Child Health Books

We have given this books to friends with young children and love reading it with our daughter. I love the gentle, intuitive spirituality of this book. It's a subtle, totally non-denominational reminder of our own connection to the world around us. The pictures are beautiful and the prose is simple, but elegant. I love Amy Powell's books as an alternative to so many of the "noisy" and overstimulating books out there for kids. Powell's style is warm and thoughtful, and never condescending to children. This book, in particular, emphasizes something that children seem to understand better than many adults--we are all part of something bigger than ourselves. Thanks, Amy Powell, for a wonderful and timeless book!!

My young cousin loved this book due to its clever rhyming and intriguing pictures. The visual stimuli kept her interesting from the beginning, but through the rhyming, the lesson taught her about her interaction with her surroundings.

My children, boy and girl, have really enjoyed this delightful book. They are amused by the rhymes, love the colorful pictures and are amazed by the magical ideas of connectedness presented in the book. I would recommend it to anyone with children that are curious about nature and self.

Wow, I have been looking for great kids' books like this that are both fun and full of substance...but not necessarily religious. Pondering the concepts in this book are even spiritually deep for an adult....but don't get me wrong, they are so simple, so poetic and right up my little girl's alley. She loves the silly imaginative play on every page and tells me where she finds "me" all throughout our day. Turns out, she is a spiritual whiz!!

I bought this book before I gave birth to my daughter with down syndrome and it has been the most used book so far. It gives you so much info on heart problems, feeding problems, hints, things to check out. Kids with down syndrome need extra care and you need to be informed because not all dr's are. This book is indispensible! Well Written and some really cute pictures of kids!

I found this book in the library of my son's early intervention office. Everything I have encountered with him, I was able to find in the book. It even talked about the delay of the emergence of his primary teeth. I wish I had known of its existence sooner. A must have for parents, grandparents, doctors and other caregivers!

Children with Down Syndrome are at increased risk for many medical problems. As a parent, it is important to understand these risks, be able to recognize potential problems, and also become familiar with many of the medical specialists you will encounter even if your child is healthy. This book discusses all of the common medical problems you may be faced with in a way that can be understood by a parent. Armed with the information in this book, a parent will be able to make vital decisions regarding their child's health and cope more comfortably if medical care is required. Topics discussed include: heart disease, endocrine problems, skin conditions, gastrointestinal problems, and many others.

We purchased this book when our 2 day old son was in the hospital for heart problems and diagnosed with Down Syndrome. The book is full of important information for parents and doctors and is written in a language that parents can understand. In the past three years, we have used this book many times to answer questions, learn what to look for, and to train ourselves in how to handle certain medical conditions. Knowledge is power.

Earlier this month, I had seen Vendela interviewed on television promoting her new book. It has been nearly a decade since as a young girl I had seen her in the advertisements for Elizabeth Arden that my aunt had said I resembled, perhaps of the Scandinavian background. That I have kept the colour couture bag my grandmother had given me as a gift, and she asked the salelady if she could have an extra bag as she adored the pink and purple colors designed on it, and the saleslady obliged. My grandmother had passed away, and I kept both bags together, and recently I used my bag as a gift bag for my younger cousin.
As I am not a frequent television watcher, and was fortunate when I did I saw her new book at just the perfect moment for a gift, as an older cousin of mine is having a baby at any moment now. Vendela writes with uncanny candor and warmth. Proves that one can't always live up to other people expectations of what they think you should look like. You'd drive yourself crazy. You have to feel good abut yourself. And, prove that you can be thin and fit after you have a baby.
The desk top style book offers clear advice, and recipes for everyday. It is perfect to give as a gift. And, in accompaniment with another book on your shelf entitled: "A Model For Better Future," written by another successful model, Kim Alexis on how to live a wonderful life in an certain world. Each of these books has wings!

This book is surprisingly not at all model-y. She presents motherhood in a very wholesome and natural way. Clearly promotes breastfeeding without being pushy. I found the eating and exercising tips realistic, do-able and very effective. The recipes are great if you are a relaxed cook (no exact measurements). The emotional parts are real and sincere, everyone can relate to them. Written in a relaxed girlfriend-to-girlfriend style, this book is a breath of fresh air. Frankly, it's more useful than some of the "What to Expect"-theme books.

