Kids Books

"The book presents its ideas and strategies so as to be accessible and applicable to parents, youngsters of every age and professionals alike. Its roots go deep into the theories and philosophy of Individual Psychology. It covers every aspect of anger in families progressively. Written in a readable and informative style, the issues, some of them highly sensitive and controversial are dealt with openly, honestly and with appropriate clarity, appealing to the reader's curiosity and interest in tackling anger's destructive powers reframed toward positive outcomes. No stone is left unturned."

Children who are frequently exposed to anger often become adults who use anger to control their partners, their children, their friends, and their workmates. They express this anger on the roads and in the workplace, as well as in their families. Now we have a common sense, extremely readable book that can give direction in helping turn around the lives of people of all ages who want support in dealing with difficult emotions. Calming the Family Storm is written by Gary McKay and Steven Maybell, psychologists who truly know their subject. They have taught and written about families and their emotional management throughout their long, productive careers. Put this book at the top of your 'must read' list.

This book will calm many family storms around the world as it provides the best of all anger managment techniques! And it specifically caters to the needs of families tired of facing anger, conflict and disharmony in their home. Also, the perfect resource for family counselors!

Kelly E. Nault,MA
Founder of "Mommy Moments"
Author of "When You're About to Go Off The Deep End,
Don't Take Your Kids With You

Calming the Family Storm by Dr. MacKay & Dr. Maybell is a rare gem. It addresses a huge modern problem - time pressed families don't have time to communicate or to communicate well. The book is easy to read and chock-full of practical tips. I would recommend it unreservedly for any family or counselor.
W.F. Peate, MD, MPH
Associate Professor of Clinical Family and Community Medicine
Associate Professor of Public Health
University of Arizona, Arizona Health Sciences Center
Co-Director, Tucson Health Promotion Initiative
Principle Investigator, Southwest Public Health Leadership Institute

This book is a clearly written, well-organized, step-by-step and practical approach to which all family members can relate. Basic principles of Adlerian psychology, such as equality, respect and the use of encouragement in the family system are integrated throughout the book. Relevant examples are plentiful throughout the chapters. The detailed step-by-step procedures make it easy for individuals and families to transfer learning to application in daily life. The major points are reviewed at the end of each chapter to emphasize key information. This would be an excellent tool to incorporate a chapter or section at a time in weekly family meetings.

This book is very informative, full of ideas to get one started into woodcarving. I'm 56 and I benefited greatly from the information to this hobby, that is new to me.

Great little book - it's actually for my husband, who is a begging woodcarver. It has some great basics.
Book is in very good condition.

Excellent book for the beginners. My 8 and 9 year olds loved it. This is a must have book for kids.

Purchased to accompany a Christmas gift of a small pocket knife for a six-year old grandson who expressed an interest in whittling, Carving for Kids is written at the appropriate level, well illustrated and includes a suitable range of projects from simple to challenging. He immediately selected a project and went right to work on it.

Parents and their kids will find CARVING FOR KIDS: AN INTRODUCTION TO WOODCARVING an intriguing project guide holding eleven skill-building projects for kids ages 4-17. Not only does the author teach woodcarving as a volunteer: all four of his kids are carvers too: his book is packed with color photos and clear techniques.

This book, though not my favorite of the series, is a good conclusion to Josefina's and her family's story. The six books in this series deal (among other topics) with the family's grief after the death of their mother. In this book, the family has 'closure.' While they still miss and love their mother, they are all ready to move on to happier times. This book will be best understood if some or all of the books in the series are read first.

The books are organized into life phases and seasons, and this book is a good read about a girl growing up in the southwest.

About a girl named Josefina who lives in 1824. She is Mexican and lives on a ranch with her dad and sisters and aunt. Her mom died two years ago. Her aunt who she calls Tia Dolores is going to leave and Josefina wants her to stay. Will her daring plan work?

Josefina Montoya and her three older sisters are shocked when Tia Dolores, their aunt who came to help out the family after their mother died, is leaving the Montoya rancho to go live with her parents in Santa Fe. Josefina and her sisters know Tia Dolores belongs with them - but all their plans seem to make things worse, until Josefina finds the courage to speak up to her father, bringing changes for the whole family.

This is another one in the American Girls series about Josefina Montoya, a ten-year-old girl living in the New Mexico of 1824 (actually January of 1825). In this book, the Christmas season ends with a successful party. However, just as the new year begins with a high note, Josefina feels the world pulled out from under her when her aunt Dolores announces that she is leaving the rancho and returning to Santa Fe. They are happier with Tia Dolores living with them, and they know that their father is. And so, the sisters begin their scheming...

