Between Interruptions : Thirty Women Tell the Truth About Motherhood edited by Cori Howard
Published by Key Porter Books
Pages: 328
Buy It: Amazon Kindle | Author’s Website – Print Copy
Publishers Summary:

Most mothers don’t have time for long conversations. They may want them, crave them, begin them again and again, but they are constantly interrupted by kids, partners, work and the day-to-day of busy lives. Between Interruptions is a remarkable collection of original essays by Canadian writers that explores what is unspoken, cut off or lost in those interrupted conversations. Between Interruptions asks what becomes of us when our children’s lives interrupt our own. What prayers, what cries, what taboo thoughts are suddenly left unspoken? Marina Jimenez struggles with her decision to return to her job as a journalist—in a war zone. Carrie-Anne Moss lets us into her home during her self-imposed, forty-day seclusion after the birth of her first son. Chantal Kreviazuk learns to surrender to the limitations of motherhood. Joanna Streetly struggles to find a balance between protecting and letting go. Elizabeth Renzetti and Karrina Onstad search for friends in mommyland. And Estee Klar-Wolfond finds perfection in autism. Provocative, funny and honest, Between Interruptions highlights the differences and similarities between mothers today and generations past. It is, without a doubt, a conversation worth having.

Life after children is often something that takes most women completely by surprise. No matter the classes attended, books read and advice from friends nothing ever fully prepares you for those days of self-discovery. In Between Interruptions mothers from all walks of life share their honest and open experiences about this ever changing territory. Their stories range from hilarious to introspective, but their overarching theme remains the same…motherhood is an undiscovered country with a constantly changing environment that requires no less than what each mother has to offer, individually, for their own children and family.

Between Interruptions was a book I picked up because, well, I’m a mother. It goes without saying that I had an immediate interest in relating to other mothers who may have potentially been in my very shoes. As the publishers summary states, “most mothers don’t have time for long conversations”, and perhaps that’s part of the reason why I read so much. Reading is easily accessible, easy to stop and pick up, and it’s something I enjoy promoting to my children. That being said I love the opportunity to gather with friends and fellow mothers to chat about anything from our children to politics (yes, politics). So Between Interruptions was a no-brainer for me and I’m glad I picked it up.

Though I didn’t relate to or even connect with all or many of the mothers in the book I was still able to appreciate each of their stories individually. Before having children I think I was as naive as most of the women in the book, thinking that parenting would be a breeze. I’d simply tote along kiddos to whatever function or I’d get a sitter when needed. Well, surprise surprise my children completely changed the landscape of my life. The Turkeybird, though delightful and one of the two greatest blessings I’ve ever received was/is much more difficult than I could have imagined. He didn’t sleep through the night until almost nine months old, at eighteen months devoured books like candy leaving me at a loss as to how to stimulate him and certainly wasn’t interested in interacting with other children let alone a sitter. His medical diagnosis of Hyperlexia seemed to only bring more questions than answers. All of this aside, I became and am still becoming a different person than I ever thought I’d be. Though it’s been the most difficult transition of my life, motherhood is something I’m growing into and allowing myself to swim in.

Many of the stories that I connected with the most in Between Interruptions were much like my own. For example Carol Shaben’s story and how she related her life to the birth of her son by C-Section was inspiring. She quotes the words of famous American artist Charles DuBois toward the end of her essay:

“The important thing is this: To be able at any moment be able to sacrifice what we are for what we want to be.” (p. 59, Between Interruptions by Cori Howard)

It’s not the first time I’d read the quote, but in the context and feeling connected to this other mother I’ve never met before it became something more. It was stories like Carol’s that gave me that feeling that I’m not alone in this effort, which most of the time is all we need as mothers. A kind word, a phone call, an email or a short story from someone who knows the complexities surrounding the world we live in today as mothers. Now, obviously not all of these stories were like this and some of them quite honestly irritated me. Many of the writers were former journalists either in print or television media of some sort and many lived a life I only dreamed about. That being said, another thing I’ve learned since becoming a mother is to be less judgmental, to know that no one’s experience is the same and certainly of no less value than my own. Though perhaps I didn’t connect with all of the mothers I did connect with quite a few and I absolutely learned something from each one.

