Medicine and Health Books

The world lost a real gem of a writer when Stan Berenstain passed on November 29. Together, Berenstain and his wife, Jan, and eventually their two sons, created books featuring lovable but flawed characters who tackle just about every real issue that faces families.

All kids have fears of the doctor, and why shouldn't they? Most doctor's visits for young kids involve lots of uncomfortable poking and prodding, and, more often than not, shots. Yikes! However, going to the doctor is still necessary, we all have to do it. This book will help open a dialogue to let your child discuss their fears, and let you discuss why visiting the doctor is so important. Kids will enjoy the gentle humor and honest portrayal of a doctor's visit (yep, Sister Bear has to get a shot!) and the consequences when you don't go to the doctor (Papa gets sick). A great conversation starter!

Its the cubs time for their first check-up. Sister is VERy nervous, but both of them are worried because they thing that they might get a shot.

It is a good book to read to your kids if they are going to be going for their first check-up or anytime.

This book was the favorite book for my young children (now grown) when we
were preparing for doctor visits. It is still beloved by my retarded son
who is now 31, and I have bought many copies for him through the years. It
covers all the important topics: anticipation (dread), waiting room, routine
exams, and possible shots. All of this is with pictures and words.

The berenstain Bears Go To The Doctor is a great book.I especially like how it has the cubs (brother and sister) going to the doctor for a check-up. They ended up not finding anything wrong with them and getting a shot anyway so they don't get sick. It turns out that papa, whose convises them that he never gets sick, gets sick. This is a really good book and fun to read. I would recommend this book to anyone.

Most children are afraid of going to the doctor (well a lot of adults are, too, but for completely different reasons). When the word doctor is mentioned to kids images of needles, blood, bandages, and strange looking objects come to mind. Reading THE BERENSTAIN BEARS GO TO THE DOCTOR may help relieve some of the fears that children have when they know they are going to the doctor.

In the story, Brother and Sister Bear have to go to Dr. Gert Grizzly to have a checkup. Brother isn't too bothered by the whole thing, but Sister is a bit worried. The next day Sister is able to help out some frightened younger cubs while she is in the waiting room and sets an example for all the children to follow.

Overall, a delightful little book that helps relieve children's fears of going to the doctor and gives them a broader perspective about life.

This Book is a real treasure.
The most advanced healing concepts available on planet earth are reveiled to the reader.
Dr. Zhi Chen Guo is a real master. He shares generously his priceless gifts. These gifts are not only about herbs but about the souls of the herbs....discover a tremendous paradigm shift in medicine.
A paradigm shift that has the potential not only to heal but to transform lives.
Enjoy reading and participate in the developement of evolutionary perspectives for humanity.

There are many approaches to healing qigong...but this is the real deal!
I won't say mastery is easy, but this is the most thoughtful and revolutionary approach to medical qigong that I have ever encountered.
Pulse diagnosis is a pain and so subjective, but to be able to reduce things to a simple tongue diagnosis and some other key diagnostic queries and a simple herbal formula is REVOLUTIONARY!
Perhaps the most intriguing part is the key role of the herbal, cinnamon bark in the decoctions and infusions.
This is a must read for those trying to understand qigong healing.
The wheel has been redesigned!

Understanding the bodies issues has not been covered totally by the Medical world especially the root causes of illnesses nor has the medical attention addressed the balance of organs & systems in the body.This book is an enlightened understanding of the total body and its energy fields and fluids in the body which if become unbalanced any sickness can occur, cancer, tumors,headaches, pain, low blood pressure, high blood pressure etc etc.I have found this book so simple to understand as its essence speaks of the fine tuning of health issues and reduced needs of chinese herbs to produce renewed energy flow and moving of matter where it has stagnated.It should be read as the key to new abilities to monitor your health through tongue reading which anyone can learn from the examples shown in this amazing book.Remember the medical tests cannot show cancer till its advanced condition in the body. This book gives you the instant means to check your own conditions so you can address your own problems before cancer/tumors take a hold in your organ or wherever.

