Reviews (3)

How to love reading
This book is an understandable way for parents to instill the love of reading into their children. It gives real, practical ways to encourage the child to think beyond the text and link their reading to real world experiences, other books they have read and their own feelings. A very good book for parents with children who are just learning to read.
Practical Pedagogy for the Home and for the Classroom
Usually, after a kid has learned her phonics, she can sit down with a book and explore its inner world. Sometimes, however, one encounters a kid who can read perfectly fine, but who just doesn't get it; no matter how many times she is asked to "focus", she will finish the book with little more information than with which she started. If you are entrusted with the education of the latter type of child, than this book can provide valuable insight and direction.
A MUST for Parents and Teachers
I devoured this book!!As a parent and a teacher, I know that this book is valuable for both groups.If children have the benefit of knowing how to think while they read, there can be no stopping them.All of us who love to read may not even realize what we are doing during this process but something wonderful happens when we are engaged with a book:To name and model the "7 Keys" for children is so important for their futures as good readers.Read more

Subjects:  1. Family & Relationships    2. Family/Marriage    3. Language Arts / Linguistics / Literacy    4. Parent participation    5. Parenting - General    6. Reading    7. Reading Skills    8. Reading comprehension    9. Family & Relationships / Parenting   

Reviews (26)

Terrific resource!
If you want a simple curriculum to follow, this is your book! You can take the sections and expand on them based onyour child's interest. This book coupled with Rebecca Rupp's Homeschooling Year by Year are pretty much the only books I need!

Great Starting Point
This book has a lot of basic information that Kindergartener's sometimes learn in public school.Having been a public school student and knowing kids in public school now, I think this would be very beneficial to any parent of a 5 or 6 year old.Most public schools, and many private schools, do not cover all this information.
Great Resource If You're Home-Schooling Overseas

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Subjects:  1. Curricula    2. Curriculum planning    3. Education    4. Family / Parenting / Childbirth    5. Kindergarten    6. Parenting - General    7. Preschool & Kindergarten    8. United States    9. Education / Preschool & Kindergarten   

Reviews (2)

Buy this book for your pre-teen!
My 9 and 12 year old sons love this book!We have been able to talk about those angery moments in a fun and useful way.The funny pictures just add to the easy-going approch to a serious topic.

A wonderfully written and presented self-help book
Collaboratively written by Elizabeth Verdick and Marjorie Lisovskis, How To Take The GRRRR Out Of Anger is a wonderfully written and presented self-help book especially recommended for young people with anger management problems -- and their parents who are trying to teach their kids how to control their tempers. From five steps to getting anger under control, to problem-solving techniques, ways to deal with grownups who get angry, recognizing body language warning signs, and much more, How To Take The GRRRR Out Of Anger is practical and useful for all children of all ages. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Anger    2. Anger in children    3. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Nonfiction    4. Children: Grades 3-4    5. Juvenile Nonfiction    6. Juvenile literature    7. Social Issues - Emotions & Feelings    8. Advice on parenting    9. Emotions & feelings   

Reviews (64)

Really just okay...and a little disappointing
I believe in many attachment parenting principles, so I ordered this book once my child reached the appropriate age for discipline.I have to say I was more than just a little disappointed with this book.
I love Dr Sears but only liked this book
I am a huge believer in attachment parenting, but found this book to be a dollar short and way to late. I bought it when my son was 18 months old and reading it felt like I had already made tons of mistakes that wern't reversable as a parent. This book may be more helpful for "parents-to-be" or brand new parents. I also felt like some of the expectations were a little high... all in all I thought that the ideas and the general guidlines were good, just not many examples to help.

a working mom
Dr Sears completely ignores the HUGE population of working mothers!The book goes on and on and on about attachment parenting and how you should allow your child to disattach from you and not the other way around....well, the majority of the mother's in this world do not have this choice!Furthermore, he made me feel as though I was a selfish mother for not carrying my daughter on my hip for the first year of her life.My daughter is very attached to me and we have a very close relationship....yet I started back at work full time when she was 8 weeks old.I feel that Dr Sears only addressing those mothers that stay at home full time and even then he cautions about leaving your child!Easy for him to say!!!! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Behavior modification    2. Child Care/Parenting    3. Child rearing    4. Discipline of children    5. Family & Relationships    6. Family / Parenting / Childbirth    7. Parenting - Discipline    8. Parenting - General    9. Advice on parenting    10. Family & Relationships / Parenting   

