Book Review

Books that we have read and reviewed

December 31, 2012

Dear Son What I wish I’d known at Your Age

Dominique Book Review, Parenting and Kids Dear Son, Roy Sheppard

Dear Son What I Wish I’d known At Your Age by Roy Sheppard is one of the most practical book that I have read so far. Within the cover are nuggets of information which all boys should have been told about by their parents while growing up. Many a time there is very little communication between father and son and as a result they are unable to foster a close bond and build up a strong character. Getting information from the internet and other sources may be less then ideal as a false front is often presented and far from the truth. Written in the tone of a father to his son Roy touches on the following topics

being a man
work
money
emotions
relationships with others
dangerous women
decisions and much more

Realistic examples are given in each chapter based on life experiences of men who shared with Roy during the making of this book. A comprehensive view of the different areas which affect the grooming and well being of a boy is mentioned in Roy’s book.

My thoughts

I really enjoyed reading this book and am going to get my hubby to read the book too. I really feel that it is important for such issues to be addressed between father and son. It not only strengthens the bonding between them but also gives the child the much needed correct information about certain issues like dealing with “being a man’ and relationship with others and women. Information about certain issues like how a man should treat a women and deal with women and other related issues certainly would carry more weight coming from father then a mother to a son.

Even though my boys are relatively young to read this book by themselves I feel that certain chapters on money, knowing your own emotions and relationships are still relevant to a 6yr old and an 8yr old. These are certainly areas which their dad can help address with them.

I recommend this book to parents of boys as an excellent book to share with your sons during their growing up years.

You can purchase this book for £11.99 GBP. ($19.99 US) plus postage and packing from the Order page at the Author’s website

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book for review purposes. All opinions are 100% my own.

December 19, 2012

Building Biologist: Am I an Insect?

Dominique Book Review, Parenting and Kids Insects, Kids Factual book

Budding Biologist: Am I an Insect?by Kristine Duehl is the first of a series of books focusing on promoting accurate Science. In this book Kristine addresses common misconceptions which children have about insects. The realistic illustrations by Katy Castronovo make it easier for the child to identify the different types of insects/animals that they may come across.

The book starts off asking questions about each creature that they feature by asking ” Is this an insect?” The child is left to ponder about the question before it the answer is given on the next page with a fact about the creature. (Ie: Ladybug)

As the child progresses through the book he gathers all the information about an insect and slowly gets familiar with their characteristics.

At the end of the book there is a table with suggested activities on learning strategy tips which are graded.

Level 1- Focus on the animals and pictures

Level 4 – Apply the characteristics you have learned about insects to other animals that you have found

This makes it easy for the parent to tailor the reading of the book to the ability of their child and to follow up with activities after reading.

At the author’s website- Budding Biologist there are even lesson plans in Art, Language, Maths, Science and Physical education which you can expand upon with your child.

The next book in the series would be Budding Biologist: Where do I live? and I can’t wait to read it when it is released.

My thoughts

I sat down and read this book to my two year old and have my 6 yr old read the book to me. Both of them loved the graphics and found it really enjoyable. It was also easy for my 6 yr old to learn about the different characteristics of an insect and I’m sure now he is able to tell whether an animal is an insect or not.

You can purchase a copy ofBudding Biologist: Am I an Insect? from Amazon at $12.00

Disclaimer: I received a copy of Budding Biologist: Am I an Insect? for review purposes. All opinions are 100% my own. This post has a compensation level of 3. Please visit Dominique’s Disclosure page for more information.