The final chapter of this wonderful book is a highly informative look at the changes New Mexico experienced as it changed over the years. I must also mention that Jean-Paul Tibbles' lovely illustrations are an excellent addition to the story.

This final book in the Josefina story is every bit as wonderful as the first one, and definitely maintains the American Girls' tradition of excellence. The story is exciting and entertaining, and I especially liked how the author wove Josefina's faith into it, making it appear the natural part of her life that it would have been. My daughter and I loved this book, and we both recommend it to you and your daughter.

Our family loves this book. My kids are 9 and 12 and they both love it, as do I! It was a great find for us and it will be for your family too.

I found the stories to be thought-provoking and fun to share with my kids. We got a lot of good ideas for meaningful things to do this Christmas season. It sure is good to remember what Christmas is really all about and with those that I love the most!

If you are looking for a way for your family to spend some time together each night during the Christmas season, then this is the book for you. It is filled with stories that make you laugh and cry. My 4 children ages 6 to 11 couldn't wait each night to see which story was next. It was like an advent calendar that we all could share in.

This is a great feel-good book. If you are reaching for the way to make the season more family-oriented and less about "things" this book is for you!

I am writing this review as a story contributor of this Chicken Soup book and a reader as well. I feel honored to be included in this book with such wonderful talent. These stories are just what a Mother needs to read to her children at night before they turn out the light. What a wonderful way to celebrate the Christmas season and what a meaningful tradition to start! This is a book to pass down for generations to come! I am proud to be the lead story of such a masterpiece.

Denise Peebles

Es verdad, son para toda la familia, aunque es preferible que los padres le echen un ojito antes: Todos tenemos limites diferentes.

MI HIJO MAYOR ( 14 AÑOS )SE CARCAJEABA MUY FUERTE EN SU CUARTO..eche a correr alarmada..(Michael es muy serio)y no acostumbra leer...
Pero un amigo le presto este libro en la escuela, y mi hijo estaba tirado en el suelo, revolcandose de risa !
Hasta me invito a sentarme con el..y me leyo chistes mas de media hora...mientras se me quemaba la sopa !
Comimos sandwiches...¡pero valio la pena !

¡Qué buenos chistes! Casi el 90%, lo cual es único en un libro de chistes..y Es verdad, son para toda la familia, aunque es preferible que los padres le echen un ojito antes: Todos tenemos limites diferentes..: En mi opinión muy personal, yo se lo daría a ciegas a mis hijos de 14 años para arriba, y le contaría algunos chistes bien escogidos a mi niña de 7 años..

¨..pero son realmente buenos. ¡Te los recomiendo !

They are very good...I can assure it !

Jokes for kids, teenagers and grown ups... If you read this, you can tell jokes and make people of any age laugh...After laughing yourself!

It's the big red dog. what can I say? My 6 year old loves them all.

A great Clifford story from 1984. My 4 and 6 year old boys enjoy the story about the antics of the kitten and Clifford. A nice addition to the home library.

My four and five year old daughters enjoyed this story about Clifford's new kitten. They laughed at all the silly things Clifford did to gain attention, when suddenly all the attention was shared between Clifford and the kitty. I highly recommend this book... Clifford is always a favorite at our house... as it was when I was a child as well!

The book I read is Clifford's Kitten.
Clifford was so bad and he smashes the car. I liked this book.

Our younger daughter found Clifford, the Big Red Dog, to be one of her favorite characters in picture books. The many humorous plays on his enormous size left her giggling and laughing. The illustrations took the simple ideas in the book and made them unforgettable. This book can help you explain to your children about not being jealous of other children in your family.

"I'm Emily Elizabeth. This is my dog, Clifford. He's the only pet I ever had . . . except for one time last year."

"A kitten came to our house. I think he was lost."

"Mom said we could keep him until he found his owner."

Emily Elizabeth puts the kitten to bed in Clifford's old basket, and puts it close to her bed. Clifford becomes jealous, and sleeps so close outside her window that he knocks the house atilt from its foundation on that side. The next day, Mom says the kitten has to sleep with Clifford.

Whatever the kitten does, Clifford wants to do . . . often with hilarious consequences. The kitten's butterfly chasing leads Clifford to swallow a kite which he has mistaken for a giant butterfly. Dad pays the boy so he can get a new one. The kitten scratches his claws on a tree, and Clifford sharpens his nails on a light pole which is uprooted in the process. The kitten rides in a doll's carriage, and Clifford hops on a real dump truck. The kitten plays with a spool of thread and Clifford knocks a huge spool of fiber optic cable through two walls of a neighbor's garage! But Clifford is not fussy about eating while the kitten is.