Between Interruptions by Cori Howard is a wonderful collection of essays that sheds light on the often difficult but joyous experiences of motherhood. With the demands we place on each other in this day and time mothers need connection, a shoulder to rest on and a listening ear. Each of the stories contained in Between Interruptions will leave readers with a sense of understanding and a feeling of peace knowing they aren’t alone in their experiences. As a mother who is still on her journey to becoming, it was wonderful to find these connections I have with fellow women for one reason or another and I’d certainly recommend Between Interruptions to friends and fellow mothers.

The1stdaughter Recommends: Perfect for mothers with children of all ages. You’ll laugh and reflect on your own experiences as you read about the lives of these incredible mothers.

Find Between Interruptions : Thirty Women Tell the Truth About Motherhood edited by Cori Howard at the following spots:
Amazon Kindle | Author’s Website – Print Copy | Goodreads

Follow the TLC Tour for other fantastic reviews and giveaways of Between Interruptions:
Monday, January 2nd:  A Musing Reviews
Wednesday, January 4th:  Acting Balanced
Monday, January 9th:  Seaside Book Nook
Wednesday, January 11th:  Overstuffed
Thursday, January 12th:  Just Another Mommy Blog
Monday, January 16th:  Juggling Life
Wednesday, January 18th:  Get Healthy with Heather
Monday, January 23rd:  Musings of a Bookish Kitty
Tuesday, January 24th:  From Tracie
Wednesday, January 25th:  Red Headed Book Child
Thursday, January 26th:  There’s a Book

Thank you so much to the author and publisher in connection with TLC Book Tours for providing a copy of this book for review and giveaway! Connect with them on Twitter and on Facebook!
Purchasing products by clicking through the links in this post will provide us a modest commission through our various affiliate relationships.

©2012 There's A Book. All Rights Reserved.

Take a Deep Breath: Clear the Air for the Health of Your Child by Nina L. Shapiro, MD
Published by World Scientific Publishing Company
Pages: 260
Buy It: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Powell’s Books | Indiebound | Book Depository
Publishers Summmary:

At some point during childhood, 80 to 90% of all children have a breathing problem. ‘Take a Deep Breath’ is a comprehensive, accessible, and indispensible guide for parents, caregivers, teachers, and healthcare providers on the subject of children’s breathing issues.

From the uppermost part of the airway — the nose, to the lowermost part — the lungs, Dr Nina Shapiro explains which problems are truly worrisome, and which are actually normal stages in a child’s growth. ‘Take a Deep Breath’ will enable you to do just that, take a deep breath, and get a better, clearer understanding of what’s going on when a child breathes in and out.

Parents often find themselves with many more questions than they originally anticipated prior to a child’s birth. There are most likely very few parents who anticipated an infant with pneumonia and fewer were probably curious about whether their child at age one would snore as loud as their grandfather. Some of these situations are obviously much more severe than others, but determining when to take action and when to wait it out can sometimes be the most difficult question. A parent’s number one source of information and advice is always their child’s pediatrician, but who couldn’t use a “go-to” manual? Take a Deep Breath: Clear the Air for the Health of Your Child by Nina L. Shapiro, MD is the premier guide book for parents looking to “clear the air” for their little one as well as themselves.

Initially I agreed to review Take a Deep Breath: Clear the Air for the Health of Your Child by Nina L. Shapiro because of our own family’s struggle with breathing problems with my son. What I didn’t expect was how wonderful a resource it would turn out to be. There were many points that Dr. Shapiro explains that we encountered during my son’s infancy that we never considered simply because we felt he wasn’t in any urgent distress. That’s not to say we simply let him suffer through most of his first year, but had we known that using Afrin coupled with Saline drops could have relieved his allergy symptoms we would have jumped to use it. This isn’t the only point, but now that he’s older and suffers with severe allergy problems we will now be seeking out specific allergy testing that I wasn’t aware was available until now. It also became clear to me that this would make an excellent gift to the parents of the new nephews we’re welcoming into our family.

