I can't imagine my life without my children, which is why I created this lens to support the Polly Klaas® Foundation.
What books have you read recently that did not come from the children's section of the library? Not sure? Been a while? Then allow me to share my reviews on books that you may find interesting to read now that you are a parent. My list is short right now, but only because I am only listing books that I have actually read myself. But don't worry, I am a fast reader so check back in every now and then and read what I've added to the list!
This lens was updated on 4/8/2008.
NOTE: How can you help the Polly Klaas® Foundation find missing children, prevent children from going missing, and pass laws like Amber Alert that help keep children safe? Build a lens for them at the Polly Klaas® Foundation Headquarters on Squidoo or visit the Polly Klaas® Foundation website.
Read Because You Care About Your Kids
BONUS: Be able to talk about parenting topics other than potty-training!
Reality Check: The cost of books can add up. I use Amazon links below so that you can read how other people reviewed these books, but you do not have to buy the books in order to read them, unless you want to have your own copy. I use Amazon to search and review books and then I use my library's website to find and reserve the books. My library's website also allows me to search and borrow from other county library systems in the state. Getting the kids in and out of the library before the youngest one rearranges or empties all the shelves is always a challenge and so it is wonderful that I can reserve a book online and have it waiting for me when I go to check out the kids' books. I look forward to the day I'll be able to browse the shelves!
Keep checking this site. I'll be adding books as I finish reading them.
Updates!
(Added 7/9/07) I also believe parents should read books purely for fun AND have your kids see you enjoying reading as well! If you ask my daughter, "What is Mommy's favorite book?" she'll answer "Harry Potter" without skipping a beat. I was so proud that day in the library when she was not quite three and pointed to a copy of "Goblet of Fire" and said, "Look Mommy - it's Harry Potter!" Now you all know what I will be busy reading on July 21st! (Note to those parents who disapprove of Harry Potter: Please do not let my personal choice of fiction stop you from reading the rest of my lens!
(Added 8/9/07) On July 21st I read for 14 hours to read the entire last Harry Potter book - from 2:30 Saturday afternoon until 4:30 Sunday morning! Many, many thanks to my very understanding husband who took the kids to their cousins' house on Saturday, hooked up a desk lamp for me so that I could read comfortably in bed that night, AND let me take a two-hour nap on Sunday when my brain started to feel a little fuzzy from lack of sleep! Of course, I am also thankful that after listening to me talk about the Harry Potter books for years and watching the first three movies, he decided to listen to the audio versions of the first six books in order to be able to read Book 7 right after I did! And just so you know that my family does come first in my life - when they came home from their cousins' house in time to get ready for bed, I put Book 7 down, helped the kids get into their pajamas and brush their teeth, and read three stories to my daughter for bedtime. :)
(Added 8/22/07) Just finished John Holt's book "Learning All the Time" and can not wait to read more of his books. I have found that homeschooling books, articles, websites, and message boards are WONDERFUL resources for ALL parents. Many books I have read have come to my attention through these homeschooling resources and local homeschooling message boards are GREAT for getting up-to-date information on great places and events in the area to take my children.
(Added 9/27/07) My "To Read" pile is growing fast and I just discovered a great new resource for books - scroll down to the bottom of this lens for information about www.paperbackswap.com!
(Added 11/1/07) Well, the last few months have been very busy. I am still trying to read for myself a little bit every day, but my "To Read" pile just keeps growing! I've also been trying to visit new lenses every day to read what others have to share and to leave comments. I also started a new lens, Create a Backyard Habitat - a Hobby for the Whole Family. Life is busy, but so worth it!
(Added 12/13/07) I am so excited! Yesterday I logged onto my PaperbackSwap.com account and discovered that another member had my Wish List item "Raising Respectful Kids in a Rude World" (see my list below). My own copy of this book is heading towards my mailbox as I write!
(NEW! - Added 4/8/08) It has been an exciting time for me. I am now a stay-at-home mom for my two wonderful kids! So many things to plan and do! I have been doing a lot of book-swapping at PaperbackSwap.com and have a stack of books to read for myself while getting lots of "Berenstain Bears" books for my kids.
