Child-Safety Books

I guess I was expecting a lot more than the fantasy advice of the world is perfect stuff in the book. I'm sorry I'm from an area that telling my child at the age of 8 that sex is something good, wonderful and exciting is so not a good idea. It's too much of a cookie cutter, we are a perfect family, television episode type of stuff in there. I have to admit there were one or two things I was able to take away from it.

I thought this was a great book to help me focus my thoughts and take a positive approach with my kids on this subject. I am an Ob/Gyn and have no problem talking about the "nuts and bolts" of the subject, but what I appreciated about this book was the help it gave me in introducing the rationale for delayed gratification and how to give my kids an idea of why it is such a special thing. I agree with some reviewers about the discussions on masturbation and homosexuality being a bit intolerant (and unrealistic!) for my taste, but the authors are pretty straightforward about their values and say straight out that parents should take what resonates with them, and disregard what doesn't. I will just modify those topics for my kids, but I found the other 99% of this book very helpful.

This book is great. I've bought it at least 3 times and keep lending it to my friends to never get it back. I must say it is not a book directed toward a liberal point of view, it is most definatly a more conservative parents book. If you have a hard time knowing where to start this book is great because it gives you full on conversations, everything you need to say for each stage of your kids life.

We have to say that this is the best book for "How To" we have encountered! It addresses all issues accompanied with sexual perceptions kids deal with today. Getting to the root of WHY parents need to be the 1st to talk and HOW to help children sort out the garbage that can send mixed signals about our relationship with ourselves and others. Moreover, it sends a message that you think your child is so wonderful and your love so great for them, that you will be the 1st to talk to them about it-- regardless if it is at 5, 8 or 10.

We have found 8 is NOT too early to talk about it.... If you have found this book later, then-- it isn't too late. Some of the language is a bit quirky-- but, as with most books, one must speak what comes out best for them. For us.... a "BIG HUG" was not the way to discuss SEX in all of its glory-- so we chose to use the words, "a special part of you". For us, sexual intimacy IS the most personal part of ourselves that we share. Love is the root and if parents don't have love and for themselves, each other, or their children do not feel love or understand what love means, then they will have problems dealing with sex and why it is so special. I agree that ALL children need to know from you that you are committed to your family and them as individuals. Tell them!!!

Sex is wonderful, very special and has a lot of facets that go unnoticed like: Modesty, respecting and protecting our bodies, loyalty, respect in general, and how nature plays a part in WHY sex is great, special and wonderful. The Eyre's touch on all aspects incorporated into sex, leaving out nothing.

Ultimately your timing may be different than theirs, but the concepts and delivery are good ways to get the "talk" done. Highly recommended. Don't miss reading what their children all have to say about the "big talk".

This is the book you have been searching for. I have a 10 year old son and a 7 year old daughter, and some would say I don't need a book about sex yet. Neither my husband nor I received the "talk" from our parents, so I felt I was in much need of some guidance.
I was very pleased with the content and tone of this book.
I couldn't put it down until I finished it.
It has something for each age group from 8 yrs to 19 yr olds.
The insights and guided conversations of how to broach the topic of sex were invaluable. Thanks to Amazon for the recommendation once I arrived to their site, and to the authors for the sharing of their experiences and knowledge. I now feel equipped and excited to answer the questions that I know my 5th Grader will soon throw at me.
Thanks for the opporunity to review this purchase.

This book is about as dark and horrible as a future can get. It's written as a children's book, but this is no book for kids. There's some pretty scary stuff and rather harsh language as well (he dropped a few f-bombs and the 11 year old main character was molested). Young adults, maybe. Kids, definitely not.

The language of the kids reminded me a lot of the kids in the movie "Mad Max : Beyond Thunderdome". And there's the run-on sentence of all time - it's 3 pages long.

The world is well done and detailed, the characters are interesting, but forgive me Mr. Rapp I couldn't find much point or plot to the book! Perhaps a wiser reader could, or perhaps there will be a sequel that'll get more done. I'd certainly buy a sequel.

Well, there wasn't really much of a problem I had with this book, I just...couldn't stay interested. Maybe its because I'm a fan of realisticness, but I doubt it. This book was just...boring. Adam Rapp is a great author, which he proved in "The Buffalo Tree," but this one just couldn't do it for me.

If there was on good thing though, it HAD to be Oakley Brownhouse. He was hilarious, imagining him as a little nine year old in the stuff he goes through. Its really quite funny.