Dr. Zhi Chen Guo is a Doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine, a spiritual master, and the founder and director of the Zhengding Heath Care Center in China. He was honored as "Most Exceptional Practitioner" by the Grand System of World Traditional Medicine in Beijing, and credited with assisting to contain the SARS epidemic and creating new treatments for cancer. Body Space Medicine is a revolutionary healing system developed by Dr. Guo during his 50 years of clinical practice using his medical intuitive abilities and Divine guidance. I studied Body Space Medicine under Dr. Guo and Dr. Zhi Gang Sha in China in 2005, in Canada in 2006, and in the United States in 2007. In China I saw a number of cancer patients who had come to Dr. Guo's clinic bedridden and now they were up walking early in the morning and dancing around late at night. Dr. Guo has had success in treating cancer, partially because his approach is not to kill cancer, but to return the cancer cells to normal cells. One of Dr. Guo's secrets to healing cancer is his focus on the imbalance of fluids in the body, the spaces in the body, the four jiao, the exit points in the body, and the Gong Zhuan. Dr. Guo developed the message (soul), matter, and energy theory, which is part of the Tao. All cells, organs, and systems have a message (soul), and the message affects both the matter inside the cells and the energy outside the cells in the spaces. Under normal conditions the transformation of matter inside the cells and energy outside the cells is in balance. When an imbalance develops, sickness occurs. To be healthy, the spaces in the body between the organs and between the cells must be open and allow the flow of energy, which allows the transformation of matter inside the cells and the energy outside the cells to be in balance. Body Space Medicine has quantum aspects, transcending time and space. Body Space Medicine uses the power of the soul, energy movement in the spaces of the body, and the Gong Zhuan to restore healthy cellular function. The Gong Zhuan (the main vertical energy circle of the body) and the Zi Zhuan (the main horizontal energy circle of the body) are the key for restoring health to cells and the entire body. Herbs (either physical herbs or soul herbs) are used to clear the spaces, adjust the matter and energy in the body, and optimize the Gong Zhuan. Dr. Guo has simplified the thousands of Chinese herbs and herbal formulas used in Traditional Chinese Medicine to a list of five herbs used in four quantum formulas that can be used to heal all illnesses (see page 117 et al). In comparing Western medicine to Body Space Medicine, Western medicine generally only deals with matter. Body Space Medicine deals with matter and also the message (soul), mind, energy, spaces, the Gong Zhuan, and Yin/Yang balance for healing the body.

I use aspects of Body Space Medicine in my spiritual healing practice. Overall I found the book to be very good and it really moved me very deeply. If you are reading the book, here is one key that may help you. On page 33, Dr. Guo says, "I will teach you how to invoke the soul of the herbs to heal." To find this important information, see the discussion of soul herbs under the topic of "The Quantum Dimension" on page 132. As Dr. Guo states, everything has a soul. So this includes each of your organs, a house, a city, a country, a river, a tree, a plant, etc. A soul can have incredible healing power. Each herb has a soul, and you can ask the soul of the herb(s) for a healing. You can use soul herbs with or without the physical herbs. When using soul herbs, start with "Say Hello Healing." Then you chant the names of the herbs. You might chant for 5 minutes or longer; you might chant several times a day. You can chant while cooking or driving your car. You can chant out loud or silently, but if you are lying down, do not chant out loud. You do not have to chant the dosage (e.g. 7 g). So you can select one of the four quantum herb formulas on page 117 for any illness, use the "Say Hello Healing" formula, and then chant the names of the herbs in that formula. When you finish chanting, show appreciation and say thank you three times. For more information about the power of the soul and how to use the power of the soul to heal yourself and others, see Dr. Zhi Gang Sha's book, Soul Mind Body Medicine: A Complete Soul Healing System for Optimum Health and Vitality.

This is an extraordinary book by an extraordinary man. I have had the absolute blessing of being in his presence - a truly memorable experience. As strange as it sounds he actually works with thousands of ill people every day at his clinic in China. When I met him he was on his way to receive a lifetime achievement tribute at the UN from the Wolrd Health Organziation. I am not a medical person. I do think of and know myself to be a spiritual being. Dr. Gou's book is a treasure - both of healing ways and spiritual enlightenment. It belongs on every bookshelf. I also recommend all publications by Dr Zhi Gang Sha, his adopted son. Truly amazing spiritual wisdom.

