Infants Books

We just came across this book. My daughter and I both love it. Very amusing and touching! I will buy it for all the "expectant older siblings" that I know.

This book is a gem. Remaining fresh over decades, by virtue of its originality and its pointed, yet warm, wit, it now deserves to be called a classic.

I loved it as a child and now, six months pregnant with my first baby I have rediscovered it, much to the amusement of my husband! The pictures are just great and the story is so sweet. Really one of the GOOD children's books.

Our family first read this book when my mother was expecting one of my younger sisters. It was a family favorite and I searched in vain for a copy when I was expecting my second child. We were so happy to find it back in print again!! The pictures are beautifully drawn and I love the ending!

This book was a lot of fun to read even though we're not expecting!

As first-time parents-to-be, my husband and I read this book together and couldn't put it down. It stirred many emotions--laughter, tears of joy, and smiles of anticipation. It brought to life the magical relationship between parents and children. We both agree that this is the perfect gift for expectant parents.

Just when you think you know nothing about parenting, pick up this book and discover that you're in the same boat with every other mom, dad and grandparent. As the quotes, stories and poems in For the Love of Children so beautifully illustrate, your kids will suprise you every day. This treasure of a book is as warm and comforting as a soft blanket.

For the Love of Children, is filled with wonderful stories and quotes that will let any parent at any phase of parenting know that they are not alone.

It is delightful to hear other people give voice to my parenting challenges, such as Robert Frost's statement about a father and mother toward son and daughter. One of the best quotes, "If you don't want your children to hear what you're saying, . . . . pg 27

The topic of this book is children but it's really written for everyone to enjoy -- grandparents, parents and even non-parents like myself. If anything, it recalled long-forgotten childhood memories and helped me get in touch with my own child within.

BOOK REVIEW By Maryanne Raphael, Writers World

FOR THE LOVE OF CHILDREN is an inspiring treasure of quotations, poems, and anecdotes that celebrate today's children and the child living within each of us. As comforting as advice from Grandma and long-time family friends, this charming book can refresh exhausted parents giving them the courage and sense of humor they need to carry on. It includes favorite stories of famous parents, showing how they met the challenges of rearing children, communicating, setting boundaries, encouraging creativity, intelligence and compassion, sharing love and letting go. This book is truly a reminder of the joy and special magic that is childhood, helping us recognize its fleeting nature and precious beauty. We have more love, patience, joy and awe for our children. Every page is easy to read with humor, memorable quotes, and sensible advice. FOR THE LOVE OF CHILDREN gives us "a reason to thank the Universe for the incredible gift of childhood."

My grandchildren were fascinated with the story and loved the illustrations. I would recommend it.

Little Miss Sophie is an adorable must read for young children! This well illustrated, colorful book is sure to become a bedtime favorite for families
with young children!

my grandson loved the book---- great colors and easy to read . Terrific story line

My daughter loved the pictures and the story is priceless... A must buy for families with little ones!

This book truly entertains the little ones. The story and illustrations fascinated our grandchildren - they loved it.

Virtually everyone, at some time or other, has influence upon the speech and language development of the very young. Understandably, parents and grandparents are in the best position to guide and motivate their offspring as they learn to communicate. While well intentioned, most parents do what comes naturally. Of course, children will learn language and communication skills as a natural part of growing up, but you can have a dramatic impact on how the baby, toddler or young child in your life learns to communicate. In fact, you will, whether intelligently planned and executed, or not.

Laura Dyer's remarkable book, Look Who's Talking!, covers all the bases regarding language and speech development among children, from birth to age seven. Though rich with references to current research explaining how children learn to talk and the potential problems your child may have along the way, and what to do about them, Dyer has beautifully cut through the scientific jargon. Her language is clear, informative and easy to understand.

A Certified Speech-Language Pathologist, Laura Dyer, MCD, CCC-SLP, is well qualified to write comprehensively on her subject. While working with researchers at Florida State University, Mrs. Dyer studied the early detection of communication problems in infants. After earning a master in communication disorders from Auburn University, she worked with children as a speech-language therapist.