I am the mother of a 10 month old. I wish that I had this book months ago. My experience was similar to Venedela's. It's an honest book that does not sugar coat the challenges of motherhood. Being a mother is the best job in the world. It is not always easy. I appreciate Vendela's honesty!

The book is first of all very nicely done. The tips and exercises are simple and quick to get started with. I appreciate the fact that she allows us to see some real pictures of her being not so beautiful. I wish there were more meals on the go in the nutrition area. As long as women realize that she has a natural beauty that many of us do not have, then you will appreciate where she is coming from a little more. It's almost impossible to do all of the things we need to do for and with our bodies and especially with little kids underfoot. This is the perfect book to combine with the new revision of Mommy-CEO, 2001, by family expert, Jodie Lynn. The two only adds to the whole family routine of taking care of mommy. Mommy-CEO shows us how to get the kids motivated and Model Mommy shows us how and what to do to take care of ourselves. Both authors stress mommy time and creating space for moms.

MOVING BEYOND ADD/ADHD is a must read for anyone suspicious that they or a loved one have either disorder, or for anyone working with this population.

Since "prevention" is better and easier than "cure," in both cases of attention deficit disorder/attention deficit hyeractive disorder, you will not find prevention recommended. Unfortunately, it is only when life becomes close to intolerable that people seek relief; that is,if they seek relief at all!

It is now common knowledge that more children (more males) are being diagnosed with ADD/ADHD, and many Americans like myself are asking, "Why?" You may have heard that teachers don't want to deal with children "outside the norm" and that schools receive more funding for every child diagnosed as ADD or ADHD, so children are indiscriminantly targeted with ADD or ADHD. You may also have heard that the pharmaceutical companies are pushing their drugs to the physicians and that the physicians find it easier to simply prescribe a drug to "calm down Johnny or Sally."

Well, part of this is true. However, the authors state in their book that the holistic approach is the long-term cure, and I tend to agree. But for those who feel they can't or don't want to follow this approach, then the other approach is the medicinal approach, which of course has side effects. Left untreated, the person goes through many difficulties during his/her life span. Treatment definitely is the better choice, whether holistic or medicinal, say the authors.

The authors answered my question of reasons for more children being diagnosed with either ADD or ADHD. First, better diagnostic tools, and second, children's childhood being drastically changed from the past. Their brains are not being given a chance to develop naturally. TV, video games, both parents working and coming home exhausted, etc. all play a role. The authors do an excellent job of explaining the kind of "culture" parents need to provide in their homes for children to develop into normal, happy human beings prepared to meet the many challenges of life. The authors also explain to parents and others working with children how to help children become grounded and centered, which is imperative to moving beyond ADD/ADHD. That is, experiencing life "inside" themselves, not "outside."

The authors do not pretend that their holistic cure is an easy, get-well quick fix, but it is a lasting cure as opposed to Ritalin. And they have provided you with guidelines.

As stated earlier, this is a must read for anyone suspicious that they or a loved one have either ADD or ADHD, or for anyone working with this population.

Finally someone has the courage to say NO to drugs. This book shows you that there is life before taking drugs for this disorder. I commend the authors for doing an outstanding job of showing how anyone can overcome this setback in their life. On a scale of 1-5, I give this book a 10. Everyone should read this book to get a better insight to what this so called disorder can do to you or your family.

Michael Monji, author of "Does It Pay to Die?", a living trust workbook.

Fellow ADDers. First step is to recovery is to admit that you have a problem. In this wonderful book Debroitner et al say that ADD can be overcome, can be cured, by the basic fundamental techniques of good living, healthy eating, correct breathing, excercise and meditation- without drugs. The key is to get in touch with your soul. I am an adult and have a severe case of ADD, and in stressful situations, my attention span can be measured in seconds, but by remembering to follow some of the techniques outlined in the book, ( such as "Jet Knees") I could control my impulses considerably. This is a great book. Read it. Use it.