Subjects:  1. Child Care/Parenting    2. Child Development And Rearing    3. Child rearing    4. Discipline of children    5. Family & Relationships    6. Family / Parenting / Childbirth    7. Parenting    8. Parenting - Discipline    9. Parenting - General    10. Family & Relationships / Parenting   

Reviews (5)

The book I wish I hadwritten
I am a play therapist, author of "The Successful Divorce, In The Eyes of the Child" course and have taught parenting divorced for nine years. This is the book that says it all. The authors teach in clear logical manner how to co parent your children. They are sensitive to the pain both parents and children feel post divorce and teach how to proceed in parenting. I frequently use sections of their book in teaching to remind parents that they must still work together enough to meet children's needs. This is a concise book, no long drawn out narratives or tales of others pain... just the facts and how to avoid the pitfalls. I and the children of divorce, owe these authors a huge thank you.Their new book is also great,

5 gift copies (and counting)
when i divorced two years ago, reasonably contentiously and with a four year old daughter, the best advice i got was to read this book.i did, with highlighter in hand, and found it absolutely invaluable.i continue to this day to consider it absolutely invaluable!such that, i just ordered a gift copy for my brother and his new wife, to help them with my niece and her co-parent.that gift brings the total i've purchased for others up to five.its an unfortunate reality that there will probably be more in the future, but the book helps immensely and so there will be gifts.

Trust this author with your children
I went through a high-conflict divorce in Connecticut in 2004, complete with restraining orders, police, and the whole 9 yards.As I saw the divorce approaching, I researched a great deal of divorce/parenting literature on my own, hoping to find a framework of something my (soon-to-be) ex and I could agree to work with, and I found this book.I read it and gave a copy to my ex.I also found an divorce/custody attorney who would focus on our children's interests, and his very first recommendation was to get this book and see Dr. Thayer in her practice jointly with my ex.
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Subjects:  1. Alternative Family    2. Child Care/Parenting    3. Divorce & Separation    4. Divorced parents    5. Family & Relationships    6. Family / Parenting / Childbirth    7. Family Relationships    8. Interpersonal conflict    9. Joint custody of children    10. Parenting    11. Parenting - General    12. Parenting, Part-time    13. Child care & upbringing    14. Childcare & Parenting   

Reviews (11)

Very helpful
I am a professional counselor and this book was recommended to me by another professional counselor.I find it very helpful in working with children of all ages.I even use some of the techniques on my oldest child who has some anxious behaviors.

Great for parents
This book is one of the best I've seen in terms of describing how anxiety works and providing tips to combat it. It is written clearly and plainly and even includes some illustrations that make it very easy to understand why kids with anxiety have difficulty with certain tasks. This book gave me hope for how I could help my two sons with anxiety. It made me feel empowered by giving me concrete advice that I could use at home and pass on to their teachers at school. This is required reading for anyone who has anxiety themselves or is trying to helping someone else who does.

Fantastic!
This book is exactly what I was looking for.It very clearly explains anxiety problems and how to deal with them.The solutions are very straight-forward, practical and helpful. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Anxiety in children    2. Child Development    3. Clinical Child Psychology    4. Developmental - Child    5. Family & Relationships    6. Family / Parenting / Childbirth    7. Family Relationships    8. Family/Marriage    9. Mood Disorders    10. Parenting - General    11. Psychoneuroses    12. Family & Relationships / Child Development   

Editorial Review

As teenagers from a rough part of Newark, New Jersey, Sampson Davis, Rameck Hunt, and George Jenkins had nothing special going for them except loving mothers (one of whom was a drug user) and above-average intelligence. Their first stroke of luck was testing into University High, one of Newark's three magnet high schools, and their second was finding each other. They were busy staying out of trouble (most of the time), and discovering the usual ways to skip class and do as little schoolwork as possible, when a recruitment presentation on Seton Hall University reignited George's childhood dream of becoming a dentist. The college was offering a tempting assistance package for minorities in its Pre-Medical/Pre-Dental Plus Program. George convinced his two friends to go to college with him. They would help each other through. None of them would be allowed to drop out and be reabsorbed by the Newark streets.Read more

Reviews (46)

