Gardening with Kids by Catherine Woram & Marytn Cox

Ryland, Peters and Small, 2008

Recommended readers- Adults

Cautions:

Publisher’s description:

In Gardening with Kids, Catherine Woram and Martyn Cox tell you everything you need to know, from choosing and preparing your site, and growing from seeds, bulbs and cuttings, to choosing plants from the local garden centre. Themed plant lists help you choose what to grow, as well as highlighting plants to avoid. There are 35 amazing projects — even toddlers can enjoy growing cress in crazy eggheads or planting colourful annuals, while older kids can create their own salad patch, a hanging basket, a terrarium in a glass jar or an alpine garden. There are also plenty of garden-related crafts to work on indoors. Little hands will enjoy getting to grips with lavender bags and tin-can windchimes. A section on outdoor fun covers garden games and treasure hunts whatever outside space they have.

KIWI Bookworm Review:

You won’t be able to read this book cover to cover, because just the first few pages will inspire you to dash out and dig in the dirt. Beautiful photos accompany simple steps to creating a garden with kids, including preparing the soil, choosing plants and harvesting herbs. Don’t miss the special section on making gifts and crafts from your garden’s bounty.

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The Bilingual Edge by Kendall King and Alison Mackey

Collins, 2007

Recommended Readers- Adults

Cautions:

Publisher’s Description:

In The Bilingual Edge, professors and parents King and Mackey wade through the hype and provide clear insights into what actually works. No matter what your language background is—whether you never passed Spanish in high school or you speak Mandarin fluently—King and Mackey will help you:

• select the language that will give your child the most benefits
• find materials and programs that will assist your child in achieving fluency
• identify and use your family’s unique traits to maximize learning

Fancy private schools and expensive materials aren’t needed. Instead, The Bilingual Edge translates the latest research into interactive strategies and quick tips that even the busiest parents can use.

KIWI Bookworm Review:

The authors clearly lay out strategies for teaching language, even for parents who don’t speak the language themselves. They highlight the importance of learning through reinforcement and interpersonal communication, and point out that language-oriented media, toys, and games are a great way to keep kids interested in learning. A must-have if you want to know why, when and how to teach your child a second language.

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Understanding and Managing Your Child’s Food Allergies by Scott Sicherer

The Johns Hopkins University Press, 2006

Recommended readers- Adults

Cautions-

Publisher’s description:

For children with food allergies, eating—one of the basic functions of life—can be a nightmare. Children who suffer or become dangerously ill after eating peanuts, seafood, milk, eggs, wheat, or a host of other foods require constant vigilance from caring, concerned parents, teachers, and friends. In this empathetic and comprehensive guide, Dr. Scott H. Sicherer, a specialist in pediatric food allergies, gives parents the information they need to manage their children’s health and quality of life. He describes why children develop food allergy, the symptoms of food allergy (affecting the skin, the gastrointestinal tract, and the respiratory system), and the role of food allergy in behavioral problems and developmental disabilities. Parents will learn how to recognize emergency situations, how to get the most out of a visit with an allergist, what allergy test results mean, and how to protect their children—at home, at school, at summer camp, and in restaurants. Informative, compassionate, and practical, this guide will be indispensable forparents, physicians, school nurses, teachers, and everyone else who cares for children with food allergies.

KIWI Bookworm Review:
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Food Allergies for Dummies by Robert Wood

For Dummies, 2007

Recommended Readers- Adults

Cautions:

Publishers Description:

With Food Allergies for Dummies, you can feel safer about what you eat. This concise guide shows you how to identify and avoid food that triggers reactions. This guide covers how to care for a child with food allergies, such as getting involved with his/her school’s allergy policies, packing safe lunches, and empowering him/her to take responsibility for his allergy. You will also discover:

• The signs and symptoms of food allergies
• How to determine the severity of your allergy
• Ways to eat out and travel with allergies
• How to create your own avoidance diet
• Ways to enjoy your meal without allergic symptoms
• How to prevent food allergies from affecting your child
• The latest research being done to treat food allergies

Food Allergies for Dummies also provides an in-depth chapter on peanut allergy and how to spot traces of peanut in your food. With this book, you will feel safer and more comfortable while you eat.

KIWI Magazine Review:

When we were researching our article in the November/December 2008 issue of Kiwi Magazine, every expert mentioned Dr. Robert Wood as the right person to interview.  This book is excellent, easy to understand and a must-have for anyone with food allergies.  Dr. Wood has a severe peanut allergy and shares anecdotes about his own experiences with allergies.  

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Taking Care of Your “Girls”: A Breast Health Guide for Girls, Teens and In-Betweens by Marisa Weiss MD and Isabel Friedman

Three Rivers Press, 2008

Recommended readers – tweens and teens

Cautions: All clear

Extras: Fabulous website www.takecareofyourgirls.com

Description from publisher

Dr. Weiss and her 18-year-old daughter, Isabel, have co-authored Taking Care of Your “Girls:” A Breast Health Guide for Girls, Teens, and In-Betweens, published by Random House. They talk candidly about breast development and breast health — separating myths from facts and detailing everyday steps to improve breast health and reduce breast cancer risk over a lifetime.

Kiwi Magazine Review

Bra-vo! Thank you, Marisa Weiss and Isabel Friedman, for creating a much-needed, get-‘em-started-early, breast friends guide for girls. Since 70% of breast cancer cases have no known cause, teaching girls early in life to know their breasts, watch for changes and take care of themselves is long overdue. Not only is the information helpful and empowering, it is presented via question/answers, call-out boxes and very girl-friendly language. Buy this book for every girl you know.

Bra-vo!

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The I Love You Book by Todd Parr

Little, Brown, 2008

Recommended readers – Picture book – ages 2-6

Cautions: All clear

Publisher’s Synopsis

Synopsis

I love you when you give me kisses.
I love you when you need hugs…
Most of all, I love you just the way you are.In his newest picture book, Todd Parr explores the meaning of unconditional love in a heartfelt, playful way. Featuring a heart-shaped die-cut and sparkling silver foil on the cover, this is the perfect way to say, “I love you!” Parents and caregivers are sure to be inspired by Todd’s vibrant illustrations and tender sentiments, and will enjoy sharing this very special book with the little ones they love.

Kiwi Bookworm Review:

Todd Parr’s use of color and simple line drawings make you feel like whipping out a big set of markers and a stack of paper to create your own story. This book is a perfect reminder that love is unconditional, so even if you put your underwear in the freezer, I will still love you.

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