I just wish the whole book was as interesting.

Story takes place in some undefined post-cataclysmic era,presumably on earth, in which the author paints the bleakest possiblepicture of existence where children are enslaved workers in pits, poisonous rain falls unrelentingly, few living things exist other than humans, and general unimaginable misery prevails on every page.

The author is fond of literary gimmicks such as NOT using quotation marks to identify dialogue but rather using the conventions; I go, or, I went, or, I'm like; followed by the dialogue. It is filled with his own version of word meanings such as quickdust, life hole, digit kids, creature clouds, blackfrost and so forth. No prologue or epilogue sheds any light whatsoever on the causes of the situation.

The subject of the title 'The Copper Elephant' is a large improperly made figure of an elephant as talisman. The maker is an idiot boy who cobbles together bits of aluminum foil and other metals into his version of an elephant which he believes will help him find his missing younger brother...

The characters all speak insufferably bad versions of what we think of as English, deliberately contrived by the writer. Without doubt one of the worst novels I have read in fifty years...END

On a post appocolyptic Earth of the future, ruled by a dictator, eleven-year-old Whensday fights a daily battle for survival. She escapes slave labor in a mine after being rescued by a merchant. Impoverished, he decides to sell her to a childless woman. Whensday things she is being sold back into slavery, so she escapes into the devestated landscape, where acid rain falls daily. She joins up with two other children, but things grow steadily worse, and Whensday ends up being raped, while the friend who tried to save her is put to death. This book is not for the faint of heart, but if you do read it, it gives you a look at a decimated future, and a young girl so determined to survive that she never gives up, in spite of all the horrors she goes through.

WHEN I WAS YOUNGER, MY PARENTS MADE MY SISTERS AND I READ THIS BOOK. THEY WANTED US TO HAVE SOME KNOWLEDGE ON HOW TO ESCAPE A KIDNAPPER AND TO KNOW THAT ANYONE , EVEN THE THREE OF US COULD BE ABDUCTED. I BELIEVE THIS BOOK SHOULD BE READ IN SCHOOLS, YES IT IS GRAPHIC IN SOME WAYS , BUT YOU ARE RIDICULOUS TO THINK THIS IS NOT A PROPER BOOK FOR KIDS TO READ. LOOK AT THE NEWS , ARE WORLD IS SWARMING WITH SICKOS WHO WANT TO DO NOTHING BUT HARM ADULTS AND CHILDREN,WOULDNT YOU RATHER YOUR CHILDREN BE INFORMED AND HAVE A CHANCE AT SURVIVING THAN THEM THINKING THEY ARE LIVING IN A PEACEFUL WORLD WHERE NOTHING BAD CAN HAPPEN. IT IS BETTER TO BE PREPARED THAN NOT.
STEPHANIE E

As wonderful as today's world may seem, parents need to always keep one step ahead of child molesters and abductors. The book "MISSING! Stranger Abduction", offers many ways to accomplish this seemingly impossible task.

Parents will become empowered after reading this book - empowered with knowledge and ways to help keep their children safe. It will shake you into teaching your child the skills that they need to keep safe.

Among the many things you'll learn from this book: how to prevent an abduction; how to spot an abductor's weak points and find ways to escape if caught; where to hide; and other tools you can teach your child to help them keep safe.

"MISSING! Stranger Abduction" is direct, empowering, and will give you information that will give you an edge over the bad guys. There are a few graphic spots in the book, which is why we are not recommending it to children. Stopsexoffenders.com recommends it to adults concerned about children's safety.

If I found out that this book was being used in schools to teach my children, I would pull them out of that class. I think this book uses sensationalism and preys on the ultimate fear of parents. There are actually a few pieces of worthy advice in here - yes, we should teach our children how to call 911, and I thought the idea of writing my child's name and phone number in his shoes was a good one (but mostly because the child will not be hard-pressed to remember his phone number when in a stressful situation). However, I will not allow my children to live completely in fear. (I also strongly question the credibility of the stories used and believe the author at least elaborated, if not completely made them up.) I think teaching them how to flush socks down toilets and signal SOS with light switches are ridiculous pieces of advice. If you truly want good advice on how to protect your children, read Protecting the Gift, by Gavin De Becker. Much more useful advice covering a range of issues about children's safety - not just abduction.

