5 comments about You're All My Favorites.

1. This book is a must have for people who have more than one child. I have three and they all enjoy reading this with me. This book came in excellent condition and in two days like they said it would. Thank you!!



2. We got this book as a gift for our 3yr old daughter, who is soon going to be a big sister. Reading this book reassures her (what we have been telling her all along) that her mommy & daddy would love her and her new sibling just the same. They both would be our favourites. It address the issue that each child is unique and special in their own way, and loved the same by their parents inspite of their differences.



3. We stumbled upon this book in our local Children's book store and absolutely love it. We haven't seen many books that speak to triplets so we're so happy to have found it. It's a fantastic book, beautifully illustrated and exceptionally well written for children. We know it will be a favorite bedtime book for our triplets.



4. My husband bought this book for our 2 1/2 yr old for Christmas. He will soon be a big brother and this was the perfect subject matter. He loves the story and illustrations.



5. Being a big fan of Guess How Much I Love You, I had to get this book the minute it was published. It absolutely did not disappoint.
   
   None of my children are picture book age any more. The youngest is nine years old, the oldest is 27, but they all love this book too. It transcends age.
   
   For my family, it is particularly apropos, as only three of our kids still live at home, and we call ourselves "Team Bear". So a story about three little bears wanting to know who is best, well, it fits us.
   
   With my three little bears (who I actually married into about four years ago), they've often asked me if I liked them best. This book answers the question pretty much the same way I always have, except that I use their eye colors, blue, brown, and hazel. :)
   
   A great and touching book. Sure to be a classic.

5 comments about The A to Z Guide to Raising Happy, Confident Kids.

1. Dr. Jenn's "A to Z Guide to Raising Happy, Confident Kids" is a must read for parents and of course soon to be parents! I have given this book to four new moms, and they all have loved it, and have felt their anxiety about becoming a parent has lessoned after reading Dr. Jenn's insightful, encouraging and practical words. I also highly recommend this book to anyone who works with children and families! I look forward to reading more by Dr. Jenn!



2. As a psychotherapist, I read many books and often make recommendations to clients. This book is at the top of my list. Dr. Berman has done a wonderful job summarizing some of the most important things parents need to know so as to raise happy, healthy, confident kids. I enthusiastically recommend this magnificent, practical, fun, interesting, and easy-to-read book to any parent. It really is a must read!
   



3. This book is so useful, even for Grandmas like me. There is always more to learn about raising a child and these times are so much more complex than the 70s when I did my Mommying. Dr. Jenn makes everything clear and even adds a touch of humor. The separate chapters make it possible to address just one question or you can read it through. I'd recommend this book to everyone who has a child or grandchild in their life or one on the way.



4. I have a ten month old daughter. I want nothing more for this beautiful little girl, than to be happy and confident. Kids are cruel, school can be brutal, and I'm hoping to get her off on the right foot with some self esteem. This book didn't really provide great advice on how to help her achieve that.
   
   This book is more of a comprehensive guide to parenting. Much of the content is things I would have done anyway, sort of common sense parenting to those of us who care enough to read a parenting book. Many of the topics, while relavent to parenting, fail to relate back to the confidence issue I was looking for.
   
   Having said that, there are a few good nuggets. My opinion is that this is a book that would best be checked out from a library, and not necessarily purchased for ones frequent reference.



5. i am finding this book to be full of useful, thoughtful and helful advice. i enjoy dr. jenn's voice and perspective. i am a new parent i am enjoying reading about how to foster trust and openness in my relationship w/my children, and how to encourage their creativity, honesty and conifdence. i am also a seasonsed teacher and found the information and suggestions on sports, diet, and other issues that relate to girls to be especially insightful. i am almost finished reading the book and i look forward to using it as a resource for years to come.
   
   i highly recommend 'raising happy, confident kids!'

5 comments about The Story of Me (Gods Design for Sex).

1. I bought this book to assist me in explaining the facts about marriage,sex and having babies. I admit the book gives an excellent explanation of how life should be, however as a single parent who is divorced,I naturally had to supplement the explanation to my kids because unfortunately their family life experience is nothing like the child's in the book. Their father is only a part of their life sporadically, he left before the last one was born and the first one was only a little over a year old so they have no recollection of "Mummy and Daddy" as a loving unit. Unfortunately, single parenthood is not the odd occurrence, it is unfortunately becoming the norm these days.What I have done is explain to my kids that although the book does not reflect their life, the book reflects how it should be. God intended for it to be how it is described in the book and also I emphasize the point of marriage first, sex after, then kids.
   A good book overall, if prompts my kids to at least ask questions that is even better.



