Blue Like Play Dough
By Tricia Goyer
Author Website: www.TriciaGoyer.com

Available in paperback and Kindle. Multnomah, 2009; ISBN: 1601421524; 208 pages.

Have you ever read a book that makes you want to be best friends with the author?

I have found the most valuable parenting resources are parents themselves. I can read all the books I want, take all the classes I can, and watch every last episode of TLC, but I learn the most from simply sitting with another mom and hashing about life. It’s over coffee and laughs that I find I’m not alone, I’m not insane and God’s not done with me yet.

Tricia Goyer’s newest book, Blue Like Play Dough, is like that. Reading it feels like a mom-date, a much needed dose of perspective wrapped in love and friendship. I loved it.

The author shares her unlikely journey from rebellious, pregnant teen to busy wife and mom with big dreams of her own. As her story unfolds, Tricia realizes that God has more in store for her than she has ever imagined possible.

Sure, life is messy and beset by doubts. But God keeps showing up in the most unlikely places–in a bowl of carrot soup, the umpteenth reading of Goodnight Moon, a woe-is me teen drama, or play dough in the hands of a child.

In this transparent account, you’ll find understanding, laughter, and strength for your own story. And in the daily push and pull, you’ll learn to recognize the loving hands of God at work in your life … and know He has something beautiful in mind.

Final Thoughts: Good stuff. This is a great work to help moms rise above the monotony of everyday life. Sometimes we feel survival is success, but God has so much more in mind. This book gives readers a glimpse of His character and purposes. Great read.

The Book Whisperer
by Donalyn Miller
Author Website: Teacher Magazine: The Book Whisperer

Available in paperback. Jossey-Bass, 2009; ISBN: 0470372273; 240 pages.

The average American reads less than 5 books a year. I want better than that. I LOVE to read and want my kids to share this same passion.

This book, based on the work of one teacher and blogger, shares a tried-and-true method to help kids learn to love books. Each year in her fifth-grade class every student reads at least 40 books, some as many as 75. Every year. Do you want to see your children or students reading at that volume? Or even a fraction of it? Get this book. The author presents her methods through comprehensible text, charts and case studies. Unlike most educational texts, this book is thoroughly interesting and a quick read.

Even parents (whether they homeschool or not) will find this information inspiring. In fact, I think anyone who loves books would find her studies fascinating. I really liked reading the success stories: sections of the book that detail individual cases of kids going from non-readers, some even learning disabled, to passionate book devourers. This text is filled with hope.

Final Thoughts: A great book. Highly recommended.

Journey of a Strong-Willed Child

by Kendra Smiley with Dr. Aaron Smiley and John Smiley
Author Website: http://www.kendrasmiley.com/

Available in paperback. Moody Publishers, 2009; ISBN: 0802443532; 130 pages.

Journey of a Strong-Willed Child is not an exhaustive study of temperaments and strong-willed children or how to parent them. (If you want something like that, I recommend Raising Your Spirited Child by Mary Kurcinka.) Rather, it’s more of an introduction, an affirmation that we’re not alone and, yes, some kids are more difficult to parent than others. I think it’s a fabulous tool for getting others “on board.” At just 130 pages, the book can be read in an afternoon. (Okay, not a regular afternoon with kids, but maybe a Sunday afternoon when the kids are watching sports with Daddy.) Conversational in nature, the text offers excellent, but simple explanations of what makes a strong-willed child different from more compliant children and how parents can work with their child to mold and accentuate the positive aspects of this character trait. (And it IS a positive trait! All of these characteristics that drive me crazy about Zach — his intense passion, his will of iron, his absolute conviction — these are attributes. We admire them in adults, but struggle to deal with them in a preschooler.) Quotes and stories from other parents and experts are sprinkled throughout the book. Scripture references flood the pages.

I especially appreciate the organization of the chapters. The author alternates between developmental stages and specific aspects of parenting a strong-willed child. For example, the book starts with “Birth to Pre-Kindergarten” then offers a chapter on discipline. A chapter on “Kindergarten to Grade Six” is followed by a chapter debunking assumptions about strong-willed kids (like the belief that strong-willed kids are mean and insensitive or that they are “out to get you”). Other chapters cover junior high, high school, college and beyond. Each is filled with personal strories and great advice including parts written by Aaron (self-proclaimed strong-willed child turned functional adult) and John (Kendra’s husband and Aaron’s dad).