If you are concerned about the language development of your child, Look Who's Talking!, will become the most dog-eared book in your library. And for good reason! You'll learn how to enhance your child's language development and communication skills beginning at birth, including significant influences and common concerns about their development. You'll be able to spot warning signs and head off potential problems with sound production, vocabulary, and overall language ability. Dyer thoroughly equips caregivers in such important matters as nurturing pre-literacy skills, sign language, multi-language learning, and using musical activities and imaginary play to enhance language skills.

I had my copy of Look Who's Talking! several months before reading it. My children are grown, so I didn't feel a pressing need. Now, I regret the delay. Reading it has opened my eyes to its value, not only for parents, but for grandparents and anyone interacting with children. Everyone who works with little ones in any capacity needs a copy of Look Who's Talking!

Look Who's Talking is an excellent book. Ms. Dyer has obviously reviewed a large volume of research (see the notes section for many helpoful resources)and has covered many topics. Yet, she has managed to write in terms that are easily understood and helpful to parents and others. She has included specific examples to illustrate important points. Her book is filled with helpful and encouraging statements like these.

- You are your child's first and most important language model.
- Language is best learned by doing.
- Talking about a child's interests helps language development.
- Active learning is better than passive learning.

The author describes scaffolding as it relates to speech and language development. She includes helpful charts which provide information about a wide variety of topics including the following.

- Sound Acquisition
- Consonant Cluster Acquisition
- Recommended Staff-Child Ratios (childcare centers)
- Signs of Hearing Impairment

I have a copy of this book myself, and I have given the book as a baby shower gift. I also have the author's Little Language Songs for Little Ones tape, which my children and I enjoy listening to in the car.

You'll be glad you added this book to your personal or professional library.

Knowledgeably written by Laura Dyer (a speech-language therapist especially skilled in working with children), Look Who's Talking! How To Enhance Your Child's Language Development, Starting At Birth draws upon academic research and field work alike in order to show how parents just how they can help stimulate their children's ability to use language. Individual chapters address such topics as proverbial signs and gestures; common language development concerns and warning signs; steps for successful sign language usage; bilingualism and second-language learning; the unique challenges of international adoptions; using music to enhance language development, and so much more, Look Who's Talking! offers straight answers to common questions and is highly recommended reading for the parents of bubbling young personalities wanting to express themselves with an articulation suitable to their age.

I purchased this book several months ago seeking advice and tools to help my daughter who is developmentally delayed. I found this book to be filled with very practical advice and tools that a parent can use to help their child to develop great language skills. I highly recommend this book.

Look Who's Talking is a wonderful resource for parents who have questions about their child's speech. Laura Dyer, a speech-language therapist with a master's degree in communications disorders, has written a book that is well researched, easy to use and full of practical advice.

Look Who's Talking begins with an overview of speech and language development, including influences, potential problems and causes. Complicating issues such as auditory processing, hearing, language delays, and developmental delays are discussed. One of the key features of this book is the very detailed descriptions provided for each age and developmental stage; parents of babies and older children will find this a helpful resource.

I read a review of this book in my local paper, bought the book the same day, and read it cover to cover while my toddler destroyed the house around me...I literally could not put this book down. I was also fortunate enough to hear the author speak about, and read a passage from, Losing Malcolm at my local bookstore. I can say with assurance that the world would be a better place if everyone would read this book!

Losing Malcolm: A Mother's Journey Through Grief is the compelling and candid story of Carol Henderson's traumatic experiences arising from the death of her infant son. Writing with a sometimes painfully honest insight, Henderson chronicles the events that ran her through a gamut of emotions including bewilderment and fear to a bone deep grief to a transforming recovery. Losing Malcom is especially recommended reading for anyone who has ever suffered the devastating loss of a loved one, as well as those that care about them and seek to substantively assist them in dealing with their suffering.

I am the mother of a child with congenital heart disease. I suffered much the same as this author, only my daughter lived. This is a wonderful book & I could relate so much, even given the fact that it was not death I was dealing with. Though I did deal with the "death" of the healthy child I thought I had given birth to. And in her place was my very sick & dying child. This author had to deal with death as a result of heart disease & I am having to deal with life as result of it. Either way it rips at your heart.