 REIVIEW TO: Stuber, Robert: "Missing! Stranger Abduction: Smart Strategies To Keep Your Child Safe". Paperback, 108
                        pages, ISBN: 0-8362-2635-6.
     I start with one very serious criticism of this book:  it is MUCH too graphic. The book
                        includes a number of "case  histories" of kids who, being abducted, have purportedly actually  *used* some of the techniques
                        given in this volume in order to make their  escapes. While this is good in and of itself, the text also includes such  passages
                        as, "The man touches Sam's private parts. He puts his penis  in Sam's mouth and in his rectum. He makes Sam do the same thing
                        to  him." (pages 80-81). This, about a seven-year-old boy! And similar  passages can be found in almost every one of the eleven
                        or so "case  histories" which Mr. Stuber presents! Is this sort of thing really  necessary? I say that not only is it UNnecessary,
                        it is detrimental. In a  fire drill, for example, you tell your children what they need to DO in  order to escape the fire;
                        you do NOT tell them that the fire might leave  them a charred and blackened corpse! Mr. Stuber's "case history"  passages
                        are meant to be read to YOUNG CHILDREN, for God's sake; I cannot  see how relating such graphic details can serve to do more
                        than terrify and  disgust them, and to distract them from the central issue at hand: the  techniques of Escape.
     Speaking
                        of Stuber's "case  histories" brings me to another criticism: lack of credibility. The  "case histories" which Mr. Stuber
                        relates are in many cases  riveting, sensational, and even spectacular -- the seven-year-old boy who,  having escaped his
                        captor, runs into a woman's house and dives naked under  her kitchen table, screaming for help; the nine-year-old boy kidnapped
                        while taking out the family trash and then found decapitated two days later  -- and if true, these cases would surely have
                        been plastered across the  news media. And there's my problem: Though I'm as interested in and aware  of child kidnapping
                        cases as the next person, I don't remember reading of  or hearing about ANY of these cases! Not one! Never once does Mr. Stuber
                        ever mention a child's last name; never once does he name a city or other  location; never once does he tell us WHEN any of
                        these events are purported  to have taken place; and worse of all, never once does he cite any news  sources for his stories.
                        Not in one single case! I hate to be cynical, but  it almost sounds as if Mr. Stuber has simply made these stories up off
                        the  top of his head in order to Impress the Kiddies -- "Look, Kids! These  Things Really Work!" If so, he has certainly done
                        his readers a very  grievious wrong; but even if he is innocent of this chicanery, the mere  *appearance* of the thing in
                        my opinion detracts very seriously from his  credibility.
     Lastly, I can also think of at least ONE technique for  escape/avoidance
                        which this book does NOT mention: If someone tries to  abduct you while you are riding a bicycle, HOLD ON TOTHE HANDLEBARS.
                        Don't  let go! Hold on as if your life depended on it -- which it very well might.  Your abductor will be forced to either
                        disentangle you from your bike or  else give up and go in search of easier prey. (You should, of course, be  screaming the
                        whole while.) If 9-year-old Amber Hagerman had thought to do  this, would she still be alive? We will probably nver know,
                        at least not in  this world.
     All of this said, however, this is one book which has  been very badly needed and FAR
                        too long in coming. Where all of the other  books focus solely on preventing abduction and say nothing whatever of  escape,
                        this book teaches a kid what to do if the worse comes to worse and  he or she is abducted ANYWAY. It provides solid, sensible,
                        and often  ingenious methods of escape, concealment, attention-getting, and survival.  This is a solid work of empowerment,
                        and should be a part of every parent's  aresnal. Parents should, however, exercise caution in reading Mr. Stuber's  case histories
                        to their children, and should take them with the very large  grains of salt which they deserve. 

I am writing to take exception to [a] previous review, which says that this book preys on the fears of children, and their parents. I am the parent of a child who was kidnapped at the age of nine, Michaela Joy Garecht of Hayward, CA. That was on November 19, 1988, and she has never been found. Maybe, just maybe, if she had had some of the information in this book, she would have found a way to escape her abductor. These are not mindless fears, lady. It CAN happen to your child. You child CAN face not mere fear but absolute terror, and they can do it either WITH information that can give them courage and skills, or they can do it without. I hope you don't live to regret having made the wrong choice.

I have been curious about the Columbine tragedy since it occurred.
I have read all of the books published on it and not one deals with all of the intimate aspects of this terrible day.

No Police reports, No reports on the results of lawsuits that followed
No reports on how the Police in this town blundered badly in handling this incident. No open reports from the FBI and any other Police groups involved. Not a word given on these important details......