Books I've read that I recommend to parents:
I'm humble enough to know that my opinions aren't the only ones to be considered; click on the links to Amazon to read what others have thought about these books.
Raising Respectful Kids in a Rude World: Teaching Your Children the Power of Mutual Respect and Consideration by Gary D. McKay
(Added 3/20/07) This book is only available used. I was able to find a copy through my state's library-sharing system. Just as we grew up in a different world from our parents, now our kids are growing up in a world filled with different technology and attitudes from what we experienced. Read this book to learn that it's not just about raising kids to say PLEASE and THANK YOU (although that still is important); it's about raising kids to respect themselves and others.1 point
Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children from Nature-Deficit Disorder by Richard Louv
(Added 3/20/07) This book is inspiring. My husband and I already make sure that our kids play outside, get muddy, go on family adventure hikes, work in the garden, and watch the birds and squirrles eat from the feeders we put up, but we still watch more tv than is good for us. Read this book to learn how society has changed how kids interact with nature, if they even interact at all, and why it is so imperative to get kids off the couch and back outside.1 point
How to Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk by Adele Faber
(Added 3/20/07) I learned more about myself than my kids when I read this book. I have already experienced improved cooperation by giving my daughter more opportunities to make choices, even as simple as choosing which color cup to use at dinner time. Practicing responses in advance really does work. I find myself asking my daughter WHAT WOULD BE THE NICE THING TO DO? - the result is her telling herself the right thing to do to solve the problem!1 point
Coloring Outside the Lines by Roger Schank
(Added 3/20/07) I first read this book two years ago, but recently re-read it now that my daughter is in preschool. Whether you like your school or not, do not forget that you are your children's most important teacher! Do you want to see the spark of interest in their eyes or hear the excitement in their voices as they tell you something fascinating? Read this book if you want to help your children discover what they love to learn.1 point
Dumbing Us Down: The Hidden Curriculum of Compulsory Schooling by John Taylor Gatto
(Added 4/2/07) Although this book focuses on the negative issues with public education, you can use it in a positive way to help you evaluate and prioritize what is important to you while exploring the educational options available for your children.1 point
Fast Food Nation by Eric Schlosser
(Added 5/8/07) This book goes way beyond making you think twice before ordering lunch from a drive-thru window. You'll also get an education in small-business history, big-business take-overs, marketing strategies targeting kids, job availability for teenagers and adults, population growth and urban development, adult and childhood obesity problems, and the workings of a slaughter-house.1 point
Raising Cain: Protecting the Emotional Life of Boys by Dan Kindlon
(Added 7/9/07) This book uses many brief case studies to illustrate the many ways boys interact and show their emotions. Since the case studies are mostly about boys of school age and my son is only approaching his 2nd birthday, this is the type of book I'll plan to re-read every year or so. A documentary based on this book was made recently, but I have not yet seen it.1 point
How Children Learn (Classics in Child Development) by John Holt
(Added 10/3/07) The original content of John Holt's book is his very detailed observations of children exploring and learning as a result of their own curiosity during the 1960s. The book was then revised in the early 1980s with Holt inserting paragraphs throughout the book with updated information on learning theories, his retrospective analysis of his original content, and his opinion of common teaching practices that work against the natural learning style of children.1 point
Things Will Be Different for My Daughter: A Practical Guide to Building Her Self-Esteem and Self-Reliance by Mindy Bingham
(Added 4/9/07) I ordered my own copy of this book the day I had to return it to the library! I want to write notes in the margins and underline sentences! The authors will help you develop a plan to be the parent you want to be for your daughter. Even if you love the way your parents raised you, read this book because your daughter's world is not the same one you experienced as a child or a teen.0 points
The Complete Tightwad Gazette by Amy Dacyczyn
