The Suburban Outlaw : Tales from the Edge is snippets of Pam Sherman’s life and she shares it with her wit, poignancy and honesty. It doesn’t start from the beginning of her life. Rather, it goes from one significant event to another. There are about 21 of such events, and each and every one is guaranteed to bring a smile or a tear.

What is the “Edge”? According to Pam Sherman, it is about you, daring to dream, explore grow and excite. I’m sure everyone of us has a little bit of edge-ness, despite the many roles we play.

Pamela Sherman is by profession, a lawyer, actress, writer and a mom of 2 kids. Yes, being a mom is a profession too, y’know! I honestly, don’t know how she juggles all these ‘balls’ with her two hands, and still remain insanely funny! I think I’d be guzzling down lots and lots of pills by now!

There was one chapter on monthly hormones and honestly, that made me laugh so much, I ended up choking myself. And here I was thinking, I must be only crazy one screaming at everybody in the family. I mean, if you ever visited me in my neighbourhood, it’s pretty peaceful, until of course, I reach the red danger level of flamin’ hormonal balls.

Buy it! : Suburban Outlaw is available at Amazon and Barnes and Noble.

Well, here are reviews from other moms and why they’re loving it :

Idaho Jill of Contests & Giveaways : I thought the book was funny and easy to read.   I could really relate to a lot of the stories – even though I used to live in the suburbs and now live downtown.  Many of the stories were funny, many were touching.  All were very honest.  I recommend this book!

Sassy2 of Pookie and The Boys : I loved how I was drawn to each and every story. I laughed out loud and may have even shed a tear or two in a story of a friend whom she held dear until the end. The book is enlightening and warm and filled with quick wit and charm. I recommend it to anyone woman who may feel her life has been completely uprooted and she now feels out of place in her new community.

Blogmania : This collection of essays is inspiring. Sherman tells it like it is – no fluff, glossing over or embellishments. She humorously, eloquently and simply shares her perceptions through her experiences in life and love. Sherman brings her readers fresh perspective wrapped in intelligent and witty dialogue.

Deb of JAMTOT : Each of the chapters (columns) in The Suburban Outlaw covers a specific topic, from the author’s despair at losing her full-time, live-in nanny, to her husband’s so-called love affair with their bichon frise, Curley – and each chapter brings a humorous look at the everyday, mundane aspects of being a wife and mother. The chapters are fairly short – only a few pages each for the most part, and overall the book’s a quick read. I like that I could simply pick it up and read a chapter here or there as I had time and didn’t feel that I had to sit down and read the entire book all in one sitting. I liked reading the columns a few at a time and therefore spreading out the enjoyment of the book overall.

1Stop Mom : The book starts off giving the definition of what an Suburban Outlaw is exactly. That was helpful to me because I had no clue what it was. As soon as I started reading, the section titled “The Rebel Wears Sweater Sets” I found myself laughing. Actually I found myself laughing quite a few times while reading this book. The way Pam wrote made it so easy and enjoyable to read. It was fun to read about her nanny and how she took to living where it snowed, a lot. After reading The Suburban Outlaws I feel like I made a new friend. Someone who does not claim to be perfect and speaks her mind.

Housewifemom : I read Suburban Outlaw by Pam Sherman, about a month ago and have already loaned it out twice. First of all because it was laugh out loud funny and secondly beacuse it was a quick read that I knew several of my friends would enjoy. I love it when you read something that can be engagingly familiar without having to tug at heartstrings.

Happy Healthy Families – Pam relates her everyday life as she deals with the chaos of marriage, parenthood and family that made me feel like she was talking about my life at times. I think that is one of the best parts of this book: we as moms and wives can see so much of ourselves in Pam’s narratives, and laugh and cry as we read along. It is hysterical to read about Pam’s hairdresser woes, and poignant when she shares about losing a fellow Suburban Outlaw, Cherie, to cancer. I really found this book impossible to let go of once I started reading it.

Chefdruck Reviews – The Suburban Outlaw is a nice read, something that will keep you smiling as you duel with the other PTA moms for the best spot in the pick up line.

Disclosure of Material Connection : http://cmp.ly/0

This month, we were all very lucky to review three books from Loving Healing Press Inc.

The first book, I reviewed was, “Got an Angry Kid? We have a Solution. Parenting Spike : A Seriously Difficult Child” by Andrew D. Gibson, Ph.D. A seemingly picture perfect family of four, depicts a different view, when “Spike” grows more and more angry, hating everyone in the family. He only seems to love/value his dog, “Ruff”, who is a bulldog, filled with unconditional love for his human carers. His sister aggravates the situation by portraying herself as a studious, well-liked and well-mannered girl. His parents are at their wits’ end trying to keep “Spike” under their control and growing apart in their marriage as well. They go through a P.A.C.T (Parents with Angry Children and Teens) program, and find they have to work as individuals, and as a team, to establish good habits and get rid of all their old ones.

This book does not mince its’ words. If you are a parent who’s child has gone off tangent, that is to say, not exactly following your ideals of how he/she should grow up to be, and it’s frustrating you, then this is the book for you. I must say, this is not about the child anymore. It’s about you, the parent. It’s not an easy book to follow, I had to re-read it more than once, just to see how it made sense, but in the end, it did.

There are no easy parenting answers here. It’s one of those “Wake Up and Smell the Coffee, Folks…and it ain’t Arabica Coffee”. It is a no-nonsense, “will-help-your-kid-if-you-change-yourself” book.  The road to perfect parenting does not exist. Instead, this road leads us through self-doubt, insecurity and worries. This book, coupled with therapy aims to re-pave this road, and make it a smoother ride. But, there is always a lot of work and self-restraint, especially when it comes to our very own bad behaviour.

It also has a worksheet for both parents and child, on how they performed with their goals. Parents have 28 goals while the child has 9 goals. It really seems impossible to get rid of bad habits, but for the love of the child, we must.

If at the end of this long, tumultuous journey, you find your child, a happier and contented one, then this journey is definitely worth it. The key is to be proactive and respond accordingly. React, and you’re back to square one.

Here are a number of parents who have taken the brave plunge in reviewing this book, and what they have to say :

5 Vinez Monkeys : I’m not saying that this book will work miracles. You can’t buy a book to fix a flat tire and expect it to change the tire on your truck for you. You have to be willing to roll up your sleeves and get your hands dirty. This book is the same way. It’s not going to be easy. There are going to be fights, and you are going to fail. But if you give up, you’ll never have a successful relationship with your child.

Sasha’s Bla Bla Bla :The 28 goals mentioned in this book may seem too hard to achieve especially the first 2 goals. No shouting and no showing of anger. Tell me how many parent of a 3 yr old can do it? But as you read on, you will know that you CAN actually do it.

Jo Jo’s Place : Got An Angry Kid? has really given us some parenting tips and techniques that are working great for our family.  Our “Spike” (the angry kid from the book) is no longer unhappy.  And we have regained control of the once uncontrollable child.