To date I would say anyone that has written a book on it has probably made some nice money, unfortunately they have not revealed any of the details one would expect in a crime book.

If you are looking for a subject that has been buried and are a writer here is a opportunity to do some Real investigation and bring the truth to the forefront with the well guarded secrets someone has been able to withhold conveniently!!!!

I can say that all of the books written about Columbine have talked in circles about everything but the details of Columbine and the handling of it as the horrible crime it was and of course it will probably take a generation or 2 for Americans to forget it.

Unfortunately America learned nothing from this incident as is evidenced by the many school and college shootings and murders since then.

We still in the majority of America have done nothing to provide the staff of any school or college a way to defend themselves or their students when these situations arise. They are victims waiting for the criminal to come with no defense available for them.

If a pair 17 year old kids can murder as many people as they did and handle weapons so proficiently would you not assume that a College educated staff of any school would have the intelligence to be taught how to counter these attacks and stop allowing their students and facility to become the victims as they all are now?

The failure to allow the carrying of concealed weapons on a campus by qualified and licensed citizens is but another example of the Liberals in this Country allowing the loss of life as they do their best to stop the use of the 2nd Amendment to it's full extent as our Forefathers intended.

Putting armed guards in any educational institution is a help but as happened at Columbine the Police got off without being criticized or at least investigated in a public forum on their handling of this incident,
The same has occurred in almost every shooting since then.

The book released by the so called FBI on this incident gives absolutely no information on the incident and boldly has deleted all details and important info concerning this.
It's a insulting book written when you consider the Freedom of Information act in America and their failure to inform us of the truths concerning this and many other gun issues...

Could it be that those in leadership concerning the Columbine slaughter are still in complete seclusion trying to cover their mistakes and are withholding the Total truths concerning this?
I would say to save the money they will lose if and when the courts get their hands on the real evidence which has been completely withheld to this date????????

A well armed & trained staff in any school could have easily ended this incident quickly and saved many lives.

Donate the money for the cost of these books you would have paid to the NRA. You will help Americans not become victims as is so well evidenced by this subject.

This book attempts to deconstruct the events using scholarly approaches to remain as objective as possible. After a variety of books with varying levels of factual accuracy promoting their own agenda, this author presents a variety of contributing factors as objectively as possible with appropriate examples, evidence, and support. There are a few spots where the author's personal biases begin to creep in but he does a good job of attempting objectivity when you consider how passionate we can become related to some of the topics. This book is not easy to read due to its content but it is absolutely worthwhile. Read it with a friend since you'll want to talk about it.

Some may ask, "Why a new book on Columbine after all this time?" but ask yourself, "Do we really know why they did it?"
Dr. Larkin provides much of that answer, but the real importance of his book is how it applies to many other schools still now. Think about it: at least two thirds of all rampage shooters had as their prime motive revenge for past humiliations at the hands of bullies, and most of that bullying came from jocks who see themselves as king of the hill. Worse still for the kids who are humiliated and sometimes scarred for life, this kind of violence is condoned by many adults in the community, especially coaches, former coaches who are administrators and school football team supporters, including the parents of the bullies. There is a reason why the vast majority of rampage shootings occur in rural and suburban schools where winning at sports overshadows any other kind of scholastic or artistic achievement.

Don't get me wrong. Sports and exercise are great for students, but we're not talking about physical health. The problem is the jock culture in which anyone less than a sports hero *deserves* to be dissed. They never learned that putting others down doesn't raise you up. Looking beyond Columbine, a similar conclusion can be found in *The Shooting Game.* The Shooting Game: The Making of School Shooters

Very interesting exploration of the culture in that high school. From what I've read, it's a shame the boys weren't able to make a more lasting impression on that community.

Just finnished the Book, was suprised it tended to lean back towards the whole "Jockocracy" thing. I thought those theories had pretty much been abandoned in favor of the "Apocolyiptic fame" theories that the boys were trying to eclipse Tim McViegh and the fact that they didn't select any specific targets. I liked the fact that it was so harsh on the "Christian right" for trying to make the massacre about themselves and enjoyed the interviews with the random students. Was supprised that every student interviewed said the same thing "They shot the wrong students". REALLY enjoyed the 8th chapter about the rise & fall of youth culture, I'm really into history, but the last chapter of the book is wasted ink with Larkin's theories on preventing school Bullying. It's always going to happen.

