The Periodic Table: Elements With Style!

In the category of How come didn't they have anything like this when I was a kid? is this entertaining book that brings the periodic table to life in a way that 10th grade chemistry class just didn't for me.

In The Periodic Table: Elements With Style, by Adrian Dingle and Simon Basher, the elements introduce themselves and describe their own unique personalities. ("I'm happy to mix in any social gathering of the elements," Magnesium says, "making friends with anyone, even moody hydrogen.") Basher's Pokemon-esque illustrations add to the fun.

The book is probably geared for kids around fourth grade, but for my 6-year-old it sparked a still-ongoing interest in the elements and the periodic table. He knows which ones are transition elements and which are alkaline earth metals. I'm not that advanced, but I did learn what sets the noble gases apart. How could I not catch on, after reading this description:

"The far right of the table is the classy neighborhood, for here lives the periodic table's royal family--the so-called 'noble gases.' This group is largely resistant to chemical reactions, seemingly above mixing or slumming it with the rest of the elements."

This is a great find for the budding scientist in your life!

The No-Cry Nap Solution

Do we really need an entire book devoted entirely to the subject of naps?

I wouldn't have thought so, until I picked up The No-Cry Nap Solution, by Elizabeth Pantley. After reading the first two chapters describing how important naps are to a child's health, mood, and happiness, I couldn't wait to read on and learn some strategies for helping my daughter hang on to her nap as long as possible.

My little girl is two, and family activities sometimes interfere with her nap time. When this happens, she always makes it through the day and simply falls asleep earlier than usual at night. No big deal, right? Except for one thing: by early evening she is bouncing off the walls.

According to this book, a two-year-old generally can only stay comfortably awake for five to seven hours before biologically craving sleep. Newborn babies can't tolerate more than a couple of hours, while a six-year-old might last all day without needing a rest. The pressure that builds up when children are forced to stay awake longer than their bodies want to is called "homeostatic sleep pressure." Pantley has her own term for it: "The Volcano Effect."

After the first section's practical information on sleep and naps, Part 2 of the book specifically addresses newborn babies. This topic certainly deserves its own section because, as the author points out: "The actions we take with our newborn babies set the stage for good napping habits later."

The remainder of the book comprises Part 3, "Solving Napping Problems: Customized Solutions for Your Family." If you have a nap problem in your household, it is probably addressed here, accompanied by a variety of strategies --not just a "one-size-fits-all" solution--to help you resolve the issue.

As someone who is past the baby stage and whose youngest child takes a good nap almost every day, I didn't find every chapter to be relevant to my life. (Although I must say, this book would have come in awfully handy a few years ago!) Yet, aside from being convinced to protect my daughter's nap time, I was also intrigued by the idea of incorporating a "hush hour" in the afternoon for my older children--and myself. We all have a natural drop in energy in the middle of the day. Maybe instead of fighting it, we should all just retreat to our own quiet corners to rest and rejuvenate for a bit.

Doesn't that sound enticing? Siesta, anyone?

Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child

Most parents, doctors, and parenting experts agree on one thing: babies and children need to get enough sleep.

However, there's plenty of hearty disagreement surrounding the details of how and where they should sleep.

As a brand-new parent it's hard to know what to believe and which method to follow. It's not much easier to listen to your gut, which can give you advice that is every bit as conflicting as the plethora of baby sleep books.

In the end, I believe parents have to find their own way. It may be a long and winding road, but eventually, you'll figure out what works best for your family.

If you want to start down that winding road with a book, I'd recommend Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child by Marc Weissbluth, M.D. I really wish I would have gotten my hands on a copy of this book years ago, but I was glad to find it before my third child was born. It is thorough, practical, research-based, reassuring, and easy to read.

Instead of just presenting one method, Dr. Weissbluth writes, "There are many ways to help your child sleep. You should choose the solution that works best for you and your child."

He discusses a variety of sleep strategies, along with the importance of healthy sleep, how much babies and children need at different ages, the stages of sleep, specific problems and solutions, and how temperament affects sleep.

All in all, I found this to be the most useful and balanced of all the books I have read about children's sleep. (And let me tell you, I've read many, many books about children's sleep.)

Follow the Drinking Gourd

The only thing harder than trying to explain slavery to my son (the concept still sounds ludicrous to me when I say it aloud) was trying to explain that the Underground Railroad was not actually underground, nor a railroad.

Reading Follow the Drinking Gourd, by Jeanette Winter, was certainly a step in the right direction.

Legendary Underground Railroad conductor Peg Leg Joe hired himself out to plantation owners as a handyman. During his time at each plantation, he taught the slaves a folk song called "Follow the Drinking Gourd" that seemed nonsensical to the plantation masters but contained information that would direct the slaves to freedom.

This book follows a group of slaves who escape using the song's hidden messages. With the help of others along the way, they flee successfully to their freedom in Canada. It's a gripping story, simple enough for children but eloquent enough to bring tears to my eyes.

Alpha Oops! The Day Z Went First

My kids love alphabet books, and there are a lot of excellent ones available. Our family's all-time favorite is Alpha Oops! The Day Z Went First, by Alethea Kontis and illustrated by Bob Kolar.