The Pact... Packs some good information for young people and their parents
The Pact was a book that I was interested in reading for some time. My son (9 yrs old), and I decided that the best time to read the book would be before his bedtime. We would alternate reading different chapters. The Pact was an inspiring story that I believe anyone could relate too. It's about community support, friendship and perserverance. This generation needs to hear stories about what is possible, and this book delivers on that message. I strongly recommend it for youth groups everywhere. We need to teach our kids how to choose friends, and that friends can support and nurture each others dreams. Dream BIG!
I will put this on my recommended list for students
One of my biggest challenges as an educator is building literacy. I know that the most successful students read outside of class, but I have a hard time finding books that manageable and interesting enough to grab the interest of the students that I work with in DC. I will recommend this book to my students because it helps make the choices of black students real in clear language. How do you successfully defer gratification for years and years to build a career? This book doesn't have definite answers but it does give an example that students can look up to. More programs like the Seton Hall program that helped bridge the transition to college are necessary for first-generation high school students. I also dug the fact that these three black men did not seem to be supermen in the way that Cedric Jennings was portrayed in "The Hope In the Unseen". Books like "The Pact" show that the best dreams are birthed by students in the presence of consistent mentoring. I hope that all urban mentors and educators will consider this book for motivational fuel.
Great read...
I read about these three in some magazine (Essence?) while I was in a bookstore cafe. I went upstairs to browse the book and ended up buying it. I'm so glad that I went to that bookstore just to browse around or I would have never known anything about it.I'd heard of these three from another magazine I subscribe to but never really knew what their deal was.It was very interesting to read about three young men who grew up in the inner city projects of Newark, two of them exposed themselves to crime, all of their manhood was tested, and two went to jail/juvenile hall. But with all those pitfalls, each one of them had a personality that would not let each other fall down.One was an activist, the next was a serious hard worker, and the third an optimistic motivator who stayed out of trouble.These guys were so good for each other. It was interesting to read about their sides of the story in a conversational tone that showcases their down-to-Earth personalities, their mild secrets that the other two will enjoy reading, and even a couple love interests would probably be flattered too.
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Subjects:  1. African American physicians    2. Biography    3. Biography & Autobiography    4. Biography / Autobiography    5. Biography/Autobiography    6. Ethnic Studies - African American Studies - General    7. Medical - General    8. Medical - Physicians    9. People of Color    10. Practice Of Medicine    11. Sociology Of Medicine    12. Biography: general    13. Family & Relationships / Child Care    14. Medicine    15. Reading Group Guide   

Reviews (25)

Fascinating but not a quick game guide
As a teacher, child psychology graduate and mother I have to say that this book was very useful.Even having studied most of the material in this book in university, it was a excellent reminder of the many ways to stimulate a child's mind.Yes there are not many gmaes - and the ones included are simple and sometimes obvious.However the connection the book makes between the games, that most parents play with their babies anyway, and how those games stimulate the mind is fascinating and is what this book is really trying to do.Once you understand the function of a particular game you can adapt and modify and make new games that stimulate the same parts of the brain.
Excellent book.
As a first time mother with zero child development knowledge, other than my own personal experience, I found this book very informativeand useful.It is easy to read and gives you a good foundation for your child's development. I found it helpful the way it is broken down into age appropriate chapters so as my daughter prosgresses, so does the book.I would recommend this book over "What's going on in there?..." by Lise Eliot.The information is duplicated and this one is easier to read. I also have some of those "125 games to play with baby...etc", but if you want to learn about your child, this is the book to have.

Changes the way you think about learning
I wanted to address one theme I've seen in other reviews.Some reviewers have been disappointed that there weren't more specific games/activities in the book.However, I've found that the information is so compelling and well-written that it changed the way I think about learning in babies and therefore changed how I interact with my baby.Rather than giving me specific activities, they changed the way I think so that I can come up with the specific activities that maximize learning in my child.
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Subjects:  1. Brain    2. Child Development    3. Family & Relationships    4. Family / Parenting / Childbirth    5. Family/Marriage    6. Games    7. Growth    8. Infant Psychology    9. Life Stages - Infants & Toddlers/Infants    10. Parenting - General    11. Play    12. Family & Relationships / Infants & Toddlers   

Reviews (15)

Good, with some caveats
I wanted to rate this 3.5 stars
A Homework Program for the Most Challenging Children and Teens
(From Dean R. Garrison, author of "Ending the Homework Wars")
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Before I read this book, I planned and spent my afternoons and evenings around my daughter's elementary school homework, keeping me from having time with the rest of my family.I spend countless hours asking her study questions, definitions, and checking her work.I hovered to make sure she "got it right".I used the Internet to brush up on concepts and topics that SHE was to be learning.Now I realize that by taking control of her homework, I was not allowing her to be responsible for it; I was sending the message that she couldn't handle the responsiblity on her own.Boy was I wrong!Now, although her grades are not perfect, they are HERS alone and she has earned them.Talk about boosting self-esteem!And I am now free to spend time with my family instead of re-learing mode, median and range!Thank you Mr. Rosemond! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Child Care/Parenting    2. Education    3. Family / Parenting / Childbirth    4. Home Schooling    5. Homework    6. Life Stages - Infants & Toddlers/Toddlers    7. Parent and child    8. Parent participation    9. Parents And Education    10. United States    11. Family & Relationships / General   