When this book was first brought to my attention I seiously doubted that it would help me at all. I was very wrong. It is an excellent book for anyone that has suffered with ADD or knows someone that has. It is very informative for parents of an ADD child. For me as an adult it has helped me tremendously in understanding myself and finding myself so I can move forward in life

This book was recommended by a friend and it was an excellent investment for my children. Great interaction on each page to read to a younger sibling. Wonderful pictures that come alive. Great tips at the bottom of some pages for parents to help the child being left behind. This book reminds us that in our hectic lives dealing with our sick children that we sometimes forget the younger ones need us more than we realize at these stressful hospitilized times. My 10 year old and 5 year both loved this book. All hospitals should have this book on hand as well.

If so, this book is for you. My son loved the suggested questions, the diary, & activity section. He felt more involved plus, it helped him pass the time away from us. Our son is young so we wrote in the diary & helped with the activities. Plus, you can make it a sister also. The story is written on an easy to understand level for young sibs & easy read for older sibs. Anna Jaworski did a great job on this as well as "Heart of a Mother" which I also reccomend. This book is based on her son's experience, therefore it is realistic.

This is a story about a young boy needing open heart surgery and how it relates to his brother. It deals with feelings, and with staying with relatives while his brother is in hospital, plus more. It is a wonderfully told story, with questions to ask your own child as you read through it together. I found the tips for parents especially helpful and the back of the book has activities for the sibling/s to do while the brother/sister is in the hospital. I originally bought this book to read to my twin boys when my older son will need further surgery, but it is he who loves this book and asks me to read it to him often. I change the words around to suit his needs and I believe it has helped him cope with his own medical issues. This will be a book that we will treasure for many years.

I want to exalt Anna Jaworski for writing one of the most thoughtful books that I have read in a very long time. Inspired when her son Alex had to be hospitalized for open-heart surgery, the author saw the trauma on her other son, Joey, and realized there was a need not being addressed in this area.Her work has met this need with flying colors.

Of course when a child must undergo an operation, we all zero in our attention and affection on them, and we should. However, without meaning to, we often forget the other children in the family and do not realize the emotional conflicts that they are encountering. This book will open your eyes to their feelings.

Ms. Jaworski does a wonderful job in "My Brother Needs An Operation" in showing, with honest words and colorful illustrations, what will happen during this time.

She establishes the family relationship, the different activities they share and the bonding between siblings.She speaks of the fear that the sibling feels when he hears his brother will be in the hospital and she begins to deal with that fear in many constructive ways. She takes you into the mind of the child, what he is thinking and feeling. Excellent!

Ms. Jaworski includes in the back of the book a Hospital Diary and Activity Pages.
This is great. She has pages for the child to fill in his name, feelings, draw pictures and play games.

I can not even imagine the heartache a parent feels when their child must undergo an operation, but I will tell you this. If you are experiencing this trauma,and you have other children in your home, this book is a must for you.
It is one of the most outstanding books, touching the emotions of a hurting child, that I have read in a very long time. If I could stand and applaud this author, I would.
But all I can do is write a review that I hope will touch you enough to make you seek out this book, if you have this need or know someone who does, it is a must read.

My Brother Needs An Operation, words from the heart of one who knows.

Highly Recommended!

When diabetes hits your life as an adult it's not easy. But when it hits your life as a child, your whole life changes and that of your parents and your entire family. Priscilla Call Essert, author of this book, knows this full well as she has raised Byron, her son who got diagnosed type 1 diabetes nearly seven years ago (at the time of this writing).

Priscilla's approach is neither nor packed with technicality. Rather, she takes the approach of telling a story: sharing anecdotes in a very easy-to-digest way that makes "My Life as a Pancreas" a very light about a disease that is not so light. Her storytelling exposes the readers (ideally, the parents of a child who has been diagnosed with type 1 diabetes) to lots of accumulated wisdom about things that will likely cross their paths at some point or another. Yet she writes in a way that comes across as a pal giving you good advice not as a condescending know-it-all.

I have LADA (with a pancreas that stopped producing enough insulin at age 30) and found "My Life as a Pancreas" valuable: I would recommend this book to anyone touched by diabetes in any way. Plus its 60 pages will take you no time to read.

This excellent book is a MUST read for all parents of newly diagnosed diabetic children. It injects humor into common daily life situations that can easily be overwhelming. It provides excellent advice and referrals. Most importantly, it relates experiences we all encounter eventually so we know we are not alone in this journey into the world of pediatric diabetes. I just wish it were longer and more comprehensive. I could have read another 200-300 pages.