2. I'm not a TOTAL prude, but my NINE-year-old is not quite ready for this book yet, even though it is intended to be for ages 3 to 5.
   
   The majority of the book does talk about just what the baby is doing inside the mother, how he gets OUT, etc., and I'm totally fine with that. I like how they use the proper terminology, although I'm not a huge stickler for that. In our family we use more "childlike" terms, but nothing off-the-wall. It doesn't bother me either way.
   
   But I do NOT feel that a 3-5-year-old is ready for even hints at how the baby got inside the mother in the first place. If the child ASKS for anything beyond "God put him there," that is one thing. But this book plants that idea that there is more to it, and I'm not comfortable with that.
   
   "Then He took a tiny piece of Daddy's body and a tiny piece of Mommy's body, and made YOU!"
   
   "And God made your body private. Mommy and I still help you take a bath, and a doctor might check every part of your body, but except for that your p*n*s and a girl's v*g*na are private. [I'm OK with these sentences but not the next one, not for this age group anyway!] Someday when you marry, your wife will be the only person you won't have to be private with at all."
   
   I do like the fact that bre*stfeeding is expressed as something normal, natural, and good. And as I said, the authors did a great job of explaining what the baby does inside and how he comes out (even a c-section). But because of the 2 sentences I shared, if I were to read this to my child, I would have to do some heavy editing, because my children are not ready for that information yet.



3. This entire series is great for introducing sex in a godly way from a young age. I have found them to be informative, honest and clear about the importance of sex being saved for marriage.



4. My kids are 7 & 10 and I am starting this series with them, beginning with this book. We recently had a baby and this, of course, sparked many questions. They giggled through some of the terminology, but it's important to me that we talk about this within our family so that when they hear "things" from other kids, they'll know the truth and will open up to us about what they've heard. I didn't think that the C-section was too much, as one reviewer mentioned. The author was just covering all of the ways babies arrive. I also did not mind that the book mentions that "Someday when you marry, you won't have to be private with your wife." I explained that the Bible even says that when you marry, your body belongs to that person and that person only! This book is great if you are looking for words to begin conversations about how babies are made, and emphasizes how God made girls and boys different, and both very special.
   
   After this sentence...."Then He took a little tiny piece of Daddy's body and a tiny piece of Mommy's body and made you! That is why you look a little like me and a little like Mommy." My daughter perked up, "Oh! So that's what happened! But I wonder which piece of Daddy God used?"
   
   So on to the next book...



5. Winner of the ECPA Medallion of Excellence Christian Book Award, this is the first of four books in the "God's Design for Sex" series. The authors' intent is to offer age appropriate tools that help parents be proactive teachers and counselors rather than reactive problem solvers. Starting the discussion early prevents having to re-teach errant lessons learned from other sources such as the media, classmates or friends.
   
   This first book shows a boy with his family, a mom, dad and baby sister. He asks to hear his story, the way God made him. Readers listen in as a loving question and answer conversation takes place. The book is packed with information. Here is a basic list of what it teaches. (Quotes come directly from the book.)
   
   * Why are babies born? To be loved by their parents and to grow up and love God.
   * Who can have babies? "God wants only married people to have babies...Sometimes a mother knows she will not be able to give everything her baby needs. This mother might let another mommy and daddy adopt her baby."
   * How are babies made? God "took a little tiny piece of Daddy's body and a tiny piece oif Mommy's body ... God put you in Mommy's womb, or uterus, inside her body." The text also explains: it takes about nine months; while in the mother's womb, the baby breathes and eats through the umbilical cord. This is why we have belly buttons.
   * How do babies get out of their mothers? God made the vagina "so it could stretch just big enough to let you out." But some babies could be in danger if born that way, so their mommies have an operation so they can be born safely.
   * Without the cord, how do babies eat? "Mother's bodies take the food we eat and make part of it into milk that comes out of our breasts. Our milk is the perfect food for a young baby!"
   * How and why are boys and girls different? Boys have penises, and girls have vaginas. "Only girls can become mommies, and only boys can become daddies ... God made all people to love God and make Him happy by obeying His rules." We make God happy when we love Him and love each other. We show our love to Him through obedience; we can show our love to each other "by hugs and kisses, and by taking care of each other."
   * Are all hugs and kisses good? No. "God does not want anyone to take love from you that you don't want to share." Our bodies are private. Mothers and fathers help bathe young children, and doctors may check our bodies, but those are the only exceptions. "Someday when you marry, you won't have to be private with your wife."
   