Makiko’s : Ironically, although it focuses more on what a parent must NOT do, it is practically pulsating of positivity -which is the main reason why I developed immediate affinity to it. It asserts that we all have taught (and are still teaching) our kids on how to treat us and how they should treat others.

Mommy Goggles : We have tried everything from changing his diet (which, in my opinion is a complete waste of time and money), down to reading books, researching pediatric specialists and even medication. It all comes down to taking control back in your home, setting boundaries and working together. Why scream? Why yell? We do time out’s but even those don’t help, unless you get to the root of the problem. Why is he angry? This book did teach us so much!

The second book, I reviewed was “Billy had to Move” by Theresa Ann Fraser, CYW, B.A. I’ve never been in “Billy’s” shoes before, but I think it would be extremely terrifying for any child to be left alone/abandoned. As it is, when my kids lose sight of me in the mall for just 5 seconds, I can see how terrified they get. That feeling of abandonment was one I’ve felt before, when my dad accidentally left me alone in a hotel lobby.

“Billy’s” mom had disappeared and he was brought to his grandma’s home to live. But, with old age, the grandmother passes away and now, “Billy” is scared because he doesn’t know who will take care of him now. He even worries of his grandma’s cat, and wonders who will take care of it. This book is a good start for people who are thinking about being foster carers. To put themselves in “Billy’s” shoes. To understand, that for him to feel a sense of belongingness, it would take quite a fair bit of patience, love and good counselling/therapy. It’s never easy for the child or the foster carer in finding a way to make their puzzles match, but with effort from both ends, the end results can be very fulfilling.

Here are other parents who have reviewed this book, and what they have to say :

Connie’s View :  Billy Had To Move,  is helpful for children who are going into foster care for the first time or moving to a new foster home. It can also help a child who has experienced death of a loved one.

One House School Room Reviews : This book is a wonderful resource for children, written in a language that is very easy to understand, yet it fully describes the emotional struggle of this young boy. Written from his perspective, it delves deeply into the pain and uncertainty he is faced with as such a young age.

PNR Reviews : It is a compassionate book that honors the many complex, conflicting, and confusing emotions Billy experiences, while also ending with a spirit of hope.

The last book I reviewed was, “Annabelle’s Secret” by Amy Barth. The character, “Annabelle” was sexually abused by an older ‘friend’, when she was only 7. This 13 year old boy “Joel” tells Annabelle that she could join his special club, but she must not tell anyone what goes on there. As she is repeatedly sexually abused, she becomes more withdrawn. And refuses to play outside just to avoid ‘bumping’ into Joel. The character finally tells her mother, and her mother takes the appropriate actions.

This book conveys an important message to all parents, regardless of whether your child has been sexually abused or not. The creation of awareness of what’s appropriate and what’s not, and by whom, is very crucial for children to understand what it means to be sexually abused.

Being ashamed for something that has been done to you, and living in shame and guilt, is carried into our adult lives. It’s hard to function as a normal human being, if we don’t share what has happened to us. I strongly believe, that we should all teach our children to share any negative experiences they may have had, even if it is with a ‘loved‘ one.

Here’s one of our parents’ views on this book :

Maria’s Space : Recently I was offered an opportunity through Parent Reviewers to read a book by Amy Barth called Annabelle’s Secret. This is a book I wish was around to read when I was a child. As a child of sexual abuse there were no books that confirmed what I needed to know; that the abuse was not my fault!!

I’m Having Twins is based upon the real-life experiences of a little girl named Paris living in the San Francisco Bay Area.  Written by 9 year old author, Paris Morris, it comes in paperback and serves as a wonderful way to introduce older siblings to new baby twins!

I’m Having Twins is an inspirational children’s book about a 3-year-old girl named Paris who comes to terms with her parents adding twin siblings to their family mix. The story begins as Paris learns that she will soon have twin siblings and ends as the family leaves for the hospital to have “her twins”. The book takes Paris through the trials and tribulations of a twin pregnancy from the big sister’s perspective and shows her how they are really hers, too, easing her transition to Big Sisterhood.

BUY IT : I’m Having Twins is available for purchase at Amazon and Barnes and Nobles.

Let’s have a look at what our reviewers had to say:

Pookie and The Boys – The illustrations are full page color which makes it nice to study the page while you are reading to see the details. It isn’t too elaborate so it does keep your attention without being long and drawn out. I would recommend it to chidren who are at least 7 or older, younger children would like the pictures only.

Maria’s Space – The book is really cute. They are written by a 9 year old girl named Paris. The photos are adorable, colorful and full of detail. I love the idea behind the story from the prospective of a child who has been the center of her parents universe. What a great book idea for children no matter what age about to welcome siblings, especially twins.

Blogmania – The book is light, humorous and simple so young children can relate to and understand the story line. Paris accurately captured the psychological roller coaster that small children experience when their immediate family structure will soon drastically change.

Cheeks to Cheeks – My daughter absolutely loves this book because she could relate to all the events that are mentioned in the book. She would glee in delight about the Fourth of July Fireworks and Halloween Trick-or-Treating. A whole lot of it has to do with her experiences in these events and being in San Francisco Bay Area helps a bit. We share the same hood as Paris Morris–we also live near San Francisco, California.

Mommy Brain Reports – I’d definitely recommend this book to any parent for their children who are expecting more than one special blessing in their family! I think seeing another child around their age going through the same thoughts and feelings would help put their minds at ease a little more before their twins arrive.

Connie’s Views – The questions Paris asks, the wonderment she experiences and her way of describing them makes this book just adorable. The illustrations are colorful and kid-friendly.

Just A Mom’s Take On Things – I’m Having Twins is a cute, engaging story that kids can relate to – especially if they are about to become a big sister (or brother) themselves. And unlike a lot of other children’s books, this is one that I don’t mind reading (over and over and over…) as well. The text and the illustrations work together to make you feel like you are actually a part of the story and I’m looking forward to checking out the other books in the series with my daughter.

The Mud Bug – I loved the bright colors and the wonderful illustrations. My girls (4 and 6) had me read them this book at least a dozen times in the first few days since receiving it in the mail. I highly recommend this book for any child that is in a similar situation as Paris.

For the benefit of those who would like to celebrate mom on Mother’s Day with a gift of book, our team of reviewers were tasked to review three selected titles which we felt would appeal to many moms. You can check out the books and their corresponding reviews below:

The Middle Place is a  wonderful, heartwarming and beautifully written memoir by author Kelly Corrigan.  At thirty-six, she had a marriage that worked, two funny, active kids, and a weekly newspaper column. But even as a thriving adult, Kelly still saw herself as the daughter of garrulous Irish-American charmer George Corrigan. She was living deep within what she calls the Middle Place—“that sliver of time when parenthood and childhood overlap”—comfortably wedged between her adult duties and her parents’ care. But Kelly is abruptly shoved into coming-of-age when she finds a lump in her breast–and gets the diagnosis no one wants to hear. When George, too, learns that he has late-stage cancer, it is Kelly’s turn to take care of the man who had always taken care of her—and to show us a woman who finally takes the leap and grows up.