The kitten makes a mistake and goes in front of a moving car. Clifford pounces on the car, and stops it before the kitten is injured. The car, however, will need some work.

Eventually, a boy claims the kitten and rides off with him in the basket on the handlebars of his bicycle. Emily Elizabeth sighs, "Oh well, I still have a pretty good dog. The last illustration shows Clifford's enormous pink tongue licking her.

After you have enjoyed this story, I suggest that you talk with your children about how different children in a family can become jealous of one another. You can use this book as an example, and also mention your own feelings towards your siblings when you were young. You want to be sure that older children realize that they got the same tender treatment that the new baby is getting. Pulling out their photos or videos can help.

Focus on companionable pleasure in one another over rivalry at home!

This was truly an awesome book. The way in which the author used sports and interesting quotes added a different twist to a child rearing book. As a result, it captured your attention from beginning to end. I strongly recommend this book, not because the deceased author is my brother, but because is is really a great book.

Simply AWESOME!!! Very easy to read. Men will love the constant reference to the game of basketball and its parallel to life. If you haven't taken the time to think about what you truly want your children to retain and focus on through life, this book will definitely make you stop and think. It's a must have for every family whether you have children or not. It definitely puts a new spin or marriage and relationships as a whole and how important loyalty, trust and love are to every aspect of life and every level of relationships.

I was given this book by my 18 year old son yesterday and immediately began to cry. You see I was a 18 year old teammate of Ricky's at Iowa State some 20+ years ago. When Ricky's senseless death was widely reported on the national news over the 4th of July in 1999 I was stunned and heartbroke. I told my kids at that time about not how great a basketball player Ricky was, but the exceptional young man he was. That he was a person of character. He was different and a real Christian leader and model even at 20 years old. You must get and read this book, don't let Ricky's life slip you by. This is a book that I can personally assure you was written from his true heart and love of Jesus. God speed Ricky, you'll always be on our team.

As a Chicago area native, I recall the day that Ricky Byrdsong was murdered in a random shooting by a racist gunman on a spree across two states. It makes Byrdsong's posthumous book that much more touching, reading about his positive and Christian outlooks on people of all types.

The practical advice for parents is both encouraging and inspiring and helps us know that we are on the right track with our kids despite ups-and-downs that are part of life. You can hear Byrdsong's voice in the words which thankfully were not ghostwritten by someone else for him. This voice gives it a lot of "been there" credibility and practical advice.

Buy this book before it goes out-of-print!

An excellent book that takes sport stories and shows how they can be used as parenting techniques. It is the perfect book for the sports fan who is looking for a different approach to dealing with their children or grandchildren. Ricky has a way of touching your heart, making you think, and making you laugh, all in an effort to help you and your kids win in the game of life.

Entertaining and packed with excitement the compilation offered on the pages of Coolhead Luke is intended for the middle grade reader. Writer White is a media consultant who strings words together for pleasure. In the back of the volume she incorporate a Glossary of expressions relating to poetry along with a collection of optional questions for teachers to use with groups of children.

Laughable compositions having titles which include -Coolhead Luke-, -Ebenezer Nooze-, and -The Eyes Have It- set the tone for this work of verses and whimsical imagery. While aboard the -Freaky Bus- the reader will meet Old Baldy Bob, whose nose is gigantic, Stretch Joe whose neck is eight feet tall or so, as well as Bewildered Bill and Eraser Head McGee. Other verse lead the reader to a serpent hat, the King of Mud or even a cuddly Cyclops.

The commencement of the book includes the writer's notes to parents as poet White explains how at an early age her illustrator son Colin was interested in faces. Even as a very young toddler Colin started to become aware of faces in the outlines on curtains or leaves on trees. He began sketching faces at age two.

As his depictions progressed the writer noticed the representation seemed to have a tale to tell, thus the stanzas to go together with the illustrations was born.

Professor Bickle, we realize is in a pickle for the reason that he has a mouse who is fickle. A Motley Three is made of up of she, he and me. We have Lunch with the Mussies. And, we discover, nothing upsets Coolhead Luke.

Illustrator White is an upper middle grade student in Massachusetts where he goes on with producing drawings and other art work.

In concert, the White team of Mother and son, have created a characteristic and thought-provoking anthology of verse and art. Writer White tells the reader that the drawings set down on the pages of Coolhead Luke were fashioned by Colin when he was ten years old.

