Child Health Books

This is a fun, good and helpful book in teaching the facts of why you should wash hands.

My 2 1/2-year-old grandson loves this book. He likes the illustrations and the simple wording. He asked me to read it over several times.

I appreciated the message because he is told to wash his hands after he goes potty, after he pets the cat and after he comes in from outdoors--and of course, before eating. I think he liked this book because he could see that the princess had to wash her hands throughout the day just as he does!

I'm a nursing student and bought this to teach handwashing to day care and preschool students. Actually, I bought 3 different books and this was the only one "simple" enough for that age group to appreciate. The others went into viruses versus bacteria and were better for much older groups. I've used it 3 times for teaching groups and each time the children are engrossed in the story while at the same time learn about good hygiene. I especially like that it teaches germs are present even if you can't see them - something hard for little ones to get. Even though it centers around a "Princess" who has to wash her hands, the male children were just as interested in the story.

I'm surprised that no one has reviewed this book yet, since Amazon has sold lots and lots of copies ... my guess is that most teachers (like myself) are simply too busy to stop and write reviews :o)

I received my copy of this great book in the mail today, and my kinderkids are going to love it! It's the story of a little princess who is constantly being told "Wash your hands!" The princess is playing outside in the mud ("The little princess LOVED getting dirty!") and comes inside to eat a piece of cake. Her mother, the Queen, stops her and says "Wash your hands before you eat that." "Why?" asks the little princess. "Because you've been playing outside."

The little princess dutifully washes her hands, then stops to dance with the dog and cat on the way to the kitchen. Next the cook tells her to wash her hands, and of course the little princess asks why. This is repeated several times, with delightful illustrations, to remind the little princess (and all the children who will hear and enjoy this story) that she needs to wash her hands after playing with animals, using her potty, playing outside, and sneezing.

A humorous discussion of "germs and nasties" follows, and the little princess learns that if she doesn't wash her hands, the germs and nasties "can get into your food, and then into your tummy ... and then they make you ill."

Like Tony Ross' other books ("I Want My Potty" and "I Want to Be"), this one will be a big hit with my students while sharing an important message in a way they'll enjoy and remember.

I used this book to teach proper handwashing to a group of 4 & 5 year olds . Its was very helpful and I highly recommend it.
Perfect for preschoolers.

This book has been a God-send. Its clear, comprehensive text, helpful illustrations, and authoritative advice (the lead author is a top Houston neonatologist) is just what my husband and I needed when we found out our baby was going to be born prematurely.

We especially liked all of the stories and testimony from parents, people who have experienced the fear and uncertainty of high-risk pregnancy. Their stories are incredibly reassuring. We needed to know we weren't alone.

This book is a must-have for any parent whose pregnancy is not going as planned.

My son was born prematurely June 10, 2004. My 30 week ultrasound came back showing that my ambionic fluid was low and my baby only weighed 2 lbs. 7 ounces. The next day I was sent by my OB/GYN to meet with a perinatologist. Within 15 minutes of meeting the specialist, I was told my baby would be born witihin 24 to 48 hours and was admitted to the hospital 30 minutes later. My son was born via emergency csection 27 hours later. I was 31 weeks into my pregancy. He will spend 9 weeks in neonatal ICU before he can come home. This so far, has been the hardest and most heartbreaking part of my entire pregnancy.

I am 30 years old and was diagnosed with chronic high blood pressure two years ago. This book is a step by step account of what happened to me. I developed pregnancy induced hypertension which turned into preeclampsia. None of my doctors (family practicioner or OB/GYN) told me how dangerous and high risk my pregnancy would be. I wish I knew then what this book has taught me now, it has been a real eyeopener and lifesaver.

A very helpful book for reading during your high-risk pregnancy and when your baby is in the NICU. I did think that the anecdotes about women's experiences with terbutaline and magnesium sulfate were unnecessarily alarming. This book complemented Linden's Essential Guide for Parnets of Premature Babies nicely.

Upon hearing you're pregnant, most people will only have images of perfect babies. When hearing something is going wrong with your pregnancy, most people have no idea what to expect.
When I heared I was going to have my baby within half an hour, at 26 weeks of pregnancy... I had no idea what was laying ahead of me.
This book prepares you on what to expect when you have a high-risk pregnancy and takes you trough the 24 hours after delivery, your preemies growth and maturation, the neonatal unit, bringing your baby home and later-life development. There is also a part on babies with special needs and a part about when things go wrong.
From the many lonely hours I could not be with my baby, I spent many reading this book. The stories of other parents helped me survivng the nicu and the many charts and statistics helped me to get an image on what to expect.