One of the aspects of Take a Deep Breath that enjoyed the most was the wrap up at the end of each chapter. Dr. Shapiro breaks it down into summaries titled: “The Big Picture”, “Don’t Worry”, “Worry” and a “To-Do List”. These are so unbelievably helpful because, as it is with our own pediatrician, it can sometimes be difficult to get an appointment. There have been times I’ve “pushed” my way into an appointment only to discover that my daughter merely had a virus and ended up being better a day later. That’s not to say the book will resolve all of a parents concerns and you’ll never need to see a pediatrician again, but as a parent sometimes you just need a little bit of reassurance from an intelligent and reliable source to give you the peace of mind for the “waiting period”.

Also, I shouldn’t fail to mention Nina’s humor. Sometimes in medically based books it starts to read like a text book. For me personally, I don’t feel the need to take a walk down college year’s memory lane. Reading the sections in Take a Deep Breath were truly refreshing. Nina is not only a doctor with all the skills and education that comes with that title, but she’s a human being with a wonderful sense of humor. She’s obviously seen it all in her many years of practice and can find the humor in a two year old shoving a pea up her nose because it seems just like another “pocket” to put things in. I couldn’t help cracking up through this section because I’ve been there. My daughter has been found numerous times with little balls of cereal in each nostril. It simply doesn’t matter how watchful we are or how many times we’ve told her not to do it, she still loves sticking things in those tiny convenient holes. What was great though was to know the main danger rests in what she puts up there and never to joke around if she manages to stick a battery up there.

Respiratory and breathing issues in children is something most parents can’t avoid, but luckily Take a Deep Breath: Clear the Air for the Health of Your Child by Nina L. Shapiro, MD is the perfect go-to manual for parents looking for answers and reassurance. This is definitely a book I’d recommend to new parents as well as potential grandparents who may be spending any amount of time with young children. Nina Shapiro covers an extensive list of symptoms and issues, including CPR techniques, that sometimes may go overlooked and could easily provide not only your child with relief but yourself as well. Though our children are now almost ages three and five I still found a great deal of comfort as well as potential solutions to some of their respiratory issues that I’ll be seeking out in the near future with our own pediatrician. Take a Deep Breath: Clear the Air for the Health of Your Child by Nina L. Shapiro, MD is by no means a replacement for your child’s pediatrician but in a parent’s life when sometimes you need to seek out answers and find comfort on your own this is the go-to book for child respiratory issues!

The1stdaughter Recommends: Perfect for new parents & grandparents as well as those with older toddlers & pre-schoolers. Literally clear the air and bring peace of mind to your entire family through a number of recommendations and resources.

Find Take a Deep Breath: Clear the Air for the Health of Your Child by Nina L. Shapiro, MD at the following spots:
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Powell’s Books | Indiebound | Book Depository | Goodreads

Thank you so much to the author, Nina L. Shapiro, MD, for providing a copy of this book for review and giveaway! Connect with her on Twitter and on Facebook!
Purchasing products by clicking through the links in this post will provide us a modest commission through our various affiliate relationships.

©2012 There's A Book. All Rights Reserved.

Little Goblins Ten by Pamela Jane and Illustrated by Jane Manning
Published by Harper Collins Childrens
Pages: 32
Ages: 3 to 7
Publishers Summmary:

Over in the forest Where the trees hide the sun Lived a big mommy monster And her little monster one.
“Scare!” said the mommy;
“I scare,” said the one.
So he scared and he scampered Where the trees hide the sun.

From monsters to ghosties to goblins, everyone’s favorite beasties haunt and howl and rattle their way through their forest home in this silly, spooky twist on the beloved nursery rhyme “Over in the Meadow.”

The Turkeybird and Littlebug Count it Out: BOO!!!
“Did we scare you? We hope so! We’ve been taking lessons from this little monster and his mom in the book and now we think we’re ready for trick or treating.”
Littlebug: “But I don’t have a costume yet!”
Turkeybird: “That’s okay, mom will make you something really neat. I think I’m going to pick the zombie from the book!”
Littlebug: “You can’t pick the zombie! That’s what you dressed up as last year! I like the mummy best of all in the book.”
Turkeybird: “Well, maybe I will pick the skeleton or the goblin, but I think you should be a witch. That would be perfect!”
Littlebug: “As long as I can be the number six witch! That’s what I want!”
Turkeybird and Littlebug: “We can’t wait for Halloween! Our mom said we could count all the fun spooky Halloween things in this book everyday until we go trick or treating and that’s the best part of Halloween. What are you going to be for Halloween? If you don’t know yet maybe you should get this book to find something! We love it!”