Reviews (13)

Good observations, good data, but the conclusion is a bit overdrawn
The authors open with a number of anecdotes about the ways in which excessive homework interferes with family dinners, vacations, family conversations, conversations among siblings, pleasure reading, and a variety of other activities that teenagers are normally engaged in.This sets the tone for the whole book; the authors rely extensively on anecdotes to carry their story.
Let children play!
"What can I say-- thank you, thank you so much Nancy Kalish for all
Children Are Fleeing The Dinner Table To Rush To Finish Homework Assignments?
Whether there is too much homework, or not enough, assigned to public school students is debatable, but what is becoming more evident is that Sara Bennett and Alfie Kohn share the same crib notes.
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Subjects:  1. Child Care/Parenting    2. Education    3. Education (Specific Aspects)    4. Educational Policy & Reform    5. Family & Relationships    6. Family / Parenting / Childbirth    7. Homework    8. Life Stages - School Age    9. Parent participation    10. Parenting - General    11. Parents And Education    12. United States    13. Family & Relationships / Parenting   

Reviews (17)

Great book for discussion/review with group of parents
I liked the book and it makes you think about your behavior towards your kids. What kind of parential behavior will help the kids in the long run. I thought it was very well written and this book leans itself very good for review and discussion with a group of parents.

Kindlon didn't tell me a thing I didn't already know.
I am frequently exposed to indulged children, and yes, they often have (or grow up to have) some serious problems as a result of being indulged.This book was right on the money.Aside from the parents who do the indulging, however, what person *doesn't* realize this fact?Unfortunately, those are the very people not likely to read this and benefit from it.
Interesting focus
Choosing character as the focal point of the book brings out an interesting perspective on raising kids. This book is not about developing smarts, physical or artistic ability, and not even about disciplining your children. Moreover, it goes as far as suggesting that getting your teenager into the right college may be a counterproductive goal (imagine that!) Refreshingly, it zooms in on what kids need to develop a personality, rather than on what, perhaps, parents want them to have, and that alone sets the book apart. Many of the book's findings are based on statistical analysis of focused studies, which again is both rare and welcomed.
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Subjects:  1. Attitudes    2. Character    3. Child Development    4. Child rearing    5. Family & Relationships    6. Family / Parenting / Childbirth    7. Family/Marriage    8. General    9. Teenagers    10. United States    11. Family & Relationships / General   

Editorial Review

Beginning with the "10 Greatest Lies About Pregnancy" (number 10: Lamaze works), and ending with postpartum dementia, Vicki Iovine's Read more

Reviews (881)

LOVED this book.Kept me laughing all the way!
I have recommended this book to several of my expecting friends, and each of them have equally loved it.I needed the laughter during my lonely pregnancy, and this book provided 100%.
Fun and Frustrating
"The Girlfriends' Guide to Pregnancy" is a difficult book to rate. Vicki Iovine's honesty and sense of humor about pregnancy deserves 5 stars.If you find pregnancy difficult for even a moment, this book will be a great comfort to you.It is a delightful antidote to the dry, frightening pregnancy books that flood the market.
This Book Is Great!!!
I loved it!I thought it was honest and fun.Vicki does a great job of letting you know how it is, while giving you suggestions on getting through it.I look forward to reading her other books. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Child Care/Parenting    2. Family / Parenting / Childbirth    3. Health & Fitness    4. Parenting - Child Rearing    5. Pregnancy    6. Pregnancy & Childbirth    7. Topic - Family    8. Family & Relationships / General    9. Pregnancy, birth & baby care   

Reviews (194)

excellent book; a must read!!
i thoroughly enjoyed this book!it's my first James Dobson (although I've heard his Focus on the Family broadcast quite a bit) and i thought it was excellent.as the mother of a two year old, i find myself concerned for is well-being and adjustment in a world that seems to have lost its belief in God.this book has provided me with new interpretations to raising boys that i don't get in many of my university psychology classes.as a psychology major, i found this book twice as gratifying due to its presentation of several researchventures.so not only does he have something to say, he has the facts to back it up.not to mention he's BRAVE enough to say it!!in the chapter on homosexuality, he presents a new concept to gay men that i had never heard in any of my psychology classes!no professors like to talk about it as an alternative to genetic make-up, even though there has been ZERO conclusions that homosexuality is genetic.it's interesting to hear a different perspective that makes just as much sense as the current, more popular one, that of genetics rather than environment.thank you, Dr. Dobson, for telling it how you see it, not just how people want to hear!!

