The babyworld book clubYou can't beat a good book! Whether you are fact finding as a mum or mum-to-be or simply wanting to curl up with a good read, nothing beats a personal recommendation. So, our book club review panel will be doing just that! If you would like to become a member of our book panel or suggest a book for review please email us at bookclub@babyworld.co.uk. Reviews from the babyworld book panel
1|2 Where to next?
This directory covers everything you could possibly want and think of, e.g. antenatal classes, breastfeeding, alternative therapies, first aid, childcare, education, birthday parties, days out and UK and overseas holidays! There are ten different editions, depending on the area that you live in. The South East directory covers Surrey and south Middlesex, Hampshire, Sussex and Kent. PresentationThe directory is well presented. There are ten different sections - all colour coded, with different topics. Each section also lists details in areas so you don't have to plough through all the listings to find what you want in your area. Tone and target audienceVery easy to use and follow. The index is very user-friendly. The book is aimed at pregnancy and beyond, covering pregnancy and birth to toddlers, days out and party planning, childcare and education. There is something for all mums-to-be, mums and little ones. The good pointsThis directory has listings and information on things I hadn't even thought about! As a first-time mum, I would have found this helpful and as a mum of a toddler I will still use it as it has details on toddler activities and days out etc. The bad pointsThe only bad points I can find with this directory is that in my area it is slightly poorer on the listings than in other areas and, if you are prepared to surf the net, you can probably find a lot of the information that is in the book.
According to the dust jacket, Blooming Birth is a book "for all busy women who want to take control of their pregnancy and birth". It covers a lot of the same ground as other pregnancy and birth textbooks, such as what to pack to take to the hospital and what's safe to eat in pregnancy, but the main difference is that it concentrates more on the thoughts and feelings of the prospective mother. There are excellent sections about facing your fears - 80% of mums say they were scared at some point in labour - and, in no-nonsense, matter-of-fact language, it prepares you for what birth is going to be like, including testimonies and case histories. Also included are very informative chapters on relaxation techniques and positive thinking, the theory being that the better prepared you are, the more likely to have a positive birth experience. Media attitudes to childbirth are examined too, and the authors explain why shows like Eastenders and Holby City portray the worst-case scenarios; because ordinary labours don't make good telly. PresentationThe book is heavy and hard-going at 320+ pages. It's definitely the sort of thing you'll want to dip in and out of, rather than read from start to finish. There is just so much information contained within it that if you could bamboozle yourself quite easily! Tone and target audienceThe book is written in plain, simple English and any medical terms that are used are explained in context, or in a glossary at the end of each chapter. The book is targeted primarily at first-time mums, although there is an excellent chapter entitled "Second-time around" which deals with how a second or subsequent labour might progress. The good pointsLots and lots of information, written in a succinct way, makes it very readable. You will definitely learn something from reading this book and anyone who is scared of childbirth, or has had a traumatic birth in the past, is going to find this part of the book very helpful. The book is also written by UK authors and is entirely based around the UK health system. It's also very funny. A case story about a nervous father who wore his cycle helmet throughout labour in case he fainted had me in stitches! The bad pointsUnfortunately, the bad points outweigh the good. The book is co-written by a doula and reads as a sales pitch for their services. If, like me and the majority of UK women, you either can't afford a doula or have never heard of them, you come away from the book feeling you've missed out. Also, in the introduction the authors claim not to judge anyone's birth choices, whether you opt for a section or epidural etc, yet in the chapter on pain relief the more "natural" choices such as hypnosis and aromatherapy are praised in detail, whereas the first things they tell you about other forms of pain relief is what can go wrong with them. Finally, and most unusually for any babycare/pregnancy book, is the complete absence of bottlefeeding advice - the only time formula is mentioned is to say that bottlefed babies get more constipation. Homebirth is not covered in any detail, and there is as much to say what might go wrong if you do. These drawbacks leave the reader feeling that the authors are very much pushing their own idea of the "ideal" childbirth experience rather than supporting decisions made by individuals.
I was looking forward to reading this book, as a father who had recently given up full-time employment to be at home with our children, while my wife started midwifery training. Unfortunately, I didn't find the book very stimulating. It was very repetitive and, I thought, rather patronising of men. The most simple of tasks were detailed as if they involved a major military exercise and, although there were some very humorous bits, on the whole I found it very boring. PresentationI felt a lot of the chapters repeated themselves and made everything seem so difficult. If I hadn't yet embarked on my stay at home role this book would have put doubts into my mind! I felt the book was aimed at men who had very little previous involvement with the upbringing of their children. For them, it might be perfect, but for a man who has always had a very active role with his children it was longwinded and mundane and a lot of what was written was common sense. UsabilityThe information in the book was very good and there was some great practical advice but on the whole it didn't make the 'job' sound very appealing. The good pointsI wouldn't recommend this book to any father who already had an active hand in the upbringing of their children. However, for a man who has taken a back seat and doesn't really have any idea about what being a stay-at-home parent entails, it might be a worthwhile read, although I would be concerned that it might make them doubt their ability. The bad pointsAlthough I was already successfully handling being at home with the children, this book made me feel as though I could never live up to the job. I am sure the intention was to show men the 'whole story' but for me it made me feel as though men just weren't as capable as women when it comes to looking after the children/home.
