Men" and the book "The Giver". The entire time I was reading this book, I kept thinking of a certain female vice presidential candidate. I am afraid that she would love the form of government that is described. This is a short read. Give it a whirl.



5. It was very well written, with imagery so vivid that it was at times disturbing. However, the ending ruined the entire book for me. I had never read anything by Atwood before, and I never will again. What a letdown!

5 comments about 10 Days to a Less Defiant Child: The Breakthrough Program for Overcoming Your Child's Difficult Behavior.

1. Excellent book to reduce defiant behavior. By following the suggestions, our child improved within a week and each week we see further improvement.



2. We just learned our 7 year old daughter is considered "strong-willed" and found this book to be the easiest read on the subject. It contains practical information and is written in such a way as to keep our interest. It is not bogged down with a lot of psycho babble which makes us crazier than we already are! Highly recommend you take a look at this book if you have a child in this category.



3. Being the parents of a 14 year old girl heading to high school and an 11 year old ADHD/ODD boy about to start middle school, we need all the help we can get. We fear that our son's ODD will eventually morph into conduct disorder and are willing to try anything to save him (and us) from that. Also, we have been feeling the pain of a defiance issue forming with our daughter as she enters her teenage years. Our home has been a literal battleground nearly every day for years now.
   
   We purchased this book with high hopes of bringing some peace to our home and we have not been disappointed. We started seeing real results around Day Three. It's amazing how real world advice and insight into our own behaviors has brought about such dramatic results! With our new parenting techniques and a lot of prayers, we plan to keep peace in our lives. Thank you Dr. Bernstein!



4. My 8 year old son is a defiant child. I've known it since he was born. I was always envious when I saw other parents with their children that seemed calm and happy. We lived our lives in constant stress, always ready for the next "scene" when my son would say something rude or hit his sister or even hit or push me. My husband and I wanted so desperately to be happy, but we just couldn't get through to our son.
   
   I cried many times as I read through this book because it describes exactly so many situations that we live through on a day to day basis. I always thought I was alone in this and it would be a lifelong struggle to try to raise a kind, responsible boy... a struggle that I wasn't sure I would be successful at.
   
   I am not yet through the entire book, but I feel compelled to write a review because it has changed my life. From the first day that we started implementing the author's suggestions, my son improved. After a week now, we are a different family. We are happy most of the time. There is no more screaming and little crying. We are talking! The book has not only taught me about my son, but also has helped me to reflect on my own choices, thoughts, and actions (which is perhaps the most difficult aspect of all) and has taught me a lot about myself.
   
   The book gives excellent explanations and examples without being preachy or long-winded. I highly recommend this book to anyone dealing with a defiant child.



5. Excellant book to help with a defiant child. Good information for practical use.

5 comments about A Man Named Dave: A Story of Triumph and Forgiveness.

1. As I read this book, I was so captivated and distraught at times. It touched me to the core and made me cherish and value life more. This is the last book of the trilogy by David Pelzer and the ending couldn't have been more befitting. How a beautiful family is destroyed due to the alcoholism of the parents stands at the core of this really brutal tale. If it was a work of fiction, one might just dismiss it, but the fact that a mother could be so brutal to her son, is just so very incomprehensible! The fact that the tragic life of Dave ends in triumph gives immense satisfaction to me as a reader. It's simply amazing how he survives through sheer determination and immense will power and eventually triumphs.
   The most poignant lesson here is the human ability to forgive. And Dave does forgive his mom in the end, thereby making him a `real' man. His challenges in life did not leave him bitter and resentful, in fact they compelled him on a greater course in life whereby he helped millions of kids who have suffered like him.



2. This book is the conclusion to a trilogy written by Dave Pelzer. The other two were A Child Called "It" and The Lost Boy. All three are touching stories that arouse a range of emotions and are filled with the unbelievable horrors of child abuse and its aftermath.
   
   This book provides flash backs to Dave's physical and mental abuse at the hands of his mentally ill mother, his rescue by school teachers, his life in and out of foster and juvenile homes, his escape and success to and with the air force, getting to know his biological family, his struggle learning social skills, coping with the death of his father, living with and marrying a woman he did not love, becoming a father, learning to trust, helping others, forgiving his mother, finding love, and succeeding as an author and "speaker."
   
   David Pelzer's story as a survivor of one of the most horrific cases of child abuses ever documented is a must read for people of all ages and backgrounds who come into contact with children to recognize and help prevent this kind of crime to humanity.
   
   Dave's ability to describe and articulate his fears and feelings have touched the heartstrings of teachers, medical providers, police, social workers, legislators, parents, and numerous other people in our communities and have undoubtedly saved the lives of thousands of children.
   
   Thanks for bearing your soul Dave, you touched our heart and saved precious lives!



3. The book is just as good as expected after the first 2, if not better.



4. It was very exciting to find out how his adulthood went for him. I give Dave a lot of credit for forgiving his mother after all she put him through. God bless this man for sharing his life story. Hopefully, this will help other abuse victims out.



5. I have to admit that his books are compelling but I didn't think they were convincing. There were a lot of unanswered questions and non enough substantial information to make it real to me.

