Why Children Behave the Way They Do — and What You Can Do to Help Them to Be Optimistic, Loving, Capable, and Happy
July 15, 2002
This book by an Australian psychologist with more than 20 years' experience has sold more than one million copies worldwide, and this accessible North American edition will win over many more readers. Using the premise that children's happiness depends upon parents or other adults who share in child rearing, the author explains how to interact positively with children, from infancy to adolescence. Simple language, anecdotes, line drawings, and charts describe scientific findings related to parent-child communication. For example, Biddulph highlights the benefits of an extended family and shows how to adapt one's own situation to create one; this segues beautifully into another chapter, which explains that parents should make time for themselves and not become run-down. Some Aussie lingo may confuse American readers such as "I'll bread you!" (meaning to hit). Illustrations greatly enhance the good-humored prose, and the appendix offers tips on how teachers, politicians, relatives, neighbors, and friends can help parents. A short list of references is included. Highly recommended for all libraries. Alice Hershiser, Reedville, VA
Copyright 2002 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.