This book is about the adventures and misadventures of a new mum, how she goes about trying to breastfeed her new baby and how she copes in those first few months with what were before simple tasks like even getting out of the house and basically coping with a new baby. The later chapters are not so detailed when her baby is starting to wean and, finally, when the little girl is two and a half and they are trying for another baby. Some of the text is a bit unfamiliar to British readers because the author lives in America and they seem to do some things a little differently (eg they keep babies in nurseries in the hospital, whereas here they stay with us all the time). PresentationGood presentation and layout. The chapters aren't too long and each break in the chapter is illustrated by a cute nappy pin! There's a nice colourful picture on the cover of the book and the book is a good size to be able to carry about in your handbag. Tone and target audienceThe book is targeted at a wide audience. It's a good book for new mums, mums to be and also dads so they can understand what a mum has to go through to succeed in breastfeeding and how difficult it can be if you are having problems. It also shows how difficult it can be to even get out of the house in the first few weeks with a new baby. Good pointsIt gets down to the nitty gritty and realities of a new breastfeeding mum and some of the difficulties you may come across and how you can overcome them. It's a good read and, having been a breastfeeding mum who had many problems, I can relate to some of the difficulties she had. I also learnt a couple of new things by reading this book; for instance, in one part some of her nursing friends had to have tubes with formula in them attached to their breasts to have top-up their feeds which I have never heard of before! She also went to visit a 'Lactation Consultant' which again I haven't heard of. It also shows how determined she was to overcome her problem and succeed at breastfeeding. Bad pointsThe bad experiences and problems she had when she started breastfeeding might put some mums-to-be off breastfeeding at first, especially since the problems make breastfeeding sound like a very painful and unpleasant experience. It's good to point out the problems you can encounter, as long as some people realise not all mums experience these problems and some have a relatively easier breastfeeding experience. Overall rating?Overall, a good book to read and a funny account of the challenges of a new mummy!
It's a bit misleading really. The title, and the cover image, give the impression that this is about a woman who loves her kids but doesn't run herself ragged by entertaining them 24/7. And, while Muffy Mead-Ferro, constantly refers to herself as a slacker mom (because she doesn't do stuff like make scrapbooks of her children's key moments), she does take the moral high ground rather frequently which makes her seem rather humourless in all of this. The book is very attractively presented. The format - smaller than A5 and quite slim - means it would easily fit into a handbag (or change bag)! Each chapter is introduced with a classy black and white photo and chapter heading, which are all unusual and interesting, eg Toys aren't us, the world isn't childproof and a bathroom of one's own. The length and size of the book is its own testament that it isn't another parenting manual and so will appeal to mothers looking for something different in the parenting section. This book will appeal to, and is aimed at, mothers who feel disillusioned with being lectured to about how to be the perfect parent. As the jacket sleeve explains: "Slacker moms say 'no' to parenting philosophies that undermine parents' - and children's - ability to think for themselves." This statement won me over at first and, while it is refreshing to read someone actually admitting that they didn't buy everything on their baby list and who cuts corners where possible to make life easier, I still found Muffy Mead-Ferro's tone rather self-righteous and preachy. It is as if she is going to the other extreme, which is in danger of alienating most of us who are on a middle ground here. For example, Muffy speaks out against parents who pressure their kids into doing competitive sports. Great stuff. But then she says "…when and if Belle starts playing soccer or joins a swim team, she won't see me or my husband on the sidelines…" I think this is rather unfair - how many of you felt so proud that your parents took the time and effort to see you do something special? - and doesn't really define her as a slacker mom, more of a disinterested mom. Confessions of a Slacker Mom is not really meant to be useful - it's more of a look at motherhood and parenthood in general. It is refreshing to read another viewpoint on parenting and the introductory chapter in particular is very funny in how it deals with overzealous mums and busybodies who tell you how to do your job in pregnancy. It's also very interesting to read about how Muffy and her mum's life on a cattle farm. I don't think this book delivers what it says on the cover. I was hoping for a light-hearted laugh about how mums cut corners and how this is fine, not to be treated, thereafter, to a long discussion justifying her decisions. This alienated me from the book somewhat and made it less enjoyable.
Basically, the title says it all! It covers anything and everything you could possibly think of about your toddler, from 13 to 36 months. The book has four parts, covering the main areas of care for your toddler: the second and third years, toddler care, health and safety, toddler in the family and ready reference (from recipes and illnesses to height and weight charts). PresentationThe book looks daunting, being about two inches thick, however it's not a book that's meant to be read from cover to cover; instead it should be used as reference material. The four parts of the book are broken down into several chapters, each chapter dealing with a specific topic. It is easy to find advice on the individual problems you are looking for and there is also lots of information on general topics. It is easy to find your way round the book and they also use example questions to help get their points across. Tone and target audienceAs the title suggests, this is for the parents of toddlers, although I must admit I expected it, and would have liked it, to cover up to the age of 5. Although wordy, it is an easy read and any parent, even those in a rush, can gain quick and easily understood advice from reading individual paragraphs. The book is definitely not meant to be read from cover to cover as it's too big, but it's very useful as a reference book. The index at the back is very helpful, and the way they use example questions helps identify the areas that could help you find advice on how to solve your particular issue. The good pointsThe layout is good and you can easily find what you are looking for. There's a lot of information available covering virtually everything you could need to know about your toddler. The bad pointsIn some areas it can be a bit of a minefield of information and can be wordy in places, meaning you have to sit down and read the areas of interest for longer.