5 comments about The Dance of Anger: A Woman's Guide to Changing the Patterns of Intimate Relationships.

1. was just a bunch of stories and told me nothing I didn't know already. It was okay as a one time read but not something you can read over and over. Might be good for some but I wasn't impressed.



2. This book has changed my life and the way I now see all of my relationships. The first chapter however is a little bit of history and to me seemed a little "pro-women". Once you get through that chapter the rest of the book is wonderful. Easy example and serious is explained and can be interpreted into your own life. It really opened my eyes in a lot of areas of my life. It actually showed me that what I thought was other emotions was actually anger and that the patterns I was in were causing it. I have re-read the entire book (minus the first chapter) twice now, and highlighted important thoughts, example for a refresher when needed! I would recommend this book and have actually bought a few friends there own copies to help them! If you haven't read it, I would say start reading now! I know the first time I read it I couldn't put it down! Life changing read!!!!



3. Dance of Anger is the most important book I've ever read in my life. It helped me get through a very challenging time, and I read it again every once in a while just to revisit its important lessons. If you have anger, read this book!



4. The Dance of Anger took me by surprise with its clear descriptions of anger in women and its causes, manifestations, and consequences when not handled in a healthy manner. This is a book to which all women can relate and that I believe may even benefit many men to read. I almost drained my highlighter marking all of the lines I wanted to remember and revisit.



5. I was going to a counselor trying to wade through the emotions that were crippling me. How can such strong emotions create such paralysis? I found myself writing down almost every word she said. Where did she get such fresh truth that I needed? I asked her, "Can you recommend a book that will help me? For instance (pointing to the notes I was scribbling as she spoke) where did you get this information?" The Dance of Anger, by Harriet Lerner was her response. I left the session, went to the bookstore and found it! $10 at the time--a paperback dynamo full of challenges to change the Dance! Warning: it's true. You change the dance and you're in for a fight--but that fight might save your life.

3 comments about French Milk.

1. I am very interested in travel, anything French especially Paris as I have not yet been and have always been interested in comics and cartooning so this book was a real treasure to find. I liked the simple style and also the musings on everyday things in life. I felt like I was on this trip with Lucy and her mom. I am planning on using it as a bit of travel guide, for when I finally make my trip, also as a mother/daughter team. I would love to read more books by her...how about one set in NYC - my favorite place in the world!



2. The Glass Castle author Jeannette Walls once told me that memoir should be universal, and I've kept that in mind ever since when I read them. What I think she meant is that while a memoir is specific to the storyteller in the details, anyone should be able to relate to it, somehow. As I read Lucy Knisley's French Milk, I was struck by her storytelling, but also her age, use of photography, and that I could never write such a book, though I too have traveled to Paris with my mother.
   
   The fact that her divorced parents are on good terms, a fact she casually drops in, resonated with me, especially when her father comes to join them for a brief visit during their six-week trip. This would never happen in my divorced family, and it made me, briefly, jealous--again, this goes back to Walls's maxim; my life circumstances may not be the same as Knisley's, but hers caused me to reflect on my own. She also exhibits a particular pride and faith in her work (with the occasional doubts), one that I still struggle with in my early thirties. Her dedication to her art and the creation of this book are apparent. Other moments are brief but powerful, such as going up the Eiffel Tower on a particularly windy day, where Knisley writes, "You could feel the tower move in the wind and see the birds blown off course."
   
   I was torn as to the value of the photographs she included; at first, I thought there was something unfair about it, but then I came upon one of her kissing a wall and realized there was no other way to capture that moment, at least, not so thoroughly. The photos are used sparingly, without comment, filling in gaps in her story, fleshing them out and creating what feels more like an intimate scrapbook than a memoir, albeit an accessible one.
   
   French Milk is a travelogue, and as such, sometimes the details of each meal become less interesting toward the end. But it's Knisley's personality, and little details that make this book so charming, whether it's the odd characters she meets or her feeling low on a particular day or railing against a piece of bad art, going so far as to name the artist, who's made a rendition of Paris Hilton, by name.
   
   I finished the book a bit jealous of Knisley's closeness with her mother, and impressed that she managed to finesse both the details and the bigger picture, a portrait of a young woman just starting out in "the real world," but taking a detour to a city full of pastries, lush dinners, cemeteries, art and adventure before she does so. French Milk will appeal to Americans who've, like Knisley, fallen for Paris, and those looking to recapture their college traveling days. As for me, I'm giving a copy to my mom, and hope that our travels are as fruitful.



3. French Milk is ADORABLE! We get to see Paris through the eyes of Lucy Knisley, a smart, funny, self-revealing, and thoroughly likable young artist. As Lucy and her mother explore Paris together, Lucy draws, photographs, and describes what she sees and feels. This is not a gaspy love letter to Paris, but a very intimate portrait of a young woman trying to find her way in the world. I lived in Paris for one summer as a young student (20 years ago!) and it was so interesting to compare Lucy's observations with my own. I particularly enjoyed her list of "Strange things about our apartment," her descriptions of the food they ordered, and her honest reactions to frustrating travel experiences. Thanks, Lucy for a terrific book--I hope you'll write many more!