I went through a period of depression & anger. Like this author I withdrew from the world. I wanted to hide from everyone, including my closest friends. I wore a mask. I wanted everyone to think I was ok. But really anger was inside me eating at my soul like cancer. I thank Carol Henderson a thousand times for writing this. I AM NOT ALONE!! Buy this book along with a box of tissues. It will make you cry & laugh.( I particularly enjoyed the part describing "an innocent." So true...)

Losing Malcolm is a moving, first-hand account of unbearable loss and grief-and the growth that ultimately results from it. Carol Henderson struggles with the alienation that naturally occurs following such tragedies (only women who have lost babies can truly understand the experience), exacerbated by her temperamental/ familial or, as she describes it,"WASPy" tendency to withdraw in the face of emotional pain so as not to put anyone out. (She learns to cope this way early in life: her mother suggests the same solution to all emotional pain --- lie down and get some rest.) Ultimately, the author discovers real answers that lead to healing: find a community of women that has experienced the same loss, seek out a loving therapist who absolutely understands what she is going through, and, somehow, garner the courage to have another child. Through her painful odyssey, Henderson finds meaning and redemption in Malcolm's short life. This is a helpful book for both professional healers and family and friends of bereaved parents.

This is a beautiful book about a very difficult subject, grief. I finished the book within 24 hours of having bought it. It is not just about the death of a child but about how we are transformed by such tragedies. Henderson's life is deepened and matured by this profound experience and reading her book I felt I had changed too.

This book contains a lot of Buddism and Buddist dogma. There's nothing wrong with that, if you're interested in Buddism. However, as a book on MEDITATION, I expected to learn about meditation, not Buddism. The subtitle, "A Step-by-step Manual for Buddist Meditation", is more accurate. However, once again, there's little actual information about meditation techniques, and much more about how to meditate from the Buddist perspective. Meaning, that the focus is on the philosophy and not techniques. For instance...

The section entitled, "How to meditate", is 4 pages long. The majority of the book (just over 80 pages!) concerns the "Twenty-one Meditations", which are things to meditate ON - essentially ideas - which are presented as a sequential process of meditative enlightenment. Thus, if you want to learn HOW to meditate, I cannot recommend that you purchase this book.

This book helps us Western people to focus on the important things while meditating. In a very clear and easy speach it explains us step by step how we get a clear view beyond all our daily activities through to what really makes our life as human beings so very precious. I can recommend this book to anyone trying to approach meditation or trying to get further into meditating on a regular basis.

The Lamrim is the "Graduated Path to Enlightenment." It is a total map of the Buddhist Path. And it is distilled, without any loss of flavor or potency, into these 21 meditations. I
completed these meditations in 1997. I made more progress than
I ever had in any spiritual or psychological program. So I naturally started to do the meditations for a second 21-days.
I treated my family as myself or better. I felt that life had meaning. I felt part of you, the reader of this review, as well.
That there was a connection to everything else. Then my brother
asked me what program I was doing. I told him that it was the
Lamrim meditations of Geshe Kelsang Gyatso. He told me that the
Dali Lama was angry at him for worshipping a protector deity named Dorje Shugden. So I quit. Until now. I did a one month exhaustive investigation of this affair. I have found Geshe Kelsang Gyatso blameless. And the Dali Lama was trying to keep his country intact because a book titled "The Yellow Book" was
dividing it. This book portrayed Dorje Shugden as a hero entity that was protecting Tibet and driving away the Nyingma influences. I am back. And this book is the best. It may not be the best for you. But it is the best for me. The 21 meditations are a concise psychological map for mental health. I have known lamas and swamis who are quite mean-spirited. But how
can you be mean if you are meditating on love? The mind takes the form of whatever it is paying attention to. After you have this book, you will see that the first meditation involves meditating on your Spiritual Guide. Don't be frightened. You can meditate on Geshe Kelsang Gyatso. Or you can meditate on the Dali Lama.
Pick one of them as your Spititual Guide if you don't have a teacher of somekind. The next problem that you might encounter is the meditation on Tranquil Abiding. I just called The NKT
Center in Los Angeles to get an answer. You can achieve tranquil abiding (the ninth stage) at home and in the evenings.
Students have done so. This book is such a tremendous achievement. You will have such great joy. I am sorry that I quit. And I wish you the very best of happiness.

