Infants Books

Melanie Bowden details the differences in women's experiences of their first foray into motherhood with detail, insight, and compassion. Every woman's experience as a first-time mother is different, though there are also similarities. This book highlights both the differences and the similarities. Bowden could have written a dry synopsis of these mothers' stories, but she chose to let them speak for themselves, making the book more powerful. I would pass this book on to any new mother I know.

Melanie has taken many real life accounts of new mothers and given direction on how to handle their issues. Working with families all the time as a birth doula, I don't usually see the "other" side of birth - the newborn care. Now I have a resource to share with families having these problems.

A highly recommended book! Written clearly, it is a very realistic and informative book that will help many women understand better what they may be going through. Guys: if you love your wife and you're starting a family, don't hesitate a second: get her this book, as she'll surely appreciate it.

Postpartum Doula Melanie Bowden shares a collection of new mother interviews in her new book "Why Didn't Anyone Tell Me?" Aimed at debunking several motherhood myths, her book shows that life after pregnancy isn't all smiling babies and easy times. New moms from all walks of life share their experiences from being single and married, young and old, delivery at a hospital and at home, as well as both uncomplicated and surgical births. Further, each account has its own unique set of problems - mild to severe postpartum depression, breastfeeding issues, sleep deprivation, annoying visitors, post-delivery health problems, and more.

Bowden does well in bringing many problems to light, many of them embarrassing for the new mom to discuss. In each, the mother had never been made aware of the problems that could arise until she was actually experiencing them. Much of the disappointment in the book comes from an unrealistic expectation of delivery or babies and a lack of knowledge obtained during the pregnancy. Bowden notes that new moms can feel so much stress to be a `supermom' - being able to do it all - that they ignore the signs that they need help. Feeling like a bad mother, incompetent, or not worthy can keep problems locked inside and weigh heavily on the mom's mental state and relationships with her husband or family.

Although sometimes feeling like a 143-page commercial for doulas, "Why Didn't Anyone Tell Me?" is an informative book on the harsh realities of motherhood. Bowden includes further reading recommendations and urges those mothers that are experiencing similar problems to seek help. Motherhood is much more difficult than most imagine and moms-to-be and new mothers cannot overeducate themselves on the only certainty in child rearing - anything can happen.

--Vicki Landes, author of "Europe for the Senses - A Photographic Journal"

This book is so helpful because it reveals the UNtruths new mothers - all mothers, really - believe: that they have to be perfect, that it will be an easy and natural transition, that breastfeeding is pure bliss, or at least the finest bonding ever. The reality is, motherhood is a beautiful thing, a wonderful privelege and GIFT from God, but it is HARD! The first months are exhausting, bewildering, frustrating, and just plain hard. Read this book to find out you're not the only one struggling! It's hard for all of us. Melanie did a great job of exposing the myths and therefore validating all of us that we are doing the best we can and that is all we need to worry about.

Having both professional and personal experience with adoption of children with attachment injuries, this book touches my heart. Prevention is worth a zillion hours of therapy later. The book does not address it directly, but another underlying message is that this sort of intentional parenting, with acknowledgement of the parent's importance, produces extraordinary results in not only the developing mind, but also in the developing parent.

The book in great words expresses what a parent is in the eye of a child, how the child is able to grow always knowing that their parent is there to protect and love the child.

Amy Hatkoff has done a great job of integrating a scrapbook of pictorial cuties with psychological milestones. The visceral response is one of "Ohhhh..." A little gem of a book and a very suitable stocking gift for anyone expecting a larger bundle of joy. I'm also appreciative of the fact that she has both sexes nurturing infants.

This book is soo... good I am amazed it isn't a best seller or winning every award in baby books!. I just had a baby and this book made me cry..it evokes the feeling I have for my baby/now toddler that I could never express, but felt it so strongly!!. I feel I am quite artistic as I am a writer of pop songsBlue Guitar...but this book touches your heart in some precious way I could never imagine. I love this book and send it to all my friends having babies! Amy.. thank you WOW!