This is a wonderful book. Although it is a collection of reflections on raising a child with diabetes, there is a universality to this story which will resonate with many parents. The challenges are daunting. As parents we are all custodians of our children's health, but not many of us have to manage it minute by minute. I appreciate the honesty and warmth of this book and admire the family's spirit.

"My Life As a Pancreas" is not about the medical intricacies of type 1 diabetes. Instead, it gives you an insider's look at the impact that diabetes can have on the day in and day out lives of you and your diabetic child.

If you or someone close to you has had a child diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, whether it be one month ago or one decade ago, I highly reoommend that you read this book. As the old movie review goes, it will make you laugh -- at the "crazy" thoughts that run through Priscilla's brain (possibly because they appeared in your thoughts as well) -- and it will make you cry - when you read about her love for her sons (because we all check on our children as they're sleeping, if only to kiss their cheeks or poke their fingers).

As a parent of a type 1 diabetic (diagnosed 4/04 at age 6), I thank Priscilla for writing this book and sharing her (and her son's) tales with us. I thank her for not just offering helpful tips (which are useful!) but also for reassuring us that we are perhaps not that strange just because we ask ourselves whether a nosebleed is a good blood check opportunity. And last but not least, I thank her for helping us all realize that we are not alone in our daily co-existence (dare I say "battle"?) with this chronic condition.

August 22, 2000

This book is a necessity for any caregiver of an Alzheimer's patient, whether it be professional or family member. The author covers almost everything you would need to know about in coping with this disease.

The American Journal of Alzheimer's Disease writes: "Callahan's chapter on Quality of Life (Chapter 3) includes no-holds-barred sections on dignity, respect, disrespect, manners, comfort, independence versus safety and death, euthanasia and suicide....Chapters are woven with the best new information and theories from the most highly regarded experts in the field."

I would highly recommend this incredibly informative and insightful book as a must have for family caregivers, a teaching aid for professionals, and as a resource for all.

This book is clearly writen and easily understood, providing so much information on the nitty gritty's of caregiving for a person with Alzheimer's Disease. I never tired of reading the book and I'm glad to have this book as a resource.

My Mother's Voice is written by the daughter of Rita "Puppy" Callahan, a woman who courageously lived and died with Alzheimer's disease. It tells an intensely personal story of a family struggling to do what is right when it seemed that everyone's definition of "right" was different. As her mother's appointed Health Care Proxy, it was Sally Callahan's responsibility to make the difficult life and death decisions and to be her mother's voice when her mother could no longer speak. It's a position that thousand's of people find themselves in daily and it's an awesome responsibility. Callahan was fortunate that her mother had made her wishes known clearly when she was mentally and physically well. It's difficult to speak for someone when such difficult ethical issues have never even been discussed with the patient. Sally knew what her mother wanted, so why was it so difficult to see that her mother's wishes were honored? The question of whether or not to withhold treatment of a terminally ill patient is a moral one and most everyone has strong opinions on the subject, from close and distant family members to the doctors and nurses empowered to carry out those wishes. The potential for resistance is everywhere and Sally had to battle relentlessly for her mother's right to refuse treatment. In reading My Mother's Voice, it's apparent to the reader that having a large family support system can either make the experience of Alzheimer's easier to bear or it can make things far more difficult. Callahan's family almost didn't survive the ordeal intact. Sally Callahan tells her family's story eloquently, taking us on the Alzheimer's journey with her right from page one. We feel the intenseness of her love and respect for her mother and the grief she feels building every step of the way. By the time we read of Puppy Callahan's death, we feel a combination of grief and relief ourselves. Callahan's book is not only a personal journal, however. It's full of useful information about Alzheimer's disease and what a family needs to know in order to survive the experience. Though she has a strong focus on quality of life issues and the ethical side of caregiving, Callahan includes important information about legal and financial matters, community support services and alternative living arrangements. She includes a wealth of information on how to choose a nursing home that will provide not just housing and medical treatment, but socialization and loving care. Chapter eight offers advice on how to address the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of the caregiver, something Callahan admits she neglected in herself. My Mother's Voice is an important addition to the library of anyone who knows someone with Alzheimer's disease. It will not only touch your heart, you'll keep going back to it as a valuable reference at different stages of the disease. If you are a primary caregiver of an Alzheimer's patient, give yourself a gift. Buy My Mother's Voice.