I couldn't help but notice that Dr. McCleary's photo on the back flap of the book shows that he is a bit overweight. This is natural considering his apparent love for beacon and eggs for breakfast, and his love for red meats, butter, and cheese. In my opinion, this is the only questionable part of his book. I just cannot believe that a diet abundant in saturated fats and cholesterols is not harmful to the cardiovascular system. And what is harmful for the cardiovascular system is also harmful for the brain. Furthermore, any amount of overweight puts a strain on all internal organs - for both man and beast.

Most readers may think I am some kind of fanatic. Well, maybe I am. But I believe that a calorie restricted, nutrient rich diet, leads to better health for the brain and all the other organs of the body. I also believe that calorie restriction is easy when the food served is simple and not made artificially enticing.

Maybe Dr McCleary believes that most people simply will not be willing to eliminate these expensive and enticing kinds of foods. I do admit that almost everyone probably feels this way, and would greatly benefit just by doing exactly as he has written. For this reason I must bow to his judgment.

I definitely agree with Dr. McCleary's recommendations for dietary supplements and mental exercises. What I'm really saying is that I plan to do as he says except that my diet is a bit more restrictive - simply steamed vegetables, whole grains, skim milk, more fish, less whole eggs, a little skinless chicken, and almost no red meat. And no candy. Candy kills more people than cigarettes.

I'm a 70 year old 5'10" male weighing in at 150lbs. My goals are to reduce my weight to what it was at age 25(140lbs.), and to improve my cognitive functions as much as possible. This book is sure to help. I highly recommend it to others.

"The Brain Trust Program" should be required reading for those of us who have trouble remembering what we were going to say long enough to finish a sentence or where we parked the car; for anyone who suffers from hot flashes or migraines; in fact, for anyone who has a brain. Dr. McCleary's easy-to-understand articles on his Website are an additional bonus. Don't miss a single one.

If you are interested about the numerous "diet" books and health programs out there, this books helps to put it all in perspective. When you finish reading it, you'll probably want make your brain a priority. Why? Because the way we "feed" our brain by what we eat and what we do not eat, is going to affect our brain's health for the rest of our lives and no one wants to end with a "bad" brain.
In this book you'll find awfully interesting, practical, explanations and a simple how-to help yourself guide. Dr McCleary's book is easy and enjoyable to read, so much so that I gave it to my 12 year old with the warning: "This is the most important book about your health you can ever read." A few hours later she was saying, "You know, mom? If I load myself with candy bars this is what happens to my brain..." To say I was thrilled to hear my daughter talking about the effect of sugar overload is an understatement. Dr McCleary's book might well become the key to good health to today's youth and the starting point to healing and prevention for us, the middle aged.
Dr McCleary also has a web site with very good articles (www.drmccleary.com)

If ever there was an occasion to issue a must read recommendation, this would be it. The Brain Trust Program, by Dr. Larry McCleary, manages to provide a wealth of information on enhancing and maintaining brain function without being a boring biblically long mechanical medical treatise. Complete with supplementation (vitamin use and recommended dosages) guidelines, this book serves as an interesting read for anyone interested in retaining and preserving cognitive clarity.

Dr McCleary is able to review the relevant research and distill it into useful, meaningful recommendations. I urge everyone over age 40 and anyone caring for aging parents to look at this book very carefully. His advice could save years of anguish.

Explains your brain, and how different foods affect it, in layman's terms. Many helpful dietary suggestions for preventing disease and treating depression. A great read.

"[T]he most practical and helpful book you will ever find for preserving every precious brain cell. "
-John McDougall, MD, Director of the McDougall Program

"Dr. Hatherill certainly caught my attention! With so many people writing about nutrition and the brain, he has provided an up-to-date summary that is comprehensive, reliable, and readable. This book should be on the shelf of everyone who cares about maximizing the utility and longevity of his/her
brain."
-Dr. Pierce J. Howard, author, The Owner's Manual for the Brain

...Fascinating....[O]f enormous interest to clinicians, patients, and anyone who wants the very best of health."
-Neal D. Barnard, M.D., President, Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine

Doctor J. Robert Hatherill has done an oustanding job with this book! As a health and school psychologist I have already started recommending this book to helping professionals and parents. This author goes beyond writing about the links between good nutrition and health. This is the only book I have read that also demonstrates the critical role of nutrition in the promotion of learning as well as health. I highly recommend this book!