Mom’s Two Cents: “Cackling, rattling and howling at the moon all of the spooky creatures in Little Goblins Ten are getting ready for the biggest day of the year, Halloween. From one to ten they count up until they’ve perfected their talent that will ensure their success on the big trick or treat day. With monsters & bats and ghosts & goblins each and every Halloween creature is practicing and waiting for their own chance at Halloween fun!”

“It should come as no surprise that one of the holidays I loved the most as a child was Halloween. With it’s costumes and of course, pillow cases full of candy, there was always something to look forward to. Now as a parent of two children who are suddenly getting very excited for this time of year, I’m feeling very nostalgic. Enough so that I may just have to grant Littlebug’s wish of a witch costume…especially if it’s one as cute as the witch’s in Little Goblins Ten.

“After a couple of readings of Little Goblins Ten the rhyming and sing-song sounds of the book came to life. Both Turkeybird and Littlebug can’t help but point to each of the creatures on the page and attach names of people they know to each one. Primarily because we each need a costume, so why not? And the illustrations are fantastic, so it’s easy to see how they would be drawn to each of the characters. Halloween can be a scary time for kids, but it’s nice to see a picture book with beautiful illustrations that are still a little spooky, but not frightening to young kiddos.

“Little Goblins Ten was yet another Pamela Jane hit in our home and I’m positive it will continue to be. As both the Turkeybird and Littlebug get a little older it’s not only fun to see them excited about the upcoming holiday, but perhaps even more excited since they have begun to anticipate words and numbers in a book like Little Goblins Ten. The pattern established in the writing by Pamela Jane may be difficult for some at first to read aloud, but I promise that after two or three readings you won’t have any problem. You may even catch a child or two mouthing the words right along with you. This is the perfect book for the spooky Halloween season with little ones who look forward to not only the candy, but the chance to be excited about counting and cackling like a witch!”

The1stdaughter Recommends: Ages 2 to 7. Beautiful illustrations and delightful writing make this the perfect picture book pick for young readers who may also enjoy numbers as well.

Also, being that it’s getting close to that fantastically spooky time of year and we’re huge fans of Pamela Jane’s books be sure to also check out our review of A Vampire Is Coming to Dinner? as well as our 20 Question Interview with Pamela!

Find Little Goblins Ten by Pamela Jane and Illustrated by Jane Manning at the following spots:
Powell’s Books
Indiebound
Barnes & Noble
Goodreads

Thank you so much to the publisher, Harper Collins Childrens, for providing a copy of this book for review and giveaway as part of TLC Book Tours! Connect with them on Twitter and on Facebook!
Purchasing products by clicking through the links in this post will provide us a modest commission through our various affiliate relationships.

Giveaway!

As an added bonus the publisher, Harper Collins Childrens, has provided me with one copy of Little Goblins Ten to giveaway to one There’s A Book reader! Please fill out the form below and good luck!

©2012 There's A Book. All Rights Reserved.

The 20 Question Interview with our very own Turkeybird is a new feature interview that will be happening with all of the picture book authors he loves! Today’s “victim” happens to be the author of recently released, A Vampire’s Coming to Dinner by Pamela Jane. Being that both the Turkeybird and The1stdaughter are huge Halloween and book fans we thought Pamela’s book was perfect to highlight this month. Make sure to check back a little later today for our “official” review as well as an opportunity to win your very own copy! So, without further hesitation…The 20 Question Interview with Pamela Jane and the Turkeybird:

