Parenting Book | VIVIAN KIRKFIELD – Writer for Children

I’m so very excited today! Do you know why?

It’s because I’m reviewing a fantastic book that will help EVERY parent of toddlers and preschoolers: The Happy Mommy Handbook by Katie Norris (a real mom with two small children) and Susan Case (a retired kindergarten, Special Education and early childhood teacher).

And, if you click on this link, you’ll be able to take part in an amazing LIVE Google+ broadcast…there will even be a chance to interact with the authors when the short presentation is over. It starts on Wednesday, August 22 at 11am CDT (Texas time). Susan and Katie will be uploading the broadcast to YouTube, so if you miss it, you will be able to see it at a later time.

The Happy Mommy Handbook: The Ultimate How-to Guide on Keeping Your Toddlers and Preschoolers Busy, Out of Trouble and Motivated to Learn

Written by Katie Norris and Susan Case

Themes:

Toddler & Preschooler Activities, Real Help for Real Moms, Nuturing Yourself So You Can Nuture Your Children, Preparing Your Child for Kindergarten, Helping Your Child Learn to Read and more.

Synopsis:

Real moms have real problems as they parent their children. The Happy Mommy Handbook begins each section with Mommy’s Dilemma…a common scenario any parent might experience. In Chapter One, a mom is overwhelmed with all that she has to do…ready to turn on the television AGAIN to keep her toddler busy while she starts dinner. Instead, she opts to set her child up with a bunch of cups and a bowl of sand at the kitchen table. After sitting with her child for a few minutes, showing her how to fill the cups and transfer the sand from one to another, the mom was able to leave the child, happily “playing” while she went to make dinner…and she even had time to sit down at the table and pay the bills. In each chapter, Mommy’s Dilemma is followed by Teacher’s Advice,…a simple explanation of the theory behind the activity and why a child needs to have time doing that particular activity. The book is filled with dozens of simple fun-filled activities, suggestions for books that build self-esteem, recipes for staples like clay and lists of materials to have on hand that will encourage your child to grow in learning and confidence. The authors also address topics such as fine and large motor skills and the importance of play, both indoors and outside.

Why do I like this book:

I love this book because it gives quick and easy solutions to problems that parents face every day. The explanations will help a parent understand the importance of each activity. The book encourages moms to keep it simple and positive…which makes for a happier home for everyone. I even love the size of the book…small enough to slip into a handbag…but chockfull of everything a parent needs to know about keeping young children happy and busy. This is a book I wish I’d had when my kids were little! I’m so thrilled that it is available now…what a great gift for any busy mom or grandmom…and a wonderful resource for babysitters, daycare providers and nursery and preschool teachers!

The Happy Mommy Handbook is available on Amazon in paperback and on Kindle. If you’d like to know more about Susan Case, you can check out her blog, Kindergarten & Preschool for Parents & Teachers. If you want to meet Katie Norris, visit her blog, Mommy With Selective Memory.

Please don’t forget we are accepting nominations for your favorite school or classroom to win a copy of Show Me How! All you have to do is leave a comment on one of my posts…telling which school should get a copy. At the end of September, we will select a dozen winners using Random.org.

And remember to tune in Wednesday, July 22 at 11am CDT to the LIVE Google+ broadcast of The Happy Mommy Handbook with Susan Case and Katie Norris.

If you come by my blog on Friday, there will be another treat in store for you. Do you want a hint? Another book review…this time it’s a brand-new chapter book for kids ages 7+ by a fellow SCBWI member, Marty Banks…and there will be a code available for a FREE download of the ebook ALL WEEKEND! Don’t miss it!

The Truth about How Little Kids Learn Best {via Kindergarten & Preschool for Parents & Teachers} (momto2poshlildivas.com)
Smiling Like Sunshine with Questions Parents Ask about Reading (teacherlingo.com)
Is Your Child Ready for School? (viviankirkfield.wordpress.com)
Taking Time to Play-Kindergarten & Preschool for Parents & Teachers. (jdaniel4smom.com)
Talking Death, and Promises, With a Preschooler (parenting.blogs.nytimes.com)

A couple of weeks ago, I had the opportunity to speak about reading with children and the impact it has on young children. The hosts of Bookmark Radio, Michael Scott and Wendy Duncan, are avid readers and lovers of books.

We talked about how important it is to read with young children on a daily basis. I hope you will click on this link to hear the radio interview:

November 21, 2011 http://castlerockradio.com/media_player.asp?messageID=107557

Here are some of the highlights of our conversation:

Reading with young children develops their literacy skills.
Children aren’t born knowing how to hold a book or turn the pages.
Parents need to be good role models and be seen reading by their children.
Reading with children is fun for everyone.
Children who are read to are more successful in school.
Adding cooking and crafting activities related to the story is a plus.
The messages in picture books can help children deal with many problems.
Cooking and crafting encourage children to master tasks and skills.
Self-esteem grows when parents engage positively with their children.
Parents are the first and most influential teachers for their children.

For more information about using picture books to help your child develop a positive self-image and better literacy skills, please visit my website. With your own copy of Show Me How, you will have 100 summaries of some of the best picture books ever written with an easy craft activity AND a simple recipe for each recommended title…right at your fingertips to use with your child. Each activity takes only about 15 minutes.