Little Earthquakes is the story of four young women, all of whom are pregnant or have recently given birth. First we meet Lia, who has tragically lost her son to cot death and has moved back to Philadelphia to start again. The other three protagonists all meet at an antenatal yoga class. There's Becky, who loves her food, runs a restaurant and has a lovely husband who is still a real mummy's boy. Ayinde is very glamorous on the surface and appears to have it all, as she is married to a basketball star, lives in a huge house and has lots of staff to help her out. Kelly is a workaholic, whose husband has just lost his job and plans everything with the help of a spreadsheet. Through the book we follow these four over a year and discover that things are difficult for all of them in different ways following the arrival of their first children. The book deals with infidelity, unemployment, dysfunctional families, as well as the day-to-day challenges of having a new baby in your life. PresentationThis book is very easy to read. The first chapter really draws you in as it introduces Lia but doesn't give many hints as to what has happened to her and why she is so sad so you are keen to read on and discover what happens. The chapters are short and punchy, and overall it is a very enjoyable book to read. Tone and target audienceThis book has been described as 'mum lit' - a more grown-up version of the 'chick lit' books that are so popular. It is very much in the style of other popular authors such as Marian Keyes and is funny, sad and thought-provoking. Although women of all ages (and some men!) might enjoy reading it, as a first-time mum I found it really struck a chord - especially one of the character's obsession with following the timetables in her 'how to raise baby' book! The book was written primarily for an American audience and, although it is equally relevant here in the UK, some of the cultural references do not travel well, but this doesn't detract from the enjoyment of the book. The good pointsThis book is a thoroughly enjoyable read, very easy to get into and impossible to put down! It also lets you know that there are other women going through just the same things as you are. Some of the characters seem rather stereotypical to a British audience, such as the cheating basketball player and the overprotective mother-in-law from hell.
Presentation Tone and target audience Usability The good points
Presentation Tone and target audience The good points
This book is a week-by-week look at the baby in the womb. It gives you the reasons behind ultrasound scans and tells you what your bundle of joy is up to by way of new 3D scan pictures. PresentationEasy-to-read paperback book, small enough to stow away in your bag for those hours spent in doctors' waiting rooms! Each week is given a couple of pages, looking at what your baby is up to. Tone and target audienceNot too technical, thankfully. Full of the stuff you really want to know (i.e. At what stage can your baby blink? When can they hear you? What are they doing at 32 weeks?). It's full of incredible never-been-seen pictures that show you, in detail, what your baby looks like. It's like a window to the womb. The good points
I can't honestly think of any bad points. Other pregnancy books bored me with "What's going on with Mum?" bits but thankfully this one focuses on the most important thing …our baby!
The book does exactly what it says in the title! It starts off with preparing for the birth and carries on right up until the first birthday, with a monthly step-by-step guide, recipes, first aid, etc. It also has information for parents with adopted babies, special care babies and sick babies, as well as a section on becoming a dad. This book has it all. PresentationAt first glance, you think "Oh my God, this just isn't going to sink in!" as there are pages and pages of information. However, there is a good index at the start which separates the different sections. Tone and target audienceThe book is very well presented. It explains everything, from breastfeeding to bottle feeding. Everything you can possibly want to know is answered in this book, including genuine questions from parents and things that you probably wouldn't have thought of. The good points
It is long, which may frighten some readers off. But get through that and you can truly find this book very useful, especially first-time parents, not sure what to expect. by Roni Jay, White Ladder Press £6.99Reviewed by Teresa Lodge What's it all about? The Babies of Beginners Book basically 'cuts the crap - the unnecessary equipment, the overfussy advice - and gives you the absolute basics of giving birth and baby care right up to weaning and teething stage including some first aid'. It also has lots of advice for dads too so it's not just aimed at mums. Presentation The presentation of this book is excellent. The cover, with a baby in a babygrow saying 'This Way Up' makes you want to open up and read! It has amusing illustrations on each chapter and a core objective and key focus for each section. Tone and target audience I think this book is brilliant for its audience as it is aimed at all sorts of people (including dads). It gives you all the information you need, as well as some humour. The information you need is there for you but the tone doesn't make you feel guilty if you choose not to follow it - as if you would be doing something wrong like some books make you feel! It takes no stance on the feeding issue and gives you really useful information on both breastfeeding and bottlefeeding from the beginning. The good points
The bad points I can honestly say I did not think there was a bad bit about this book. Johnson's Everyday Babycare - Sleep
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Not
what I had in mind
I had originally
planned to read this book as I rocked my son to sleep but I soon realised
this wasn't practical as he kept waking up as I tried (unsuccessfully)
to suppress my chuckles!
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