1. Did you always want to be a writer?
I wanted to be a writer since I was eight years old and I started writing a story about my parakeet, Winky Blue (which since became a series of six books published by Mondo.)
2. What book was your favorite when you were my age?
My favorite book when I was three was MY BOOK HOUSE (Book Number 1). It was full of rhymes, colorful stories and pictures.
3. You have a lot of books, which one is your favorite that you wrote?
It’s hard to pick just one! But I especially loved writing MONSTER MISCHIEF; A VAMPIRE IS COMING TO DINNER! And LITTLE GOBLINS TEN (Harper) which will be out next year.
4. Did your dad ever blow anything up at your house?
My dad was a scientist, but as far as I know he never blew anything up at our house or at his laboratory either. He did discover a medicine called Polymyxin, however (Neosporin) but he only got $1.00 for this discovery which is why I’m not hugely rich.
5. You like cats?
I love cats! I even have a website of cat pictures http://www.austencats.com
6. Why is yours so big?
Mittens is big because he eats so much and sleeps 22 hours a day!
7. What about dogs? (I’m really a cat person, but my little sister loves dogs.)
I also like dogs quite a bit, but of course, it depends on the dog. I would like a dog to stay with me all day in my office while I’m writing and keep me company.
8. Was your balloon ride fun or scary?
The balloon ride was fun AND scary. When we came down we landed in a tree and part of the balloon ripped. But we landed safely and everyone had a good time.
9. You have a few books about Halloween, is it your favorite holiday?
I never plan to, but I seem to write a lot of Halloween books! I think Halloween is definitely my favorite holiday to writeabout, and I loved trick or treating when I was little.
10. What are you going to dress up as this year? (I might be a dinosaur or maybe a robot!)
I have a really fun outfit to wear with spiders and spooks all over it and I might wear it to sign copies of my Vampire book!
11. Will you go trick or treating? (I can’t wait!)
I will probably stay home and answer the door to trick or treaters in my neighborhood.
12. Do you like to draw?
I can imagine beautiful pictures in my head but they don’t come out right!
13. Where is your favorite place to draw?
Sometimes I scribble when I’m sitting on the couch in my office.
14. Do you use crayons or paint?
Crayons. I love the way they smell.
15. I thought vampires were mean, the one in your book isn’t. Why?
In A VAMPIRE IS COMING TO DINNER, the illustrator and I are having fun with the vampire, so he isn’t a mean one. In fact, you might end up feeling a little sorry for him at the end when he just wants to take a nap!
16. How come the kid in the book seems to play a lot of tricks on the vampire?
The boy in the book is afraid of the Vampire so he wants to outwit him. He thinks if he plays tricks on the Vampire, the Vampire won’t hurt him. Of course, the Vampire is really quite friendly.
17. Do you go out to eat a lot?
We have a favorite Japanese restaurant that we go out to sometimes.
18. Or maybe do you have friends over for dinner a lot?
Yes, we love having friends over for dinner, and we do not play tricks on them!
19. What’s your favorite color?
My favorite color is blue. My second favorite is white, and I like them together, too.
20. Are you writing another book?
I have a new book coming out next year called LITTLE GOBLINS TEN, illustrated by Jane Manning (Harper). And I’m writing a book now that is a little bit scary – for teenagers!
Thank you so much for answering The Turkeybird’s questions!
You are very welcome, and thank you for interviewing me!

The Turkeybird Speaks: “Wow! I’m so glad you made it out of the balloon ride without too many problems. I love balloons, but I’m not sure about going up in the air for so long in one.

“Good luck with A Vampire Is Coming to Dinner and your up coming book Little Goblins Ten! I can’t wait to post my review!”

This book was provided for review and giveaway thanks to TLC Book Tours. Thank you! Look for the review and giveaway later today!
Purchasing products by clicking through the links in this post will provide us a modest commission through our affiliate relationship with IndieBound.

©2012 There's A Book. All Rights Reserved.

Boys Lie: How Not to Get Played by Belisa Vranich, Psy.D. and Holly Eagleson

Published by HCI Teens

Pages: 264

Publishers Summary: So consider this book the ultimate BS detector. In today’s hookups without-heart society, this brutally honest guide reveals the most common lies boys tell and the truths behind them so you and your friends can separate the good guys from the bad.