Reading this book it is hard to feel too glum although breast cancer is it's subject. For women who have been through some of what the author has experienced, whether the medical ups and downs or the personal struggle with faith and hope, this book provides empathy and sustenance. With humor, intelligence and relevant information, Ms. Baker gives women a peek into the experiences so many of us will go through and survive, perhaps even thrive. You just have to read her tale of what she heard while waiting for surgery! One of those things we all can laugh at only after the fact; to be able to laugh, love, and believe is the theme of this great little book.

Impressive doctors' sections including the renowned Chris Wright, PhD of Cambridge University discussing his research on Tamoxifen; Doctors N. Joseph Haroun, fellowship in endocrinology from Hopkins and Melita Braganza, researcher at University of Maryland discussing chemotherapy and radiation therapy. For me, these are the highlights of the book. For my wife, they were the poetry, illustrations, and the myriad of helpful suggestions and insights into things people don't usually discuss.

"If you are a breast cancer patient, you need no introduction to me, because you know me well already. I'm just like you...You and I have in common the unsettling feeling of our worlds shaken up, our schedules not in our own control, and the keen awareness of our own human vulnerability. When cancer strikes, it puts us all on even ground. Rich or poor, pretty or plain, waitress or CEO, it makes no difference. There is no escape route and the only special treatment we'll get is what's sent from heaven."

With this book, Sylvia Baker wrote one of the best books on the subject of breast cancer. It takes away the fear from surgery for those women who need to go through the process and this book offers lots of hope for the recover process. Baker herself is a breast cancer survivor and has gone through the whole ordeal. She wrote the book from the heart with the purpose of edifying and encouraging the reader, while being objective regarding the issue.
The author approaches the subject systematically, but always with the concern of the individual patient in mind. This book is highly recommended for everyone who was just been diagnosed with breast cancer or who is already in the recovery stage, and it's also a great and encouraging read for loved ones of breast cancer victims as it is a very helpful book -- one of the best books on the subject out there. Because of the excellent content, this book is just simply an encouraging read for everyone.

Sylvia (my precious little sister!) shares her personal story in a humorous manner, emphasizing the importance of keeping a good attitude and your eyes on God. She's included lots of good medical information about the various treatment options, written by health professionals, which will help you understand the medical side of the story. This book is easy to read and can even be used as a devotional, read a chapter at a time. She's included poetry, recipes, and tips for helping those you love in times of crisis. Go ahead - Buy the book! Love ya, Syl!

"its bedside manner is decidedly more reassuring and less alarmist" [than the Lonely Planet guide] Sunday Telegraph book of the week May 2000

Best Title Award for October 1999 from Big World Magazine (Pennsylvania) "This clear concise manual explains how to avoid the icky side effects of travel"

"the most amazing collection of well-written, easy to read, and jargon-free information flowing off every page of this book." Doctor (autumn 1999)

"Whilst her theoretical knowledge is extensive, it is her personal experience that adds great charisma and humour to the very informative text, making the book a true pleasure to read." Travel Wise: newsletter of the British Travel Health Association Autumn 1999

"offers practical advice for disease prevention and treatment, based on the author's and travellers' personal experiences in a clear and concise way."
Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene (1999) 93 539

"clear, easy to read, comprehensive manual... everything from jet lag to the psychological problems of being a long-term expat spouse." Carousel: diplomatic service families association magazine Autumn 1999

"excellent" Wanderlust June/July 1999

"magnificent book... readable and accessible" Expeditioner (Brathay Expeditions, spring 1998)

"indispensable...some of the most realistic, practical advice about trekking" Independent on Sunday, London (May 4, 1997)

"recommended" Marie Clare May 1997

"covers insect bite treatments, acclimatization, AIDS avoidance, snake-bite treatment and travel related skin problems." Los Angeles Times (Mar 9 1997)

