Parenting book is gentle guide
Adults often think they know what is best for children. Many times they do. Sometimes they don't. After all, no one knows everything.
As a young mother, when my twins were born, I literally knew nothing about how to care for children. So, like many young parents, I did my best. I also sought the advice of parenting books. That isn't a bad idea. In fact, it's a good idea, providing the book you're reading doesn't lead you down the wrong path. The one I read (21 years ago) drove me nuts and served to confuse me more than provide help. I eventually put it down and never picked it up again.
Over the 18 years of writing this column, I've read various parenting books, hoping to find one worthy of recommendation. At last I am able, and it's about time. The book: "Just Me: What Your Child Wants You to Know About Parenting" by just jackie, published by One Blue Button Publishing, $11.95 paperback.
Told from the perspective of the child speaking to its parents, this book is nothing less than remarkable. Applicable to what children of all ages really need, every page oozes with common sense, is never preachy, and is loaded with love.
Each chapter is no longer than 1 ½ pages, allowing time to absorb each of the gentle, important messages. You won't find any psycho-babble or sure-fire prescription for "success." What you will find is the most intelligent book on parenting I've ever read, and every parent and adult (even those without children) should read this extraordinary book. When you do, I'll be highly surprised if you don't agree.
The following book is available at many public libraries.<B>"Book! Book! Book!"</B> by Deborah Bruss; illustrated in color by Tiphanie Beeke; Arthur A. Levine/Scholastic Press; 32 pages; read aloud: age 2 to 3 and older; read yourself: age 7 and older.Down on the farm, everything was wonderful until the children went back to school. Suddenly, the farm animals were bored, sad, and lonely. Finally, the hen resolved to do something about it. She announced that she was heading into town to find something to do, and the rest of the farm animals decided to join her.When the group arrived at the library, the hen knew this was the place they'd been looking for; everyone who came out of the library had a happy face! One by one, the farm animals insisted on entering the library to see what they could do there, but it wasn't until the hen had a chance to inquire that the librarian understood just what the animals needed — books!Charming illustrations grace this fun book that delivers one very important message: there's nothing quite as entertaining as a good book!
<B>Library:</B> Evans City Public Library, 204 S. Jackson St., Evans City<B>Library Director:</B> Judith Pfeifer<B>Children's Librarian: </B>Patricia Pflug<B>Choices this week:</B> <B>"Spencer's Adventures"</B> series by Gary Hogg; <B>"Flat Stanley"</B> by Jeff Brown; <B>"Cam Jansen"</B> series by David Adler
The following books are available at favorite bookstores.<B>"Baby Talk: A Book of First Words and Phrases"</B> by Judy Hindley; illustrated by Brita Granstrom; Candlewick, 2006; 26 pages; $15.99 hardcover; read aloud: birth to age 2; read yourself: age 7."Baby in a diaper, baby with a brush. What's the baby saying? Up, up, up!" So begins this joyful celebration of babies and toddlers everywhere. From hide-and-seek and other games, going outside to play, dinner time, bath time and bedtime, these and other familiar activities are featured through simple, upbeat rhymes and lovely, colorful illustrations."Baby with a pillow — What a sleepyhead! Night-night, Baby. Baby's gone to bed."<B>"Hooray for Harry"</B> written and illustrated by Kim Lewis; Candlewick; 26 pages; $15.99 hardcover; read aloud: age 1 to 3; read yourself: age 7.Harry the stuffed elephant has misplaced his beloved blanket, and he wants very much to find it. Harry's two friends help him retrace their steps, for all three of them had been having so much fun with the blanket. It had been their tent in one location, the sail for their boat in another, then a swing and finally a picnic blanket. Harry remembers that the picnic had made his blanket sticky and the trio had washed it. But where was his blanket now?A delightful story with soft, inviting illustrations, this charming selection about friendship and a child's blanket is perfect in every way.
