Relationships Books

Fantastic story. Morris Gleitzman uses wonderful humour that appeals to students and teachers! An amazing read-aloud that includes spectacular vocabulary!

I read this book as a precursor to sending it to my 8 year old granddaughter and I got a huge kick out of it. I'd heard about it from a friend in Australia, who said her son read the entire series (this is the first) and regularly fell off his bed laughing at this story which gives a voice to that much despised critter, the Cane Toad. As the toad tells us, they didn't ask to be imported into Australia!

Kids 8-12, I think, would naturally enjoy this book, but they need to be a tad tough-minded. The Toad of the title is a spunky and sympathetic character, who remains optimistic about finding good in the world, despite the fact that every driver he meets goes out of his way to attempt to squash him. He's on a quest to get humans to be nicer to his kind, a scaley Don Quixote, a creature of strong convictions and high ideals. It's an exciting road trip across Australia for the plucky little guy, and you will root for him and laugh all the way. BTW a glossary of Aussie words will assist US readers and add to the fun of exploring the exciting world of Down Under.

This book is great! So are the other two. My 8 year old read all three in four days - I couldn't pry them out of his hands. Everybody will love Limpy's adventures - he's humanized without being cheesey. Morris Gleitzman is our new favorite author.

this book was very exciteing because it was all about toads not people. if you like toads you will love this book. if you liked toad heaven you will like toad rage. there are also crickets and rats and sloths and many more animals. I liked when george and bob were hanging on the back of a truck and they jumped off and they coudnt breath but they just got the wind knocked out of them. that shows excitement and suspense.I liked this book because of the adventure excitement and suspense.

Toad Rage by Morris Gleitzman
"It's too dangerous, stay here," says Limmpy a Cane toad with a bad leg as he sets out on an adventure to answer his life long question," Why do humans hate us?" Limmpy's leg is bad because it got run over by a truck when he was little and if he runs too fast he goes around in circles.
Toad Rage will take you on an adventure with Limmpy, Goliath, and Charm. It's a good book for all ages and is funny and informational. Charm, Limmpy's younger sister, is sweet and somewhat stubborn. Limmpy's cousin Goliath is big but very stubborn. This book will keep you hooked 'til the very end.
Reading this book will teach you that life isn't always fair, that some things just can't be changed, and above all don't judge a book, human, or animal by its cover.
December, 19, 2006, 12/19/06

I loved this book for what it taught me. It's almost like a riches to rags story. One who started the journey to faith with such strength and then fell on the way. This book is sad in the sense that the author who believed herself to be set free now is okay with homosexuality and has even embraced it. I feel sorry for her. She will be held accountable on that final day when she meets God.

This is an excellently written work that addresses the confusion and the struggle of being in a relationship with someone who is at odds with their own sexuality. To further complicate matters, this book tackles the issue of being deeply entrenched in Christian Fundamentalism while dealing with a spouse who is coming to terms with being gay. The author tells her story in a very open and personal way. It is written much like a novel or short story, yet it is powerfully "real". It is a book that you have a hard time putting down because you want to find out what happens next. Recommended reading for anyone who has a gay family member or friend who has come out after being married and having children.

I am living out the same experience as the author's and I was deeply moved by her story. It validated my own feelings and helped me to better understand the feelings of my gay ex-husband. I was touched to read that their friendship was sustained through it all and it gives me hope for the same. Any married couple dealing with this devastating situation should read her memoir.

A moving book, quite heart-rending at times. And yet frustrating as well. Too many pages are given to the crushing and authoritarian leaglism of their early faith which ultimately counts for nothing. As the doors of self- and God-understanding open, I yearned to know more to hear more of their internal transformation and the remarkable people who cross their paths--like Madelaine L'Engle. The climax of confrontation and decision was gripping but I sensed a gauzy filter descending thereafter, masking the grit required in reconsituting lives and relationships.

In a work of rare honesty and compassion, Sally Lowe Whitehead shares her heart with the reader. While focusing on the painful reality of discovering that her husband and the father of her children is gay, this work deals with much more. It is an honest and sometimes painful account of the author's coming to terms with a Church that is often unforgiving and unloving. Whitehead's journey toward faith and forgiveness is both moving and challenging to the reader. It is impossible to read her words and not re-evaluate one's own ideas and prejudices. The Truth Shall Set You Free is a work that is not only honest in its presentation, it is one that encourages the reader to equal honesty.

There is now a 2.0 edition of this booklet.