Final Thoughts: Definitely recommended. This volume would be a great resource for helping friends and family members understand better the struggles of parenting a strong-willed child and, hopefully, garner their support for your efforts.

Stirring Up a World of Fun
International Recipes, Wacky Facts & Family Time Ideas

by Nanette Goings

Available in paperback. New Hope Publishers, 2006; ISBN: 1563099195; 125 pages.

This book offers fun ways to incorporate some new foods, interesting facts and great biblical truths. Each chapter features a different region of the world (Africa, Asia, South America, Western Europe, etc.). Within the chapters, sections are divided by country. Obviously, not every nation in the world is represented, but the author does a good job including many of them (over 50 countries) from every corner of the planet. Each page consistently offers four sections:

• The Recipe -- Most have few ingredients and simple instructions. Icons highlight which recipes kids can help prepare and which they can do by themselves.
• Did You Know? -- This section offers interesting facts about one of the recipe's ingredients, the nation of origin or a Bible story that relates to this food or people group.
• What Can You Do? -- Here readers find a project or activity that ties in with the recipe or facts just learned. Sometimes it's a game or conversation starter; sometimes it's a craft or science project.
• What Does the Bible Say? -- This is a Bible verse (with reference) related to the food or lesson. These make great memory verses or the start of simple meal-time devotions.

I like this book, but I wish it were more internationally focused. Let me explain.

Of the 100 recipes included, seventeen of them are from Canada or the United States. I don't need to buy an international cookbook to make apple pie, brownies or blueberry pancakes. I don't understand why almost 20% of the book is devoted to foods we already eat and know how to make.

The "wacky facts" are not always related to the country listed. For example, Vinete, an eggplant dip from Romania, doesn't mention anything about Romania or the people there. Instead it talks about Thomas Jefferson and how he brought eggplant to the United States.

Final Thoughts: My intention was to use this book to teach my children more about missionaries and the countries where they serve. It really isn't aimed that way, but it's still a fun book to have around.

Raising Your Spirited Child
A Guide for Parents Whose Child Is More Intense, Sensitive, Perceptive, Persistent, and Energetic

by Mary Sheedy Kurcinka

Available in paperback, audiobook or Kindle. Accompanying workbook also available (paperback). Harper Paperbacks, revised ed., 2006. ISBN: 0060739665; 496 pages.

This book has been a lifeline. Rick and I thought we were great parents. We had a gorgeous little girl who was obedient and sweet. Everyone loved her and praised us for doing such a great job. Then we had our son. Everything that "worked" with Ellie caused the opposite effect in Zach. On the verge of defeat and insanity, I found this book. I cannot tell you how much help it has been; how much it has changed our household, improved our relationships and our confidence.

Raising Your Spirited Child is based on past studies of temperaments, but it's much more than that. The author includes tests to help parents identify their children's temperaments (and their own) and then offers practical, effective strategies for dealing with these strong, innate traits.

Much of the text is direct dialog or interaction from the support groups the author leads for parents of spirited children. Real situations are discussed. The book teaches parents to find the root, the triggers, rather than just addressing the behavior. If your child throws a tantrum for no apparent reason, don't just punish them; stop to find out what caused the tantrum so you can prevent it in the future. Then show your child a better way of handling the problem.

Final Thoughts: This is a must-read for all parents. It has been an enormous help to us in understanding our kids -- both of them! I understand better what they need and what environments help them thrive. I also understand better what drives them crazy. I understand myself better, too. All around: the information and suggestions in this book have improved our home. I cannot recommend it strongly enough.

Ordinary Mom, Extraodinary God

by Mary E. DeMuth
Author website: http://www.marydemuth.com/

Available in paperback. Harvest House Publishers, 2005. ISBN: 0736915001, 180 pages.

Before you buy this book, know it is a DEVOTIONAL. I thought it was a parenting book. It's not. It's still a fantastic book, just not what I expected.The author is funny and down-to-earth. She highlights the divine in the mundane, drawing readers into a more personal awareness of God in the midst of everyday chaos of parenting. It's a drink of cool water to a parched soul.

The chapters are short, most just three pages. Each begins with a personal story then evolves into an applicable reflection of what God wants for us. If you like my blog, you'll like this book.

Final Thoughts: Intellectual, witty and relevant. Definitely recommended.