   Joel Specter served as illustrator for this book. Using a slightly impressionistic style, his pictures offer realistic details, but are also intentionally vague where necessary. A boy's penis is shown twice: once in utero and again immediately after birth. In both cases, it's hardly noticeable and certainly not the focus of the illustration. A girl's vagina is shown just once, while her mother changes her diaper. Again, it's not the focus of the illustration, but it is visible. Also, one illustration shows the mother talking with her older son while breastfeeding her infant daughter. While it is obvious what she's doing, no inappropriate parts are visible.
   
   WHAT I LIKE: I greatly appreciate the concept. What I like the most is the parent guide at the beginning of the book. This part (5 pages long) grounds parents in the need for these conversations and equips them to initiate the conversations without being extremely uncomfortable. There is bound to be some discomfort, but thanks to this guide, it doesn't have to be severe. I also like the illustrations. The artist did a fantastic job with a sensitive topic by keeping the focus on the faces even when other body parts were visible.
   
   WHAT I DISLIKE: The content may be too thorough. I want my kids to have correct information, but I fear the repercussions of them sharing this information with their friends, which is bound to happen with preschoolers. They repeat everything and not always accurately! I'm not sure they need this much at this age. I think the same concepts can be taught without so many specific details. Also, this book caters to traditional families. Children with single parents or other nontraditional guardians may come away with more questions than answers.
   
   Overall Rating: Very Good, but not for every family.
   
   Tanya -- Christian Children's Book Review

5 comments about Lesbian Couples: A Guide to Creating Healthy Relationships.

1. And that's really what this book is--a necessary part of any healthy lesbian relationship. Get it, read it with your partner, try to incorporate its tips into your life, and you will see the difference in your relationship. It covers every aspect of the lesbian relationship from both a personal and a theraputic aspect.



2. This book's advice has been so wonderful and has definitely helped enrich mine and my partner's relationship. I have even suggested this to some of my strait friends and they have benefitted from it's advice as well. The only advice I disagree on is the whole non-monogamy thing that they offer in part of the book as an option, but that's a personal preferance of mine and I am sure to those who prefer open/multi relationships will find it helpful.
   
   This is a definite MUST READ!



3. This book helps seperate the similiarities and differences between lesbian and straight couples. It helps dispel some of the myths and assumptions and helps you look at your own relationship with a new understanding. Fabulous!



4. Though I've always been a bit skeptical about self-help books, I am supremely impressed by "Lesbian Couples." So much so that I have also, like another reviewer, recommended it to my straight friends. Never have I seen such a comprehensive, thoughtful, thought-provoking, and helpful book. Although I did recommend it to my straight friends, I highly appreciated having a book written by and for women loving women. I particularly appreciated the chapters relationship phases, maintaining separate identities, and negotiating conflict.
   
   My partner and I communicate well and have built a strong relationship, but I can already see how little things I picked up on in the book have reshaped our relationship for the better.
   
   I hardly think of books I read as worthy of 5 stars, but for it's comprehensiveness and quality insight into relationships, I can say nothing bad about it.



5. I have had this book for years and I have to say it has help me a lot in learning and now in my new relationship. Its a great base to have the best relationship of your life.

5 comments about My Husband's Affair Became the Best Thing That Ever Happened to Me.

1. No person who has not experienced a partner's unfaithfulness, can begin to understand the incredible pain, humiliation and loss of dignity this brings about. Even the person causing the pain cannot truly understand what his or her actions caused, until he/she reads "My husband's Affair became the best thing that ever happened to me". It is only through reading both Anne and Brian's account of their feelings and emotions that one can learn that each of us, no matter how different, will experience similar emotional pain and often react very similar under these circumstances. The persons causing the pain often have similar reasons for doing what they did.
   
   This book is a must for everyone who goes through such a horrible experience. It helps one to know that our reactions are quite normal and not as the "guilty" party often tends to think, abnormal or over the top. Pain is pain and healing takes time. There is a lot to learn about oneself and one's partner in this book. Read it, ask your partner to read it and find a good councilor to talk to. You too can save your relationship.
   
   Hats off to two courageous people who shared their pain with the rest of the world!



2. I saw Anne Bercht on Oprah. I thought the programme was extremely helpful so I bought the book. The show pointed out that a lot of affairs happen when a marriage seems extremely healthy. This was a big surprize to me.
   
   Generally Anne and Brian had a very good marriage and nice children, you wouldn't have thought that anything would have damaged their marriage. But it happened to them.
   
   The book was extremely gripping because you had the idea that everything would blow over and get sorted quickly, but it didn't, and a lot of drama happened before Brian decided his marriage was worth saving.
   