In my opinion, this book represents an extremely well thought out piece of work. Dr. Berens displays a rich amount of expertise in Temperament. The clarity of theory is remarkable and the quality of work for such a small book is amazing. Well done.

I really liked this booklet and would recommend it to all of my colleagues. I feel it has a strong message and powerful voice. If you have read Please Understand Me then this is a must have resource.

I found this booklet through a link from Please Understand Me and I have found it invaluable as a resource when I am teaching temperament and using the keirsy sorter. I would give it to anyone who has taken the sorter.

This book is easy to read, understand, and apply! Dr. Berens insights into personality (temperament) are refreshing. A much better framework then the "label and blame-men and women" jargon. A good read for all ages. I will give one to every student I teach!

I found the book to be very useful in many business situations. My success in business depends on building relationships and I have benefited from the ideas presented in Judy's book. I recommend this book to anyone that wants to turn negatives into positives and lead a more productive and healthy life.

Judy Ringer's new book "Unlikely Teachers: Finding Hidden Gifts in Daily Conflicts" is a terrific book for those seeking to discover the magic that lies within every conflictual situation. Written with humility and filled with wonderful stories from the author's life and sprinkled with wonderful quotes from experts, "Unlikely Teachers" is a book that I'm likely to put in my carry-on bag for that quick emotional pick-me-up that we all need from time to time.
Throughout the book, the author provides simple and effective suggestions for the reader to practice. My favorite one (or, at least, the one I seem to need to practice more right now) is the "Thank-you-very-much Game" that Ms. Ringer describes on page 149.
Pop-psychology silliness to the contrary, managing conflict effectively is quite difficult, and I very much appreciated the author's honesty and courage in disclosing the simple fact that even though she has been practicing these skills for many years, "I still lose my center frequently. My buttons get pushed, I advocate instead of listen, and I take life way too seriously."
I highly recommend "Unlikely Teachers" to any interested reader. Thank you, Judy Ringer, for such a wonderful book!

When I first starting reading Judy's book, I was having a bad day. My mood quickly changed after reading the Foreword and Preface...I hadn't even gotten to the Introduction yet!

Judy has such a soothing way with words, and her humor, although subtle, shines through and is very refreshing. This book really made me re-examine the ways I view and deal with conflict. The practices at the end of each chapter are great!

I highly recommend this book. It's a wonderful, insightful learning experience and a joy to read.

Judy Ringer's "Unlikely Teachers", with it's wit and wisdom, is truly special. This book provides the opportunity to re-examine your relationships and daily encounters. Judy's passion is evident and engaging as she teaches us the power of centering and applies it to the difficult dance of human energies. Read and discover.

Reviewed by Nina Larson for Reader Views (8/06)

As a self improvement book I rate "Unlikely Teachers: Finding the Gifts in Daily Conflict" by Judy Ringer, 3 stars. However, as a book inspiring interest in Aikido, it goes to 4 stars.

"Unlikely Teachers" draws from Judy Ringer's time spent in a dojo learning and teaching Aikido. She uses these lessons as a speaker and seminar leader. I believe this book grew out of those inspirational and training seminars. As such, the book is very organized and each chapter and subchapter is self contained, yet connected to the next. Logical and yet while reading "Unlikely Teachers," I never lost that vision of teacher/ speaker in front of me. This "speaker" vision persisted, even during the Aikido stories that ground each chapter and subchapter and their lesson.

However, while I found the stories fascinating, the lessons are basic conflict resolution skills. So, her lessons are very helpful to someone new to conflict resolution, but a reminder otherwise. And while a reminder of the basics, starting with BREATH, is always useful, it doesn't inspire to read & re-read. She did attach those basic tenants to real life and dojo situations, and the pictures she drew were strong and humorous enough I that can still remember some of them a week later with a smile. I also liked quotes she included. Thanks to those quotes and the resource section in the back, I now have a couple more book titles to investigate. All in all though, this is a good starter book and a great inspiration to investigate Aikido.

I highly recommend this book to people new to conflict resolution or very experienced in conflict. I also recommend this book to students of any martial arts discipline. For Aikido students, it explains clearly how they can apply the dojo lessons to their life. And I would think people studying other types of martial arts would resonate with Judy's experience. It has the basic lessons that are key to peaceful and rewarding interactions with other people.