Authentic Parenting in a Postmodern Culture

by Mary E. DeMuth

Available in paperback. Harvest House Publishers, 2007; ISBN: 0736918620; 250 pages.

Do we need another parenting book? Well, this is a different kind and so the answer is yes --- but not any more. Mary has done a fantastic job looking at parenting outside of cultural definitions. This book is not about modern vs. postmodern parenting, though she does touch on that. This book is about consistent Christ-filled parenting in spite of the culture. It is a timeless resource for parents of this generation and many to follow.

What is meant by "authentic parenting"? Rather than brutal honesty, it is simply a lack of hypocrisy. Christianity in America often favors the picture-perfect family. Appearances matter. We want everyone to think we've got it all together. We also cling to our sub-culture, our Christian bubbles, rather than engaging the lost culture around us. Well, the truth is we're human and so no one has it all together. Secondly, Scripture tells us to be in the world, but not of it. We can't be in it, if we refuse to acknowledge it. Mary's book encourages believers to be authentic, not just in their Christianity, but in their parenting as well.Authentic parenting (as detailed in this book) is conversational in nature. Children and parents learn together and from each other (a truth laced throughout this blog and my writing from the beginning). Parents create a haven where children can be children safely. They seek out the treasures hidden in their kids and encourage them with optimism.

"Whatever we believe, we will pass, overtly or subliminally, to our children, who will then use what we have taught them as a filter through which they will view all of life," (p. 49). The difference between this book and other parenting books discussing culture is the persistence of absolute truth. As Christians we know experience may be relative, but truth is not. Society is moving closer and closer to having no definition of truth whatsoever. But God is truth. He is the definition. As Christian parents, we must instill the knowledge and respect of this Truth in our children while preparing them to live in a culture that refuses to acknowledge it.I highly recommend this powerful book. You can read an excerpt from the book by clicking here.

Here is a glimpse of Mary's heart via quotes from this book: "What bothers me [is] all the pontificating. It's as if we've lost Jesus in the midst of our very intellectual discussions about postmodernity. ... And all the while we write and talk and parent, using words, but not living them out. ... Jesus is a person. He is more than mind. He is even more than words. Perhaps we do ourselves a disservice by if we allow our minds to intellectualize everything. I preach this to myself. I love words, make a living from them. But I don't want to be led astray from the simplicity and purity of devotion to Jesus. I don't want to forget Him -- He who rescued me from myself, sin, hell. ... I pray that [when asked how I feel about Jesus] my heart would be so knitted to His, so grateful for His life, that all I can do is weep. Or maybe laugh." (pp. 54, 55)

Final Thoughts: A must-read for Christian parents whether culturally savy or not. Definitely recommended.

SuperMom Has Left the Building: Being a Proverbs 31 Woman in a 21st Century World

by Judith Edwards

Available in paperback. New Hope Publishers, 2004; ISBN: 1563097729; 176 pages.

What woman hasn't been intimidated by Proverbs 31? In today's world, who is free from the pressures of needing to do it all and do it perfectly? In this book, Judith Edwards takes a personal look at this super-woman verse by verse. In candid voice and with great humor, she encourages and challenges women to re-evaluate our understanding of what God expects from us. It's not about doing everything. It's not about being the best or having the cleanest house. It's about our relationship with Him and how we overflow that relationship to those around us. Using personal stories of her life as a wife, mother and missionary, she relieves the pressures of trying to be SuperMom and the guilt from not meeting what we think society and God demand.

This is an excellent book of encouragement and edification. The chapters are short making them easy to digest. Her teachings are biblically accurate. Within just the first few pages, I felt I had made a new friend. That friend carried me through to a new, more positive view of self and responsibility.

Final thoughts: Definitely RECOMMENDED.

Speaking Mom-ese: Moments of Peace and Inspiration in the Mother Tongue

by Lisa Whelchel

Available in hardcover (c 2005) or paperback (c 2007). Thomas Nelson; ISBN: 0785289305; 224 pages

Lisa Whelchel has written a number of great books for moms. This one is a devotional proportionate to the typical mom's free-time. Each story is short - about 2-3 brief pages - and to the point. She uses illustrations from her everyday life as a wife and homeschooling mother of three to point readers to God. Bible verses are always given along with a prayer and space for personal notes. This is a great "quickie" resource for moms in every stage of parenthood. It is also useful as a reference for playdate devotionals and more.

Final Thoughts: Great to have on hand! RECOMMENDED.