The Teenage Brain: A Guide to understanding what we've forgotten

This was such a great book.  It’s not so much a “parenting” book as it is a reference guide for parents or anyone who works with kids age 11-25.  A reference to what?  To the brain of an adolescent.  Honestly, it should be called "The Teenage Brain: Why They Seem Like Idiots"

First of all - I had no idea the adolescent brain started at age 11 and ended at age 25.  This explains SO much about some of the people we hire at work right out of school!  If you have a child entering the pre-teen years, in their teens, early twenties, or if you work with people in their early twenties, I highly recommend you give this a go.

Let's face it - we all remember thinking we knew more than our parents.  We know there are hormones and risk taking behaviours that come with the teenage years, it's a time when you become your own person, separate from your parents, etc.  But as a parent, on the other side of the adolescent relationship - I feel completely blindsided everyday, over and over again.  This book helps me keep perspective - it's not him, it's his biology, his frontal cortex is not developed yet.  It will pass.

There are parts of the book that are heavy on the science-based research side, but I found the explanations really helpful to maintain a calm perspective with my 13 year old. Knowing things like the the melatonin levels of teenagers shift from 8pm to 11pm (or even 1am) helped my husband and I to come to an understanding with our son about sleep schedules. Lots of helpful info, especially if you are an analytical thinker who likes to understand the “why”.

I also like that each chapter focuses on a different "challenge".  I skipped the Tabacco and the Hard-Core Drugs chapters as these aren't relevant to us (at least not at the present time).  I found the chapters on Sleep, Learning, Stress and Gender quite interesting.  As you can see from the pictures, I've dog-eared, underlined and highlighted quite a few pages.

I highly recommend this book.  My doctor has read it and quotes it every time I take my son in for something, the Youth Counsellor and Heath Department nurse at our local high school has read it and gave a workshop on it - it seems to be everywhere lately. 

Reading Rocks: Blast From The Past

"There is more treasure in books than in 

all the pirate's loot on Treasure Island." — Walt Disney

One of the greatest joys is reading books to your kids that were read to you as a child.  My love of fantasy and action stories (and movies) comes from my father.  Before bed he would tell me the story of The Hobbit - no book, but the images created in my mind have stayed with me my whole life.  To this day I collect copies of The Hobbit for my shelf.  

Bedtime was a time of laughter and stories at my house.  Here are three "classics" that have stood the test of time for me (and my kids). 

Come Over To My House 

by: Theo LeSing (aka Dr. Seuss) 

Originally published in 1966, the story follows a little boy who travels the world as he is invited to friends homes in different countries.  Although the countries are hyper-stereotyped (circa 1960's:  e.g. his friend in the arctic lives in an igloo), the message of friendship across the world and regardless (or perhaps because) of culture comes through loud and clear.     

The Big Honey Hunt

by: Stan & Jan Berenstain

Before the cartoon, before the series of paperback books, even before Sister Bear, there was Mama, Papa and Little Bear (later re-named Brother).  This was a book I learned to read by way of an accompanying audio book.  The story follows Little Bear and Papa as they follow a bee to find honey for their honey pot.   The rhyming is fun and I personally love how Mama is ALWAYS right in the end  :)

Fox in Socks
by:  Dr. Suess
If you think you are good at reading tongue twisters out loud - give this a try!  It's one of the most difficult books to read out loud (in the proper rhythm).  My kids beg me to read it to them and laugh when I get the words mixed up.  By the end of the book I'm usually out of breath.  It's super fun, and super memorable.  Check out this You Tube video to see the "proper way" to read it: Fox on Socks amateur video

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Reading Rocks: It's good to be YOU!

"So please, oh PLEASE, we beg, we pray, Go throw your TV set away, 

And in its place you can install, A lovely bookshelf on the wall."

— Roald Dahl, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

Every week I post a list of 3 books to read to your kids. Buy them, borrow them, read them cherish them, share them.


This week's list represents a handful of my favorite "be yourself" books.  These are fun to read, and great for boys and girls, ages 3+

I Wish That I Had Duck Feet 

by Theo LeSieg (aka Dr. Seuss)

This is one of my favorite books to read out loud.  

As Theo LeSieg, Dr. Seuss was able to write in a
different voice (no made up words or places in this book).  

The beat and rhythm of the verse is fun and catchy.  

Follow the little boy as he thinks about all the things he'd like 

to have only to realize the best thing to be is... himself!

