| For Children |
 |
Scaredy
Squirrel
by Mélanie Watt
(fear and anxiety) |
Scaredy Squirrel never leaves his nut
tree; he is too afraid of tarantulas, poison ivy and green Martians.
One day a bee startles Scaredy and launches him into a new life.
Mélanie Watt's cheerful illustrations and clever observations
provide a solid jumping off point for a discussion about fear and
anxiety.
- Donnae 7/0 |
 |
Brave,
Brave Mouse
by Michaela Morgan, illustrated by Michelle Cartlidge
(fear and anxiety) |
Little Mouse is scared of all sorts
of things. Through a series of experiences, he learns when to be
brave and try something new and when to say no.
- Donnae 7/06 |
 |
I
Don't Have Your Eyes
by Carrie A. Kitze, illustrated by Rob Williams
(adoption, foster care, kinship placement) |
Sweet and direct, this
uplifting book addresses both the differences and similarities that
connect a child to a family, irregardless of how the child entered
the family.
Also note that a downloadable guide
for parents, along with other useful materials about adoption,
is available through the publisher, EMK
Press.
- Donnae 11/05 |
 |
Kindergarten
Kids: Riddles, Rebuses, Wiggles, Giggles, and More!
by Stephanie Calmenson, illustrated by Melissa Sweet
(rhythm, rhyme and kindergarten preparation) |
Join the members of a
kindergarten class as they demonstrate show and tell skills, solve
puzzles,
deal with making mistakes, do the popcorn dance and search for
Mr. Wig (the Guinea Pig). Stephanie Calmenson's poems cover a magical
range of kindergarten experiences. Her active rhymes are well mirrored
in the joy and expression of Melissa Sweet's colorful illustrations.
- Donnae 4/06 |
 |
Time
to Say "Please"
by Mo Willems
(manners) |
Romping mice, with a few
guest appearances by other Mo Willems characters, simply and sweetly
illustrate the need to say "excuse me," "thank you,
" "I'm sorry" and especially "please."
Check out Mo Willems other fun books as well: Don't
Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!, The
Pigeon Finds a Hot Dog, Knuffle
Bunny: a cautionary tale and Time
to Pee!
- Donnae 10/05 |
 |
Some
Things Change
by Mary Murphy
(adapting to change) |
Somethings change, we all
change and somethings stay the same. Mary Murphy introduces the
concept of change to young children by demonstrating changes in
simple, understandable ways. Her appealing penquins act out changes
from painting a wall to growth. Some Things Change is a wonderful
way to introduce changes for two- to four-year-old children.
- Donnae 9/05 |
 |
We're
Moving
by Cyd Moore
(moving) |
Amy does not want to move. She loves
her flowers and her friends. But a lively day of exploring her new
home, as she helps her brother Ben find his favorite toy car and
plants flowers with her Dad, helps Amy adjust to her new situation.
- Donnae 8/05 |
 |
Missing
Rabbit
by Cyd Moore
(divorce) |
"Where do I live?"
Kara, a child of divorced parents sharing custody, expresses her
concerns through her stuffed toy Rabbit. Author Cyd Moore explores
the "Where do I live?" dilemma faced by many children
of divorce when they are living in two locations. Her sweet and
funny exchanges between Kara, her parents and Rabbit make this a
great choice for sharing with younger children, especially those
having difficulties with their situation.
- Donnae 7/05 |
 |
It's
Okay to Be Different
by Todd Parr
(diversity) |
Todd Parr's simple and vivid illustrations
address the joy of diversity. His text is eclectic and playful as
this book celebrates a tolerance of self and others. The usual childhood
challenges, such as lost teeth and needing glasses, are paired with
the silliness of macaroni and cheese in the bathtub and pet worms
in this fun read aloud.
- Donnae 7/05 |
| For Parents |
 |
Cancer
in the Family: Helping Children Cope with a Parent's Illness
by Michael P. Nichols, PhD
(cancer and coping with a parent's serious illness) |
Full of practical advice paired with
direct explainations about what a child may be experiencing, Cancer
in the Family is an excellent guide to the emotions and situations
that surround the treatment process. Highly recommended.
- Donnae 9/05
|
 |
The
Over-Scheduled Child: Avoiding the Hyper-Parenting Trap
by Alvin Rosenfeld, M.D., and Nicole Wise
(stress, media influence) |
Do you have a long to-do list? Are you having trouble
keeping up with the schedule you have arranged for your child?
Is your child tired? Anxious? Are you constantly concerned with
your child's progress, even when they are average or above average?
Sometimes a parent's best efforts to get it right get in the way.
In The Over-Scheduled Child, authors Rosenfeld and Wise
discuss the many pressures placed on parents through our culture
and the media. An excellent book for stressed out families. |
 |
Stop
Arguing with Your KIDS: How to Win the Battle of Wills by Making
Your Children Feel Heard
by Michael P. Nichols, PhD
(conflict resolution) |
Growing up is hard on both
kids and parents. As a child develops, inevitably there are questions
and arguments. Dr. Michael Nichols guides parents through a technique
designed to assist in reducing arguments and the damage arguments
cause to both parents and children.
Dr. Nichols describes this technique, known as responsive listening,
as, "...a skill that enables parents to take charge of conversations
with their children, not by laying down the law, but by shifting
from the mind set of an opponent in a struggle for control to that
of someone actively interested in the child's wishes and opinions." |
 |
The
Wiggle & Giggle Busy Book: 365 Fun, Physical Activities
for Toddlers and Preschoolers
by Trish Kuffner
(motor skills, cognative skills, imagination and
social skills) |
Bursting at the seams
with wonderful ideas! The activities are simple to do, yet address
a myriad of developmental skills critical for this age group. Few
materials are required for the activities, and what is mentioned
is accessible and inexpensive. One mother I showed the book to
was happy to find that many of the activities would also keep her
ten-year-old daughter entertained, either through participation
or by assisting her five-year-old sister. Also recommended: The
Toddler's Busy Book, by the same author.
- Donnae 4/06 |
