5 comments about Amy Butler's Little Stitches.

1. Great ideas and pics in this book. I am in the process of making three of the projects. THe instrucions are easy to follow and not to mention her material is terrific.



2. This little book will not disappoint. It is filled with beautiful pictures and patterns for any skill level - and, oh yes, inspiration! This book has truly taken my sewing and crafting to the next level. Once you make one of Amy's projects, you realize that you now have the tools and techniques to put the pattern aside and create something of your own. Wonderful, wonderful book.



3. This book is everything you hope...and more! Amy Butler is known for her beautiful fabric and fresh ideas but I have a stack of her books on my shelf that I have loved to look at, but have never been inspired to make something from immediately. This book is the complete opposite! Each project is one that you will really want to make and is full of patterns, not just ideas. The projects themselves are unique and are not basic items that you could figure out on your own. I made the soft book for a baby shower gift and it was a huge hit! The kimono pj's are next on my list. You will love this book!



4. This is a wonderful book - lots of great ideas, the pictures are beautiful, and the patterns are clear and easy to use. My warning - when I made the kimono pj's, I found that the pants pattern did not allow enough room for a diaper. I have substituted another pattern I had on hand for the bottoms, and just love it now. Everything else I've made up has been just great. I can't wait to make the cheeky monkey bag!!



5. I have been a big Amy Butler fan for quite a while and this book did not disappoint. Very cute projects.

5 comments about Playful Parenting.

1. This book is wonderful! This is the first parenting book I've read that actually increased the joy in the house. I've been having more fun than I thought possible with my one very easy and one tempermental child.
   
   The book contains really specific suggestions, like what to do in uncomfortable play situations such as when your child points his pretend gun at you. (tell him it's a love gun and it makes you fall in love with him).
   
   Also, the book empathizes with the difficulty for a serious minded adult when it comes to being silly, and provides needed encouragement for being silly.
   
   I have bought probably 20 books on parenting thru amazon, but I've never been tempted to review one before. usually they just aren't worth talking about. Not bad books, just not helpful for our difficult situation.
   
   Now that mommy is silly, the six year old is soo much happier. And it seems to be working. We are more connected, and as a result the tempermental one is calmer.



2. I've read many parenting books. I've haven't finish this one yet because I'm reading every chapter at least 2 times. It's giving me another ideas (Very good ideas) to connect and know my children. I follow some of its sugestions and worked for me. I really recommend it.



3. This is one of just a couple of parenting books that I keep coming back to because its advice not only resonates with my parenting instincts, but offers solutions that work for my family. Playing in the way described in this book, and other ways, helps me stay connected with my child. Being connected makes life together more joyful and easier.



4. This is a GREAT book. I have put some of the tips to use and can already see a difference in my relationship with my kids. I try to make them laugh everyday now. This book gave me SO MUCH insight that I so needed as a parent. The only thing I thought the book was missing was maybe some summary points/suggestions at the end of each chapter. All of the tips are within the stories and it is hard to remember them so I need to get a notebook to write everything I want to remember down. I am a fast reader and this book is taking a long time for me to read to absorb it all.
   But a great book, full of wonderful advice and a great price. I will go back to and read again and again. Highly recommend!



5. Both my husband an I find the book very helpful as a reminder of the magic of play even though we were already playing A LOT with our children. Insightful suggestions from a clinical perspective

5 comments about First Meals (New Expanded Edition).

1. I love this book. I was irritated about the poor reviews that said this book "lacks substance" or complaints that the recipes aren't realistic, or whatever their issues are. They obviously didn't read the same book or are too lazy to make the recipes. Since that's the case: There's always jarred baby food.
   
   The point of this book is for parents who want to make their baby's first foods so they have more nutritional and healthful values rather than opting for the harmful additives in jarred baby foods. Yes, it will take more time to make the foods but it's worth it for the health of your baby.
   
   I was pleasantly surprised with this book. Not only does it cover baby's first foods but goes up to age 7 with tasty recipes that the whole family can enjoy together. It even shows colorful pictures of completed food dishes with smiley faces and edible hair (angel hair pasta) to make the food more enticing for your little one (since they tend to be picky sometimes).
   