As a father of 4, I am very concerned with teaching my children to be safe. This book has some very good advice and teaching methods to help. While I do not agree with everything, it is overall, a very good book to buy for help with this important mission.

This book does not deliver exactly what the title implies. It relies on bribery for your child to do what you want. I agree with rewarding appropriate behavior but this book takes it to far.

How do you prepare a child for the danger of daily living and still raise a confident human being? You read this book. I thought I'd read everything available on self-defense for children so I was stunned to stumble across this treasure. Most books have a good tip or two in them but few are practical, and some are downright dangerous. This is the first I've found that offers a parent a complete process for raising a strong and safe child.
This book won't give you statistics or the details of predator psychology - vital information for parents - but you can read up on those separately. Meanwhile, don't skip the small stuff. There are powerful messages tucked into single paragraphs in this book. I disagree with the author in only one area - the need for long-term physical self-defense instruction - but understand his concern because of the lack of practical application to real-world scenarios in most martial arts schools. Real self-defense schools are difficult to find... so read this book! I recommend this for parents of children ages 3 to 16.

Also recommended: 'Child Lures' by Kenneth Wooden. 'Protecting the Gift' by Gavin de Becker. 'Raising Safe Kids in an Unsafe World' by Jan Wagner. "Gun-proof Your Children" by Ayoob.

This book covers everything from teaching children to protect themselves from bullies, among their peers, to protecting themselves from dangerous adults. It gives specific examples and language parents can use to empower their children. It also provides techniques for teaching children in set age groups. Arming our children with courage and tools to protect themselves is a necessity. I plan to give a book to each family in my circle of loved ones.

Debbie and Mike Gardner have written an absolute "must read" for parents. "Raising Kids Who Can Protect Themselves" is the best parenting book I've read in recent years. A fascinating page-turner, the Gardners' book is written in a simple-to-follow format filled from cover to cover with life-saving instruction. It doesn't matter if your children are toddlers or teens; this is a book worth much more than its purchase price. I have been recommending "Raising Kids Who Can Protect Themselves" to family, friends, neighbors and co-workers. In fact, I plan to give copies as Christmas gifts! L.C. (mother of 16-year-old daughter and 14-year-old son)

I purchased this book as a parent, and find it fails miserably in it's mission. While I give credit to Mr. Sullivan for his intent, this is a poorly written and illustrated book. It lacks depth, has a profound bias, and many other serious shortcomings. For example, the chapter on "Child Protection Software" fails to even mention any of the top software packages available to parents, i.e., Surf Watch, Net Nanny, or Cybersitter among others. It has all the appearance of a serious case of "selling out" to the few software companies mentioned. In addition, the "Further Resources" section at the end of the book is a wasteland. It contains few useful "resources", and many of those it does have are geared toward law enforcement, not parents. This is just not a very good book and I strongly recommend you look elsewhere. If you are still interested, wait for it to come to your local library.

I am so very thankful for this book! My kids spend a lot of time online and I just couldn't imagine one of my kids being unfortunate enough to stumble into dangerous territory. I bought this book after seeing Detective Mike Sullivan on The Oprah Winfrey show teaching parents of the dangers that children face online. I purchased this book as a preventative. I really enjoyed thechapter on ways to to talk to your child about the dangers that children face online. How do I bring it up? How do I gain their trust? How to I get them to take me seriously? Another chapter that I found INVALUABLE, was about protection software that I could install in my computer. Sullivan gave me the tools to safe-proof my child's computer.

I recommend this book to all parents!

Recently, my child began corresponding with a stranger online. My child started receiving sexually explicit photos from this person. I honestly didn't know what to do. I taught my child not to give out any personal information, but I did not know how to monitor her emails or how to stop her from "accidentally" surfing pornographic websites. I felt helpless. I purchased Safety Monitor and began my online education.

I hate to admit this, but my child can navigate through the internet better than me or my husband! How are we to protect her? Detective Sullivan not only taught me how to take control of my family's online experience, but he did so in a language that I can understand.

I am most grateful for this informative book, and urge all parents of children online to start educating yourselves now.

of all of the cyber safety books out there, the advice from Safety Monitor comes from a cop that is out there everyday, putting cyber predators behind bars. Who better to give advice to parents like myself.

Sullivan really takes me through the process step by step starting with the profile of an online predator -how to identify one, and finally how to avoid and protect your family. The book ends with a plethora of valuable resources from security software to smart cyber behavior, and finally various national organizations that identify and support this very important issue..