‘Everyone else is doing it.’ ‘I won’t show anyone these pictures.’ ‘If we get pregnant, we could take care of it on our own.’ Lies like these get lots of girls in trouble, especially when they cast aside their doubts and make poor choices in the heat of the moment. Written by psychologist Belisa Vranich and former Seventeen magazine editor Holly Eagleson, this provocative book sets the record straight with a ‘cheat sheet’ on what guys lie about, why they lie, and how you can respond. By learning how to react before embarrassing or volatile situations arise, you will be more confident and more likely to enjoy healthier, honest, and more fulfilling relationships.

We live in a media driven world, one in which information is based on an instant-gratification system of technology, where myths and lies run rampant. Especially for teens, whose life experience hasn’t yet taught them the varying ways in which they can be manipulated this can be potentially damaging. Fortunately for parents raising teens there are a lot of resources available to use when trying to help your son or daughter make the right choices and show them there is honesty out there. That it’s possible to find fulfilling and meaningful relationships with others without compromising your personal values and standing up for what you want. With this premise I choose to review Boys Lie: How Not to Get Played. Unfortunately, for me I felt the book leaned a little to heavily on the “how-to’s” when it comes to the bedroom and not enough on the situations that happen long before you get to that point.

As a teenager, particularly, one that’s inexperienced with handling difficult relationships it can be difficult to speak up when it comes to their personal values. One of the things I did like about Boys Lie was that throughout the book the authors discussed ways to handle the “lies”. More of a “what to say if he says this to you” type of information. It was also nice that they mention making sure to practice what to say or do beforehand and what to do if you have in fact, already fallen for one of the “lies”. In the last third of the book the authors go into greater depth as to how to handle varying types of manipulation from all forms of abuse, sexual assault, drugs, as well as handling digital communication. All of these were things I was highly interested in and was the primary reason for picking up the book. Each was handled well and a great base for discussion between a parent and a child.

Unfortunately though, this book was way to focused on the “how-to’s” in the bedroom for it’s target audience, in my opinion. Yes, we live in a world that casual sexual relationships, even between teens, seem to be the norm, but I don’t feel that means you need to give them instructions. Close to two thirds of the book was focused on various “types” of intimate experiences and the explanations of what each one entailed. Again, in my personal opinion, a teenager does not need to be given an “instructional manual” in order to prevent the spread of disease and possible pregnancy. I should add that the authors also make a strong statement that they absolutely don’t promote an “abstinence only” agenda, which also adds to their opinions on most of the topics. Outside of the “too-much-information for a book for teens” problem that I had with the book I was also disappointed in both the demeaning way they spoke about boys and their overall tone. Yes, it’s supposed to be a book for teens, but the language was too “young” in quite a few passages.

Overall, this was a very informational read. Honestly, I can’t say I would recommend giving it to a teenager, but as a parent who is curious about how to approach certain subjects with their teenager it may be something to look into. As parents we do need to be informed and aware of everything our children face at any age. Hopefully the information we accumulate will only enhance our already open discussions with our children.

The1stdaughter Recommends: Ages 17 and older. Parents should definitely read the entire book before passing it along to a teenage daughter (or son for that matter).

For the Comments: Do you have teenagers? How do you feel about approaching them about “difficult” topics?

Want a second opinion? Please take a look at the other tour stops here:
Tuesday, July 6th:  Feminist Review
Thursday, July 8th:  Shooting Stars Mag
Monday, July 12th:  The Brain Lair
Tuesday, July 13th:  Book Junkie
Monday, July 19th:  Suko’s Notebook
Tuesday, July 20th:  Simply Stacie
Thursday, July 22nd:  There’s A Book
Monday, July 26th:  Write for a Reader
Wednesday, July 28th:  Lovely Undergrad
Monday, August 2nd:  La Femme Readers

This book was provided by TLC Book Tours in conjunction with the publisher for review.
Purchasing products by clicking through the links in this post will provide us a modest commission through our affiliate relationship with IndieBound.

©2012 There's A Book. All Rights Reserved.

The Good Night, Sleep Tight Workbook by Kim West

Published by Easton Studio Press

Pages:120

Summary: The perfect combination for guaranteed sleep success.