Great read that provides tangible encounters on how to be mindful of things we often take for granted in our character, persona, and aura that will inevitably attract or detract the opposite sex for either good reason or either perverted and selfish motives respectively. As a male, it helped strengthen my discernment in order to be able to identify certain traits in females that are wholesome versus mannerism that may be harmful or destructive to the longevity of any future relationship I plan to have with a candidate considered for marriage.

Helped get me back on track. Would highly recommend this and ALL of Ms. Hammond's publication.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. I was impressed with the savvy, wisdom and wit of both writers. What an awesome combination of intellect, experience and just plain old truth. The short anecdotes offered quality reflection time and the honest assessment of the way women pursue men like food when one is hungry was ON POINT! I couldn't be happier with the sage advice, strong yet purposeful rebuke and sincere testimonies of both Joel and Michelle. I am quite a big fan of Michelle and I know that because of her writing I am a better suited female, willing to wait and work for Jesus both now and after my husband "finds me."

I loved the encouraging and practical advice, based on the Scriptures.

I loved this book. You don't have to be single to benefit from this book. It is helping in my current marriage and this book is helping me to guide my daughters in relationships. My oldest daughter (22) bought it. I wish I had read this before marriage and remarriage. I also highly recommend Michelle's other book Get Over It and On With It!

Views from Our Shoes is a wonderful collection of stories. I enjoy it every time I read it, and take something new from it each time. The first time I read this book, it helped me understand myself better. It helps to know that there are other siblings who have the same range of emotions towards their special siblings that I have toward mine. The essays do not hold back any feelings, which is important for helping other individuals.

I would highly recommend this book to siblings and parents of children with special needs. I think that siblings, both younger and older would benefit from reading this book. Especially if they have never met any other siblings of individuals with special needs. This book would also benefit parents and help them understand the feelings of their "normal" child. Children with special needs can demand a lot of attention, and their siblings will often fade into the background willingly, and it is important for parents not to let their children do this. Even though siblings may put themselves on the back burner, it can create bad relationships among family members in the future. Views from Our Shoes would be a wonderful book for children and parents to read to help them relate to each other.

My daughter enjoys this book immensely. After reading only a few essays the first day she informed me that she was happy she had a brother with special needs. I wasn't worried much before the book but it helps to cement that idea and make it one she states outloud! She was also thrilled to find the guide in the back of the book on writing her own essay about her brother. While I do feel like a few disabilities are OVER used here and many left out, it's still a good book for kids in early elementary age. It opens my daughter's eyes to the fact that not everyone has the same disease or conditions. (My son has a genetic disease as well as a chromosomal disorder.)

Overall I was pleased with this book. There is a great range of sibling ages and conditions in the book. That being said, I was surprised that there was not at least one story that was specific to a child with spina bifida. There were several children with various rare conditions, kids with Downs, cerebral palsy, blindness, deafness, mental retardation, autism, etc, but no spina bifida kids. The closest they came is a child who has hydrocephalus.

The market for children coping with a disability is sadly lacking in resources- books like this one are rare- and I would still recommend it to a family who had siblings, cousins or friends with any disability, including spina bifida, but I am disappointed that it was not included.

Donald Meyer has compiled a wonderful book of essays from siblings of disabled children. My thirty year old son bought me this book for my birthday. Growing up, I too was one of these children and would have truly benefitted from anything that would have explained what happened to our family. As one of these sibs, I had to grapple with guilt, embarassment and also neglect from my parents due to the resources, both financial and emotional that were poured into my sister's handicap. My heart goes out to both parents and siblings of exceptional children. It is so much pain to bear for them and they feel even worse about complaining because they are "normal."

My 11 year old daughter read this book and even asked if she could read some of "her favorite essays" to us - she is the older sibling of our 2 year old little girl who was born 17 weeks early and she has cerebral palsy, blindness, deafness, is tube-fed and chronically ill. Her favorite stories were of the ones that she could most relate to - like the little boy who said he did not understand why his sibling was so ill when she was born. I think it made my daughter feel like it was okay for her to have bad and good emotions about her little sister. I think it validated them.

This book spoke to my soul. I have tried to express to my husband all of the ups and downs of fertility treatments, hormones, etc. This book made me feel as though I had a kindred spirit, that I was not the only person to go through the hell that infertility and it's treatments can create.

This book has excellent writing, smart humor and some insight to help you breathe that deep sigh of relief. Although the way some of the characters resolve their infertility issues may not be the route for everyone, it certainly portrays several options and all of them in a positive light.

If you are struggling with infertility, but especially SECONDARY infertility this is a must read!!!