Detective Mike Sullivan patrols the cyber playgrounds and teaches parents how to do the same.

Safety Monitor is must reading for concerned parents. In the information age parents often become overwhelmed by Internet technology. Coach Mike makes it easy for parents to understand the problem (the safety of their kids), how to interact effectively with their children about the Internet and its use, and what to do if a problem occurs. The parent will know what to do and who to call if help is needed.

This books empowers parents to do what they do best, monitor the behavior of their children. This alone makes Safety Monitor a must read for parents.

Mr. Lieberman's books help to understand the unthinkable - the reasons why a disturbed teen's behavior was overlooked and signs of impending violence were missed. My husband was a victim of a school shooter on September 29, 2006. Mr. Lieberman's books give valuable insight as to how this can happen - that school shooters are master manipulators and are able to convince counselors, school staff, adminstrators and even law enforcement that they are not a threat. The making of a school shooter begins at home WITH THE PARENTS. Eric Hainstock (who murdered my husband) was referred time and time again by several different schools he attended for counseling, but his father would not allow it. He was afraid the County would remove Eric from his "home" and there would go his meal ticket (his ex-wife paid child support for Eric). Therefore the abuse continues and the teen becomes more and more out of touch with reality. Eric Hainstock never gave a thought to murdering his own worthless, abusive father, but instead shot my husband who was the very person trying the hardest to help him. Mr. Lieberman's books point out again and again how the shooters manipulate people to believe there is nothing wrong. I don't know how we will ever be able to prevent school shootings in the future when the parents and their disturbed child are so intent on hiding the fact that there is a problem. These children and their abusive parents should not be able to refuse counseling. The shooters ability to manipulate people is shown in Mr. MacDonald's review. He states that Mr. Lieberman arrives at the "erroneous conclusion that Kip Kinkel is a terroist, psychopath and sociopath". There is no question that Kip was all three of these. He was obviously very mentally disturbed, as are the rest of the school shooters to get to the point that taking up a gun and murdering innocent people is the only way they see to make themselves feel better. Mr. Lieberman's books help people to understand how these school shooters think so that hopefully we may be able to foresee a potentially dangerous individual and stop them before there is more bloodshed. Eric Hainstock told three of his friends that "he didn't think Mr. Klang would make it through Homecoming". He then brought two loaded guns to school the morning of Homecoming and used one to take my husband's life. Not a day goes by that I don't think about what might have been if just one of those kids had reported what Eric told them. If Mr. Lieberman's books contribute to preventing even one school shooting, then they are a priceless piece of work.

While I haven't read it yet I compared the sample
"Table of Contents" with "The Shooting Game" and the first 17 chapters have identical titles in both books. The sample page called "The Table of Contents" only gives the names of chapers 1-17. I wonder if the Eighteenth Chapter might be called "Acceptable Murder"; the Nineteenth Chapter "Face Value"; the Twentieth chapter "Fame and Immortality" and if most of the remaining chapters have titles exactly the same as the titles of the chapters in Lieberman's "The Shooting Game: The Making of School Shooters"? It's my guess that at least most of the other chapters will have titles the same as in "The Shooting Game", which is (and I've read it six times) a trashing of Kip Kinkel, which it is, disguised as a serious study of the phenomenon of school shootings, which it isn't. I guess I'll have to read it to find out, although that will be an awful waste of $10.95. At least the "NEW" book has an index. "The Shooting Game"
offers a so called analysis of all the school shootings up to the time of publication, which was, I think, March 2006, but the real purpose seems to be to use most of the other school shootings to draw "far fetched" similarities between them and Kip Kinkel, arriving at the erroneous conclusion that Kip Kinkel is a terroist, psychopath and sociopath.

The only useful suggestion Lieberman makes is the "brilliant" idea that the solution is for students to constantly be watching their fellow students for indications that they are about to go over the edge and on that basis alone, report them to "the authorities". That's casting a very wide net which inevitably will lead to paranoia and tension among students and possibly become the cause of more school shootings. Surely there are more productive, creative and less dangerous approaches to solving the problem of school shootings, such as changes in the gun control laws so that guns are not so readily available to children and adolescents and mentally unstable persons of all ages. What is the point to your average citizen having semi-automatic weapons? No self-respecting hunter would use them for hunting. What other use do they have for anybody but police and the military? Beats me!