All three of my children absolutely adore this book. They love the story, the humor, the brilliant illustrations, and the gusto with which their parents read it. Because it is a fun book to read.

The letter A is kicking off the show with the tried and true "A is for apple" when he is interrupted by Z, who angrily announces: "Zebra and I are SICK of this last-in-line stuff! This time we want to go first!"

Chaos ensues, and the letters become so mixed up that even that rabble-rouser Z becomes irritated with the results. But with a little flexibility and compromise, each letter gets a turn, and A wraps things up with a glorious grand finale.

The combination of witty dialogue and delightful illustrations make this one of those books you won't mind reading again and again.

The 2009 Polestar Family Calendar

I love the new year. What could be better? A clean slate. A fresh start. A new beginning.

I suppose there's no reason why we couldn't have a fresh start on, say, June 23rd. Really it's just sort of a mental game, the whole clean slate thing. I like it, though. I also love the visual representation of this fresh start that comes with a new calendar.

Each year I look forward to opening my new planning calendar, with its crisp, clean pages and 365 upcoming days just waiting to be filled with plans, activities, and surprises.

It took me a while to find the perfect planning calendar to serve my purposes. I found it in the Polestar Family Calendar. I bought my first one in 2005, and I've gotten one every year since.



No, in case you are wondering, my last name is not Porter and I did not design this calendar. I truly do love it. The only thing I really don't love about it is the cover design. But once I get into the year, I rarely see the cover because I usually just leave it open to the current week.

Here's what's great in the Polestar calendar:

• Year-at-a-glance for the current year and the upcoming year. (So if it's September and you have a date to remember the following February, you can jot it down, then when you get your new calendar, transfer the information.)
• Month-at-a-glance, with space on the opposite page for "to do this month," "new projects/ideas," and "notes."
• Week-at-a-glance with plenty of space to write reminders and appointments each day. It has separate columns for "family appointments," "meals/kitchen" and "home," although I usually ignore these and just use the space however I need.
• Off to the side of each weekly calendar is a "to do" list and a "to buy" list. In addition, there is extra space for "messages." All this extra writing space means I can jot down all sorts of notes and information that I can check back on later. If there is something I really need to remember or might need at a later date, I just make sure to write it somewhere in my calendar.
• Throughout the calendar are great quotes. For example, this week's is: "Don't be yourself. Be someone a little nicer." -Mignon McLaughlin, journalist.
• In the back are some very useful organizational resources, most of which I've never used, but probably should. These include "family profiles," "dates to remember," "items loaned," "items borrowed," "storage record," five blank pages for "notes," a phone and address list, and a bunch of blank tear-out shopping lists.

I'm excited about my brand new 2009 Polestar calendar. The pages are smooth, the cover pristine, and so far, my kids haven't gotten a hold of it and scribbled all over November the way they did last year. It won't last long, but such is the nature of fresh starts and clean slates.

The No-Cry Discipline Solution

The No-Cry Discipline Solution: Gentle Ways to Encourage Good Behavior Without Whining, Tantrums, and Tears
by Elizabeth Pantley

I’ve always been wary of any parenting “expert” who recommends a one-size-fits-all solution to discipline issues. That’s why I like Elizabeth Pantley’s books so much. She gives great ideas and guidelines, but she acknowledges that parents know their own children best, and that no two kids are alike. As a mother of four with her oldest in college, she has the experience and the perspective to guide parents through the years of tantrums, whining and sleep issues while keeping the big picture in mind.

Pantley’s approach is gentle and respectful toward both children and parents. Besides just correcting the immediate behavior, she feels that the goal and purpose of discipline also includes teaching a lesson, giving the child tools that build self-discipline and emotional control, and building the parent/child relationship.

The book begins by focusing on some essential parenting attitudes and ways to build a strong foundation: ideas for how to relax, enjoy the time with your children more, keep things in perspective and focus on what’s important.

Next, Pantley encourages parents to start by solving the real problem causing the misbehavior. By being more aware of these triggers and using some of her suggested methods to improve cooperation, many behavior problems can be avoided the first place. One of my favorite ideas is to make inanimate objects “talk” to the child. Not only is your kid more likely to cooperate, it also puts both of you in a better mood. It’s almost impossible not to smile while making a pair of shoes ask, “Please, may I go on your feet?”

A sense of humor is certainly helpful, but let’s face it, sometimes it’s just not there. Instead of laughing, we find ourselves yelling: “For crying out loud, hold still and let me put your shoes on!” Feeling angry toward our precious children is completely normal, yet it doesn’t exactly help us teach them about emotional control. Pantley devotes several chapters to the causes and consequences of parental anger, a topic that is rarely covered so honestly and thoroughly in parenting literature. She includes a number of helpful tips for managing anger and reducing anger-inducing situations.

The last section of the book lists more than 30 of the most common behavior problems. Pantley addresses some of the reasons for each behavior, then offers ideas for what to do and what not to do in response.

I guarantee I’ll be referencing The No-Cry Discipline Solution again and again, whether it's for a specific behavior issue or just a dose of parental perspective.

Have you read The No-Cry Discipline Solution? If so, please post your comments!