   This was another surprize that a father could abandon his children and set up with a woman he didn't know that well, and incur huge expenses and pain, when there weren't any major problems like alcohol, drugs, violence or gambling, disability, with his wife or children.
   
   It also showed the horrendous effect Brian's actions had on the entire family. Just when you thought it was unbearable, it became more unbearable.



3. My husband had an affair with a married woman while I was pregnant with his twins. I'm not sure it gets worse that that. This book has really helped me understand the process of healing after infidelity through the eyes of a woman that was strong then devastated and has been there. When I am struggling with the pain I think of this book and I know its OK it will pass.



4. This book was great. It not only helped me with my feelings but it also gave me great perspective. Thanks a lot!



5. Ann and Brian Berchet's book is not only easy to read, but really speaks to the pain of an affair. If you are dealing with this in your life, I truely recommend reading this book. I was able to identify with ann all the way. It's great to know you are not alone. It is very helpful for the person who had the affair as well. It's not one sided and really speaks from the heart.

5 comments about Playing, Laughing and Learning with Children on the Autism Spectrum: A Practical Resource of Play Ideas for Parents and Carers.

1. I found this book to be a great resource. It's a very gentle, child-centered way to promote interactive play with children on the spectrum. The examples are creative and easy to follow and most of the materials you can make yourself. Highly recommended!



2. I thought that this was a great book. it really focuses on younger children, most other books that I have read are geared towards older kids. There were a lot of practical ideas and simple things that you could do with your child.



3. There was some good info in this book, but mostly common sense. I am a early childhood teacher with a child with autism, and most of this is common practice in early childhood. It does give you a reason for the skill difficulty in children with autism, then gives you some ideas. not bad.



4. there are a few good ideas in this book, not exactly for me, but perhaps for others. I always find that it seems that they reach to hard to try and fill these types of books with activities, just take the concepts here and apply to each individual child is what I say!



5. Parents of kids newly diagnosed as having autism are often concerned bout how to interact with their child for maximum effectiveness. Playing, Laughing and Learning with Children on the Autism Spectrum is more than just a book about how to play with such a child: it shows how to break down activities into manageable stages, gain a child's attention, and build on play-oriented achievements for broader impact. Any parent with an autistic child will find this a winning guide, as will educators working with special education kids.

5 comments about Victims No Longer: The Classic Guide for Men Recovering from Sexual Child Abuse.

1. I gave this wonderful book to my husband who is in recovery from childhood sexual abuse by his father. He cried and read , cried and read from start to finish. The book is empowering, healing and filled with truth that heals. I recommend it as an essential read for those in recovery and for those who love them. Kate



2. As a spouse of a survivor, I read this book which also offered advice to partners and spouses. This book gave way too many examples and other info for the first 4 chapters. Most of us already have an idea of what sexual abuse against boys can entail, there were just way too many stories of survivors that were disturbing and difficult to read. It did however give important insight and ways to get help and help yourself but it came along with a lot of unneeded information. If you have the time and patience it is a good tool towards recovery.



3. This is an excellent, straight-forward, sensitive book that deals with a topic that is difficult. It is written so that it can be easily understood and is incredibly helpful to victims as well as therapists who treat them. The author validates the victim's world and encourages the victim to get help and talks about the many males who have survived and are healing.



4. A thoughtful book re sexual abuse of people who are trying to get past the victim ideology. The writer has had much experience in treating these people and his suggestions are helpful.



5. If you or a loved one have been the victim of childhood sexual abuse then this book is an excellent resourcee. It deals primarily with Male Survivors and provides great insight into how coping mechanisms have become a way of life. It allows survivors to carefully examine their feelings and relationship choices in a positive and affirming manner, and begin to make changes to a healty lifestyle. If you have decided to read this book, well done!!! You have taken the first steps to reclaiming your life!

5 comments about Lament for a Son.