You Are My World vividly captures with heart-melting photographs and disarmingly simple words the critical importance a parent's love and attention have on a baby's development. The author effectively uses the point of view of the infant, but she also interweaves, with a light hand, the best research that has been undertaken on the emotional importance of the parent-child bond. This little gem of a book would make a lovely gift for new or soon-to-be parents. It can also be enjoyed by those of us whose children have grown--You Are My World brought back with immediacy the intensity of those magical first days, weeks and months that I shared with my new born son. The author shows so much sensitivity to what goes on in a baby's mind, that I hope she follows up with a book on the world of toddlers.

This book is awesome because it gives practical information on helping your baby sleep. It is just what it says "52 sleep secrets". They are short and if the baby starts crying and interrupts you from reading, you're not in the middle of a long chapter. It is also great because it doesn't follow one "theory" on raising your kid like Attachment, Ferber, Baby Wise, etc. It just gives info on sleeping and what all people/babies need without telling you to make them cry it out or not cry it out. I loved it!

Kim West's advice about sleeping for children is spot on and more helpful than you could dream it would be. This little book is a handy reference and full of useful tidbits. A wonderful gift for a new mom, it serves as a quick study on how to help your baby and child sleep well. It's also a quick reference and refresher course for second-time (and third- and fourth-time) parents to start out and continue on the right foot. I can't recommend this book enough! And if you want details and anecdotes that support these concepts, you should purchase and read Good Night, Sleep Tight. The Sleep Lady rocks!

This book is amazing. It offers practical easy to use advice to help your baby become a champion sleeper. My son was sleeping through the night by 3 months using the information given in this book. A must have for all sleep deprived new mommies!!! A quick read which is a must for moms with a newborn OR challenged sleeper!!

Loved the first book, "goodnight sleep tight" - but over time you forget some of what you learned from that book - 52 secrets is like a quick reference guide when you hit sleeping setbacks like traveling to a different time zone, or even MORE teething. I'm buying them for stocking stuffers for my playgroup friends!

Kim West has done it again. With Baby #3 in our house, sometimes I feel like I should know this stuff already, but flipping through the "sleep secrets" is a great refresher course. I gave a copy to a friend who has an infant and she was so grateful. I love that I can pick it up and read a few tips at a time. Great format! Great tips!

Billy Bunny is one of my son's favorites, especially since we noticed the easter egg on each page. While Billy is looking for butterflies, a little caterpillar goes through the process from egg to caterpillar to pupa to butterfly somewhere on each page!

This is a wonderful book that subtlely shows the stages of the butterfly laying the eggs through to the emergence of a butterfly. I would definately like to order a 2nd copy as the original copy has been read so many times. This is a keeper. I would highly recommend this book

This book is beautifully illustrated. It is my son's favorite book and we read it almost every night. He cannot read yet, but he loves to uncover the animals behind the pop-up's. He is delighted when he finds the animals. The last page is full of butterflies and he always sqeals in delight.

This book is beautifully illustrated, as are all of Maurice Pledger's books. I have been reading these books to my now four-year-old granddaughter for over two years. She has learned colors and how to identify and count the various items in the pictures. The books by Maurice Pledger are her favorites. She never tires of having them read over and over again, although we have a very large collection of children's books.

The story is simple: Billy Bunny has never seen a butterfly, so he starts looking for one. Six pages feature flaps to lift in the search. Each flap activates a pop-up or causes something to slide into view. As the last page is opened, a elaborate two-page pop-up is revealed. The artwork is very cute. Although Billy does not notice the butterfly emerging from a cocoon as the book progresses, my two-year-old son does.

Tom Arma's Animal Time is my son's all time favorite book. It has adorable photographs of babies in different animal costumes. My 19 months old especially loves the pictures of the elephant and skunk. He makes elephant sounds and swings his arm and plugs his nose when I turn the page to the skunk. I can not express enough how much fun we have had with this book!

Tom Arma's Animal Time is my son's all time favorite book. It has adorable photographs of babies in different animal costumes. He (19 months old) loves the picture of the elephant and skunk. He makes elephant sounds and plugs his nose when I turn the page to the skunk. I can not express enough how much fun we have had with this book!