This book is essential for anyone who wishes to quiet his or her mind, reduce stress, and cutivate a peaceful frame of mind. Easy to read, written in plain English, this book provides you with evrything you need to know and is presented to you in a way you can quickly absorb and use immediatly. I LOVE THIS BOOK!

This is a very short introduction to Tibetan Buddhist meditation by a very credible author. This is complicated territory and this book illuminates the path, especially for Westerners.

Cozolino books is outstanding. Simple to read yet he provides empirical evidence into the development of psychopathology by juxtaposing "average" brains to those with pathology.

I enjoyed the research that he explained on trauma and stress and how it can shrink your hippocampus and create memory problems. This seems to be inline with the research that has been coming out on autobiographical memory specificity. This is an excellent book for anyone wanting to explore the biology of attachment and psychopathology.

I also enjoyed in the hope that he provides in being able to change the brain and change neurons and how they connect.

I am studying infant and child development, and appreciate and enjoy how two fields that normally don't speak the same language come together in this book. The author discusses how parts of the brain work, how hormones play a role, and how these biological substrates can help in understanding the attachment process. This is a useful addition to the typical descriptions of attachment at the "whole organism" level.

Easy to read and understand. The information is very helpful as you look at attachment.

This book is a great read if you are interested in the social development of children or if you take interest in rudimentary neuroscience. You may want to be near a computer to look up more information on the many parts of the brain to which he makes abundant references. Cozolino has done his research, and it definately shows in the depth if insight he exhibits in this book. He is also a seasoned veteran of the psychology field, and this comes through in his personal stories, which lend to the book some reprieve from the technical language of brain development. Highly recommended for those with an inquiring mind.

I've read many books deserving of 4-5 stars over the past year, but none as complete and practical as this one. Author Louis Cozolino does a superb job of discussing the basic neuroanatomy and creating the analog of social synapses in which, by utilizing one another via empathetic circuitry and mirror neurons, we balance one another out biochemically in our relationships. Cozolino distills the information down to the level that is necessary for a novice to understand, while then toward the end of each chapter relating it to a case study; many authors have done this before, but none have 'metabolized' the information so well in comparison to Cozolino--I honestly feel as though a basic conversation with someone reveals quite a bit about the person, and after reading this book I feel as though I could hypothesize as to what areas of the brain may be deficient in certain cases. I am not saying this book will give one super powers or X-Ray vision, but gaining insight is almost certain.

If you wish to understand human relationships on a hard scientific level, then this is a must have.

I read this book when my first child was a month old. It was exactly what I needed. I felt as if I had a sympathetic voice for everything I was experiencing emotionally. This book doesn't address the concerns found in most baby books such as how to dress and bathe your baby. Instead, it focuses on the changes you are experiencing as a new mother. It made me feel a little more sane while I was experiencing the crazy fogginess of sleep deprivation.

The best part about this book was that it was written in a question and answer format. I could easily pick it up where I left off as I was frequently interrupted by the demands of my newborn son. I was also able to tell when I didn't need the information on a certain subject and could skip right over it to the next question. I was able to digest the information at my own pace.

This book is a lifesaver for new mothers and I would highly recommend it to anyone who has recently had a child or is about to have one. It gave me hope when it seemed like my life was overwhelming and it reminded me that one day I will have a full night of sleep again!

I received this book as a gift, and now my best friend is pregnant so I'm buying her a copy. Every new mom needs this book! Anything and everything that comes up for new moms is addressed - from the baby's health and development to changes in your body and why you're fighting so much with your partner. Love the question & answer format, which makes for easy reading in quick "bites." I pick up this book over and over again and always find something new and inspiring. Highly recommended!

Motherhood Without Guilt: Being the Best Mother You Can Be and Feeling Great About It

I have read many books about how to care for your newborn, but this book was about how to take care of me, after childbirth. Every question I had and wondered if I was being selfish, greedy, overly protective or just depressed was included in this book. It gave examples that I related to. I am very grateful to know that I am not alone with my emotions and experiences of being a new mom!

As a family therapist and teacher, I thought I was quite prepared to become a mother. In reality, I was overwhelmed by the abrupt changes in my life after having a baby. This book addressed my concerns in a caring, supportive and nonjudgmental way. It discussed issues that I had difficulty verbalizing, and it normalized my early experiences of motherhood. This is my top pick for every new mother - it is my staple gift at every baby shower!