A Porcupine Named Fluffy

by: Helen Lester

Find out what happens when Fluffy (the porcupine) trys to be more... fluffy.  

Hilarious and heartwarming.   

Moosetache

by: Margie Palatini

Try and try as he might, Moose can't do ANYTHING about is unruly mustache.
By the end he discovers he's not the only one with this problem... and that's ok.

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Reading Rocks: Body Books

"The more that you read, the more things you will know. 

The more you learn, the more places you'll go."

— Dr. Seuss, "I Can Read With My Eyes Shut!"

Every week I post a list of 3 books to read to your kids. Buy them, borrow them, read them cherish them, share them.

When my son turned three he started asking about bones and blood and skeletons.  Trying to find interesting books that explain how the body works in an honest (kid-friendly) way was a bit tougher than I anticipated.  Here are my top three picks for books on how the body works:

Me And My Amazing Body 
by Joan Sweeney 

I read this to my curious 3 year old.
How does the body work? This book explains the basics:
skin, skeleton, muscles, brain, blood, heart, lungs, stomach
(no "privates" in this one).

Amazing You! (Getting Smart About Your Private Parts)
by Dr. Gail Saltz

Take your little one to the next "level".
At about 4-5 years old my boys started asking me why girls don't
have penises, and what are the round things under their privates?
This is the perfect intro into the physical differences between
girls and boys (read it all or only pages that are relevant to their questions).

The Human Body - Lift The Flap and Learn 

by Pascale Hedelin and Robert Barborini
Best "all around" body book.  This is great for ages 4+.
Lift the flaps to see a baby inside the mommy,
pull the tabs to watch body parts change as you age,
touch and feel to learn about the five senses.
Not a "story" format but interactive and fun.

Do you have recommendations for books to read to kids?  Comment below and I may feature them in the weeks to come!

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Reading Rocks! 3 Books to read with your kids this weekend

"Children are made readers on the laps of their parents." 
- Emilie Buchwald

Every Thursday I will post a list of 3 books to read to your kids.   Buy them, borrow them, read them cherish them, share them.

With Halloween closing in, this week's round-up has a spooky(ish) theme:

Goodnight Goon by Michael Rex

A parody of Margaret Wise Brown's classic bedtime story.

Big Pumpkin by Erica Silverman

Even a small creature can solve a big problem

Boo by Robert Munsch

How scary is YOUR Halloween make-up.  

You and your kids will get a kick out of this fun story. 

Do you have recommendations for books to read to kids?  Comment below and I may just post them next week!

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6 Books That Aren't Goodnight Moon

Baby showers become an opportunity for seasoned parents to pass on their tips and experiences to new and to-be parents.  My tips are modest and usually focus on saving sanity like: "if you think you have enough onesies - buy 10 more!" (incidentally, you can buy 10 onesies at a local Goodwill for about $3-$5 and they will be like new - most kids outgrow clothes gifted at showers before they get a chance to wear them in).

That being said, I don't usually gift clothes.  I like to gift books at baby showers because they give years of enjoyment for both parents and kids.

Between my two baby showers, I received three copies of Goodnight Moon and two of Good Night, Gorilla.  Now, don't get me wrong, there are excellent books.  I enjoy reading them and my kids have loved them for years.  They are classics that I think should be in every child's library.  They just seem to be "over-gifted".

If you want to give books to new parents that will ensure years of enjoyment for boys, girls and parents, here are a few that I found fit the bill, and aren't usually duplicated by other gift givers. Each uses one or all of (what I call) "The 3R's" of baby/toddler books: Rhythm, Rhyming and Repetition.

Hand, Hand, Fingers Thumb by Al Perkins
(specifically the shortened board book edition)
I like to give the shortened version of this book because it's a quick read for younger kids yet still retains a fun, catchy rhythm.  No real story-line, just a really fun book.  While reading it we would beat our thumbs along with the words.  Building up to the last few pages, I would hold my boys tight and rock back and forth to the beat of the drum: "Dum ditty, dum ditty, dum dum dum" - they would giggle with anticipation each time we read it.  To this day it brings a smile across my face.

Each Peach Pear Plum by Allan Ahlberg and Janet Ahlberg 

Originally published in 1978, this classic was introduced to me by a former co-worker.  I am a fairy tale "nut" and the fact that I had never heard of this book blew my mind!  It's essentially a look and find book, where each page has a fairy tale character hiding somewhere in the (beautifully illustrated) picture.  The corresponding verse contains a hint for each page and is fun and easy to remember.  This is another story I could repeat without the book in front of me, something I was grateful for when I needed to comfort my boys late at night without free hands or a light.