Thank you very much for this book.

This is THE book I wished I'd known about in advance when we developed problems later in my pregnancy. I actually think anyone expecting a baby where there is a possibility of it becoming a high-risk pregnancy (and face it, that could be any of us, right?) should read this book so that you can be prepared to be the best possible advocate for yourself and your child in the NICU and during the transition out. It will also help you understand the complexities of what goes on in the NICU so you can work well with the staff caring for your infant.

Worry Wart Wes, is definitely stressed. Tolya L. Thompson deals with the realities of today's children in bright, bold, and successful colors. The color draws the children in and keeps them wanting more. If you are looking for pastel baby blues in soothing colors in a book, then this book is not for you. The pictures are wonderful and almost realistic. Have you ever seen an appealing wart? Well you won't see it in this book either. The rhyme is designed to develop phonemic awareness, and it works. The children walk around repeating phrases in the book; which ultimately helps them retain and recognize words in the future. If your child doesn't sit through this story write the author and get some tips on how to utilize the book. The children are entertained until the end of the story, and always ask you to "READ IT AGAIN!"

In Worry Wart Wes, Ms. Thompson is able to capture the mind and imagination of young children, particularly when they are faced with everyday stress. She brings this to life with her words and rhymes and with the colorful and imaginative illustrations. The smartie series is a fun and creative means of helping children deal with physical and mental changes in their life

I highly reccomend Tolya Thompson's books Loud Lips Lucy & Worry Wart Wes. Her unique rythmes are complimented by colorful & fun illustrations. The books are extremely entertaining as well as eductational. The smartie at the end of the book explaines the medical problem that her character has. This promotes health & awareness from a young age. I have never before read a childrens book which incorporates such important topics.

The second book in the "Smarties Series" from Savor Publishing House, Worry Wart Wes is the story of a stressed out young boy. Told in singsong rhyme by Tolya L. Thompson, and brought to life with vibrant color illustrations by Juan R. Perez, Worry Wart Wes shows how a young boy named Wes learns to counter rising pressures with simple relaxation techniques - taking a deep breath and then blowing out the awful thoughts and stressors inside. A "smartie" note for both kids and parents at the end of Worry Wart Wes offers wisdom about the negative effects of too much stress in children.

Worry Wart Wes (and Loud Mouth Lucy) are wonderful books. I saw them at a friends house and I immediately asked where I could get a copy for myself. I can't wait until my 2 year old is a litte bit older and can appreciate it. Right now he just loves looking at the beautiful, vibrant pictures. Tolya's books will DEFINITELY be a part of my child's library.

In the age of chronic dieting, increasing obesity, and an epidemic of eating disorders, Ellyn Satter's approach to feeding children makes sense! As a former dieter myself, I know dieting does not work, so to impose a "diet" or restricted form of eating on my children doesn't make sense. Ellyn Satter explains in a common sense and non-judgemental way how to stop "restricted feeding" behaviors and allow children to regulate their food intake. Parents are responsible for providing a variety of food, (including food that some people may feel is off-limits, such as chips and cookies)and children are responsible for deciding what and how much to eat. Satter also strongly emphasizes the importance of family meals. It was a tremendous relief to me to hear that I don't have to control the amount that my children eat - that they can be trusted to regulate their own food intake and to grow in a way that nature intended for them. Satter emphasizes that it is OKAY not to be "skinny" and that some children are just larger than others - and it's normal and healthy for them. Satter has a common sense and loving approach for parents of children who are actually at an unhealthy weight to help them get back on track. I wish I had read this book when my children were infants - I would very highly recommend it for any parents who have weight or food issues of their own - read this book before you pass on those issues to your children. I thought I was "over" my own issues and still managed to pass them on! This book should be required reading for parents who are "dieters."

I stumbled on this book while searching for family meal plans. What a revelation. We have one child who we have worried over for years regarding her eating habits and high weight. My husband actually picked up this book and read it cover to cover and, uncharacteristically, led the way in a radical change about how we think about meals and food in our household. This book is full of common sense for families who may be struggling with a child's weight problem. The basic idea is so ZEN--stop controlling, stop struggling, stop worrying and you change the very nature of the problem. Now we're no longer trapped in the double standard of telling one kid to stop eating and the other to finish her food. We're seeing our picky 3 year old actually grab a carrot on his own!! My overeater pushes back from the table when she's full and doesn't crouch over her plate like a famished animal. My middle child is learning to sit in her chair and enjoy the food that is available instead of asking for alternate meals. My husband and I actually have time to catch up with the kids. And I have been able to look at my own eating patterns (and their origins) in a new way. This is a profoundly wise book and I'm so grateful to have discovered it.