This book once again showcases Tom Arma's talents as a photographer. The animals are not animals a kid would see or hear about every day so it's a great learning tool. Our daughter loves the babies and marvels at the costumes! :)

I am a first time mother of a one year old and I cannot say enough about these books. I purchased two of them from a school book sale when my daughter was 4 months and she loved them. Since then, I have purchased more at each book sale and this morning am searching on Amazon for the rest of the series. My daughter cannot get enough of the cute babies and silly rhymes. She is walking now and most of the time has a Tom Arma book in her hand. I have even started buying extras to give to my friends when they have babies. I usually don't write reviews but wanted to give KUDOS and my thanks to Tom Arma. If you are considering buying these books, don't even give it a second thought...just buy. Your baby/toddler will love them!!!

We have all ten of the Arma books - they are all VERY well read! The pictures of the babies are wonderful, but when you add in the costumes, it makes for a double pleasure. Also, the rhymes that go with each scenario are just right for a toddler's attention span. The complete set has become my standard baby shower gift!

Steve's talent and passion for child psychology is evident throughout the text. His mastery of Winnicott is unparalleled, as his is ability to carefully disect convoluted concepts in an easily discernable fashion. On a personal level, one would be hard-pressed to find someone who knows more about child psychology than Dr. Tuber. Having met Steve on several occassions now, I feel confident in recommending this masterpiece of his to both anyone in the psychological community, as well as anyone in the English-speaking world.

Steve Tuber's "Attachment, Play, and Authenticity" is brilliantly written, a true pleasure to read in its clarity, originality, and playful approach. Tuber's book is an especially welcome addition as a primer that makes Winnicott's complex and often-paradoxical ideas accessible to a wide range of readers. Tuber unpacks and explicates Winnicott's theories--including "good-enough" mothering, the child's capacity to play, and the "False Self"--through the use of examples from his own experiences as a clinician and as a parent. Tuber also draws on works of popular culture (J.K. Rowling and Bruce Springsteen, among others!) to illustrate the universality of Winnicott's ideas. I highly recommend this book to clinicians, parents, and anyone curious about the inner life of children.

"Attachment, Play, and Authenticity," is a beautifully written primer by Steve Tuber on the work of Donald Winnicott, detailing the richness and clarity of his writing and ideas. Tuber starts each chapter by grappling with a paradox inherent in an aspect of Winnicott's work, and then wrestles with each paradox by delving deeply into a paper or two by Winnicott that is particularly illustrative of that idea. The chapters focus on key aspects of the text, and each passage beautifully illustrates Winnicott's evocative language and depth of thought. Tuber elegantly unpacks the density of Winnicott's ideas while constructing a narrative for the reader, with each theory building on the last, leading the reader to an integrated understanding of the developing internal world of the child. Tuber uses examples from his own work as a therapist, his experiences as a parent, as well as illustrations from classic children's stories that have become classics precisely because, as Tuber shows, they so perfectly capture the emotional dilemmas of childhood. I highly recommend this book to anyone wanting to delve into Winnicott's work; this book is a must-read for therapists working with clients of all ages, as well as anyone who wants to better understand the emotional lives of children.

Steve Tuber's book, "Attachment, Play, and Authenticity," is an incredible resource not only for students of psychology, but for any mother or mother-to-be. Tuber transforms Winnicott's theories into accessible, everyday language and invokes familiar songs, lyrics, children's books, and other bits of popular media to highlight the manifold meanings behind every moment of mother-baby interactions. As recent mothers ourselves, we found Tuber's ability to capture and make come alive the subtleties of mother-infant interactions remarkable. He describes the importance of the mother's ability to mirror her baby's experience through her facial expressions, the particular ways in which the fluctuations of her mood contribute over time to her baby's development, and the importance of the mother's participation in baby's play--all of which are vital parts of the new mother's everyday experience. Furthermore, this book "gives voice" to the infant, providing mothers with new ways of understanding the inner life of her baby and highlighting just how very psychologically alive their babies are. Winnicott is known for the idea of "good-enough mother," and Tuber's repeated invocation of not only the inevitably but the importance of a mother's imperfect attunement to her baby is likely to resonate with and inspire confidence in mothers. So many new mothers feel overwhelmed with the "rules and regulations" of new mothering provided by the myriad books and internet sites with "to-do" and "not-to-do" lists. It's incredibly reassuring to think that we need only be good enough, not perfect, and that the mother's effort to repair a "failure" is just as--if not more--vital for the infant's emotional development than attempting to provide a perfect attunement at all times.