Red Sox Mommy – You would think a story about cancer would be depressing and dark, but this book is full of hope mixed with a little sadness and a whole lot of love. It’s not sugar coated though, you hear about the craptastic sides of cancer from the hair loss to the weird body functions, the burns from radiation and all the rest of it. But, this is by no means a whine fest. It’s just real, it’s touching and I can see it being a help to someone going through similar circumstances.

Why Are They Calling Me Mom? – From the moment I picked this book up and started reading the Prologue I was hooked, alone just for the fact that I fell in love with her father (Greenie, The Green Man or old Billy Goat). I also love that he calls his daughter (Kelly) Lovey. It made me smile each time he called her by the nickname, especially bringing me to tears as she discovers her breast cancer diagnosis and he rushes to her side.

Mommy Loves It – I enjoyed Kelly Corrigan’s writing style, except for the profanity, and thanks to her engaging descriptions, felt by the conclusion as though her family were some of my oldest friends. The author has a wonderful way of drawing the reader in and I found her conversational style to be full of honesty, warmth and humor. Although she relates several intense experiences about her past, her health and her family, there is always a positive undertone that I found refreshing and engaging.

Maria’s Space – I must admit that I did cry while reading this book. It is not a sad book! What I cried over was the relationship she has with her father. I adore her father George Corrigan. We should all have a George in our lives. Her dad is the main reason she is the women she is today. When George learns that he has another round of late-stage cancer, it is Kelly’s turn to take care of the man who always had her back.

Kelly is a wonderful writer. She gave this book a heart and it is actually palpable. Brilliant writer, beautiful memoir.

Beach Street Knitting Society and Yarn Club is an uplifting, winning tale about the healing power of friendship and new beginnings. It’s a charming novel that will delight all passionate knitters–and win over befuddled, would-be knitters, too.

When her husband dies in a car crash—not long after announcing he wants a divorce—Jo Mackenzie packs up her two rowdy boys and moves from London to a dilapidated villa in her seaside hometown. There, she takes over her beloved Gran’s knitting shop—a quaint but out-of-date store in desperate need of a facelift. After a rough beginning, Jo soon finds comfort in a “Stitch and Bitch” group; a collection of quirky, lively women who share their stories, and their addiction to cake, with warmth and humor.

Happy Healthy Families -  I have to say, now that I have finished reading it, that I absolutely chose right! My expectations were met, and then some. The Beach Street Knitting Society and Yarn Club was so much fun to read… I reached for the book every free moment I could. It is the type of story that has characters that develop and grow and draw you into their lives along the way. The kind of story you wish wouldn’t end because you want to stay involved….see what happens next.

Always Alli – I really enjoyed the book, probably more than The Friday Night Knitting Club. I would definitely recommend it to anyone looking for a good read.

She Scribes – The book was just OK for me. I can’t say that I loved it, nor can I say that I hated it either. I did enjoy the story line and some of the characters. I was a bit turned off by the language that was used. I think if the bad language was omitted perhaps I would have enjoyed the book a bit more.

The Power of Housewife Word Of Mouth – This is a lovely read to pass the day, and you will find yourself rooting for Jo as she not only recovers from being recently widowed, but faces her uber-snobby in laws, and a few other scuffles. I recommend The Beach Street Knitting Society and Yarn Club. for anyone looking for an enjoyable read by the pool this summer. It will draw you in and keep you entertained. I look forward to reading another Gil McNeil novel soon.

Mom Start -  I think some people are disappointed that it’s not about yarn, and it’s a bit of a shallow read. What I mean by that is that there isn’t a lot of thought, not much plot, but there is friendship and family.  It is a sweet and funny story. The relationship and character development of Jo’s sons is very well written. The young children seem real and relatable as kids. Her relationship that develops with a movie star is an interesting part of the story as well.

Just A Mom’s Take On Things – Being an American, I had so much fun with all of the purely British phrases and expressions in this book. I think I’ll be referring to yarn as ‘wool’ in my head for quite a while and I’m still wondering exactly what ‘Weetabix’ is. This was really a book that I didn’t want to end, because I wanted to stay in Jo’s world for even just a little bit longer. Even the minor characters are so well developed, that I truly felt like I got to know them all right along with Jo.

Connie’s View -Although this is an emotional book, it is not overdone. I “got” the feelings, but I didn’t have to read through descriptions of each and every sad moment. The author, Gil McNeil, was able to present them through the character’s discussions and choices. Even though there were many characters, I was able to get to know them all. I wasn’t confused about who was who because each one was written as a real person.

Contests & Giveaways From Around The Web – This is a very light, funny, quick summer read-no deep hidden meanings, nothing that really makes you think, no really sad parts in the whole book. It was just plain funny and just about a year in a woman’s life. I can’t wait to read the sequel-I am hoping it will be as funny, and as light and quick of a read, as this one was.

Millions of Americans know and love Amy Dickinson from reading her syndicated advice column “Ask Amy” and from hearing her wit and wisdom weekly on National Public Radio. Amy’s audience loves her for her honesty, her small-town values, and the fact that her motto is “I make the mistakes so you don’t have to.” In The Mighty Queens of Freeville, Amy Dickinson shares those mistakes and her remarkable story. This is the tale of Amy and her daughter and the people who helped raise them after Amy found herself a reluctant single parent.

Mott’s Island – I like her observations and I love her strength, humor and writing style. I guess that’s why she’s very well-loved for her “Ask Amy” column. This is a superb and enjoyable read. Just don’t let the title fool you. Heh.

Short Pump Preppy – I could relate to a lot of feelings that Amy had as a single parent, but the book is a great read for anyone and her writing style pulls you in until the last word.

Jo-Jo’s Place – The Mighty Queens of Freeville A Mother, a Daughter, and the Town That Raised Them was one of the best books I’ve read in a long time.  Author and syndicated advice columnist and NPR contributor, Amy Dickinson is the author.  This is her memoir and wow is it a great one.  Yes, this is “Ask Amy” for those of you who aren’t sure who Amy Dickinson is. 

Plus Size Mommy  -I really enjoyed this book. I came from a small town and I always have Aunts, my mom, and my sister and older cousins “raising me up” even though I am an adult. So my life is in some ways very similar to Freeville.

Every woman can use some Mighty Queens in their lives to be there for them and care for them love them and teach them. People you can lean on and can keep coming back to forever.

Sewing Mom – Amy shares her experiences as a child, adult, wife, single mother, daughter, niece, and friend, and does it in such a witty way that she draws the reader right into the stories she’s telling. Amy’s stories are touching, tearful, joyous and sometimes, downright humorous. I haven’t had so much fun reading a book in a very long time and I highly recommend anyone who enjoys reading, to pick up a copy of The Mighty Queens of Freeville for themselves.

Chefdruck Musings – My only complaint about the Mighty Queens of Freeville is that I didn’t get enough of the queens themselves. I would have loved to have read more anecdotes about these undoubtedly colorful women, the women Dickinson describes by saying, “These are the women of my world – the Mighty Queens of Freeville – who have led small lives of great consequence in the tiny place that we call home.”