I love Ellyn Satter's healthy attitude toward food and eating. But I did get a bit tired of seeing the magic words "Ellyn Satter's Division of Responsibility" on page after page. Still, Satter's ideas are revolutionary enough that maybe she needs to repeat them frequently to get them across. Her basic idea? You are responsible for presenting your child with nutritious food at regular meal and snack times. You are not responsible for how much your child weighs, you are not responsible for how much (or how little) your child eats, and you shouldn't even try to prevent your child from ever eating "junk" food. Just as important as Satter's theory of how to feed a family is her critique of our "fat-phobic" culture. And she's not just making it up as she goes along--she cites the research to support her theories. This is an important book.

How much damage did my parents do to me by making me "clean my plate" because "there were children starving in Africa!" Urgh. After 20 years with a weight problem, I'm finally getting it under control (with the help of WW) A few months ago - I realized that dd was heading towards obesity herself - and I was helping her ! After reading this book, incorporating some of the suggestions, she lost 10 lbs over the past 3 months, without even trying. Definately urge an overweight parent to read it before putting a child on "a diet" or otherwise limiting food. So glad I did before I made the same mistakes with my other 3 children!

I am thankful that we found this book early enough in my daughter's childhood that we can implement the suggestions and really make a difference in her life. I have struggled with obesity my entire life, and my daughter appears to have inherited my genetic makeup. I learned from this book that many of the things my husband and I were doing WERE harming her and setting her up for full-blown obesity in the future. This book has helped us develop a more relaxed environment around eating, and we now have sit-down family meals for every meal we have at home. That is a key component of the whole philosophy, and even though we knew that was important in the same way that everyone does, we didn't make it a priority until after reading this book.

There are a lot of really good, creative ideas in this book. The one thing I wish was added was just a quick statement at the begining of each activity that identifies what age group and what general problem the activity is most appropriate for. Such information allows me to decide, right away, whether to invest the time in reading further about the activity if I think it would be relavent to a particular child I am working with.

This is an invaluable book, especially for people who are just starting out and want a few techniques up their sleeve for sessions. It could also be good for therapists who have been around for a while but want to shake things up a bit. Great interventions by many respected practitioners in play therapy. Worth the money!

This book is a wonderful tool to use in developing groups for children and adolescents. Some of the activities are therapeutic in and of themselves, and others are useful for generating discussion on a number of topics. Innovative and easy to follow, I highly reccomend this book.

I have ordered the book, and although it will take while to come, I have recieved exerpts of activities from this book and I find it EXTREMLY helpful! The other volumes of this book are just as helpful. There are plenty of ideas and some work well with all different populations and ages.

This book is a great tool for helping young people deal withillness's in the family.

An excellent book for young readers. Helpful and insightful. Activities that allow the young reader to participate in the learning process about illness and how to relate.

I have never seen a book like this before. It is very fun for the kids and when they are done they have also learned something. It is full of color and fun things for kids to do. This is an exelant book for kids.

This is a really great book for kids to have. It has a lotactivities that kids will enjoy doing and will give them a lot ofuseful information for them to have when someone near to them is ill.

Now in a new edition featuring updates concerning where the kids interviewed in the first edition are now and what they're doing, 7 Secrets of Highly Successful Kids is a compilation of true stories about successful tweens, each with a personal strategy for achieving his or her goals. From a skateboarder to an actor, a drummer, a ballet dancer, a magician, and much more, each young person describes largely in his or her own words the challenge of honing personal skills, as well as the rewards of achieving progress towards one's dream. An excellent inspirational and motivational book, especially recommended for grade school library collections.

This year, 2005, marks the 125th birthday of our national anthem. What most people don't know is that it started out as a French-only song written to celebrate a holiday in Quebec, long, long ago, and grew slowly, like our nation. This book tells the story of that long journey.

Picture a palacial ballroom in Quebec City on the night of St. Jean Baptiste day, June 24, 1880. Five hundred guests are on hand for a banquet -- the crowning event of an international celebration of the French in North America. The Governor-General is here, along with Quebec's Lieutenant-Governor and the Honourable Wilfrid Laurier, plus senators, judges, mayors and delegates from across Canada and New England. They sit at six long tables laden with delicacies: salmon, turkey, capon, roast beef and lobster salad. For dessert are ices, creams and pies of strawberry, peach, raspberry, rhubarb and plum. What a party! All that's needed is a song. And the organizers have just the thing: a tune freshly-penned by one of Quebec's most renouned composers: Calixa Lavallée.