Attachment, Play, and Authenticity: A Winnicott Primer
Steven Tuber is Professor of Psychology and Past Director, Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology of the City University of New York at City College. His new book on Winnicott's work will be of great interest to play therapists. Of particular interest to play therapists is his Chapter 8, "The Meaning and Power of Play." Tuber states on page 119, that Winnicott "believes that the ability to play is the benchmark for the entrance into a life of health and vitality." Tuber explains Winnicott's notion of the duality of play, "It is the milieu in which the baby discovers her True and hence utterly private self and yet the means by which she engages others and develops support" (p.122). Another important Winnicott concept of play is "Playing thereby allows the child to consistently work on the boundary between illusory omnipotence and helplessness and thus has at its essence the quest for mastery over the inner and outer chaotic (that is, not yet understood) aspects of its experience" (p. 123). Tuber cites an essential characteristic of play in general emphasized by Winnicott, but in play therapy this quest for mastery over the inner and outer worlds, creating cohesive play and later verbal narratives out of the bewildering experiences of a young child is a quintessential task. Tuber also explains that play is about repetition; play themes are endlessly repeated. This redundancy is most valuable to the play therapist because if we miss something the first or second time around, chances are it will come around again. This, however, poses a challenge to the parent, especially the mother who is typically the primary caretaker because she must attempt to maintain a "good enough" connection with the child in the face of boring, repetitions of play themes that may after a point become mind-numbing boring. Ending these play sequences often as a result of necessity involves as Tuber explains the "good-enough" mother learning to help the child make a difficult transition. Among many clinically astute and remarkable insights expressed by Tuber in this outstanding book is his comparison to the role of a child therapist in ending a play session. He states, "It makes me think immediately of what it is like to be a child therapist when the patient doesn't want to leave at the end of the session. These moments speak to how difficult it is to end the magic of play, to end the magic of relating, and for children who have had parents who have been experienced as unreliable, how frightening and/or depriving it is to end the therapy session. These children expect that the ending of the session will also not be reliably done, such that they won't get back to the pleasure of playing and the pleasure of relating" (p.124). Tuber goes on to explain that not wanting to end the session is a sign of hope in child therapy because it represents a wish in Winnicott's term of continuing the "good object" and a fear that the "good object" will not come back. Although the "good object" is viewed as unreliable there nevertheless is implied both the wish and capacity for relatedness.
Tuber beautifully expands on Winnicott's concept of a holding environment and its crucial importance in the creation of the True self. But the very process of creating a true and separate self presents the young human with the ever present prospect of aloneness. Tuber eloquently elaborates on this point, "The capacity to be alone thus implies the need for relatedness. To the extent that the baby can evoke treasured people in its play, and use the play to engage imaginatively with these people in interactions that explore every type of affect the baby knows, then the baby can tolerate the aloneness and indeed come to thrive despite--actually because of--its awareness. We can also say that the capacity to create symbols allows the child to cognitively "hold" her parent more easily, creating a salve to combat aloneness" (p.127). The above examples are samples of the richness of insight and creative clinical process that this beautifully written book offers to my colleagues in play therapy. The other 12 chapters in this book expand on Winnicott's key conceptual contributions and his approach to therapy. This book will be invaluable to mental health professionals unfamiliar with Winnicott's work or those of us who need a refresher. It is a comprehensive, wise, and unusually readable summary of Winnicott's important contributions to child and play therapy. Steve Tuber is a first rate clinician and scholar. On a personal note I met Dr. Tuber more than 30 years ago when he did a Post-Doctoral Internship at the Astor Home for Children. Even in the early days of his career, he impressed me both by his scholarship and research interests and his ability to connect with even the most unintegrated children. I regard him as well as his book as a true gift to the field of child therapy.

I purchased for my daughter to read to her grandchildren. She said they liked it, especially the little one year old boy re his new baby sister.

This book had some very good illustrations, but I still think that I've read better Tomie dePaola books. This book is about a little boy named Tommy who is expecting a new brother or sister. Tommy wishes and prays for a new baby sister with a {red ribbon in her hair}. But when Tommy's Nana Fall-River comes to visit, she's not too fond of children knowing how babies are born, and doesn't seem too interested in what's going on at all. All Tommy wants to do is go to the hospital to see his baby sister, but things keep coming up, and he just can't. He begins missing his mom and starts not to listen to what his Nana asks him to do. To find out what happens in the end, you'll have to read the book!