This book is great! The author is very warm and the book makes you laugh out loud at times. It is like talking with a close girlfriend. I highly reccomend this book even if you are not having fertility issues the book is a fun & quick read.

I got this book yesterday in the mail and could not put it down. I am not a reader at all and I finished the book this afternoon. I could relate to this book on almost every aspect. I laughed and cried. I would recommend this book to all ladies with infertility issues or not... just so they could have a glimpse of what we go through on a daily basis!

In November 07', at age thirty, I was diagnosed with Premature Ovarian Failure. My husband and I were told the only way we could have a biological child was through IVF. Since November I have been reading infertility books, looking for emotional support. In the tradition books all I was able to find was factual and scientific information, which stated what was wrong with me, but never really reached the heart of the matter. When I read Jill's book, I finally felt like someone understood me. While the book is a fictional account of her experience, her emotions must have been completely nonfiction! I have had so many "me too" moments while reading this book. It has been the first book that has made me realize I am not completely crazy. Knowning the others have had frustrating experiences with doctors, and adoption agencies and medications(as well as unsolicited information!!) has been both comforting and helpful. I would recommend this book to any woman suffering from infertility. I would also recommend this book to anyone who has a friend or family member suffering, it is an eye-opening glimpse into the ups and downs of infertility.

A friend gave me this book, knowing I would enjoy it. I just finished it tonight, and really did like it! Jill Sayre writes from the heart and from her own personal experiences, yet fictionalizes the world in her novel so I, as the reader, wondered what really happened to the author.

The Waiting Womb is a triumphant story of how a heart can heal and that it does not just take a womb to make a family. It takes love, selflessness, and strength. The characters in the novel were so very real - it reads like a memoir, one that I couldn't put down!

I look forward to reading more of Jill Sayre's work!

The author's empathy and sincerity become immediately apparent in this must-read book for animal lovers. She sees the fur people of the world as those we are not meant to dominate and destroy, but learn from. This is a splendid book from a person whose heart is truly filled with the love of all things.

Diana L. Guerrero has a heart & soul that loves & that understands animals. I wish my kitty, Michel, could meet her. He is a friendly boy!
When I take my riding lessons my concern is about being a good rider but also making sure I don't hurt the horses.
This is a wonderful read. My cousin gave it to me on Christmas. By the day after New Years it was finished because I couldn't put it down except to visit with friends over the holidays.
In a way Michel has met Ms. Guerrero through me after reading her lovely book which reflects her beautiful soul.

A beautifully written glimpse into the psyche of both humans and animals. As a writer I enjoyed Ms Guerrero's descriptions of her personal interactions with both tame and wild animals and felt very much a part of her adventures. Prior to reading Diana's book I thought I knew my buddy, a 100lb Akita, very well. Now I not only notice my dog's subtle clues but have a greater understanding of their meaning. This is a "must read" for all lovers of the spiritual messages of nature.
Robena June Schaerf, author of Granton Manor and Morgan's Ridge

This book truly touched me! I'm a real softy when it comes to animals, but until I read this book I had not thought of them as "teachers".

A professional animal trainer, Diana L. Guerrero shares how she has learned as much from the animals as they have learned from her. In many ways, animals are far more noble than humans, and Guerrero illustrates this point time and again.

Read. Learn. And most importantly: Enjoy!!

Diana Guerror brings us a lovely introduction to many of the ways in which animals can heighten our awareness of our own caring, moral, healing and spiritual qualities. She illustrates these through specific animal examples:

Loyalty - dogs
Playfulness - otters
Power - bears
Heart - lions
Survival - wolves
Vision - eagles
Mind - dolphins
Wisdom - owls

This book is a good invitation to reflections on how we can be more mindful of many of these qualities in our lives, and how we can extend our investments in healing - ourselves and others - beyond our own species. It can serve as a good introduction to spiritual dimensions as well, particularly for those who might not be open yet to the broader dimensions of psychic animal and spirit communications.

As both a parent and an educator, I wish I had read this book years ago! This book is amazing! It is full of common sense insights and displays a profound understanding of children. I will be recommending this book to every parent & teacher I know!