"at once attractive, user friendly and a good read." Discovery - Cathay Pacific (May 1996)

"Amusing and informative...By far the best book of this type" Sesame: Scientific Exploration Society Newsletter, UK (spring 1995)

"Interesting off-beat guide" Observer, London (May 14, 1995)

"coverage is excellent...sensible...accurate and well researched...single authorship makes it an easy read" Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene (1995)

"with tips on avoiding afflictions such as `sahib's knee' when mountain walking." Australian Gourmet Traveller

"advice...from immunisation to dealing with snake-bites. General Practitioner (July 14, 1995)

"there is even a section in `Sex and the Single expat'. An extremely useful book." Good Book Guide (July 1995)

"essential reading" Marie Claire June 1995

"useful reading" Daily Telegraph (London) 10 June 1995

"a must for anyone going travelling." Wanderlust February 1995

"The sensible precautionary advice covering common and uncommon ailments is not only thorough, but also made more palatable by the case histories and touches of humour." The Book Seller 13 January 1995

"an irresistible little book... Each topic is in easy-to-follow sections, with anecdotes and case histories to illustrate the medical guidelines." Globe (London)

Even if you're not going to be travelling in remote places, this book is wonderful. Jane Wilson-Howarth's no nonsense (and funny) tone makes this book an excellent read, even if it's just for the vicarious thrill of knowing which parasites you might encounter.

This a gem of a book- not for the squeamish (though they wouldn't be travelling off the beaten path, would they?!) and definitely not to be given to your hypochondriacal aunt before she goes on her next overseas vacation- but great for everybody travelling outside of say, North American & Western Europe. V. practical, v. succinct & v. realistic. Great help in planning your trip, esp. if you are anyway intrepid in your travels. And loads of fun to read, with lots of v. funny bits.

Cadogan's Bugs, Bites and Bowels is the best health guide for travellers. I travel a lot for work and pleasure and always use it when preparing to leave. The text is bang up to date and easy to understand. You get all the details on where you're at risk, signs to look for and lots of advice on what to do if your luck runs out - for each and every possible ailment.

Everyone who is planning a trip outdoors should get a copy. Five Stars.

I seem to collect health travel books. We live in Mexico and beleive in being our own best health advocates anywhere. Of all the books I have seen in the past five years dealing with travel health, Bugs, Bits & Bowels surpasses my previous favorite, one in the Moon Travel Series which is currently out of print. Wilson-Howarth is concise, yet seeming thorough, with a presentation easily understood. Even bits of humor sprinkled in.

We love this book. I read a review of it in one of my sons turtle magazines and knew I had to get it. Even though the story is about a girl, this is a must for all boys who love gross things. My son took it to show n tell at preschool and it was a huge hit with all the kids and teachers.
We read it over and over and never stop laughing.

My five-year-old LOVES this book. Aside from the laugh-out-loud humor and engaging characters, the illustrations are fabulous. I can't wait to see more from this author/illustrator team!

The story and illustrations of this new and refreshing book make Carmen's Sticky Scab fun and enjoyable. Ginger has done a wonderful job capturing events surrounding a pesky scab...situations that we can all relate to (in one way or another). This book is well written and illustrated. One that can be enjoyed over and over. Carmen's Sticky Scab is MUST for your library! Thumbs up on this great book! Let's hope it's the first of many from this wonderful new author!

This was so cute and funny - any kid would love this story and read it over and over. The kind of ending that will have any kid (or adult) laughing out loud. Anyone with children in the family should pick this book up

Scabs, sharks, bossy grown-ups, and a boy named Andy who apparently doesn't eat enough . . . I would never have expected to love a book about scabs. But the humor won me over. My kids love this book and my 1st-grader wants to read it to me at least once every single day. For every kid who's ever had a scab and the grown-ups who love them--buy this book and prepare to laugh!

The Child Health Guide is hands down the best, holistic book on pregnancy & parenting that I have found yet. I'm still learning stuff that I didn't know -- stuff that helps with my 15 year old!!
The author holds a degree in Oriental Medicine and focuses on scientific information to teach you to make healthier choices for you and your family.