I am deeply inspired by how Sally Callahan expresses what it's like to help a loved one with Alzheimer's. Reading My Mother's Voice, I learned a tremendous amount about Alzheimer's, and more than that, I learned how something so frightening and often devastating did not ultimately deprive Sally of hope, common sense and love.

Ms. Callahan not only explains a subject with authority but shares her experience with genuine skill and an open heart. Her expertise and vulnerability create a very moving book.

What I particularly admire is how honest she is about her frustrations. Frustrations with the institutional problems and misunderstandings she experienced with regards to her mother's illness and care. However, she does this without making other people wrong, especially health care professionals involved in the care of her mother. Callahan's book blends civility towards others and fierce advocacy for her mother. She shows how the stress of being confronted with Alzheimer's can be honestly expressed even while maintaining a willingness to give the benefit of the doubt to those trying to help. Her stories are examples of conflict resolution from which family members, nurses and physicians can learn. My Mother's Voice doesn't tell me what to do, it shows me. It's not just about coping with Alzheimer's. It's also about the spiritual fabric of family remaining strong under difficult circumstances. The inspiration Sally Callahan communicates in My Mother's Voice is hard won and true. I hope many have a chance to read her book.

This is such a beautiful book. It feels really healing just to look at it slowly and take in the photos of children and the affirmations. It is especially helpful in hard times when you can picture yourself as a child hearing these important words that everyone needs to hear. It is also helpful as a parent- these are the words your children need to hear from you.

This book is delightful for adults working on inner child issues!

Wonderful for children of all ages. Both my kids have enjoyed this books and still do...one is 9 and the other is 17 mos. Makes you wish someone had read it to you.

This book is an afirmation of self worth for adults, but more, it is a wonderful vehicle to express to your children how much you value them. It contains a multitude of ways to expand on the over-used phrase, "I love you."

This was a great book! I recommend this book to teachers, counselors, parents and teenagers. Gives great personal insight as well as hope to those suffering from anorexia and other eating disorders.

I loved this book and highly recommend it to anyone struggling with an eating disorder. I cried, I laughed and I felt for the author as she and her family struggled with anorexia. I greatly admire the author's strength and have shared it with several friends. Finally, a book that truly displays the struggle an anorexic faces first hand!

I am a 17 year old recovering anorexic and I really enjoyed this book. I have experienced much of the same turmoil as the author and it helped having someone to relate to. Many people let me down along the way also including my school counselors and so-called friends. They just didn't understand what it is like living with an eating disorder. I had counseling which was good, but it reached a point where I realized I needed to help myself. Again, I could totally relate to the author. My parents and good friends supported me all the way. I don't think I would be here without them. Anorexia is a lonely disorder because very few people understand it. This book was good for me. It also gave me continued hope. I admire the author's strength and courage to talk openly about anorexia. I wish the book was longer and had more stories about her daily struggle. I recommend this book!

Once I started reading this book, I couldn't put it down. I could relate to the author so well. I never thought anyone understood what I am going through until now. It helped me so much to realize I am not alone. I highly recommend this book to teenage girls and their parents.

Most nights and naps at least one of my twin daughters will pull out "Hands, Feet" as the book is known in our house. They love to wiggle, kick and stretch their hands and feet along with the girls in the story.

The story is quick and simple for them to understand. They get great big grins on their faces when they move along with the story. I don't mind reading this story to them at least once each day; their giggles and grins are reward enough.

My 1 1/2 and 2 1/2 year old girls love this book so much that my only complaint is that it's not a sturdy board book. The rhymes are simple and fun and the illustrations are interesting and unique. If I had a nickel for every time I've had to read this book...

Wonderfully amusing book for young children with great artwork and vivid descriptive wording. Very creative.

My 15 month old didn't like this book at first, but now she constantly gets it out of the book pile and wants me to read it. I love it because to illustrations are very unique, something that I look for when I buy books for my daughter. I recommend it!