Busy Mommy Product Review - You might know Amy Dickenson since she is the author of the syndicated column Ask Amy. This book is full of the same wit and common sense that she puts towards her column. There were parts that were just laugh out loud funny. And there were other parts where I would cry. The book is not about her career, but rather her life and the people who helped her to become who she is today.

My Three Wisemans – This memoir tells of her life, focusing on her raising her daughter, Emily, as a single mother.  She tells of the ups and downs of her life in this quick paced book.  Her story telling made me laugh out loud and wipe tears of sadness and joy.  This memoir is her life, as she lived it.  It could be any one’s life but what made it much more ordinary was her storytelling.  What I really enjoyed was the way that she was able to put her life story and her thoughts on paper in such an eloquent way. 

A Pregnant Pause – I have a friend who’s divorced with a kid – she’s a beautiful and intelligent woman, who like Amy, puts her kid first before dating men. I don’t think she’s found a man yet who can accept her on her own terms – I’d really love to give her this book and hope that she’ll find Amy’s story a hopeful, if not inspiring one.

Irreplaceable is author Stephen Lovely’s debut novel and tells the story of thirty year old archeologist, Alex Voormann, who attempts to move on after the death of his botanist wife, Isabel. The death of Isabel, an organ donor, had meant a life saved….the life of Janet Corcoran, a young, headstrong mother of two, an art teacher at an inner-city school in Chicago. While Janet’s family celebrates, Alex mourns this terrible tragedy.

Irreplaceable focuses on what happens after the transplant - particularly the effect of Janet’s effort to contact Isabel’s family to thank them.  Much to my surprise, Isabel’s mother, Bernice welcomes Janet with open arms but Alex was reluctant to embrace the woman who was now carrying his wife’s heart, which I thought was pretty justifiable.

I felt the earlier part of the novel dragged on for quite a bit but being a person who has already pledged to be an organ donor, I was intrigued by the story because it was told from both perspectives – the donor’s family as well as the recipient’s side. Irreplaceable also gives me a better understanding of the whole organ donation and transplant process, without going into too much details.

A point that readers may like to note - there are some profanity used in the book so, some of you may prefer to skip it. Otherwise,  as a debut novel, this  heart wrenching tale about love, loss and learning to live again will make a great addition to any home library.

Check out what the rest on our PR Team had to say about this novel:

Life Starring Ellie and Eve -  I am really glad I had the opportunity to read it since it is a well written, compelling, and an overall wonderful book. I mentioned that Lovely wrote the book from many different perspectives, and that did throw me off for a bit. It took some time to get use to that writing style, but once I did, it made the novel seem more real and helped me connect with the characters in a more personal fashion. The characters had the same emotions and feelings that I imagine a great many people do when faced with similar events; there are times when I wanted to tell them to “pull it together” or to “take a chance and embrace the opportunity” and there were other times when I just wanted to be able to offer support. A good writer knows how to make the reader want to interact with the characters he or she created, and Lovely did just that in Irreplaceable.

The Power of Housewife – Irreplaceable is a good book and the story line is not to complex. The characters are well-fleshed out and I really enjoy Janet. I recommend this book for those who are fans of Nicholas Sparks novels. You will not be disappointed with this book.

As They Grow Up – Irreplaceable is a book that is about Organ donation, the emotional obstacles that the surviving loved ones may feel and/or have to go through. The more I read this book, the better it go. Once I was able to start to feel connected with the characters.

Contests And Giveaways – I really enjoyed this book. I had tears in my eyes at times, and a smile on my face at other times. Mr. Lovely has a way of writing that I really liked-he pulls you in & you truly feel like you are part of the story. Every sentence made me think-what if that happened to me? Would I do the same thing or would I handle it differently? And almost always the answer was-I’d handle it like the characters in the book do…and that shows me that Mr. Lovely really understands human nature and the human condition.

Moms Take On Things – Irreplaceable is an emotional story, but a very moving and thought-provoking one. It’s one of those books that continues to occupy your mind even after you’ve finished it and truly makes you think hard about what you want to happen if this issue were to ever touch your life in any way.

Mott’s Island - Great read. Very nice if you have some spare quiet time and some nice hot tea/coffee by your side. The details make you want to read it word-for-word (I tend to speed read -ha ha! ), so, yes, a leisurely time is highly required.

She Scribes – This story broke my heart. I really felt the pain that Alex was feeling. I could not imagine (nor would I want to!) being in his shoes and having to deal with such a great loss.

I found the experience with the whole organ donation process addressed in the book very interesting too. I have signed my driver’s license to be an organ donor, and I have expressed that interest to my husband too. Even though it’s a selfless thing to do I never really thought about those left behind and how they feel knowing that their loved one is gone but others get to live thanks to the gift of life.

My Three Wiseman – This was a good book.  It was indeed a break from the books I read most of the time.  It did have some harsh language and I didn’t really like the way Christianity was addressed a few times.  But aside from that, over all it was a well written story that kept me wanting to turn the next page.

Three Different Directions – I personally was amazed at the understanding the author had for the heart recipient. The woman’s emotions, the way she deals with them, and interacts with those around her, were incredibly believable.

I was also surprised at the ability with which he incorporated humor into the story. The subject itself is one that does not invoke images of laughter, yet his ability to weave the light heartedness in with the sorrowful was seamless.

Jo Jo’s Place – This story was wonderfully written.  I loved knowing the emotions behind being a donor and what life is like for the ones that are the recipients.  Although Isabel’s emotions were not visible her husbands and mothers were.  You got to read two different sides, one being her husbands who didn’t enjoy the fact that his wife was a donor and her mother who kept joy in knowing that her daughters heart was out there in the world. 

All Because Two People Fell In Love – Irreplaceable is a very emotional story. This book truly leaves you with something to think about! A lot of people sign the back of their license to become an organ donor and don’t really think twice about it. This heart wrenching book explores how being an organ donor can impact the lives of many individuals. As I was reading the book I experienced many different emotions. With Lovely’s in-depth character analysis I was really able to relate to the characters in this novel.

Connie’s View – Irreplaceable taught me about how death changes people’s lives in so many ways, how people are brought together or torn apart, and how people react differently to it.

The characters are real. Their emotions are raw. I was able to feel and understand all of them. I may not have agreed with them, but the author Stephen Lovely portrayed them so that their voices were heard.

Sewing Mom – Irreplaceable is a touching story of how the death of a soul mate and best friend affects not only those who knew her, but also those who had never even met her. This story took me through every emotion imaginable including shock, sorrow, sadness, healing, love and the strength of family.

Sweet N Sassy Girls – It is basically a story about a heart transplant and everyone who was involved with it. At times it somewhat reminded me of the movie Return to Me, with Minnie Driver, but at others it was completely different.

Is It Bedtime Yet? -At first I thought that this book would be hard to read with the emotional content. It really isn’t. It wasn’t overly emotional although you can’t help but feel sympathy for the characters. The writer makes it very easy to understand all sides of the situation and all the feelings associated with it. It was easy to read and you can tell the author did his research. I came away with a greater respect for the families who donate a loved ones organs and also bigger happiness for the one on the receiving end.