(Added 6/27/07) I once read a review of this book that said it was full of tips of what to do with dryer lint - CLEARLY this person did NOT read the book! This book is packed with amazing money-saving tips, projects, and thought-provoking articles. This book will appeal to those who want to save money AND be environmentally-friendly as you reduce, reuse, and recyle.0 points
10-Minute Life Lessons for Kids: 52 Fun and Simple Games and Activities to Teach Your Child Honesty, Trust, Love, and Other Important Values by Jamie C. Miller
(Added 9/27/07) A good resource of hands-on activities for children to learn values. Tips are given to adapt each activity for younger and older children. Activities are listed by the values they promote (i.e. trust, needs vs. wants,...) and can be done in any order.0 points
Preschool Confidential by Sandi Kahn Shelton
(Added 10/2/07) Read this to keep your sense of HUMOR! There were times while reading this book that I thought, "Was this author in my house when she wrote this section?" You'll know you are not alone when you try to understand the behavior of your children! As a sincere compliment to the author, I would call her a modern-day Erma Bombeck (Yes, I was a teenager in the 80's who would read anything, including my mom's copies of Erma Bombeck books!).0 points
Dematerializing: Taming the Power of Possessions by Jane Hammerslough
(Added 10/29/07) The perfect book for me to read as I am trying to clear clutter out of the house and as the gift-giving holidays rapidly approach. I feel much more focused on my priorities now that I have finished reading this book.0 points
A Mind at a Time by Mel Levine
(Added 1/31/08) Easy to read and understand so that you can hold your own in a conversation about individual learning styles. A must to read for any parent who is frustrated if their child is not showing "progress" in school according to the school's standards.0 points
Books I am currently reading or have on hold from the library:
Once I finish a book, I'll move it to the list above so it can be voted up and down with the others!
Diet for a Small Planet
(Added 1/9/08) With family goals to eat more foods that are organic and healthier, it seemed only right to read this book. I got the 10th anniversary edition through www.paperbackswap.com, but this link is to the 20th anniversary edition.
Lies My Teacher Told Me: Everything Your American History Textbook Got Wrong
(Added 1/31/08) Having been a teacher, I know that textbooks should not be the only resource used to teach, but some teachers may not have the choice to add to the required curriculum. This book is eye-opening for adults, especially those who thought history class was BORING and should be required reading for anyone who has children.
Guerrilla Learning: How to Give Your Kids a Real Education With or Without School
(Added 2/20/08) If you liked "Coloring Outside the Lines," you'll like this book as well. Although one of the authors homeschooled her children for a few years, the goal of writing this book was to provide a resource for parents who want to supplement the education their children are getting (or not getting) in school. It is about how to get your child to have a passion for learning and to discover what their interests are.
Books Recommended by Visitors to My Lens!
Thank you for sharing!
Never Say Never: The Survival Journal (CAMPUS EDITION) by LaVonda M Gollner
(Book submitted by another reader on 9/13/07). Hav more...0 points
My Feet Aren't Ugly!: A Girl's Guide to Loving Herself from the Inside Out by Debra Beck
(Book submitted by its author on 12/17/07). I am more...0 points
Upside-Down Brilliance: The Visual Spatial Learner by Linda Kreger Silverman
An essential read for anyone who wants to better u more...0 points
Articles that I Recommend to Parents:
Not ready for a book? Try one of these articles to get started!
- "Growing Up Denatured" by Bradford McKee
- (Added 4/23/07) "Growing Up Denatured" is a review of Richard Louv's book "Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children from Nature-Deficit Disorder." The author does a great job summarizing the main points of Louv's book and presenting issues that will get you evaluating how your kids interact with nature.
- "Why Schools Don't Educate" by John Taylor Gatto
- (Added 4/23/07) "Why Schools Don't Educate" is John Taylor Gatto's acceptance speech when he received the New York City Teacher of the Year award in 1990. Gatto is the author of "Dumbing Us Down: The Hidden Curriculum of Compulsory Schooling" listed above as a recommended book. Hopefully, you are happy with your child's school, but Gatto's speech will still get you thinking about what you value in an education.
- The New York Times book review of "Fast Food Nation"
- (Added 5/11/07) The New York Times printed a short but thorough review of "Fast Food Nation: The Dark Side of the All-American Meal" by Eric Schlosser. If you read the review and not the book, you'll still get an understanding of Schlosser's concerns with the fast-food industry that go well beyond health issues.
