Non-fiction

Early readers / Non-fiction / elementary / picture book / preschool / toddlers — 2 Comments
19
Mar 09

REVIEW: The Moose with Loose Poops by Dr. Charlotte Cowan

the-moose-with-loose-poops-charlotte-cowanDiarrhea and vomiting and have been far too frequent since our move to China that I find Dr. Charlotte Cowan’s “The Moose with Loose Poops” a useful book to read with my toddler.

A board-certified fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics, a mother and a former English teacher, Dr. Cowan

“offers a clear and childfriendly explanation of gastroenteritis…she captures the misery of tummy aches, caused first by vomiting and then by diarrhea, and writes to educate, entertain and comfort her small readers—as well as their parents.”

While I had my “What to Expect: The Toddler Years” as a reference to understand what’s going on, I’m glad that Lucas now has a book to understand diarrhea and vomiting.

“The Moose with Loose Poops” begins with Miles the Moose and his family on a camping trip and discussion about his upcoming canoe ride and fishing expedition when he develops a stomachache and vomits out his food.
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Adult / Guidebook / Non-fiction — No Comments
17
Oct 08

REVIEW: Saddle Up Your Own White Horse by Sandra Pelletier

Saddle Up Your Own White Horse

Waiting for Prince Charming to ride up on his white horse and make you happy? Don’t waste your time. You hold the reins of your own happiness.

We women have all the power, knowledge and confidence necessary to create the life we want – without relying on a man to do it for us. We just need to learn to use our innate gifts and start living deliberately today.

You don’t need a knight in shining armour to live happily ever after. But if he arrives, you’ll be ready to ride by his side.

The last sentence sets this book apart from the typical “feministic” self-helps that encourage and incite (even!) women to be the best they can be, minus a man by their side.

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Non-fiction — No Comments
21
Sep 08

REVIEW: Sam Feels Better Now by Jill Osborne

Sam Feels Better Now

“Sam Feels Better Now” is a book that introduces the first stage of trauma therapy for children ages 4-10. Written by a professional counsellor and chlid therapist, “Sam Feels Better Now” uses drawings, play and story telling to help a child express their feelings and difficulties right after a traumatic event.

To be used with a child therapist, this book begins with the story of Sam who “saw something awful and scary” and is now:

- having trouble sleeping,
- isn’t eating enough and
- is fighting with some of his friends.

“Miss Carol” the therapist then helps “Sam” to give voice to his feelings about the trauma by encouraging him to draw pictures, make lists and use colours.

Having counselled teenagers who come from troubled homes, I would have found “Sam Feels Better Now! An Interactive Story for Children” useful even in my discussions with these tensed, withdrawn teens. Because children tend to clam up after a traumatic event, drawing and colouring offer them a more comfortable and less threatening way to express their feelings.

Also, I find that the book’s ordered sections help “Sam” to acknowledge, approach and move forward with the trauma in 6 stages:

1. Get to know a therapist – “Sam Meets Ms. Carol”
2. Share his feelings about the trauma with a helpful and trained person – “Why is Sam scared?”
3. Find comfort and build his self-esteem by identifying people and places he’d feel secure with – “Sam stays safe”
4. Gain better awareness and understanding of his feelings esp in how various parts of his body may be feeling the pressure from the intense stress – “Sam Colors his feelings”
5. “Talk” through the event in alternative mode e.g. using a sandbox, puppets or art – “Sam tells his story”
6. Begin the healing process by sharing positive feelings about “feeling better” – “Sam says goodbye“.

If you know of any child who has experienced a traumatic event, you may want to buy / recommend / this book to the parents.

Buy now:

Or, you could invite them to preview the book here.

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