Sassy Irish Lassie – Irreplaceable is impeccably written and provides true and honest emotions without being overly sappy. It is definitely a book worth reading! Put it on your nightstand today!

Rambling Moo – I found this a really interesting novel seeing the detailed perspective of the different characters and their emotions from both sides of the transplant. It is like I am watching a movie!

One House Schoolroom Reviews – Stephen Lovely brings life to the sterile, cold world of transplants as he thoughtfully weaves the tales of these two families together, forever connected in love and heartache and he truly captures the depth of emotions that spawn from the loss of one beautiful life allowing another the chance to live.

Lather.Rinse.Repeat – If you’re just starting from scratch, I did quite enjoy Lovely’s attention to character development and really exploring in detail the emotional journey the characters take in the story. He has taken something that seems so abstract to the rest of us who’ve never made a choice about organ donation and examined how it affects all parties. But in a way that pulls at the heart-strings…no pun intended.

Wesnlani – I cried a lot while reading this book. It was an emotional ride from cover to cover. It caused me to think a lot about what my choice of being an organ donor would do to my family and those I left behind. After reading this book I realized it’s not as simple and straight forward as you might think.

A Little Bliss – I found the author’s descriptive writing style and depth of characters to be excellent, and although I felt the excessive use of profanity and physical situations to be detracting, I enjoyed Lovely’s ability to build a personal connection between each character and the reader. The multi-faceted way in which the novel develops is handled with a seamless flow, never underscoring the constant theme that love, above all things, endures in many forms and that the beauty of life is rich, sweet, painful and irreplaceable.

Chefdruck Writes – Reading Irreplaceable has spurred me to act. Stephen Lovely’s novel, Irreplaceable, takes the reader deep into the aftermath of organ donation. The novel opens with a young woman enjoying a vigorous bike ride, looking forward to getting home to her husband. She never makes it home as she is run over by an SUV at the crest of a hill. Although she was only in the book for a few pages, her vitality as she pumps the pedals of the bike remained with me until the last page.

Happy Healthy Families – I absolutely loved this book. It delves into human nature in such an honest way. Believe me when I say that it is one of those books that you find very difficult to put down. You wil carry the characters with you in your thoughts throughout the day until you can pick it up again and continue reading. You will find yourself agreeing, questioning, and disagreeing with actions and thoughts of the characters.

Cutie Bootie Reviews – Although this book has moments of melancholy, I believe that the story was tastefully executed and was not overly melodramatic. This debut novel by Stephen Lovely is certainly worth reading. The intertwining lives of the characters will keep you engrossed in the story.

Short Pump Preppy – If your lives have ever been touched by organ donation, this novel will truly touch your heart. I remember the day I got the letter stating that transplanting my mother’s corneas gave sight to two people…and I cried. I can only imagine the power that donating a life saving organ would have on someone…forever.

Mommy Goggles – I will be honest and tell you that I am not finished reading, but with the position that I am at in the book, it has me intrigued as to what is going to happen in the end after an organ transplant, not only to Alex (husband of the donor) but also Janet (the organ recipient). We all take life lightly and this book, Irreplaceable, helps puts perspective back in to our hearts. An organ donor can put so much impact in ones’ life and this is just what Stephen Lovely brings out in his characters in this book.

A Pregnant Pause – Thank you, Stephen Lovely, for writing this beautiful novel. Reading your book has also helped me in the healing process of saying good bye to and remembering my dear father.

Mid Life Musings – Irreplaceable is well written, the characters are fully formed, very human, and the events are realistic, even in their unfathomableness. On the surface, it’s the story of an organ donor and what happens to her heart, but that short description doesn’t do the book justice. It is intensely emotional, and I cried when I read the last sentence: that’s just how they say hello.

Some of you may recall that we did a Blog Tour of Sikulu & Harambe By The Zambezi River in 2008 and the book received glowing reviews from most parents.

Well, once again, we are launching another Blog Tour to gauge the opinion and feedback from another group of reviewers from our PR Team. Check out how they felt about the book:

Momma Findings – The Illustrations: They were intriciately drawn, but colored in as if by a child. That really stood out to me because it really brought the story to my child’s level, helped them feel as if another child may have colored the pages in.

Little Kiwi – I would suggest the book Sikulu and Harambe to any parent trying to teach their children how helping can change the world. In Sikulu and Harambe I have learned that one small act can make a big difference. So if you want to make a difference in your child’s life, buy this book with great morals for them to learn.

Amanda – Sarah really enjoyed this story! I think that it is a perfect story to read to your children to help them overcome a fear and of course about being helpful and caring! After reading the story we discussed it together. Sam thought it was sad that the others didn’t want to help the old woman save her clothes, and was so excited to see Sikulu and Harambe help her. She also thought it was neat they received a reward for being so helpful.

My Three Wisemans – We would recommend this book for your family. The boys loved the colorful pictures.  They were very worried about the old woman getting her clothes back and were happy when Sikulu & Harambe jumped in to save them.  After reading the book the boys and I had a nice conversation about helping others.  I know that the moral of this story was received by all three of them.  I also like the facts in the back of the book.  Not only was the story a good moral lesson but the facts teach them about a different culture and about a few animals as well.

Production Not Reproduction – My three-year old really liked this book. We happen to have a spider and hippo in our stuffed animal collection, and bringing them out helped him connect to the story. He dubbed them Sikulu and Harambe and made sure the spider rode around hanging onto the hippo’s ears, just as Sikulu does in the pictures. He even carried both animals and the book to daycare to share with his friends. (His daycare provider gave the book a thumbs up.) Some of the book’s novelty has worn off now, but it is still in regular rotation and receives a warm reception.

Crunchy Green Mom – Issa loved the pictures while I was reading. She did the sounds for every animal and signed each animal as I read as well, each page was like a mini-adventure for her, full of exclamations and shouts out as we counted the animals on the page and/or saw something new.The back of the book even has a glossary of terms and throughout the book there is pronunciation assistance.

One House Schoolroom Reviews – The illustrations and colors used to bring this book to life are truly amazing. It truly help to share the beauty that is Africa’s greatest treasure. Sikulu and Harambe has quickly become a favorite in our family and I am sure we will be reading it for many, many years to come.

Moody Mama Says – The moral that I got from the story is that helping others is always rewarding in one way or another. My four year old liked the story and understood why the other animals who didn’t help were sad. He thought that they should have helped the woman. I loved that this story is not only entertaining but it also teaches a valuable lesson to young readers. The colors and illustrations are vibrant and kept my son’s attention throughout the book. He has had me read it to him again and again. I would recommend this book to any parent to read to their child or even for their child to read themselves. Everyone needs to learn the value of doing good deeds for others and this story certainly does a great job of teaching it! I can’t wait until the next tale about is published.

