Squeaky Stroller | The Buyers Guide for Parents and Kids » book

Sleep Is for the Weak

julie — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 04:57:20 +0000

Each month, more than half a million readers turn to the 25 mommyblogs featured in this collection for advice and a sense of camaraderie, and this anthology brings together their best and brightest essays, ranging in style from snort-Diet-Coke-out-the-nose funny to poignant and bittersweet. Written to be read during the mind-bogglingly short breaks parents get during their busy days, these pieces will help moms find solace in a wide range of viewpoints and issues not often discussed in mainstream magazines and other parenting books. From dealing with rage to negotiating sleeping arrangements to the frustration and joy of parenting a special needs child, this is the perfect read for the hip but harried mother that says “you are still you.” Sleep Is for the Weak

Be Prepared A Practical Handbook for New Dads

derrick — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 13:29:20 +0000

Parenting is hard, and reading many of the jargon-filled parenting books out there can make it even harder, but with a combination of smart writing and clever illustrations, husband-and-wife team Greenberg (The Pop-up Book of Phobias; etc.) and illustrator Hayden make both seem fun, if not easy. As the subtitle suggests, the book is filled with advice that will appeal to the solution-centered male perspective, from step-by-step swaddling instructions to a guide for identifying six distinct infant crying patterns.

(A hunger cry, for example, is “a pattern of low-pitched, rhythmic moans, growing more and more insistent,” whereas a boredom pattern is “a low-volume whimper which stops and starts irregularly.”) Not only is Greenberg and Hayden’s information useful, but it’s also been vetted by “several distinguished fellows” at the American Academy of Pediatrics. Along with the conventional chapters on baby-proofing your house and taking a baby’s temperature are more obscure—and amusing—topics, such as how to videotape your baby and how to conduct a “Mirror Puppet Sing Along” to sooth a crying baby while driving (the technique requires two mirrors, a hand-puppet and an indifference to looking silly). Hayden’s drawings strike just the right balance between textbook-boring and tongue-in-cheek funny, depicting everything from a sketch of a bottle of teething gel to a drawing of an exhausted father snoozing in a business meeting. Greenberg and Hayden have succeeded in providing new dads (and many moms, for that matter) with an entertaining and informative cheat sheet.

The Rookie Mom’s Handbook

julie — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 11:00:36 +0000

Bookshelves abound with activity books for babies and toddlers, but The Rookie Mom’s Handbook is the first designed exclusively for first-time mothers. Here are 250 enjoyable activities to help rookie moms maintain their individuality and boost their confidence about leaving the house, socializing, and doing things they’ve always liked to do—either with or without baby. Inspired by the popular Web site rookiemoms.com, the book offers bite-sized activities arranged according to the baby’s age. Some are crafty, some are adventurous, and some simply help get a meal on the table. Written in a lively, supportive tone and decorated with cute illustrations, The Rookie Mom’s Handbook is the perfect gift or resource to remind new moms that there’s more to life than dirty diapers and 3 a.m. feedings.

The First 1000 Days

julie — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 16:52:05 +0000

Nikki mcclure is known for her painstakingly intricate and beautiful paper cuts. using a humble x-acto knife, she cuts images from a single sheet of paper, creating a bold poetry of motherhood, nature, and activism into a simple and endearing picture.

This lovely baby journal celebrates the first 1,000 days of life, from the story of birth to baby’s first tree, moon, and garden or mud puddle. a low-pressure approach to recording baby’s firsts.

Frecklebox Nature Personalized Namebook

julie — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 11:00:12 +0000

Mother Nature has never been more magical. In “My Name is…” you personalize the book’s dedication and story. The child’s name pops off of page after stunning page. Flip through a few pages and see for yourself why “My Name is…” is a unique toddler gift and a delight for children of all ages.

Frecklebox Nature Personalized Namebook: ($19.95 soft cover $34.95 hard cover)

The Vaccine Book Making the Right Decision for Your Child

derrick — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 19:12:17 +0000

Sears, coauthor of several books in the Sears Parenting series, addresses one of today’s most controversial and worrisome questions. Sears’ goal is “to give you a balanced look at pros and cons of vaccination so that you can make an educated decision.” Sears does not advocate for or rail against vaccination, stating it doesn’t have to be an all or nothing decision-there are choices. The first 12 chapters discuss each vaccination in the childhood series, providing explanation of the relative disease, how the vaccine is made and points to assess a child’s at-risk level when considering if the vaccine is necessary. Sears does offer guidance for those who are indecisive, offering his opinion based on clinical experience and 13 years of research taken from product inserts, pediatric reference books, articles and databases.
The Vaccine Book Making the Right Decision for Your Child