I'll be back once I've read this wonderful "NEW" book, written by a man whose other books were about food and travel. Hardly qualification for the writing of two books about a very serious subject, and then giving lectures on the subject as an expert. A whole new career for Lieberman. 28.8.08

I work in a community library. We are always looking for books like this, that address community issues in clear, detailed language that will engage the public. Mr. Lieberman's book is a valuable asset for anyone wishing to understand and address such a grave community issue.

There has been an epedemic of school shootings in the recent past. Schools used to be safe havens where we could learn and study. Now when we enter a school we have to go through a security check and are constantly vigilent and in fear of being killed.

We need to know what has gone into creating the situation that we now face in our schools. In his book Joseph Lieberman presents a well researched and well documented yet readable book that gives the reader an inside look at what is happening in our schools to create situations that result in loss of life.

As a university adjunct professor, I researched many books about school shootings before I settled on Mr. Lieberman's book. I used the book for a college reading course -- with the intent of getting students involved in the subject matter and, thus, involved in reading. It has turned out to be an excellent choice.

This book weaves the story of a horrific act, which is played out all too often in our world today -- that of a troubled teen using violence to express what may be a personal or societal problem. This is story of Kip Kinkel -- but much more than that. Lieberman keeps you intrigued as the story of Kip unfolds among the questions that we all must ask ourselves: what makes a person kill his parents and school mates; what, in society, may play a role in forming the personality of the teen who kills; what are we doing to curb bullying at schools - which seems to play a big role in many shootings. These issues are springboards for discussion within ourselves and with others.

I would highly recommend this book for its style of writing (great writing) and content. Mr. Lieberman passes no judgement on Kip or the other shooters he profiles. Instead, he offers us insight and information and leaves the pondering to us.

I couldn't put the book down. Neither could my students.

I got this from my library to make sure I had my bases covered as my 7 mo old is nearing crawling stage. It covers the basics, like keep chemicals out of reach, pot handles turned on stove, covering outlets, but it also covers things I hadn't really thought of like...when buying a toy box make sure there's vents and easy open latch from inside in case baby gets stuck in there and bolting shelves to the wall so baby doesn't pull them down on top of her when trying to pull up on them. GOod thing I read that since I was planning to use an old cedar chest we had that would NOT be safe I now realize. It explains how babies are "top heavy" and can easily take a spill into a toilet bowl. I never really believed that, but now it makes since to me having a baby myself. THe author pretty much covers every room of the house. And she explains what to look for when buying baby toys and products, so this may be a good book to read while your pregnant. It's sprial bound, so would make a very easy reference text and would be a great shower gift!

My wife bought this after our son started walking - I was curious so I picked it up one day. I'm an engineer and a teacher so I like detail - and this one is completely thorough. Any area of concern you may have, it covers - and it does it in a well-written and thoughtful manner. I could tell the author has done her research and knows what she's talking about. It's the kind of practical item I wish we'd gotten more of when our son was born! I really appreciated the tips about the kitchen - our son was hugely interested in everything in there for quite a while.

The Babyproofing Bible has a lot of good info and a lot of things one might not think about. I like the real-life stories because it makes you realize that things like that really DO happen and I'm not just being paranoid. Only thing is this book almost makes me even more paranoid... hehe. Seriously, it's a great book and I love how it's organized -- first age then area.

I found this book useless because they list every conceivable thing you could do to baby-proof your home if you want to be ULTRA ULTRA careful. I cannot imagine ANY parent or family that would do all the things listed in this book. Which makes it useless because it is impossible to tell from the book what the important things are. I understand that it is supposed to be "exceedingly thorough" but I found it to be exceedingly useless. Plus, if you do everything in this book, you will be totally paranoid, and spend all your time worrying and your child will probably be over-protected. I am all for taking important precautions and baby-proofing, but it is impossible to tell what those important precautions are in this book of ten million mostly useless precautions.

As a parent and founder of a parent advocacy group, I am not surprised to see that the support and basis for this book comes from the whole language community, they are the ones who stand to lose credibility. Ms. Garan and those in her field are so against the National Reading Panel that they impede the road to change where change is needed. The NRP does not advocate ANY method in isolation or alone further, in both the summary and the full document, it repeatedly states that none of its findings can be used as a successful approach alone, including phonics. Only phonic-phobics could walk away with a different conclusion. To write a book such as this, and title it such as it is, is simply a way of deflecting attention from thought provoking research and the opportunity for high quality discussion. There is a difference between lock-step approaches and the free-for-all that exists in many whole language schools. Parents will tell you that a child needs a structured learning environment and the 5 elements identified in the NRP report to be a successful reader, even if you don't like the source of the report. The report is available on-line, for free, decide for yourself if Ms. Garan has sensationalized the issue for her own purposes. This is not political, the report was commissioned by Congress under the Clinton administration, and No Child Left Behind, which is based on the findings, came under the Bush Administration. The only group that doesn't like the report are those whole-language folks who will be shown as extremists the more this research is implemented.