 A Little Bliss – As a parent I loved the message behind the story; that no matter what others may do, choosing to do the right thing always has it’s rewards. What a fabulous life lesson for our children to learn at any early age, and what better way to enjoy it than cuddling up on Mom or Dad’s lap? I also appreciated the additional section at the back of the book which details about life in Zambia. This section, along with the inclusion of Zambian culture throughout the story, gives families a peek into a new and interesting culture.

 5 Vinez Monkeys – When the book arrived, I couldn’t take my hands off of it. The illustrations were beautiful. I slowly flipped through every page just taking everything in. I couldn’t wait to read it to my kids.

My wait didn’t last long. The moment they saw the book, they immediately wanted to read it. So we did. And then we did again. And again. We read the book 4 times in a row. For the next 3 days, we did the exact same thing. Whenever I would ask them what book they wanted to read, “Sikulu & Harambe!” was the unanimous answer.

Blogmania -  My kids really enjoyed this book – what they loved most was the colorful pictures which were outlined in black and finely shaded in with colored pencil.   As a parent, I loved the message of helping and caring,  the opportunity to learn about a different culture and the educational section in the back for reference. 

Mom of 2 Dancers Reviews - Sikula & Harambe By the Zambezi River is a book you can feel proud of reading to your children. Your children will learn to help out a stranger in need, that it makes you feel good. They will also learn some African culture along the way. You can just read the book, or you can use this book as a tool for teaching your children. This would be a great book to add to a homeschool classroom.

All Because Two People Fell In Love – The illustrations in this book are amazing! We had to slowly look through the book just admiring the pictures before we even read any words! My kids and I really enjoyed learning the new words and understanding their meanings throughout this book. As a parent and teacher, I also appreciate books that has a good moral to them! Ethan really enjoyed the discussion questions in the book. He was really intrigued with the Zambia and the African animals in the book. I love how this book gave my kids a glimpse into another culture. This book is a touching tale of kindness that I recommend for everyone!

Wesnlani – We have read this book several times and spoke about how we can take the lesson and use it in our lives. Lani in not quite old enough to get the lesson in this story, but she loves the bright illustrations and all the animals.

Is It Bedtime Yet – Right away I could tell that the kids would love this book. And they did. Especially E. The images are very colorful and resemble coloring book pages. She picks this book over and over to flip through. The language is very easy to understand and for young readers, very easy to read. Some of the words are unfamiliar and under normal circumstances would be harder to read. This book helps you by giving you the correct pronunciation of the words. So when you come across the word Harambe, you know how to say it. P, who is 8, was able to pick up on this quickly.

Bargain Briana Buzz – In addition to learning a great moral story about helping other out, children also have the opportunity to explore Zambia through this book. As a parent, I love that it has the pronunciation of some of the unfamiliar words in the story. At the end of the book, there is a glossary of words names, and place as well as facts about Zambia. Kids will love the illustrations and fun story.

Maria’s Space – This book is a wonderful look into a different culture, with fantastic visuals and a moving morally good message. My children listened attentively, although mommy was a little tongue tied with some of the names. After my second time reading, things moved more fluidly. When I asked them reading comprehension questions when I was done, they both said, “it is good to help people.” If they get nothing else from this book, that statement makes it all worth it

Plus Size Mommy – As a mother and not only do I read to my children as much as possible, but I also encourage reading as much as possible in my home, I was also extremely pleased, to see that not only was I able to read this story to my children, but because there is a wonderful Glossary and more facts and information in the back, they were able to learn even more from this story than they usually do with a book.

Cutie Booty Reviews! – I was not disappointed. I loved the vivid colors in the book and the overall story. The African names reminded me of the time that I spent living in South Africa and my visits to Zimbabwe and Zambia. The moral of the story – helping out others when in need is timeless and this book is a wonderful way to teach children.

Mud Bug -  When we got this book my 5yo was totally amazed by it. She kept telling me ‘how beautiful it was’. This book is very easy to read and both girls easily understood it. This has become a nightly bedtime story. I love books that are not only interesting but also teach our kids something without them realizing it. This book taught my girls some things about Africa and now my 5yo tells everyone she knows what she knows from reading Sikulu & Harambe. I plan to purchase more from this author in the futre. I was very impressed!

Pajama Mom – There are wonderful elements of African culture and life weaved into the story.  Girl2004 was fascinated that people do their laundry in the river and at the same time they play hide-and-seek!  Books are a great way to take your kids to a far away land… Sikulu and Harambe are sure to become favorites so be sure to check out the plush animals available at the website.  The illustrations and writing, simpley put, is excellent!  The drawings are gentle and the story is simple but powerful making it a great choice for all children.

Mommy Googles – I really enjoyed the illustrations in Sikulu and Harambe, as well as did my kids. The overall story was fun! What, as a parent, that I liked was that the names: Sikulu and Harambe, were spelled out in pronunciation so that I could read it properly to my kids. There are not too many words on each page, so when I am reading the story to my little ones, I am able to read and point out things about the graphics that my kids can relate to and answer questions about.

If you are a first time expectant mom, Baby Lists is definitely a guide book you will need to prepare you for the arrival of your baby. The book provides an easy to read comprehensive list on:

• what to bring to the hospital,
• what baby gear and clothing to buy,
• what to buy for the nursery,
• how to differentiate between necessities and things that may be nice to have - especially important if you are on a budget.

It also goes into details of the products, recommends only tried and tested mommy approved products and further routes you to shopping sites where you can purchase the items.

Besides being a great baby registry resource, Baby Lists is packed with suggestions on how to pack a diaper bag, child proof your house, supply your medicine chest, interview a nanny, how to interview a pediatrician, what to ask when you take your hospital tour and much more. I’m a person who loves Lists as they are easy to understand and goes straight to the point. So, YES, I do wish I had this book as a reference when I was first pregnant. It would definitely have reduced my anxiety as a first time parent!

Baby Lists is written by Elaine Farber,  a newborn consultant and a mother of three who has coached hundreds of families through early parenting. She has worked in hospital nurseries, run a daycare center, provided consultation to expectant parents, and nannied for families with newborns (90 percent of whom were multiples) for more than twenty-five years.

Here’s what our team of reviewers had to say about the book:

Loving Heart Mommy – EVERYTHING is in this book from the best hospitals for delivery, items for your nursery, how to interview a potential childcare provider/nanny, assembling the perfect diaper bag, the list goes on and on! Remember how you learn something new everyday? Well with Baby Lists, you will know “Everything” you need to know for your Baby!

Babies Gotta Have It – The first half of the book, “Becoming-Baby-Ready Lists” is truly invaluable. Contained in this section are equally comprehensive lists that will guide you as you choose a hospital, create your birth plan, hire a nanny, pack for the hospital, pack your diaper bag and more.  Each list is presented in a simple, straightforward manner allowing you to make your own choices, free of any advice.  The tone is truly neutral and informative and incredibly helpful. I have already made my own mini-lists (on post it notes, big surprise) based on the information found in the  chapters on “Childproofing Your Home” and “Stocking Your Medicine Chest.”