   The book even goes above and beyond by sharing extra details about exactly when to start feeding your baby solids and what solids to start with (and which to avoid). It even tells you why your baby should only drink boiled tap water and to never give your child bottled water because of the high levels of sodium.
   
   This book is highly recommended for those who want to do the best for their baby.



2. If you really are interested in preparing your children's food because you are sick to death of all the unhealthy garbage that proliferates prepackaged food then this book is for you. If you are just wanting something easy, then it probably isn't. Other reviewers scoffed at using semolina, etc but these ingredients are actually relatively easy to find. The trouble is most of us have just gotten so complacent that we don't move beyond our norm. Also, this kindsof ingredients are much healthier for your child & for me, at least, that was the whole purpose of making her baby food! You don't have to do all the "fancy" presentations the author use, but it certainly makes it fun for your toddler and they can also assist you in preparing the food. The whole point is to get our kids eating better and this book is a great tool for that.



3. First of all, I bought the book Superfoods as well ( that one has the same basic recipes, but with gorgeous illustrations) and my review for that book will be the same.
   The plus side to both books is that Annabel Karmel is very creative. I mean very. She makes food so presentable to children ( esp toddlers)and very fun to make ( if you have the time). She even gives some accurate nutritional info about the importance of garlic, ginger, and other herbs/spices in a person's diet ( however, she fails to mention that some children have stomach problems after ingesting garlic).
   Where she goes WAY off is with her general nutritional information. For example, she recommends microwaving foods ad says it is not harmful. FALSE It depletes anything that it cooks of all nutrients. She goes on to mention the importance of including beef, pork, and poultry in a infants diet. In the China Study, which is the most comprehensive study ever done on nutrition in both America and abroad, it was discovered over 27 years of research that all meat ( excluding fish) and dairy are the main ( yes MAIN) contributers to cancer and a host of other problems that are affecting society. On top of that, most meat ( even if it says 'free range') has horrific hormones added to it, and the cattle/pigs/poultry eat poor quality, genetically modified ( on cheap farms) grass and corn. As far as providing adequate protein, calcium, and iron for our little ones, there are plenty of fortified cereals for infants, and veggies such as broccoli have lots of absorbable protein and calcium ( and spinach is a great source of iron).
   Even if you could care less about the impact that our consumption of meat and animal biproducts has on the environment, think about your child eating meat that came from an unhealthy, abused and hormone laden animal that has been eating ground animal waste ( no joke). It is not a pretty or healthy picture.
   Please do your research before giving your children meat and dairy, and be sure to find out if your child has any allergies to soy or wheat.
   Books I recommend for you begin your research:
   The China Study
   Vegetarian Mother and Baby
   Super Baby Food
   The Petit Appetit Cookbook
   Fast Food Nation
   Quantum Wellness
   Skinny Bitch ( a humorous book for moms that has excellent and well researched health info)
   Simply Natural Baby Food



4. I've made several of the recipes for my 10 month old. He has liked every one of them. They aren't too difficult to make, and the ingredients are simple. I can go to the store without a list, and generally remember what I need to get for a recipe.



5. This book was just what I was looking for! Great, easy, tasty recipes. My one year old has enjoyed the recipes I've made from this book, a nice change from the usual. Wonderful advice about the different stages and how to get picky eaters to eat their veggies! Would highly recommend to moms and dads who are looking to provide a healthy alternative to store-bought pre-packaged foods.

5 comments about The Five Love Languages for Singles (Chapman, Gary).

1. I enjoyed the book. It was light, easy to read, apply, and understand. I plan to use it for all relationships in the future
   
   Tiffiney R. Bradley
   Author of Shine and Inspirations



2. I learned about "The Five Love Languages" from a former coworker who found it incredibly helpful in his marriage. Not being married myself, I purchased this version for singles.
   
   I have recommed this book (or the original) to just about everyone I know and a many I don't!
   
   The concepts are so simple but yet profound. Understanding the primary love languages of my friends, family and even coworkers has been very helpful and has strengthened our relationships.
   