Lavallée hailed from St.-Hyacinthe, Que., and his resumé shows that nothing ever changes: He had to go south to succeed. Lavallée enlisted as a musician in the Union army in the U.S. Civil War, emerging wounded and honourably discharged. He then found fame writing operas in New York, Boston, Paris and London. Returning to Quebec in 1880, Lavallée found his compatriots buzzing with plans for celebration. The habitants had heeded the Catholic Church's plea to make babies, and the French felt powerful and proud. Party planners asked Lavallée for some music. The words came from another son of Quebec, Mr. Justice Adolphe-Basile Routhier.

After the meal at the Quebec City banquet hall, the band of 100 trumpets struck up, accompanied by a choir. "Electrified by an unstoppable impulse," reported those who were there, the crowd stood and heard for the first time the brand-new song, whose words existed only in French: "O Canada." Over the next 20 years, the song became a hit in Quebec, sung in churches and on all formal occasions; 2,000 schoolchildren sang it to the Duke of Cornwall and York (later King George V), when he visited Quebec in 1901. Then the tune spread east and west -- but with no English words.

People across Canada began to compose their own English lyrics, and by the 1920s, English Canadians sang 200 different versions. Prime Minister William Lyon Mackenzie King, seeking an official English O Canada for the Diamond Jubilee of Confederation in 1927, asked his chief archivist to write Canadian Clubs from coast to coast, asking for "a copy of the text used by your club." The replies, as preserved at the National Library, show that Stratford sang, "O Canada! Beloved country thou; Hope's holy wreath adorning thy young brow," while Toronto sang, "Lord of the lands! Beneath thy bending skies; On field and flood, where'er our banner flies."

Amid this confusion, one version stood out, written in 1908 by yet another son of Quebec, Montreal judge Robert Stanley Weir. Rather than translate the French, Judge Weir captured the spirit: "O Canada! Our home and native land." The federal government chose to publish Weir's song for the 1927 festivities, and it is the song we sing, with minor modifications, today.

The song spread in World War II and by the 1960s won its place as the country's national song. But it was still not official. Finally, in the wake of the 1980 sovereignty referendum, the House of Commons showed a rare common purpose, and on June 27, 1980 voted unanimously to pass the National Anthem Act. Exactly 100 years after its birth, O Canada finally became the nation's official anthem.

Sumptuously illustrated with full-colour collages and photographs, this book is a must-read for every child who belts out O Canada at school in the morning, and wants to know more about where it came from.

7 Secrets of Highly Successful Kids tells the stories of real kids and what makes them successful as kids. It provides good insight into what it takes for kids to be happy and feel a sense of accomplishment using actual stories from about 15 kids, both boys and girls, from Canada and the U.S. Kids can read this to see how other kids have handled situations similar to those they may be facing themselves, whether it's moving or dealing with problems at school or any of numerous other challenges children have to face and overcome. It can inspire kids to bring out the best in themselves.

Imagine you're 11 years old. You are performing a magic show in front of 50 children. You pull out your "magic wallet" out of which you can make flowers appear. Only, they don't appear. What do you do?
In 7 Secrets of Highly Successful Kids, David Armstrong, a child magician in Toronto, describes how he overcame that challenge. In all, 22 kids from across North America share stories of their success in this book, aimed at kids aged 8-12. Meet a skateboard champ, a pianist, two singers, a drummer, a gymnast, a female hockey player and many more kids.

Excellent book. I had my daughter and her boyfriend read key chapters together, and we discussed them afterwards. There were awkward moments, but it was well worth the 'pain'! I don't make enough time to read books. I'm SO happy I made time to read this one. It helped my husband & I set boundaries while reinforcing how great love and sex can be in the right context.

This book was purchased for a study group of teens very good information easy to relate and to get the group engaged in conversation without the embarassment of the subject at hand would hightly recommend

If you are struggling with what to say to your children regarding sex issues, this book will be a lifesaver. It also approaches abstinance in a realistic way that I was very impressed by. I also liked the honest dealings with STDs. This is the best book I have found for parents about "kids and sex".

Without being preachy, the book makes a case for pre-marital abstinance. Discusses the costs/disadvantages of becoming sexually active as a teen, and encourages kids to think for themselves. Also encourages parents to be ready and to make decisions about dating age etc. before the situation comes up. If you are appalled by books that say "abstinance is best, but since you're going to do it anyways..." or "make sure you're ready" (most kids "in love" think they're ready), this book is for you.