Dr. Spock and all the others have nothing on this team. For the first time after reading and implementing parenting methods I have finally found one that truly works. The changes in our family are remarkable. In a world full of self help books on parenting, it is very confusing as to what is right, wrong or simply ineffective. This book however is not only effective but will teach parents common sense things we just could not see on our own. It is simple and even obvious now. Wonderful parenting guide for any parent whether working through a crisis or just wanting to make sure you and your child start out in the right direction. Its never to late to make a change and its not only effective, the results are quick and rewarding. Our quaility of family life has surpassed my wildest dreams!! Frued has been surpassed. We recommend this book to all of our friends, and to anyone reading this review. You will be amazed and grateful. Thanks Denis and Deborah!

This book has changed my life, it has given the spoken language new clarity from the eyes of the young. I now have control of how words are spoken, interperted and understood, before I always assumed my child understood what I meant. My children have responded very well to this easy to follow and understand guide. We have also been fortunate enough to be in therapy with Dr. Donovan for the past 1 1/2, as we live in St Petersburg, Fl. Read the book, absorb the book, implement the book and change your world and your childs.

"What Did I Just Say! " by Denis Donovan, M.D. and Deborah McIntyre, M.A., R.N. is a book on how to communicate effectively with your children. This is a must in this day of computer wiz kids. It gives you phrases and practical statements to say to your children to help them process what you really want them to do. Children don't always hear what we meant. This book will change the way you communicate and interact with your children. Pick this one up today and be on your way to a better, more insightful relationship with your kids.

This book is amazing. If you have problems with your boys (OK kids) you must get this. I thought I was the most emotionally available and "tuned-in" parent. After reading the first few chapters, I used the skills I leared in this book. My older one had been whining in the mornings about not wanting to go to school. I gently commanded him to tell me WHY (I didn't ASK, I COMMANDED him to tell me- lovingly)in the ways I learned in the book. He told me that he was embarassed because he couldn't open his tupperware at snacktime. I had the same morning scene EVERY MORNING until that day, and that was the end of it! I use this book EVERY DAY now. It is an easy read, and you will get results after just a few chapters. I had no parenting issues that I wanted to fix, but my sister had an appt. with the author without knowing he had a book (a Dr. referral, he's in Tampa, FL). I looked it up on Amazon and it was interesting. I got it and it's LOVE! GET IT, but be ready to take responsibility for your kids' problems and take initiative to change the way you speak to them. If you can, it'll be easy, SO EASY. If you are looking for an external reason for your kids' problems you can easily find that elsewhere.

I bought this book along with "Up and Down the Worry Hill" and it was very useful, especially as I knew very little about OCD. I would recommend it, especially the part about OCD and School.

As a parent of a child with OCD, it is possible to become 'compulsive' about trying to educate yourself about the illness to help your child. This book is a comprehensive guide that helps to ask and answer your questions. There are many books out there on the subject but this book is the BEST one.

If your child has OCD, make sure you invest in this book. I purchased several books and this one is hands-down the best no matter what your child's obsessions/compulsions or what stage you are at from first recognizing the disorder to going through the therapy.

As other reviewers have noted, it is easy to read and understand. It is also very complete and includes obsessions/compulsions not covered in other books I have read. It answers questions like "normal vs. OCD: What's the difference" - an important thing for parents to be able to recognize when their child is being themselves and when the OCD monster is affecting them. It also tells you what to expect in the first evaluation, how to navigate CBT (cognitive behavior therapy), and info on medications.
Another very helpful aspect is the school section (I even took the book with me to the teacher conference). It outlines what you should and should not share with the school/teacher and how to approach the whole subject without having your child labeled. It has "Red Flags for OCD in School"- a great thing to share with the teacher. And how to form a partnership with the school to best benefit your child.

All in all, a great and helpful book.

Every parent with a child that has OCD MUST read this book!! The sooner the better! After realizing my son had OCD I jumped on the internet only to feel sad and hopeless for my son's future. Thank goodness for Dr. Wagner's book! I read it cover to cover and put everything she suggested into play immediately!! Her book also gave me hope and made me realize I was a huge part of my son's recovery. Loaded with support, information and facts, this book became my "OCD Bible" and made a huge impact on getting the OCD in control. We had a wonderful therpist but this book is what really helped my son and our family know what to do and how to take control. My son also read her book for children entitled "Up and Down the Worry Hill" and I highly recommend that for your child as well. I now run a support group for parents of children with OCD and this book is #1 on my list. There IS hope and "What to Do When Your Child Has OCD" is crucial in your journey! Thank you Dr. Wagner! You are wonderful!!

This book is very easy to read. It is very comprehensive. It is very informative. It is objective. It is my constant companion lately. My son's therapist admitted that I know much more about OCD than she does and is now reading the book.