   The only negative feedback I would give is in regards to the Physical Touch chapter... it isn't until then that you truly realize this is a Christian book! I deeply respect Mr. Chapman but think he should know that people have pre-marital sex and it is not a sin! Aside from that, this (or the original) is a MUST READ!!!



3. Very insightful, a quick read with lots of "real life" scenarios. I think all can benefit from reading this book in some way.



4. Great book. I read the version for married people when I was married. This one applies just as well for singles. Great refresher!



5. I have read several of Gary Chapman's books, and I think I like this one the best. Communication is the key for any good and successful relationship and The Five Love Languages For Singles really addresses this key area in great detail. This book isn't all about romantic relationships. It also addresses friendships, work relationships, parent-child relationships as well. Learning how to express oneself and even more importantly, understanding what others are trying to express is so vital in every part of everyday life. This is an excellent book.

5 comments about Safe People: How to Find Relationships That Are Good for You and Avoid Those That Aren't.

1. I was looking forward to reading this book and when I started to read it I realized it was a religious book disquised as a different type of book. I am very disapointed and might send it back. Be aware.



2. The first part of the book was okay, as it outlined the types of people who are "unsafe", but it completely wimped out on the reader. The authors give no solutions for improving relationships or finding safe people.
   
   I expected that the book would be a lot more practical, and it just wasn't. It was very clinical and dry. Additionally, I find some of the concepts a tad spiritually "iffy". They seem to play fast and loose with scriptures, applying scriptures to situations that would have benefitted from any number of different scriptures. It was weird. His interpretation of scripture was a little odd. Also, most of they said was not backed up with a lot of scripture when you really evaluate it.
   
   Also, it was poorly written. The sentence construction was poor. Technically it was correct, but overall a hindrance when you have to read a sentence three times to figure out its point. They just aren't versed in the art of writing.
   
   In all a really dull and uninspiring read. Not at all helpful. I wish I had something better to say about it, but I don't. It was disappointing and forgettable.



3. This book is straight forward, easy to read, and ideal for anyone who has ever been in an abusive relationship, abandoned, had a troubled childhood, or just plain has issues connecting w/ people or maintaining relationships. It also sheds light on the common myth that being alone is better, or being alone is the only way to be close to God. When relationships go bad/end sometimes it's not you, but sometimes it is, and this book will help you clear up which it is, when, and how to fix it either way. Great book. Highly recommend it.



4. I believe everyone would benefit from reading this book. Discover ways to improve your relationships by becoming a "safer" person and also learn to see how others may be toxic in your life. I really enjoyed this book because I love to learn about different behaviors in people which always lead to being able to help others in their time of need. The one thing I wish the book touched on that it didn't was what to do with unsafe people that you are "stuck" with, ie. family, not spouse. The only advice it gave was to proceed that relationship with caution...still, great advice.



5. Cloud and Townsend, authors of the classic relational book "Boundaries," offer a wealth of insight here on developing healthy Christian relationships. They distinguish between safe and unsafe people, listing three categories of the latter: abandoners, critics and irresponsibles. They then continue to describe the character traits of unsafe people, and their interpersonal traits. Part two of the book asks the question, "Do I attract unsafe people?" The authors explore why so many of us get into unsafe relationships. In part three, safe people are portrayed, and the need of them explained. They close with a chapter on deciding whether or not to repair or to replace a relationship that is unsafe.
   
   The portion of this book I found the most helpful was the valid point that churches do not always contain safe people. Many people in churches are unsafe, and some churches themselves are unsafe. The great need is for Christian discernment, and the authors provide insight in that regard.
   
   I loved this book. I recommend it highly to anyone seeking to build healthy relationships that strengthen one another in Jesus Christ.

5 comments about Ten Stupid Things Women Do to Mess Up Their Lives.

1. If you consider this book as nothing more than "common sense", count yourself as blessed - some of us actually needed to hear it. I bought this book at a major turning point in my life and it changed the way I looked at my future. Dr. Laura is "technically" right on almost all moral points but she does, at times, lack grace which, I admit, bothers me. And yet, at other times, I have heard her exhibit heartfelt compassion to her callers. But anyway, it is not for me to determine the motives of her heart; I can only say her advice is sound and her standard is truth.