1. This book was recommended to me by a wonderful lady by the name of Mary who owns a bookstore in Sandwich, MA on the Cape. I was curious as to how it would fare due to how thin it was but I began reading it immediately. I could NOT put it down. I read it in one sitting as it's very easy to read due to it's journal style. Nicholas Wolterstorff is a master at writing about all the feelings one goes through after a loss. Feelings that leave you scratching your head and wondering how you arrived at them and yet mange to still function as part of society. Feelings that leave you numb and wounded from the heavy burden and pain. Feelings that if you wanted to capture you would struggle to form concise sentences from the sheer overwhelming nature of them. Nicholas manages all of the above and more. He will touch you with his heart-wrenching understanding of grief. I cried, I nodded my head, I marveled at just how much my pain was not only recognized but acknowledged and validated. My pain is still with me, you will never be rid of it nor should you want to be (a notion mentioned in the book) but I have a feeling of peace more so than before I read it. This peace I think comes from not being alone in my pain. And while I wouldn't wish the loss of a child on anyone, I'm so blessed to have had the chance to read Lament for a Son because it has allowed me to feel part of a community of mourners. A community where I am allowed to suffer and grieve, but also clearly be aware of why I suffer and that is because I LOVE. Sadly in the real world we are made to feel we must 'get over' our loss and as a result are outcast in society. Through his words Nicholas Wolterstorff shows just how much of a force death and grief affect the loved ones left on earth. This book is a gift for those in pain from loss and is also a gift for those who want to help family or friends but don't know what to say. My son was stillborn and while this loss is diffeent from losing a 25 year old child, it is still a loss that has forever changed me. Lament for a Son has helped me in my grief, and I hope it helps your pain too.



2. I have not lost a child. In fact, I'm not a parent. So, admittedly, much of the power of this book, as expressed by other reviewers, is simply lost on me. I cannot empathize with the author's experience in any way.
   
   However, I am still glad to have read this compact book. Though one reviewer suggests that it is too academic, it is no such thing. Intelligently written? Yes. Academic? No. Instead, it is a strikingly authentic expression of the pain and suffering that the author experienced immediately after and further past the event of losing his 25-year-old son to a mountain climbing accident.
   
   The greatest asset of this book is the author's brutal honesty. All Christians would do well to follow his example of opening our emotional landscape for God and others to see, rather than somehow trying to stuff our most "unChristian" feelings behind some facade of strength. When things hurt, I am confident that God allows His people to hurt. In fact, Wolterstorff suggests that God hurts with us.
   
   This book is not filled with Christians platitudes, so spiritual sounding but ultimately so silly, that we often offer to each other to try to help with despair. Instead, it sits in that grief, analyzes that grief, admits the brokenness, and still reaches for the comforting hand of a loving God. Especially for those who have lost a child but even for any Christian who wants to learn how to honestly grieve, I recommend this book as worthwhile.



3. This book is such a comfort for anyone who has lost a loved one. I'd recommend it to anyone grieving and their close friends and relatives. The theology and prayer in this book is uplifting.



4. The author really captures his feelings in words. He brings spirituality to real life circumstances. My best friends just lost their 16 year old son very unexpectedly and I bought this book for them. Very relatable.



5. One of the best books I have read for someone who has experienced the death of someone dear to them especially for grieving the death of a child. Wolterstorff's honesty and ability to articulate the worst loss is exceptional. His wound is deep but he expresses hope in the faith that he has in God.

No comments about The Secret of Play: How to raise smart, healthy, caring kids.

5 comments about Talking with Young Children about Adoption.

1. My husband and I both read this book. Although the initial portion was a bit lengthy and exhaustive on the research and imperical data information, the dialogues between parents and children were amazing to read. It was so helpful to prepare for the possible questions that can come up and to find out how other parents responded to their children. We found it expecially interesting to analyze the types of issues that came up for the children adopted under the various circumstances. We both felt that this is imperative reading for any adoptive parents in preparing to be as open and comfortable discussing the topic of their child's adoption with the child. . .and to learn about the various issues that can present themselves at the most unexpected moments. A must-read for any adoptive parent who wants to feel prepared to make his or her child feel reassured and confident about his adoption.



2. I couldn't disagree more with the comment below that this was written by "some over-educated women with too much time on their hands." Actually, I know one of the authors (I used to babysit her three wonderful adopted daughters). I found the book consistent with my experience of her: as a dedicated, sensitive, gentle mother who cares deeply about her children and wants to help adoptive parents learn both from the research about adoption and our personal experiences as adoptive parents. This book is a gem!



3. If you wish some help in how to open conversations on adoption, then this is a good book and it has many examples to see how things may vary with each child and helps to choose what is right for your child.



4. This book could be great if it was edited better. It had some good points but you have to wade through all the words to figure out what they are trying to say. I did enjoy the personal stories on how real people have talked with their children about adoption.
   
   It's good, but it could have been so much better.



5. I have spoken to many adoptive parents over the years and without fail, I always recommend this book. It is a true gem in adoption literature. I found the research appendix at the back fascinating--the authors give findings from adoptees perceptions of adoption from age three to teens. Written by adoptive moms who are also professionals in the mental health field, it is a book that should be on the bookshelf of every parent and professional.