Posts Tagged: parenting


25
Oct 08

REVIEW: Potty Book for Boys by Allysa Satin Capucilli and Dorothy Scott

I got this book way before I started potty training with my toddler.

When he showed interest in using the potty, I thought it’s a good time to start reading about it :-)

“The Potty Book for Boys” tells the story of Henry, a boy who can do many things i.e. run and jump, play on the slide, brush his own teeth. He’s ready to use the potty and his parents help him.

Henry gets a BIG present, which contains his new potty where he must “pee” and “poop”. He starts by sitting on the potty with either a book, a teddy or a song!

One day, he hears the call of Nature, takes off his pants and does the job. After he’s done, he empties the contents into the toilet himself! The family call Grandma to share the good news.

Sometimes, he wets his pants (accidents) but his parents tell him it’s OK. He’s finally able to go to the potty by himself and buys his first set of underwear. The book ends with Henry saying he can do it and so can YOU too.

Henry’s story is written in an easy-to-read rhyme, with only 4 lines per page. The illustrations and story are interesting enough to sustain my then 16 months old toddler’s attention.

Since the words “Daddy” and “diaper” are not used in our household, I simply replaced them with “Papa” and “nappy” so he could relate to the story.

The best parts of the book are:
1. Reading the rhyme and following Henry’s story excitedly through the illustrations;
2. Guessing the content of the BIG present – my son would shake his head or say “No” at each question posed;
3. The family’s involvement in potty training – his parents, Grandma and Teddy
4. Henry’s parents’ understanding and assurance when he has his accidents
5. Henry’s graduation to his first set of underwear – this really sparked my toddler’s interest in trying on his own!

The only part I didn’t like about the book is the cookie illustration! I know that we can’t keep them away from him forever but my toddler recognized REAL cookies only after reading the book.

Also, I wonder how many toddlers who start potty training actually empty the contents into the toilet themselves? Potty training IS already a messy affair, without toddler’s involvement thus I felt that wasn’t a suitable illustration either.

There is a companion book to this called “The Potty Book for Girls”. Has anyone read it? How is THAT book like?


15
Dec 07

REVIEW: What to Expect:The Toddler Years by Heidi Murkoff, Arlene Eisenberg and Sandee Hathaway

 

This is the fourth book I bought after What to Expect: Eating Well When You’re Expecting (What to Expect), What to Expect When You’re Expecting: 4th Edition and What to Expect the First Year.

Many people I know are turned off by these series because each book (at least the ones I can get from our book stores) is:

  • thick – almost 800 pages
  • in small, fine print – about 8 point
  • just words, words, words with only line drawings where necessary. No colour photos :-)
  • highly factual

However, I love the series because it is:

  • factual
  • a compilation of experiences from thousands of women (married, single or divorced mothers)
    written by journalists, who are some of the best writers out there because they need to do extensive research and cross-check their facts
  • by an established publisher i.e. Simon & Schuster
  • presents both the good and bad points of every issue, leaving the final decision to YOU although the wise choice is strongly indicated
  • written in a conversational and humorous style

My only gripe is that it’s too Western-oriented (even though the writers have tried to include references to Black and Asian children where they can) and their experiences relating to Asian children seem to me like token entries.

Compared to the first 2 books, I referred less to “What to Expect: The Toddler Years” because I find that my toddler grows more and more unique by the day that you can’t really refer to a guidebook for help!

Having said that, I still return to the book especiailly the sections on:

  • Common Toddler Illnesses (which is truly useful with a list of symptoms, treatment options and also home remedies)
  • Language Learning
  • Development and of course,
  • Disciplining your Toddler!

Definitely a book to have in every parent’s home.

Get a copy for yourself:

 

What to Expect: The Toddler Years
by Heidi Murkoff, Arlene Eisenberg and Sandee Hathaway
(ISBN: 978-0894809941)


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