I would recommend this book to people because in it, Tommy learns that even though someone may not be so nice and kind to you, being nice and kind to them in return doesn't hurt anything. Rebelling against the things that people want you to do {especially your parents, won't get you anywhere} That's something that children these days should learn. So even though I didn't think that this was one of his best books, it still has a good message to children

Felipe 01/07/05

Book Review

My little sister by Tommy dePaola is a amazing chindren's book. It is all about this little boy called tommy and how he gets a new and beautiful little baby sister. This book shows many expressions. This book is my favorite children's book ever I liked it so much I read it over and over until it was time to go home from school. I love this book so much and it is all because of the hilarious humor in it. I defiantly recommend this book because I am share you will fall in love with it.

The Baby Sister is a great book with gorgeous illustrations. The illustrations are very colorful, which attracts the eye of the reader. Tommy, the character of the book, is anticipating the birth of his baby sister. Unlike most youngsters, Tommy is excited and eager for his sister to join the family. He specifically wants a baby sister with a red ribbon in her hair, which I thought was very funny and cute. And what do you know, his wish comes true!
This book would be great for a classroom because students can voice their feelings about the time a baby brother/baby sister came into the family. Some would be able to relate to Tommy, some might not. This is a very family oriented book, which portrays love and care.

My two-year-old absolutely loves this book. Unlike most of the other good books for expectant siblings, this book doesn't discuss any abivalent feelings concerning a new baby. While this could be a detriment in another book, here it seems beautifully appropriate. The autobiographical main character, Tommy, wants a baby sister more than anything else, and the happy ending comes when he gets his wish and meets his little sister. This is a beautifully simple and charming story with lovely, gentle pictures. I know that this book helped us to announce our pregnancy to my son. Even though he has other books on this topic, 'The Baby Sister' is his favorite, with 'Julius, the Baby of the World' taking a close second.

I wish more parents would read this book. I long for the days when kids went out in public and did not scream in groceries, misbehave in restaurants, or throw tantrums at social events. I always said when my children were young, "I refuse to raise a brat" and this book has helped me in so many ways. It is very hard today to maintain consistency in parenting - who has the time? - but this book is great for getting back on track. I have two very happy, healthy, smart girls who don't embarass me when we're in public:)! I think Back to Basics Discipline played a part in that.

I picked up this book because of the two good reviews listed previously. My 19 month old had really begun to have some tantrums and I would find myself either over-reacting, not reacting at all or just feeling inadequate at my ability to control my own child. After reading this book, I immediately felt empowered and in control. I even felt results from my son on the first day. My lack of knowledge in how to discipline had enabled his tantrums and the minute I gained control, his sense of security returned. This book reminded me of my parents discipline program and that made me feel at ease. You may not agree with all of her logic but I think the author makes some profound points (usually accompanied by a personal story) on why her discipline tactics work. My only critisism of the book was that I longed for more scenarios but the author wanted to relay the need for a parent(s) to take the individuality of the child into account. I long for an independent, honest, respectful, and successful child, teenager and adult and with this book, I feel I am on my way.

"Back To Basics Discipline" is the best book I have ever read about successful parenting. A step by step method is furnished that any parent can understand and apply to raising their own children. The noteworthy work will open the eyes of many parents about instilling self-control, honesty, and respect in their offspring. The book is a totally complete guide for creating a positive home environment blossoming with love and respect. This is a must-read for parents desiring their children to be controlled in a loving environment and growing up to be good citizens.

There are two books that have made a profound impact on me as a first time parent of a now 17.5 month old: The Continuum Concept by Jean Liedloff and this. Janet Matson explains in no nonsense terms exactly how to avoid what Jean Liedloff describes as being too child-centered. Back to Basics Discipline is so well written I was able to implement her ideas almost immediately - with great results right away. I now spend my days loving my toddler and looking forward to spending time with him.

Janet Matson writes common sense advice about a subject often fraught with misinformation and flavor-of-the-month approaches. Every person who has children, might have them someday, or is just around children on a daily basis needs to own this easy-to-read, practical handbook for growing happy children into productive adults. I loved every chapter, and I totally agree with all Janet's advice. Teachers, as well as parents, will find helpful ideas on how to achieve control without crushing a child's spirit. This is a great gift for potential parents! I am a parent, grandparent, and high school teacher, and I will be implementing Janet's advice in my classroom tomorrow. What's more, I'm going to recommend it to some parents because this book will help even those with teenage children!