Rock-a-Bye Farm by Diane Johnston Hamm 

A cute, endearing story about a farmer who rocks his baby to sleep and then proceeds to rock the dog, the sheep and all the other animals on his farm.  The copy I found at my local used library book sale had illustrations by Rick Brown, personally I like the Rick Brown version better then this one, however it is out of print now and the newer edition is the one I've linked here.  Rock-a-Bye Farm is a perfect bedtime story.

Can't Catch Me by Michael Foreman
Another book I came across at our local library sale!  This fun story is about a mommy monkey trying to put her son to bed.  He jumps out the window and says "Can't catch me!".  Each turn of the page shows the little monkey running from a different group of animals, until they all finally catch him and.... TICKLE HIM!!!!  It's fun, funny and another great story for bedtime.

Hug by Jez Alborough

A little monkey (what's with all the monkey stories?) is looking for a hug.  All of the animals he passes in the jungle are giving or getting hugs from their mommies.  The interesting thing about this story is that there is only one word (well three by the end) through the whole book.  My kids liked to help me read this one and we all had that warm-fuzzy feeling when the little monkey found his Mommy at the end.

Inside Outside Upside Down by Jan & Stan Berenstain

One of the great things about reading to your kids is re-discovering books you loved growing up.  This was one of my favorite books when I was little.  There's no Sister Bear in the original Berenstain Bear books, just Brother, Mother and Father.  Inside, Outside, Upside Down is a quick, basic story that uses repetition and rhythm while teaching the difference between inside, outside and upside down. 

So, the next baby shower or toddler birthday you're invited to, consider giving books!

I've enjoyed reading these to my kids for almost seven years.  They have survived the book and toy purges throughout the years and have ended up on my bookshelf.  I pick them up, smell them, flip through the worn pages and even read them aloud to myself.

My kids have outgrown them, but not me.

Who can say THAT of a pack of onesies?

Side Note:  

Personally, I prefer the 

Board Book editions 

(they last longer with wee ones)

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4 Kids Books Written for Parents - Because story time 'aint just for kids!

I love books. Kids books, young adult books, adult fiction, non-fiction, graphic novels, ebooks, picture books, coffee table books, blank journals... you get the picture.

Something I really appreciate are kid's books that were ACTUALLY written for parents.

Here are a few books that I get a kick out of reading (my boys liked them too, but not on the same level as me):

1 - The Boss Baby by Marla Frazee

The Baby Boss holds meetings at 2am, demands his drink be made to order, and works his employees (parents) to exhaustion.  It's funny and oh so true!  This is the perfect gift for new parents.

2 - Love You Forever by Robert Munsch

This is a book that is given to moms on Mother's Day.  It reminds me of a Hallmark card. The mother sings this song to her baby and throughout his life, until one day she is too old to do so, the adult son then sings it to his mother, and eventually starts the tradition of singing it to his son. 

 

Although written by a children's author, Mr. Munsch wrote this (it's actually base on a song he wrote) after he and his wife lost 2 children.  Here is a quote from the author's official website:  "I made that up after my wife and I had two babies born dead. The song was my song to my dead babies. For a long time I had it in my head and I couldn't even sing it because every time I tried to sing it I cried."   

"I'll love you forever 
I'll like you for always 
As long as I'm living 

My baby you'll be."

It's beautiful and touching in a way only a parent can appreciate. 

3 - Jake Stays Awake by Michael Wright

I happened upon this one at the library.  It's about a boy who can't sleep in his own bed, so he waits until 10:30 every night before slipping into his (exhausted) parent's bed.  The illustrations were great - especially Jake's parent's expressions of understated exasperation.  My kids thought it was funny when Jake's toes got stuck up his parent's nose - I laughed while shaking my head in parental understanding.  

4 - Go The F**k To Sleep by Adam Mansbach

(side note: I have never read this one to my boys)  

Not written for kids at all, this book is for every parent who has kids, for each of us who live for the 2 hours between their bedtime and our bedtime.  

It's written as a parody of all the nice, rhyming bedtime stories out there.  The audio-book is even better - since it's read by Samuel L Jackson.  

I would love to hear of books you liked more than your kids.  Leave a comment and share a title! I'm always looking for my next great read...



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