2. I think every woman of all ages should read this book. It is interesting to read, simple to understand, and so true.



3. I don't know. I bought the book as a gift and haven't spoken to the recipient since. Personally I loved the book myself



4. I bought this for my sister and she loved it. I think it is good and I would recommend it to anyone who loves the character from the Gone with the Wind book.



5. Ten Stupid Things Women Do to Mess Up Their Lives
   
   This book is ok. She certainly needs to have someone proofread and spruce up her writing. She said some things that might help some women who are in dire straights and think they don't know what to do. This was kind of common knowledge for me though. More of a reiteration of what I already knew.

5 comments about Curious George Goes to the Beach.

1. My son and I love to read about the curious monkey. This book is great!



2. I love all the curious George books. Who Doesn't?
   
   author of "Hobo Finds A Home"



3. This book and Curious George himself takes me back to a gentler time. A time when I was young and a time when my son was young. He and I LOVE to read all about George's silly mishaps daily.
   
   This book was an automatic favorite because we live in Rhode Island and live at the beach in the summer. So he would always take this book and his george doll down in his bag. These stories are filled with laughter and love, two things a child can't get enough of and there is usually even a good manners lesson taught to George too that they don't soon forget.
   
   So, any of the Curious George series is a winner with our family...and we don't even live near the "man with the yellow hat". lol*
   
   Have fun and make each night a night you read to your child...it's so important. I even read to him in the womb each night. He talked early and certainly knew my voice almost immediately.
   
   A winner any way you look at it. : ) Thank you George.



4. Great little book. Got it for my daughter before our trip to the beach. I was expecting a CD rom with it and it didn't come so that is why I rated it 4 instead of 5.



5. Good book. It's one of the older George stories and drawings, not one of the newer George stories and drawings.

5 comments about Parenting Beyond Belief: On Raising Ethical, Caring Kids Without Religion.

1. Raising a child outside of a congregation can be a lonely experience. Although my husband and I are both atheists, and are part of the freethought community, there's little in the way of family resources available to us.
   
   Along comes this book. I had high hopes, though I somewhat expected to be disappointed; the first time someone does something, it doesn't always come out that well. Imagine my surprise when I found myself learning so much about what it is to be a child without a church, even though I had been one. I remember my mother and father groping their way in the dark through various situations, and though they did pretty well, I imagine it would have been a lot easier with something like this to guide them.
   
   This is a permanent part of our parenting library, and I recommend it to parents whenever I get a chance!



2. Not a whole lot on the subject out there, so you take what you can get. It's not a bad book, but it wasn't phenomenal either. It's a lot of stories and anecdotes. Not much 'how to' to get through the challenges, but more of a pat on the back and some reassuring words that things turn out in the end.



3. I have not finished it yet but it is just what I needed to get the support that was lacking as I raise my son to be a free-thinker.



4. This book is a wonderful resource and I am enjoying it very much. I can't wait for "Raising Freethinkers" to come out!



5. It's very nice to have a parenting book that doesn't waste time or pages waxing lyrical about mythologies and instead just gets down to the business of raising intelligent and ethical children.

4 comments about Chicken Soup for the Soul: Loving Our Cats: Heartwarming and Humorous Stories about our Feline Family Members (Chicken Soup for the Soul).

1. This is a big volume with enough cat stories to make your head spin... Cats are not like dogs - they have their own rules and they demand respect from their owners. But they are also your good friends who will purr you to sleep if you treat them with the love that they demand. Most of the stories in this book are amusing and uplifting, some of them are also heartbreaking, but all of them are entertaining. If this book makes you yearn for more cats stories, you will be well served by the series of Why Some Cats are Rascals ( Book 3)



2. This is a great collection. Some of the stories made me cry, some made me laugh; they were all enjoyable. Purrrfect book to take to work and read during lunch hour. If you enjoyed this one you'll also like - A Cup of Comfort for Cat Lovers.



3. This book really is like chicken soup for your soul if you like cats, possibly even if you don't like cats. It is so warming to read the stories of how a little think like a cat can fill the empty spaces of you life and possible fill you life more than you could have ever imagined. Often they do it without your approval, they just love you and make you happy to be alive.



