Use this alphabetical index to find books that have been reviewed for the Harried Parent's Book Club.
A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J-L | M-N | O | P-Q | R | S | T | U-V | W-Z
A Personal Touch On ... Celiac Disease
Cover image courtesy of A Personal Touch Publishing
Edited by Peter R. Berlin and Jerry Stone; 341 pages. From the Book Cover: "The #1 Misdiagnosed Intestinal Disorder. Millions have it and don't know it. Could you be one of them? Learn from others' experiences."
Bottom Line: Like sitting in a support group or reading messages on online bulletin boards -- where, in fact, many of these stories originated -- reading this book involves listening to the voices of those affected by Celiac Disease as they tell their stories, share their best suggestions, and offer support.
Bottom Line: Like sitting in a support group or reading messages on online bulletin boards -- where, in fact, many of these stories originated -- reading this book involves listening to the voices of those affected by Celiac Disease as they tell their stories, share their best suggestions, and offer support.
Person-Centered Planning Made Easy
Cover image courtesy of Brookes Publishing
By Steve Holburn, Anne Gordon, and Peter M. Vietze; 92 pages. Subtitle: The PICTURE Method
Bottom Line: Many parents have wondered what happens to our kids when they outgrow school and its attempts at mainstreaming and have to find a life in the adult world. "Person-centered planning" is like the real-world version of inclusion, looking to find placements for individuals in the wider community rather than gather them together in self-contained institutions. Reading the book is a little like being in an IEP meeting, but at least it's an upbeat one.
Bottom Line: Many parents have wondered what happens to our kids when they outgrow school and its attempts at mainstreaming and have to find a life in the adult world. "Person-centered planning" is like the real-world version of inclusion, looking to find placements for individuals in the wider community rather than gather them together in self-contained institutions. Reading the book is a little like being in an IEP meeting, but at least it's an upbeat one.
The Picture Cookbook
Photo courtesy of Joyce Dassonville
By Joyce Dassonville and Ehren McDow; 112 pages. Subtitle: No-Cook Recipes for the Special Chef - 51 Safe, Delicious and Fun Recipes for Children and Special-Needs Individuals
Bottom Line: Teaching your child to cook can be a frustrating process if you have to depend on reading skills or your own ability to describe what to do. The Picture Cookbook, put together by the parent of a child with autism, is designed to lead kids through recipes on a detailed pictorial path, which each tiny step illustrated. Try them with your child, then use the author's methods to map out some dishes of your own.
Bottom Line: Teaching your child to cook can be a frustrating process if you have to depend on reading skills or your own ability to describe what to do. The Picture Cookbook, put together by the parent of a child with autism, is designed to lead kids through recipes on a detailed pictorial path, which each tiny step illustrated. Try them with your child, then use the author's methods to map out some dishes of your own.
Planning for the Future
Cover image courtesy of L. Mark Russell
By L. Mark Russell and Arnold E. Grant; 643 pages. Subtitle: Providing a Meaningful Life for a Child with a Disability After Your Death.
Bottom Line: This huge, comprehensive, example-packed volume seeks to tell you everything you need to know to plan for your special-needs child's future, and probably quite a bit that you can't even process yet. If you think you've got it all figured out, this book may find a couple of loose ends for you to tie; if you know you don't, it will show you where to start.
Bottom Line: This huge, comprehensive, example-packed volume seeks to tell you everything you need to know to plan for your special-needs child's future, and probably quite a bit that you can't even process yet. If you think you've got it all figured out, this book may find a couple of loose ends for you to tie; if you know you don't, it will show you where to start.
Please Don't Label My Child
Cover image courtesy of Rodale Press
By Scott M. Shannon, M.D., with Emily Heckman; 284 pages. Subtitle: Break the Doctor-Diagnosis-Drug Cycle and Discover Safe, Effective Choices for Your Child's Emotional Health.
Bottom Line: More accurately, the title should be Please Don't Label YOUR Child, because the author is directing his message at parents who are quick to seek a label and a prescription, rather than doctors and educators who are quick to offer them. If you can keep from getting defensive over that, there's some good information on how adjusting nutrition, environment, and lifestyle may be more effective than meds for many kids.
Bottom Line: More accurately, the title should be Please Don't Label YOUR Child, because the author is directing his message at parents who are quick to seek a label and a prescription, rather than doctors and educators who are quick to offer them. If you can keep from getting defensive over that, there's some good information on how adjusting nutrition, environment, and lifestyle may be more effective than meds for many kids.
The Power of the Powerless
Cover image courtesy of PriceGrabber
By Christopher de Vinck; 151 pages. Subtitle: A Brother's Legacy of Love.
Bottom Line: In all the coverage and opinion pieces published around the death of Terri Schindler Schiavo, one that particularly caught my eye was an essay by Christopher de Vinck about his brother, Oliver, who despite being in a vegetative state his entire life was nonetheless an inspiration to his family, as were the parents who cared for him lovingly and without hesitation.
Bottom Line: In all the coverage and opinion pieces published around the death of Terri Schindler Schiavo, one that particularly caught my eye was an essay by Christopher de Vinck about his brother, Oliver, who despite being in a vegetative state his entire life was nonetheless an inspiration to his family, as were the parents who cared for him lovingly and without hesitation.
The Pressured Child
Cover image courtesy of Michael Thompson
By Michael Thompson, Ph.D., with Teresa Barker; 257 pages. From the Book Jacket: "How to listen for the truth of our children's experience -- and how to trust, love, and ultimately let go of a child."
Bottom Line: Do you remember what school was like? Not just the highs and lows, but the everyday boredom, the disinterested teachers, the meaningless homework? It's not a place many adults want to revisit. But Thompson suggests that reconnecting with that experience is essential to helping our kids with their own school days.
Bottom Line: Do you remember what school was like? Not just the highs and lows, but the everyday boredom, the disinterested teachers, the meaningless homework? It's not a place many adults want to revisit. But Thompson suggests that reconnecting with that experience is essential to helping our kids with their own school days.
Quick-Guides to Inclusion
Photo courtesy of Brookes Publishing Company Inc.
Edited by Michael F. Giangreco and Mary Beth Doyle; 324 pages. Subtitle: Ideas for Educating Students With Disabilities.
Bottom Line: Though intended as a manual for regular education teachers, this book is interesting reading for parents if only because it offers such a cheery, can-do vision of inclusive classrooms, motivated professionals, and accepting classmates. With inclusion -- badly done inclusion, too often -- being pushed in many districts, it's good for parents to have a how-to guide in hand that's written by and for educators. Pass it on.
Bottom Line: Though intended as a manual for regular education teachers, this book is interesting reading for parents if only because it offers such a cheery, can-do vision of inclusive classrooms, motivated professionals, and accepting classmates. With inclusion -- badly done inclusion, too often -- being pushed in many districts, it's good for parents to have a how-to guide in hand that's written by and for educators. Pass it on.