Sassy Frazz – With our Internet savvy world, it is great that this book is packed with suggested websites for new parents to go to to research and get more information. The Baby Lists also has a great list for online shopping, because many times shopping outside the home with a new baby can be so overwhelming!What do I pack for the hospital? What questions should I ask when choosing a pediatrician? How many onesies/blankets/burp cloths do I really need to buy? Baby is on the way–and so are questions about what to do and what to buy to prepare! With the help of tried and true, mommy-endorsed Baby Lists, you can get organized in no time at all.

Chick N Monkey – All in all, Baby Lists is the complete “How, When, Where, What” guide to prepare for the arrival of a new family member.  I think all expecting parents should have a copy, especially for those first time parents.  I’m gonna pass my copy to my cousin.  Just get it online, like Amazon.  Easy!

Shake The Salt – I heart lists. With a passion. I am not currently expecting, but we do hope to add to our family in the near future and I am excited to have this book in hand. So many lists, so many questions answered, and tons of product links are all included.

A Little Bliss – I enjoyed the easy-to-read layout of the book and how each area is organized by product, with a place to check off things as you go! I loved the item and website suggestions, which even as a mom of two, gave me great new ideas and even better, more places to go shopping! Lastly, I adored gleaning from Elaine’s experience as a newborn consultant and experienced nanny who is herself a mother of three. As a mom and a professional, she knows exactly what new parents will need (and most importantly what they don’t need!) to both survive and thrive in this crazy and joyous journey with baby!

Moody Mama Says – Each part is broken down into several chapters covering everything from choosing a hospital to bath-time essentials to your parenting library. This book also has checklists and places to take notes which are my favorite parts of the book. Baby Lists is the perfect size to stick in your purse and take with you so you will have it when you go to the Dr. for birth planning or when you go shopping to plan babies nursery. In the back of the book there is a section with websites listed for online shopping for baby and also a handy index.

Living In A Charmed Moment – The Baby Lists book is amazing in the fact that is contains so much info in one COMPLETE book. After nearly each entry there are websites for each particular product or advice given. It’s wonderfully put together. This book defiantly needs to be on your list of wants even if you are just trying to conceive, just found out or well into your pregnancy…..

3 Kids and Us - If all 25 chapters of lists don’t answer all of your questions, there’s even a great section of Pregnancy, Parenting, DVD, and Music resources provided right in the back of the book.

What I really love most about this book and what makes it truly different is that each list allows you to fill in your answers or check off products as you read along right in the book.

Red Sox Mommy – It’s easy to read and well organized. You can pick and choose what you want to work on and there’s room to fill in the answers you get to the questions you ask. There are also helpful internet links to the websites of the products mentioned. This book is a great resource both for preparing for the baby before his/her arrival and after he/she has arrived as you still have questions.

3Ps In A Pod – Appealing - It is incredibly thorough with clear headers and titles making it easy to search for and find exactly what you are looking for.  It also makes an interesting read, should you want to read it from cover to cover.

Brain Foggles – The other chapters include information on how to chose a hospital, a pediatrician, a nanny and what to pack for the hospital, what emergency phone numbers and information to keep on hand. Included are lists of questions to ask the doctor, the hospital, and yourself about your own birthing plan. Everything is covered. This book is perfect for first time expectant moms and for other new mothers too, especially since there are so many new products on the market.

These days, the majority of girls feel they do not measure up in some way including their looks, performance in school and relationships. As parents, we can help reduce these pressure by encouraging them to be their own individuals and letting them know that it is definitely alright not to conform to the norm.

In line with the above purpose, parents can utilize Awakening Consciousness : A Girl’s Guide! to help promote self awareness among girls. Written by Robin Marvel, this workbook focuses on how to connect with your inner being and encourage young girls to explore their spirituality.

Topics covering auras, chakras, meditation, attitude, aromatherapy, dreaming, crystals, and angels are presented in short lessons with exercises and discussions which helps encourage reader participation. While this workbook is not age specific, I believe it will greatly benefit girls in their tweens and teens. Take for example, most teens, who tend to be more challenging to parents and often squabble with their younger siblings will find the ChakraCize created for the heart chakra helpful to filter out the feelings of hurt and to regain focus on the importance of love.

I would like to add that parents who emphasize on the importance of religion should read this book with an open mind as it generally does not incorporate teachings found in the Bible or other religious works. Otherwise, you will find Awakening Consciousness : A Girl’s Guide! to be an interactive and fun book ideal for girls of all ages.

If you would like to know what other parents think of this book, you can read excerpts of their reviews below. Click on the link for their full reviews:

A Pregnant Pause – If someone had introduced to me the affirmation and visualization exercises found in “Awakening Consciousness”, I would definitely have had a more positive attitude towards myself!

Because the guide includes some advanced poses in yoga e.g. the shoulder stand and the headstand, this book must definitely be used with an adult who is a yoga practitioner himself/herself to prevent injury.

Sweet N Sassy Girls – With all the media out there teaching girls that they have to look a certain way, just to be someone, this book was a welcome breath of fresh air. Robin really focuses on being yourself, no matter what. She teaches girls to love who they are- to love their insides as well as their outsides.

Mommy Brain Reports – Although my girls are only 3 years old right now, I did read it to them, and they liked to participate in the activities with me! I wanted to start now, and try to begin teaching them how important and fun it can be to meditate. I am hoping that when they’re older, and able to do these exercises on their own, they’ll really love it and include them in their daily lives. I actually wish that a book like this existed when I was younger. 

Mom of 2 Dancers - I found the book very interesting and fascinating to read. I think it has some great activities for tween and teen girls to help them figure things out. It opens up a lot of these girls to a whole other world. Knowledge is power, being positive and having a high self esteem will get you so far in life. I definitely give this book 5 out of 5 stars!

Sewing Mom – Awakening Consciousness: A Girl’s Guide is not only filled with simple, common sense methods of encouraging spiritual growth and self awareness in young ladies, but it is also a workbook filled with wonderful exercises that are simple and yet thought provoking. Many of the exercises were things that we do in our family on a regular basis and yet, reading the exercises along with my daughter allowed us to talk about it openly, something we don’t always do.

Loving Heart Mommy – I actually read this book going through a quite different time in my life, there has been a lot of negative instead of positive, even though this book is designed for girls, I believe anyone can get a lil’ something from this book.

The workbook is full of fun meditations and exercises and they can actually calm your soul, the do have a wonderful effect if your feeling hurt or stressed!

Mak!Mej! – From reading the book, I learned a lot about auras, chakras, crystals and aromatherapy among others. I honestly, honestly had no clue about the meaning of aura colors and I surely didn’t know about the seven chakras before. I just didn’t have any idea about all that but the book tackled a bit about these topics and I’m glad because at least I now know what these things mean. I was also fascinated with the pendulum and the grounding (to the Earth) exercises. And my favorite exercises (in the book) would be tabout scrubbing the aura,  the pendulum, the grounding and I absolutely like the crafts for aromatherapy!