Good Night Sleep Tight Workbook is the essential companion to the best selling book, Good Night, Sleep Tight, by The Sleep Lady, Kim West. The workbook includes a step-by-step guide for parents, is organized by age and by process, and is the key to sleep coaching success. The Workbook includes an essential to do list, sleep plans, tear out sleep logs, sleep manner sticker charts, daily reminders and tips and a certificate of completion for celebrating success – all the essentials needed to help you achieve sleep success!

“This is by far the hardest thing for a new parent to struggle with – sleep or a lack there of in our case. As a parent of two little one’s with complete polar opposite sleep styles I can honestly say that you will pretty much take all the help you can get in whatever form it comes in. The Good Night, Sleep Tight Workbook is definitely one of those resources I would have turned to in the beginning weeks of my Turkeybird’s life.You struggle to make the decisions about whether to let them cry or to rock them to sleep; when to drop the pacifier and when the night feedings should start to taper off. It truly never ends, but there is help in sight!

“Now that I’ve mentioned the Turkeybird I should probably say this, he was a terrible sleeper-absolutely awful, but looking back I can’t entirely fault him. In The Good Night, Sleep Tight Workbook Kim West talks about how important consistency is in a child’s life and that without it you can almost guarantee poor sleeping habits. Well, this is a large part of the Turkeybird’s past problems. After he was born (at just 2 months old) we packed him and a small amount of our belongings into the car and drove across country to spend the summer in a temporary house while my husband worked at a new internship. Our place for two and a half months was a one bedroom home next to a very busy construction site and noisy neighbors upstairs; not exactly ideal circumstances. I wish I had had this book to know that I could have picked up a sound machine to block the noise, blacked out the windows to make sleeping more comfortable, or even just relaxed a bit. Fortunately he’s gotten much better since this experience, although I’m not sure how we all lived through it.

“As for Littlebug, so much the opposite! She was a great sleeper from the start, but I often wonder how much that had to do with me being more relaxed? I was even more willing to allow her to cry a bit when she fell asleep, not much, but enough to get her to realize she could do it on her own. It’s been like night and day between the two.

“The more relaxed stand point was what I liked so much about this book. I haven’t read any of her other books, but this one in particular I think is great especially for busy new moms. It’s workbook format makes planning and establishing a sleep routine that works for you and your family simple and easy to live with. There’s nothing wonderful about being told you need to just let your baby ‘cry it out’ for what seems like hours, especially when it’s your first, and I never agreed with that viewpoint; I still don’t. But Kim West does an excellent job of making this work for your family, using techniques that help you on an individual level without taking up too much time to study the materials.

“I’m definitely considering giving this workbook to a handful of my girlfriends with new babies on the way. There are guidelines for every stage of development, but they are reasonable enough that there are ways to work with what you know works best for your baby and family. In the stacks of baby books everyone reads this goes to the top of my list of must reads in preparation for baby and toddler-hood. Because even at his older age our sweet Turkeybird still has a few bumps in the road from time to time. A great resource for every family with little ones.”

Kim’s Bio and also, where you can sign up for her popular free email newsletter: Snoozeweek
Please checkout these other Tour Stops for More Great Reviews of The Good Night, Sleep Tight Workbook by Kim West:
Simply Stacie
Baby Dickey
As the Forest[e] Grows
NOT Mommy of the Year
The Daily Fuss
Kristi Maristi
Red Headed Book Child
Devourer of Books
Trapped Between a Scream and a Hug
Tales of a Capricious Reader

Giveaway: The publisher has graciously offered one copy of The Good Night, Sleep Tight Workbook to giveaway to one reader of There’s A Book!

Details: One winner will be chosen at random after the contest closes. You MUST fill out the form below, comments will not count as entries. Only one entry per household. Must be a follower of There’s A Book. Must be a US/Canadian resident. The giveaway will run from May 25, 2010 until June 11, 2010 midnight EST.

This book was provided by TLC Book Tours in conjunction with the publisher for review as well as a giveaway.
Purchasing products by clicking through the links in this post will provide us a modest commission through our affiliate relationship with Amazon.com.

The Giveaway is now closed! Thank you to all who entered, the winners will be announced very soon! Make sure to come back soon for more great giveaways!

©2012 There's A Book. All Rights Reserved.