4. I like animals, no as a matter of fact, I love animals. However, I haven't had a cat around me in many years, probably because my 4 German Shepherds would not particulary want the company. However, this did not stop the pure enjoyment I received from reading this book. As I began this read I was so amused that I actually laughed out loud at some of the anticks of these furry little creatures. I had forgotten how playful, crafty, and loving cats can be.
   
   This book is broken into 12 sections such as: Learning To Love "The Cat", Purr-fect Pets, and Saying Good-bye, to name a few. Under each section you will find stories that warm your heart and bring tears to your eyes, stories that bring out more than a giggle, and some stories that you will shake your head and say, "You have to be kidding?"
   
   I loved this book, it was just as good as the one on Dogs that I finished not long ago. I'm telling you, if you love cats you will adore this book, and even if you don't you will still walk away never looking at them the same. I never really knew that cats could be such faithful companions. They definitely are not like dogs, and they certainly let you know that, but I have to admit they are a 'class act.' I'm so glad that I got to read this book and recommend it to all who want to know, just what is going on in the mind of your cat and why they do the things they do. Trust me, highly interesting and very entertaining, to say the least.
   Great book! Fun and heartwarming read! Strongly recommended.

5 comments about SIGN with your BABY - Baby Sign Language (ASL) Kit: Includes Book, How-to DVD, Quick Reference Guide.

1. I require this product for everyone who takes my Baby Sign Language Classes in Houston, Texas and love it. It has great stories, easy instruction and is a fantastic product. The book is easy reading...takes about an hour to read and has tons of vocabulary in the back. The video is about 30 minutes of instruction then has Dr. Garcia modeling all the signs. I love how you can easily find the information you want on the DVD and book. The Quick Reference Guide is great for baby sitters, grandma, and just to keep track of what my children know. I really do recommend this to everyone!



2. What an amazing product!! For parents who are new to signing with your baby, the video is excellent in that it gives you the opportunity to see little ones signing. I often feel that 'seeing is believing', so it's very motivational to watch other babies signing. Several educators in the video also give their support and validate the research behind Signing with your Baby (R). It's also a great motivation to hear success stories from some parents of signing babies.
   The book is helpful in teaching you when and how to start incorporating signs with your little one. I love the ideas that Dr. Garcia gives for teaching signs along with games and everyday activities. There's also a dictionary at the back of the book to help learn signs, along with the same dictionary shown to you by Dr. Garcia at the end of the video. I would also highly recommend Sign2Me's flash card sets for you and your baby to supplement the dictionaries in the book and video. The dictionary in the book is helpful for parents, but your little ones will benefit more from the flash cards because of the illustrations on the front of the card (and the parent sees the sign itself on the back). I always use the Sign with your Baby(R) video in the beginning of the baby sign language classes I teach in Boiling Springs, SC. It really gets the parents excited about learning signs with their little ones.
   Signing with your little one is one of the best decisions you will ever make as a parent. Being able to communicate with your child often months before they can speak is phenomenal. I can't tell you how exciting it is to see your child communicate with you! Our daughter made her first sign at 5 months old. She is now 14 months old, with 10 words and over 40 signs. Imagine all that we would have missed out on for so many months before she started talking! Once when she was 9 months old, after turning off the radio, she signed 'more music'. How amazing it is to know at such a young age what your child wants and needs!
   This is a fantastic program to get you started on your signing journey! If you take the time to learn the signs and implement signing with your child's daily activities, this will be a purchase you will not regret!
   Happy signing!



3. I use this product when I teach classes. Parents love recording dates of knowledge of a word by their baby for childcare & relative information.



4. Sign with your Baby is a great package. Here on Amazon the whole deal, book, laminated card, and DVD is only 30 dollars. What a great deal.
   
   We started a little late with our daughter. We got this product when she was 7 and a half months. It was only a couple of days before she started doing her version of the more sign.
   
   We wish would have gotten this product sooner, as it is a great product.



5. This product was helpful in explaining how to start teaching my baby sign language. If I had it to do over again I would probably just get a cheaper book, because I'm not sure this was worth the extra expense. All I really need now is something to show me how to do the signs, and I found that for free online. The author does have an attractive mullet on the DVD though.