I cannot believe I had to endure the pregnancies and births of four children before someone wrote this book! The New Mom's Companion: Care for Yourself While You Care for Your Newborn is an amazing book that speaks directly to a new mom, and about practically ALL of the questions and dilemmas that a new mom has to endure! Wait, it really speaks to ANY mom! I have to admit that I quickly studied the "in-law" questions, to make sure I wasn't off my rocker for some of the concerns I had (and still have) about my ability to be a good mom, despite what the other side of our family thinks! The authors of The New Mom's Companion: Care for Yourself While You Care for Your Newborn have taken great care to respond to the many questions highlighted in this book, putting a positive light on some very emotional and misunderstood feelings of a new mom. We are pampered and doted on while we are pregnant, yet the minute the baby arrives, moms seem to lose their identity and their value. The New Mom's Companion: Care for Yourself While You Care for Your Newborn brings self-worth back to the woman, who just happens to be a mom!

What a funny read...Very well written and witty. Highly recommended from a mom who RARELY reads parenting books because they seem so boring.... This one is original, supportive and well worth the time. You'll feel a little less crazy, neurotic and guilty as a parent after you read this one.

No, I don't have kids but I am a day care teacher and I am a Goddess to many children. I am about half way through this book and am really liking it. I keep laughing out making my sister think I'm insane though since she works with 3 year old too I'll be passing this along to her next and she can laugh out loud too.

5 stars and if you don't like it you can't come to my birthday next September!

What a funny funny look at being the mother of a three year old. She has done a great job capturing the phases and stages that leark in dark corners just when you think the terrible twos are over! Although I think Shelton is a little down on Motherhood sometimes the book is non-the-less a great read. Easy to pick up and put down, with some out loud laughing involved. It would make a great gift for the three year old birthday boy or girl's mom!

This book entertained me non-stop through an 800-mile train-and-bus trip, and I don't even have children. I really couldn't put it down. It's as funny as Please Don't Eat the Daisies, and as engagingly written. Someone should make a TV series from it, or a movie. This one's a winner.

My husband and I are reading this book out loud to each other each night after we tuck our kids in bed. We usually end up laughing so hard we almost fall off of the couch. It's good medicine, that book. Sandi takes situations that you may never have thought of as being funny and opens your eyes to just how hilarious it all really is. The fact that she's been through the preschool stage three times herself gives her vast experience to draw from and write about.

Mostly, I feel like I am reading a comic strip about our own family life because the things she describes are the very things we experience over and over again and never even thought to ask anybody about. It does wonders for my attitude.

I think anyone who is in the process of raising a preschooler NEEDS to read this book. It's like the glass of wine at the end of the day, and perspective for the days to come.

This is the best family cookbook because they're healthy recipes for my family. I love the detailed information from prep time to calorie information. The personal comments and stories from the editors makes it like this cookbook was given to you from a trusted friend.

My kids are excited that I've finally expanded their school lunch options with all the great lunch recipes that are quick and tasty. I'm impressed that I've had such success with the dinner recipes that not only the kids like but my husband like too! I've already given this cookbook to a few friends and plan to give it as a holiday gift to many others!

This cookbook is truly sensational. Children love the fun names of the recipes and at last, not only agree to eat healthy food, but devour it with delight. A game changer for the dinner hour! Alleluia. This is a great present - I have gotten real thanks from grateful friends, and their children now tell me of their favorite recipes! I plan to give the book as a Christmas gift this year.

I was given this book as a gift and I am thrilled with it. Unlike so many of the cooking for kids books out there this one has recipes that both grown-ups and kids really like. And everything is very easy, but satisfying. It is healthy food, without being painful or extreme. It's a collection of very, very appealing dishes and it is packed with stuff I want to make.

This book has a wonderful tone and smart approach. As the foodie parent of an 18-month-old who is just starting to express picky behavior, it's important for me to be able to teach her to love all foods (NOT in a "deceptively delicious" kind of way, just in the flat-out delicious way). This is an important, must-have cookbook with crackerjack timing!

I got this book for my wife to help with menus for two picky boys. She is using it every week now and the kids love it. And the best part is, the meals are really good.