Elaine Garan has performed a great public service. Very readable and riveting, this short book reveals what happens when politicians put the fox in charge of the henhouse. In clear, cogent fashion Garan uses her formidable research skills to distinguish between fact and fabrication in the political mandate to muzzle teachers and force them to deliver reading instruction in a lockstep, fastfood format.

Every parent and grandparent who wants their children to love books must read this book.

Every teacher who wants to take back her classroom must read this book.

Prof. Garan stunned the academic world recently with her brilliant critique of the National Reading Panel's report, which appeared in several prestigious journals, including the Phi Delta Kappan. The National Reading Panel summary claimed that intensive phonics was the true path for all readers from kindergarten to grade 6. Garan showed that this conclusion was not even consistent with the report's own data. Heavy phonics only really helps when children read regularly spelled words in isolation. It has very little effect when children read real texts. President Bush's reading plan is based on the National Reading Panel report; Garan's critique reveals important flaws in the report. Unlike the National Reading Panel report, Garan's book is very readable, very understandable. Those interested in more on this topic might also want to read recent books by Gerald Coles, such as Misreading Reading and Reading Lessons, Frank Smith's still classic book, Reading without Nonsense, and Ken Goodman's What's Whole about Whole Language.

As a teacher of reading in a Central California high school, I am constantly bombarded with the mandates and "bad science" of the National Reading Panel. Dr. Garan's book empowered me to understand what is going on in the realm of state and federal reading mandates and how to combat the many distortions with the truth. The question/answer format makes the book very readable.
I devour professional books on reading, and this is one of the very best. Get this book and you will be able to "triumph with the truth."

Sometimes children endure horrid suffering because they are afraid of "tattling." These thirteen stories help children see the difference between necessary "telling" and unnecessary "tattling." This book offers relief from the highly stressful situation of being afraid to tell but desperately needing to tell. It needs to be used carefully with adult guidance.

We start our school year in Kindergarten with "Telling Isn't Tattling". It is a wonderful introduction for these young children to start to learn how to handle situations on their own and when they should involve an adult. The situation/role play set up of the book is wonderful to pull the kids into discussions and to brain storm ways to solve problems. A must have for all teachers and parents!

This is a great little book that teaches children (and teachers) the difference between telling and tattling. Every preschool and elementary school teacher should have a copy of this book in his/her classroom.

This book attempts to distinguish between telling and tattling by presenting 1-page scenarios in which your child is supposed to choose whether the characters are telling or tattling. The answers and a brief explanation are included following the scenarios.

For example, 2 children are playing outside and get into a squabble. One boy begans teasing and calling the other names, then stops and goes off to play. The one who is teased goes inside to report what happened to his mother. Was he telling or tattling? If you guessed "telling," you're wrong - according to the author of this book. The little boy was tattling (...)This situation confused my young niece when we read it since she learned long ago to let us know if anyone is treating her wrongly, rudely, etc. Most importantly, bullying is a real problem for kids sometimes and they need help learning how to cope with this from adults (some experts have attributed the Columbine incident to the perpetual teasing/bullying that the 2 boys experienced over the course of many years -in addition to the lack of consequences their bullies faced). If permitted, this book would have taught her to disregard her feelings and not to turn to us for assistance.

In another scenario 1 sister informs their dad that her sister put the board game they were playing with on the floor in the closet instead of the shelf where it belongs. She was clearly tattling, claims the author. Once again, this was confusing for my niece because she is expected to put toys up where they belong and we never put board games on the floor since they can get stepped on. Also, my niece's sister doesn't always listen to her when she is reminded where things belong - so an adult's assistance can once again be required.

While the author's concept of this book is great, the actual application of her ideas is ineffective. The two examples from the book above can sometimes be "tattling" and other times be "telling," which makes them poor examples to clarify this concept for children. In fact, they only bewilder children more.

My advice is to take a pass on this book. Instead, create and practice telling vs. tattling scenarios with your children based on your own parenting/discipline style.