Here's a sampling: Plastic Toys and Phthalates; Environmental Toxins In The Home; Chemicals To Avoid In Shampoo; Why Avoid Soy?; Which Sweeteners Are (Relatively) Safe & Sweeteners To Avoid; DHA Supplementation, Cod Liver Oil Nutrient Content, Fats For Children, etc.; The Most Important Foods To Avoid; Principles Of Holistic Pediatrics For Parents; Vaccines -- Making An Informed Choice.

There is an entire section that focuses on managing acute illness, treatment at home & when to seek outside help.

There is so much more. This IS the book to get for someone looking to get pregnant and raise healthy children!!

I am not a die hard holistic follower so I found some of the advice a littel too extreme for my personal taste. Although, while extreme, if definitely provides food for thought.

When I first started this book, I was concerned that it would be too general for me, as I'm pretty granola already. But as I kept reading, I was pleasantly surprised! It turned out to have lots of great info I didn't know before...I'm really glad I found it! It's a good overview of basic child healthcare, and gives lots of practical advice. Because I read it, I'll know not to panic if my child should get a fever that sounds high to me, for instance...Neustaedter explains why fevers can be beneficial, and when to leave them alone, and when to help them go down naturally. There are lots of other great tips, as well as homeopathic remedies.

This is so important for new parents and parents who want to make more informed choices with their second or third etc.
The philosophy behind this book is "don't just believe what your pediatrician is telling you to do". Expand your beliefs and resources for the health of your child. There's so much solid info regarding dietary and environmental influences on your child's health, it's amazing.
We would have done things very differently in regards to our son's "spitting up" issues had we read this book earlier and not just followed the advice of our pediatirican to jump on meds which never worked anyway. Fortunately once we saw meds weren't improving the situation we looked further for an osteopath and a homeopath who actually were more effective in resolving his reflux / spitting up issues.
So hooray for Randall Neustaedter for writing this enlightening book!
It's a must have for all.

This kind of information can be difficult to get your hands on... What plastics are safe? Do you need to filter your water and what kind is best? What about vaccines and flouride? What tests are necessary for the newborn? Some other topics include: newborn basics, how to co-sleep safely, and how to wrap a matress to reduce the incidence of SIDS.
Nutrition is covered, including allergies. For instance, did you know soy is NOT an appropriate food for babies? For parents who need to give formula there are several recipes for home-made formulas (milk-based, goatmilk-based, liver-based, and how to supplement store-bought formulas).
Other pertinant information includes teething, common childhood illnesses (colds, fevers, ear-aches, etc.) with explanations on how and when to treat with homeopathic remedies, along with chapters about each stage of childhood.
This book is a must-own for ALL PARENTS who want the straight facts in one easy-to-read format.

I've done a lot of Internet searches for information about spina bifida. This book is the best overall source I've found. I highly recommend this book for parents and caregivers of children with spina bifida. My daughter is now two years old, and I still refer to this resource often.

I purchased this book when my daughter was prenatally diagnosed with Spina Bifida. Since she's been born I have purchased more copies for family members. This book is an excellent resource for parents and loved ones. It teaches about the condition and related concerns in an easy to understand manner. This is by far the best book I have found on Spina Bifida. I would HIGHLY recommend this book to anyone who is expecting/has a child with Spina Bifida. I would also recommend it for family members and caregivers of children with Spina Bifida.

This book is a wonderful book for anyone who knows of someone dealing with a child or teenager with spina bifida. Its very organized, informative, and even has several photos of kids with spina bifida. I highly recommend it!

I am the nurse practitioner in a spina bifida clinic. I give this book out to all new parents of children with spina bifida. Many of them tell me that they refer to this book often.

This is one of the two books we ordered when we found out that our baby would be born with sb. We have read lots of books since then and still think this is the best. It is very comprehensive, presents the information well, and I have referred to it often over the past 8 months. We ended up purchasing several copies to give to our family members so they would understand what is going on with our son.

Having this book with three young kids is a must! Great reference for sick babies and also loads of interesting stuff about growth and development.