I have found my own class of students take pleasure in poetry. I like the addition of the glossary explaining Haiku, Rhyming Couplets, Rhyme Scheme and Structure along with Limericks. Following the glossary are helpful suggestions telling how to locate some of the poetic forms in the works offered on the pages of the book.

While my First Grade students are a bit young to truly understand the whimsy found in Illustrator White's work, they do take pleasure in the tempo and pulse of the poems themselves as they listen while I read the verses aloud. We often sing My Country Tis of Thee as one element of our daily opening exercise and after I read Coolhead Luke are learning to sing My Country's Teeth I See for the fun of it.

Target audience is middle grade and older readers. Interesting work produced by Mother and son White family members, happy to recommend for the personal pleasure reading collection, as well as classroom, school and public library collections.

Molly Martin
Reviewer

This is a great book! The illustrations by Colin White are original and sometimes profoundly insightful. The poems by his mother, Jen Lasker White, perfectly match the style, intent and wit of Colin's art work. Although this book is fun for everyone, books of poems that boys love are few and far between. This one truly delights and inspires my 10 year old son. And that ain't easy! Kudos to Jen and Colin!
Leslie O'Flaherty, writer, poet, singer, teacher

Coolhead Luke is a very special children's book for all ages. Jen White's humorous verses beautifully highlight Colin's original, entertaining drawings and at the same time teach important and meaningful lessons that children can easily absorb. Once you read this mother son collaboration with your child, you will want to buy books for all his or her friends, and so will your child! Coolhead Luke would be a great birthday or Christmas present for a grandchild, too. Tasha Halpert author of Heartwings: Love Notes for a Joyous Life

I read this book with my 8 year old son who LOVED it. The pictures remind my son of the silly books he likes to read. The poems that go with the pictures could not be more clever. Seriously!! We have our favorites picked out but found them all to be great fun.



The idea that this was written by a mother connecting to her son's art work is what clinched it. Something about that bond that speaks volumes.

Coolhead Luke is a fabulous collaborative effort between mother and son.
The son's wildly insightful drawings are perfectly matched by his mother's
lyrical verse-stories that delight with intelligence, insight, plain fun,
and wise moral endings outside of any overt religious bias. This is a
5-star book for middle-school kids and every imaginable adult! Read it out
loud (as all poetry should be read) and find yourself belly-laughing while
caught in the nets of surprisingly delightful insights in rhyme.

CREATING CHARACTERS KIDS WILL LOVE is a wonderful resource for writers of children's books. The book gives a writer a lot to think about. The suggested exercises she gives in the book are numerous but valid in helping a writer zero in on making a character come to life. The recommended readings are also helpful so the writer can see fine examples of what Alphin is trying to get the writer to pay close attention to. I particulary liked her section on point of view. Alphin is an accomplished writer and her books include COUNTERFEIT SON, THE PROVING GROUND and GHOST CADET.
A. D. Tarbox, author of ALREADY ASLEEP (fall 2006)

This is a very good source book for any one who wants to write for children, or have a main character that is a child.
It really makes you think and gives you very good insights on children. It's also very easy to read and enjoyable.

This is more like a class than just a book. It's full of great information and practical exercises to put them into place right away. I spent a few days reading it and doing the exercises and found it invaluable.

I recommend this book to anyone thinking about writing for children and anyone who currently writes for children. The book starts with the basics and builds towards the end. It is easy to understand with plenty of exercises to get those wheels spinning. Great for those interested in picture books, middle grade and young adult novels. A must have for a writer's library!

What do you do when you don't feel like writing? You go online and review your favorite writing books on Amazon.com!

Creating Characters Kids Will Love is really a must-have for the wanna-be children's writer. This book and "Story Sparkers" (also available here--look for the set and save money!) are the best write-for-children guides I own, and I own nearly every one on the market!

The fun large format makes this book feel sort of like a workbook (though it really isn't), and it's easy to just flip to a section and start reading some helpful info without starting at the beginning. This is how I find myself reading this books much of the time (I get stuck writing and take a break by just reading some advice out of one of these). There's some very good stuff here, and lots and lots of recommendations for books and magazines to read, if you're the kind who'll actually go find the stuff!

This book concentrates on character development, with some how-tos on plot structure and conflict (as they relate to character development!) thrown in. Also, if you're interested in writing true stories or maybe historical fiction, there are chapters for you. All in all, it's really a good read. Even if you don't relate to the author's own examples of writing, you'll come away with a better idea of what kids (and publishers) expect in your manuscript. Good luck!

it is very easy to read. i love that it gives you bible verses and the real application in parenting. it will enlighten your path and fill you with blessings. i wish i had read it while i was a mom, but i will definetely apply it as a grandmother. an excellent gift for young christians parents.

