Parent Book Recommendations October 2006
By Sandy Meagher

Be sensitive to your child's fears, joys, disappointments and favorites. If a problem seems to recur and be on your child's mind all the time, discuss it privately with the classroom teacher. Talk to other parents and see if their child's experience is similar. You are your child's best advocate.

Bullying is a big topic in schools. Many guidance departments have programs or plans in place to counteract such behavior. If your child is frightened of another child or mentions a child who makes him or her feel unsafe or insecure, don't brush it aside. Talk about it. If the feeling or situation persists, talk to the teacher. Sometimes a reassuring story helps, like Jungle Bullies by Steven Kroll (Marshall Cavendish, 2006, ISBN: 0-761-45297-4). Mama is so wise when she gives the animals a way to approach each other and share space. Mama teaches that, rather than fighting back, words can be used to solve the bullying problem.

Remember that what is happening at home can affect what's happening in school. Some books that help a child transition from home to school are What a Family! by Rachel Isadora (Putnam Juvenile, 2006, ISBN: 0-399-24254-6). The book celebrates family in all its similarities and differences. It just so happens that Ollie is the shortest kid in his kindergarten class. His grandpa tells him that he looks just like his own brother did in kindergarten, back in 1924, and the story goes on in good humor and expert detail.

Many early elementary classrooms work hard at building community in small and simple ways. The title of the book The Kindness Quilt by Nancy Wallace (Marshall Cavendish, 2006, ISBN: 0-761-45313-X) says it all. Minna and her classmates have to perform, draw and share an act of kindness. The homework, of course, is to do and talk about what kind actions go on in the children's families. Minna and her family have several kind activities that they do together. Minna comes up with the great idea of making a "kindness quilt." To follow the examples in this book, show, rather than tell, your child what to do. Give suggestions. Let him or her come up with a solution. The learning is then theirs, not Mom's or Dad's or big sister's. The child feels so special when everyone joins in the learning fun, and when the learning becomes their own, their self-confidence and self-esteem abound.

Sometimes as a parent you just want to read something to enrich your parenting skills. Many times the public library has great parenting programs, parent and child programs and the latest books and media to help. Try this book: 101 Secrets a Cool Mom Knows by Sue Ellin Browder and Walter Browder (Rutledge Hill Press, 2005, ISBN: 1-401-60135-9). My four children are grown now, so it might seem strange that I recently checked this out of the library, but I love the book because it made me remember some of the fun things there are to do with children or grandchildren. Not only does it contain songs, tricks and recipes, but it also tells how to get gum out of a child's hair without using scissors, what to do for a bee sting, etc. You'll love it.

Do continue to love your child and yourself – each of you is very special.

Sandy Meagher is the Library Department Chairperson and School Librarian in the Wayne Highlands School District, Honesdale, PA.