- "Why Parents Should Read Harry Potter"
- (Added 11/6/2007) A nice little bulleted list of reasons why parents should read the Harry Potter books, especially if their children are reading them. Although I am still processing the fact that there will be no more Harry Potter adventures, I am still in awe that these books captured the interest of both children and adults around the world.
More Resources that I Recommend to Parents:
DVDs, videos, websites,...
- "Raising Cain" documentary from PBS
- (Added 7/9/07) This documentary is based on the book "Raising Cain" reviewed above. This show is highly recommended.
- "Engines for Education"
- (Added 7/27/07) "Engines for Education" is a "hyper-book" written by Roger Schank, author of "Coloring Outside the Lines" which I included in my book list above. This is an interesting, very non-linear, way to read a "book" about education. You pick and choose a topic to read and then pick the next subtopic, basically creating your own path as you read the information. I am still working my way through this "hyper-book," but I like what I have read so far.
Great links to help you with your reading habit!
- www.FlyLady.net
- Find the time to read! FlyLady will help you organize your time so that the house gets clean and you can find time to get everything done that needs to be done. Her website and emails are FREE. Just follow her Baby Steps to get organized. And don't give up even when she sends you lots of emails - FlyLady has thousands of Flybabies following her methods and slowly but surely getting their homes organized. No matter how many times you start and stop, Flylady will always be there to help you get back on track with Baby Steps! You can do anything for 15 minutes!
- Paperbackswap.com
- Trade used books online! Paperbackswap.com is a great way to get rid of books you no longer need and find used books that you'd like to read! Membership is free! You simply create an account, list the books you are willing to swap, and then search for books you want to read. You get free credits just for listing books when you start a membership and a free credit for every book that you mail to someone else. You then use your credits to order books to be sent to you. Mailing a book is so easy - when you receive notice to mail a book, you click on a button and a mailing address label/wrapper is automatically printed for you. Yes, you pay the postage to send a member a book, but then someone else will pay the postage for a book sent to you! I have already mailed out three books and have three books on the way to my mailbox right now!
Thank you for reading my lens!
Please share your thoughts about this lens or books you recommend.
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skyflyer9
Awesome lens. More informative and educative to all parents. Indeed children are our wealth and our life. Thanks for your hard work and pull all the information into your lens. I like this lens and rated 5* I have bookmarked this lens to share with my friends and to come back again. Here a similar informative stuff about Photo Book Publishing on Photo Book Publishing Please visit this site to find more information about Photo Book Publishing. Posted April 12, 2008 |
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Margaret_McKinney
Hi, I have a website about books for kids. I include not only books for reading, but also books to teach math, science, and history. Loved your lens. I don't have kids of my own, but give my niece and nephew 100's of books and I read everything before they get it. Fortunately, they are quite young so I'm still ahead on my reading. Posted April 01, 2008 |
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stemcells
Wonderful source of Information! Posted March 25, 2008 |
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kristinedior
Wonderful source of Information! Posted March 25, 2008 |
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AmyFox
I'm a Harry Potter fan too! Books are essential - love your lens. Posted December 20, 2007 |
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myfeetarentugly
You have put together a wonderful resource for all parents! Posted December 17, 2007 |
Posted October 25, 2007
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Evelyn_Saenz
I have read (and loved) nearly half of the books you mention. Hope to read the others soon. I lensrolled you to www.squidoo.com/recess Posted October 19, 2007 |
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Christopher_Scott
Thanks for posting these books. Zig Ziglar says what goes into our minds is what's going to send us where we want. Come over to A DAY OF HOPE Posted October 12, 2007 |
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Kaye_Swafford
Thanks for joining the Polly Klaas Foundation in this important work. We really appreciate you help and support for parents. Posted October 08, 2007 |
Important Polly Klaas Foundation Links
- Free Child Safety Kit
- This links to the free Child Safety Kit online order form.
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- Free Internet Safety Kit
- This links to the free Internet Safety Kit online order form.
- Donate Today
- This links to the secure donation page, which also gives instructions for mailing in donations.
- Polly Klaas Foundation Home Page
- This links to the homepage of the Polly Klaas Foundation.