I found this audio book to be a relaxing escape from the stressful preparations one has to make for the coming of their first child. I listened to little bits of this CD on the way to work, and discovered new and interesting facts about caring for my son. It was very relaxing and helped me step into the role of new father without all of the anxiety.

This is a terrific resource which I highly recommend to new parents and/or baby caregivers. It is extremely user-friendly and is great for anyone (most of us) short on time. I was especially impressed with the detail and quantity of information given, and found the narrator to be both professional and warm. The CD format is a terrific twist on a very functional must-have item for expectant parents, childcare providers, or anyone who loves babies. It has now become my shower gift of choice!

I was a bit anxious about being a new father, so my wife handed me a book she had been given. But, the last thing I wanted to do was carry a book around with me that had a pregnant woman in a rocking chair, holding a teddy bear. Time was also a commodity, so... I bought this audio book. These CDs are quick and painless, just like they promised, and they are full of useful information for new parents. I don't think I'll be "standing on the sidelines" now. If you're not a new father, then give it to someone who is.

This is a fantastic idea! I had taken a simple class on baby care before my daughter was born, but was working so much I never got a chance to read the books I was given. Before I knew it, little Anna was here. My husband and I took one CD each, listening to them in the car on the way to work, and then traded. The tips are very helpful for first-timers. I didn't know about the honey, or not to breastfeed after working out. The CD's are worth every penny.

Finally, someone gives us a break. It's not that I don't want to read up, and take classes. I'm just to busy to be believed. I have a daughter on the way, and I am a real estate agent. My time is not my own right now. So, between open houses, I have listened to this 2-CD set that my wife bought for us. It informs you about things like "over stimulation" and "gas", and even gives you a simple play-by-play about putting on a diaper. The tips are in a very organized format. We are still taking a class, but at least I won't go in there feeling like a complete idiot.

Best Kind Of Baby is the successful collaboration of author Kate Laing and illustrator R. W. Alley. Sophie knows her mother is going to have some kind of baby -- but why a regular old human baby? An ordinary baby can't play like a puppy, or make funny noises like a monkey, or blow bubbles like a fish! The feelings and ideas of a young child coming to terms with the pending inclusion of a baby in the family is beautiful presented in this picture book story that is certain to entertain young readers preschool through first grade.

This is one of the best books I have ever seen dealing with the delicate question of why Mommy's tummy is getting bigger and the consequent anxiety on the part of Sophie, the soon-to-be older sister. Its tone is just right. The dialogue is really funny--funny to children--and the illustrations are perfect. I understand that this is Ms. Laing's first book, and I hope we'll have many more from her...I am a teacher accustomed to reading many books for little ones, and this sweet volume really stands out.

This is an absolutely charming story for young children who are expecting a sibling. The story captures the humor of young children, and is a joy for adults to read, as well. It is clever, creative, funny and very sweet. We should hope for many more from Ms. Laing.

This was a fabulous book. I am expecting a baby in September and my daughter and I read this book together. She laughed all the way through and didn't think it was so bad to have a brother after all. It comforted her to know that other children have the same feelings she did. Kate Laing really knows how to tell a story that kids can comprehend. My daughter also really loved the pictures expecally the one with the mermaid and the dolphin. I recommend this book to everyone!

Having recently given birth to our third child, I've read a lot of books on this theme and this is, by far, my favorite. Laing's writing just rings true to how preschoolers really act and think, for ex., I love the descriptions of Sophie's friends as her next best-friend, her fourth best friend, etc. And my children had these tee-hee-hee laughs as Sophie's imagination soared, imagining that her mom was growing different animals inside her belly, instead of a human baby. When one of Sophie's friends asked if her mom swallowed a basketball, not only could I relate, having recently been as big as a house, but my children thought it was hilarious. I expect that we'll be reading this for years, long after we're dealing with welcoming a baby. My 3-year-old loved looking at the pictures of Sophie as a dolphin, as a monkey, etc. He asks for me to read the book so much, that my newly-reading 6-year-old read it to him. It was one of two books my children threw into the car for a recent day trip. Great book!