Excellent Book for parents with boys of any age!
This is an excellent book for parents who have boys...any age, 1 or more! I plan to read it every couple of years as my boys get into new "phases" of their lives!

Bringing Up Boys
This is an excellent book that parents will find essential in helping to rear boys in today's world.The scientific evidence presented that differentiates boys from girls helps substantiate why boys act differently than girls.It shows that this difference is a strength and should be encouraged and celebrated, not minimized.I highly recommend that it be made a part of your library. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Boys    2. Child Care/Parenting    3. Christianity    4. Christianity - Christian Life - Parenting    5. Family & Relationships    6. Parenting    7. Parenting - General    8. Religion - Marriage & Family    9. Religious aspects    10. Religious life    11. Child care & upbringing   

Reviews (1)

Excellent for Anyone Starting a Day Care Center
I'm in the middle of opening a day care center and this book was great. It contained alot of useful information and I constantly referenced themanual throughout the process.It contained all the forms that you willneed from hiring, registration to immunizations.It is a must have. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Administration    2. Day care centers    3. Education    4. Elementary    5. Family / Parenting / Childbirth    6. Parenting - Child Rearing    7. Preschool & Kindergarten    8. Public Policy - Social Services & Welfare    9. United States    10. Child welfare    11. Education / Elementary    12. Pre-school & kindergarten   

Reviews (4)

I love it so far!
Im not a big reader, but when I realized my marriage needed help I was willing to read every book I could get my hands on if it would help. Im just in the third chapter of this one but I can already see a difference inmy communication with others and I cant wait to keep reading! What I really like about this book is the way it's written. It seems as though Mr Gottman writes as if he were speaking in converstation and adds a bit of humor as well. I am really enjoying this book! 4 stars just because im not done with it yet, but I think it will be a 5!

The Relationship Cure : A 5 Step Guide to Strengthening Your Marriage, Family, and Friendships
Practical is the main wqord.

Simple and Insightful
This book is so simple yet, so true.I like the fact that the content came out of real observations of people.The steps are clearly grounded in reality... not just theory about the way people behave.
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Subjects:  1. Emotions    2. Family & Relationships    3. Family Relationships    4. Family/Marriage    5. Interpersonal Relations    6. Marriage    7. Psychology    8. Coping with personal problems    9. Family & Relationships / Emotions    10. Marriage, family & other relationships   

Reviews (300)

this worked for my child
I am very impressed by this program.My son was 5 1/2 and half way through kindergarten last winter and didn't know a single sight word.He was already speech delayed and I knew that was going to cause enough problems in school.I didn't want him to be behind academically as well.I found this program and am so thankful I did.He was reading books by the end of kindergarten and his teachers couldn't believe his progress.I just sat through his IEP meeting at the beginning of first grade and he has no academic IEP goals (now if we could just get the speech and behavior worked out).My only regret is that I did not find this book sooner.I will certainly start my other children much, much sooner.

Interesting methodology but...
...overall too ponderous and unwieldly for teaching an average child to read...perhaps more to the point it's quite tedious and would probably be difficult to use given a typical child's attention span...however, for remedial work in adults I suspect it would be quite useful.

Awesome!
Three months into kindergarten my son's teacher and I were concerned because he was having such a hard time learning the names and sounds of his letters.A friend recommended this book to me so we started it.He learned so much faster by just doing the sounds of the letters first.By the end of the school year his teacher was amazed at his progress.
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Subjects:  1. Activities    2. Child Care/Parenting    3. Education    4. Family / Parenting / Childbirth    5. Child care & upbringing    6. Education / General    7. English    8. English language: specific skills    9. Teaching of a specific subject   

Reviews (137)

Good research
I think that this book has some great stories to get you excited about signing. I love the research in this book. I would like more signs. I bought this book and a baby sign language dictionary called Teach Your Tot to Sign that has tons of signs that I use everyday. I suggest that you do that too if you want to learn more signs. Keep signing because our babies have so much to say and no way to say it with their mouths but they can use their hands!

Great book if you like touching stories, needs a larger sign dictionary
I started out with this book when my daughter was about 6 months.She has some language delay but started picking up some signs by 13 months and by 15 months she was picking up new ones daily (she couldn't speak any words).unfortunately, this book doesn't have a very exhaustive list of useful