I got this book as a gift, and I admit I rolled my eyes a bit and wondered what the person was thinking. That was then...this is now! With three kids ranging from 1 to 7 years old, this book is my essential health reference. Despite that fact that you can look up anything on the internet nowadays, this book is so well-organized and lists almost every condition you can think of, from vomiting to Fifth's disease to bug bites. The best part is that it lists very concisely which symptoms you can treat yourself, need to call the doctor for or go to the ER for. Certainly you should always go with your gut (I have a few times, wisely) - but this book is a huge help with guiding a parent through an illness. I pull it out at least five or six times a year. Highly recommended!

I bought this book after I had my first child 6 years ago. I have consistently referred to it and found the information very useful and the recommendations quite reasonable. It covers every subject you may encounter in a true reference format. The book comes in VERY handy when you have a sick or injured child, but are unsure if a trip to the ER is necessary. This book has been my standard gift to anyone expecting their first child.

This book is awesome. I'm a mother of 2 and didn't need any help with my first child, but my second child was very difficult and I found this to be an invaluable resource. It even lets you know when you should contact your doctor or when you should head to the emergency room. Being from Boston, I know that Boston Children's Hospital is one of the best in the nation. What is also great about this book is that it covers the developmental tasks of a typical child for a specific age group. It is a great basis to know if your child is under or over performing and helps you find your strengths and weaknnesses. It also has all of the growth charts in the back and an amazing appendix of different child illnesses. Anything you could possible want to know or have questions about when and if you need to be concerned is in here. It's like a Bible!

If you are about to have your first child, buy this book. If one of your children or grandchildren is about to have a first child, give this book to her or him as a gift. If you like this book as much as I think you will, you should consider having a copy at home and one in each of the family cars for situations that arise while away from home.

This book deserves more than five stars. It is the only comprehensive guide to childhood development and illnesses that I have seen. The content is remarkable for being easy to understand, concise, and representing many different perspectives (including those of moms, dads, elder siblings, physicians, and other health care professionals). The book exudes a respectful sense of optimism that parents will do a good job, and avoids taking stands about issues related to religious preferences. At the same time, the book is quite up-front about pointing out what works best for children and their families.

The book is organized so that the first four sections deal with developmental issues, from learning to mimic to toilet training to dealing with jealous siblings to school adjustment, on through the school age years in considerable detail. The fifth part gives you information on childhood illnesses, injuries, and conditions.

I particularly liked the way the development sections talked about how children usually regress just before making a major development, and that this is healthy. The book even points out the good sides of childish outbursts. I wish someone had told me these things many years ago!

Having been a parent of four children over the last 30 years, I checked out the book against every illness, emergency, and developmental issue that I ran into for my own children and their friends. In each case, there was relevant material that told me more than I knew when I had to deal with each of these issues, despite having read every book on child care that I could lay my hands on prior to the experience. In particular, the book is very good at explaining both the near-term and the long-term consequences of a situation. For example, one of our children went into severe convulsions with a sudden spike in fever to 106 degrees. The book points out that this happens to about five percent of all children, more often to boys, and that there usually are no long-term consequences. I wish I had known that at the time.

I would especially like to praise the chapter on child care, which has 31 pages that summarize the best and latest research on how to select the right kind of child care if both parents work. You even get what the ratio of child-care people should be to children at different ages. Further, there's an excellent section earlier on what's involved when a child is sick, including how parents should think about how to balance their work and the needs of a sick child who needs a parent at home.

Of particular value to new parents will be the sections in each area called "When to Call the Doctor" which gives you a sense of not only "when" but "how quickly" you should seek help.

To get some idea of how contemporary and extensive this book is, you will find a section on "Body Piercing Infections."

Unlike many books on childhood and pediatric illnesses, this one is not the views of one person. Instead, over 80 physicians and pediatric experts combined to share their expertise, drawing on individuals practicing at Boston Children's Hospital or teaching at Harvard Medical School. I have great faith in Boston Children's Hospital having often taken our children there to deal successfully with important illnesses. I am also pleased to say that one of our children has survived the experience to become a staff member in the hospital's emergency room.

The section on emergencies is not only good, it is also organized to help you prepare to handle emergencies before they occur . . . and to avoid them in some cases. Those pages are rimmed in pink so you can find them quickly if you are in a panic.

Give children the best informed and most loving attention you can!