Due to some health issues recently, my 8 year old had to take some blood to be tested. At that point of time, I could feel his fear and panic and as a parent I felt quite helpless. Thank Goodness we had a great paed who, instead of sending him to the lab had decided to do it himself. This of course, was a great relief to my son.

Thus, I cannot imagine how I would feel if one of these days my kids were to go for procedures like tonsil removal.  I’ve never experienced having my tonsils removed before so, I believe it will be a daunting task for me as much as for the kids. When we were offered the chance to review The “O, MY” in TonsillectOMY & AenoidectOMY, I was excited to see how it could help parents like me.

I must admit, I was pleasantly surprised by the information available from this book. Dr.Laurie Zelinger’s first hand experience in preparing for her son’s own surgery has provided her readers with answers to many parental concerns. I especially like the picture illustrations as it makes it easier for younger children to understand when you are trying to explain to them what tonsils or adenoids are all about. Also included in the book is a “Preparation List” which will prove helpful to parents who want to ensure all the necessities are packed for the hospital trip.

In a nutshell, I find that The “O, MY” in TonsillectOMY & AenoidectOMY a valuable guide as it helps to prepare parents and child, one to two months prior to and following a tonsillectomy or adenoidectomy.

Here’s a look at what other Parent Reviewers had to say about the book:

Three P’s In A Pod – In her book, Dr. Zelinger does and excellent job of talking you through the entire process from start to finish. She has it broken down into short, manageable phases. She has cute illustrations to clarify her points, such as a picture of tonsils inserted into the segment describing the purpose of our tonsils and adenoids. You can read an excerpt from her book here. She gives you an almost word-for-word script of how you can describe to your child what to expect, in a manner that a 3 to 7 year old will understand.

Red Sox Mommy – Now, after reading this book, I feel more prepared should either of my daughters get sick enough to need a tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy. This book gives parents an overview of the process their child will go through. You read tips on how to prepare your young child for the procedure. You are given advice on what to tell them, what to get ready in advance and what to expect during and after the procedure. So don’t leave you or your child full of ifs and what nows.

BrainFoggles – The book helps parents get ready for the unknown. It also provides information and explanations that you can pass along to your child. There is a section that you can read to your child, a checklist for the day of surgery and a few days after and an organizer for parents to write in doctors, hospital, insurance companies, pharmacy phone numbers.

Mott’s Island – The “O, MY” in TonsillectOMY & AdenoidectOMY : How to prepare you child for surgery, A Parent’s Manual” is certainly a heaven-sent book for parents. If you have a child and had to prepare them for tonsillectomy & adenoidectomy surgery (or any surgery, for that matter), this book will guide the parent through its various phases on how to ultimately prepare the child.

 

• ISBN-10: 0761149724
• ISBN-13: 978-0761149729

The Potty Caddy, recommended for baby to pre-schooler actually comes in a carry along box. It takes a fun, lighthearted approach to potty training by including other cool items like  a 32 pages colour book, super cute toddler-size “magazines” for bathroom reading, toilet targets (probably for the boys), reward stickers, a potty chart and would you believe it, even a child’s very own roll of toilet paper on a refillable holder!

As much as the Potty Caddy will help children develop a positive, excited attitude about being potty trained, I personally believe that the Potty Humour incorporated into this product is meant more to help the “stressed out” parent who is perhaps guiding her toddler in this challenging journey

Interested to know what other Parent Reviewers think of The Potty Caddy? Check out the reviews below:

Momma Findings – I saved my favorite part for the end though, 4 really funny miniature magazines that your tot would love reading while he’s sitting, just like Dad. Titles include:

Vanity Fairy
BQ (Babies Quarterly)
Rolling Stroller
Sports Animated

So, as a Momma to three I can really relate to Rachel Gordon, the author. We both have extensive potty training experience and have been long time toilet users. The Potty Caddy is a must for your journey through potty training.

Sassy Frazz -  The best part of the Potty Caddy, in my parenting opinion, is the kid-themed/kid-sized magazines. Here are the fun titles: Vanity Fairy (Being Free the bearable dryness of being), Rolling Stroller (Rock on, Baby! Ten great songs to listen to while peeing or pooping on the potty), Tots Illustrated (Oops! Don’t get embarrassed: It even happens to the Pros!) and BQ (Babies Quarterly: Dress for success: Great looks for the Newly diaperless).

Loving Heart Mommy -The Potty Caddy is truly everything your child needs to make Potty training fun and easy!Unfortunately I didn’t get the chance to have my son Gabriel , 22 months old personally review this as planned. He is away for Holiday, left a bit earlier than expected with his Grandmother/Father. So as soon as he gets back I’m going to pop out this box so we can get ready for some potty training fun! As much as he loves books I’m sure this will be a big hit for him and it will make potty training fun and not a scary experience!

Three P’s In A Pod - The Potty Caddy Book really does a pretty standard job of explaining the how-to part of using the toilet. It is basically factual and gets the point across in simple terms that kids can understand. The toddler magazines are adorable and little kids will feel like they’re reading magazines just like a grown up. There are questions inside each of them that are great for passing the time while you try to get kids to stay put on the toilet, something that is not always easy.

Lille Punkin’ Reviews – When this arrived in the mail, my son was wide-eyed. The little gift box can be reused, and contains a roll of toilet paper (mounted inside the box for use), some miniature “kids” magazines (with pictures of babies and young children in mock magazine layouts), a book to read to the kiddo, and a book to guide the parents. When I showed my son everything included in the Potty Caddy, and I had a chance to explain that it was just for him, he looked at me and whispered, “I think I need to use the potty.”

Reviews By Heidi – I have placed our Potty Caddy in a strategic place – right by the potty! I must admit I found myself reading the Potty Caddy book and laughing out loud. I told my oldest daughter (15) that she had to read it and she said “I already did!” LOL.

This product is definitely not a potty training necessity but it sure will make your potty training effort more fun.

A Mom Speaks – My daughter loved the toddler size magazines. They really made her feel grown up, especially since mama is know to read magazines on the toilet as well. While my daughter is still not fully potty trained she loves going to potty because of the Potty Caddy.

A Wrestling Addicted Mommy – You’ll also find a really cute illustrated book inside the caddy to help your child learn more about their new adventure by helping to answer questions they may have about the new potty/toilet and the process to make it a little less scary. There’s also some really cute kid friendly mini magazines so your little one can be just like daddy sitting on the toilet reading. It’s pretty darn cute!

I wish I had this around with my girls when they were training, it would have really helped encourage them and kept the training fun at the same time.

Crunchy Green Loving Mom – It is also great for daycare and visits to Grandma’s! It has a handle on it so your little one can take it with them. I like that I can fold up the “reward chart” and put it back in the box for her to take to the babysitters, and then to her daddy’s house! That way she has the consistency that is needed for potty training.

This would make a GREAT gift for any parent who’s child is getting up to that point in the next year. Help out a poor stressed parent and the potty training fight!

Busy Mommy Product Review – It is super cute. And Sara Rose seemed to really get a kick out of it and the fact that it was all her’s for sitting on the potty like a big girl.