The author has taken the idea of constructing a house and has used each segment such as building a firm foundation, proper framing, placing a sturdy roof overhead, etc. to illustrate in short chapters how to build wise qualities of character into a child. This book is so practical in teaching the various desirable character traits to children as well as, I have found, to students in a classroom environment. The author frequently includes in each 1-4 page chapter, a short story from real life which very clearly illustrates the concept being communicated. I find it inviting, entertaining, and very useful, and I can clearly see the wisdom of the concepts throughout the pages of the book. I would love to have had the opportunity to learn these character traits as I was growing up in the way the author shares them. I am finding it is not too late, however, as in reading the book, I am learning new ways, for example, of forgiving, how not to quit, and having integrity through the compelling stories and the "what parents can do" segment in each chapter. I plan to use the wisdom of the book in teaching my upcoming classes and expect to see some changes in students (and in myself!) because of that.

After reading Oregon author, Jeannie St. John Taylor's new book on how to raise children I wish I could nominate it book of the year. Her focus comes from Psalm 127:1 "Unless the Lord builds a house, the work of the builder is wasted." The analogy points to God as the Master Builder, the Bible his instruction book that instructs parents in partnership with Him to build their families on a foundation of rock (God) instead of sand, (material values).

Most everyone agrees character is forged in the home. With that in mind, Taylor continues the analogy in one hundred thirty-one short chapters organized into eight sections. Some include:
* Set a Foundation of Godly Principles
* Follow the Architect's Plan
* Frame with Strong Values
* Build a Sturdy Floor
* Install locks and an Alarm
Short, to the point topics are formatted under headings related to framing a house, such as framing materials--values, to installing locks and alarms--how to cope with peer pressure and exposure to media. She encourages parents to set a good example by starting each day with Scripture and prayer to strengthen faith, seek God's will, and become a good role model. The responsibility to build moral values lies with the parent, and can be accomplished in single parent as well as two-parent homes, if parents partner with the Lord and pray.

Chapters open with Scripture that re-enforce each topic followed by a brief incident or personal illustration from Taylor's life that leads to "What Parents Can Do." This section includes biblical principles, practical tips, and specific suggestions.

Chapters conclude with examples of "Prayer for Myself," and "Prayer for My Children." For example, from the chapter about love as a goal she writes, "Lord, sometimes I am not as loving as I should be. I think negative thoughts and I hold a lot of wrong attitudes. Heal me by letting me experience your love. Teach me how to communicate your love to my kids."

The prayer for children states, "Help them understand that I love them deeply even when I fail to show it as I should."

This book encourages parents to enlist God's help to raise children of character, because, as the author notes, "If you parent well, the rewards are immense..." for you and for them. Taylor's book spells out how to raise godly children in today's culture of mixed messages and equip them with strong Christian character. I feel this book was inspired by the Holy Spirit and I rate this as a must read for every parent, grandparent, or those becoming a parent.

This is a very important book. Many parents are confused and concerned about raising their children in today's culture. Experts are giving them multitudes of mixed messages. Mrs. Taylor's book spells out the foundations for raising kids that are able to get along in today's world.
I highly recommend the book for parents, those thinking of becoming parents, and grandparents. It will guide you in dealing with your children, helping them to become the adults you hope for them to be.

Jeannie St. John Taylor's "Culture-proof Kids" offers parents practical pointers for building character into their children. These suggestions are presented in easily adapted steps for easy assimilation and application.

The book is formatted in short topical subjects classified under headings related to following an architect's plans for building a house. It begins by emphasizing the need for a solid foundation. The concluding chapters deal with providing locks and a security system. Each chapter opens with Scripture verses setting the pace for building "Culture-proof Kids." A brief incident from the author's life, a story from one of her family members experiences, or an application illustrating the principle being developed leads into the section called "What Parents Can Do."

These practical "how to" suggestions for parents are rich in positive Biblically based, time tested, principles. Each chapter concludes with a reflective "Prayer for Myself", seeking wisdom, strength, and guidance, and an intercessory "Prayer for My Children."

A favorite example of Taylor's sage advice is, "Give them abundant physical affection. If you aren't a hugger, take hugging lessons from them. And smooching lessons . Kids need affection."

Jeannie St. John Taylor is a natural communicator. She articulates well and demonstrates a genuine concern for problems of Christian parenting in today's culture.