This is one of those books I wish I could give to people. I have so much in common with the other reviews I'll just say - I agree... it does need to be printed again. I couldn't put this book down. I read it in two days and I will read it again.
It gave me such insight into my barriers with other people and why I felt the way I do, and do the things I do (and I didn't recognize). We can pass our dysfunctional traits on - and I have.
If your parents were divorced when you were between 4 and 14, or if you were moved away from your dad during that time to another state - You absoultely MUST read this book. If you can't buy it - some libraries still have copies. This book will definately get you started on having healthier relationships.

I am not sure if you can still get this book new any more - I first read it back in 1991 and have kept it on my book shelf. I use it to help other people going through personal and family issues. As a part-time minister I find that this book has lots of good and wise advice. It is still great informaton even 15 years after it was written.

This book has saved many relationships becasue it gives some deeper understanding to the root casues of actons, thinking and the attitudes that were created and established when their parents divorced. No longer can we hide the fact that divorce does not hurt the children - it always does damage - the question isn't if it hurts them - but how much and for how long!

I recomend this book for all adult children of divorce - and I think couples getting ready to ax their relationships should take a harder look at their children's lives and what they are about to do to them.

I recommend this book for all those who have experienced the divorce of their parents or are comtemplating divorce from their current spouse. Our response to accepting the truth about ourselves and our families and taking corrective changes in our behaviour can impact our ability to overcome the emotional disappointment of divorce.

I read this book during a time of major upheaval in my relationship with my wife. Near divorce I read this book and realized how my parents' divorce adversely affected me. In ways that we today think are normal we sabotage our relationships and carry on the legacy of our parents' failed relationships. Unless we identify what happened to them by asking historical questions about our parents' life before, during, and after marriage, where they came from, what secrets lay in their family closets, we are going to repeat them. After all, it is what we recognize as "normal". Well, divorce is not normal. Fundamental problems that existed in our parents' relationship and our current relationship follow identical patterns. Recognizing them and understanding their effects on our current relationship skills (which were not modeled in a healthy manor) helps us define, change, and proceed with new and healthier attitudes about being married. Especially when children are involved, we should make every humanly possible effort to save the relationship. As spouses, we are both different and similar. We found each other for reasons we weren't cognizant of. We were looking to fill our unmet needs. In today's world where divorce is so accepted, fragmented and drastically unhealthy behaviors are being taught by parents who divorce. It is always easier to divorce than to heal a relationship. They take work, but they are worth it. This is not to say that those who are abused in any way should stay with an abuser. But as human beings we can change.

I called Gloria Hochman and pleaded with her to reprint the book. She said they were thinking about it. And I am very, very grateful to her and Dr. Beal for helping me save my self and my marriage. I think that this should be required reading when an adult child of divorce is about to get married or if he or she is contemplating divorce.

Don't let the mistakes of our parents ruin our relationships and perpetuate the cycle. Stop the cycle. Heal from the losses of divorce, absence of a parent, depression of the custodial parent, and unhealthy self nurturing children have to endure during and after the process. Co-dependency can develop and rear its head in unhealthy relationships we choose because it feels "safe", "normal", what we are "used" to.

By the way, the changes I have made in my life have been so monumental and healthy, that my wife and I are pursuing a healthy, caring, supportive, accepting, honest, (many more superlatives) relationship now more than ever. And the lack of respect I once held towards my parents has healed and I have been able to carry on relationships with them that have been healthy, without emotional blackmail, emotional incest, or blaming. Dr. Andrew J. Boshardy

In addition to writing his doctoral thesis on Santa, the author is a licensed psychologist, a professional storyteller and has worked as a Santa Claus for sixteen years. Also, some letters were gathered from US Post Offices. The collection is divided into five sections: What I Want for Christmas and Some Special Instructions; Wishes and Requests from the Heart; On Being Good, Appreciation and Affection; Odds and Ends; and, P.S. -- Just One More Thing. Some letters are reproduced and a few drawings are included. the letters are charming and a few are heartbreaking -- this is definitely a wonderful book about children's faith and hope. Part of the proceeds from the book are donated to Feed the Children. Buy this book! ho ho ho

This is the greatest book I have ever read. I wish there was other books like this. It help you to realize how fortuned we are with the little things we have. It is fun at the same time because you can see by this letters the great imagination the childrens have. IS A GREAT BOOK FOR ANY GIFT FOR ALL AGES. ...

A funny and caring book from childrens hearts. It reminds us all of the little child within. Great for all ages. See what kids really have to tell Santa!

this book is full of funny one page letters to santa, ranging of requests for everything from world peace to a red dragon. The letters are sweet and silly, that make you laugh out loud. So if you're in the mood for something to warm the heart and tickle the soul then this book is definitly for you!