Reviewed by Astrid Iustulin for Readers' Favorite

We all have areas in our life where we feel we have limitations and want to improve and some books make the process much easier for us. Surf the Seesaw by Scott A. Davis is one such book that has made the strongest impression on me. The book is divided into five sections that explore interesting themes: misconceptions about human nature, relationships, decision-making, parent-child relationships, and the meaning of life. In each of these sections, readers will find stories from the author's personal life and the lessons he learned along the way. They will also discover new perspectives on topics they might already think they knew.

Surf the Seesaw is not one of those books you only read once and forget; rather it is an inspiring guide you should reread often. I liked how Scott A. Davis wrote it by drawing on his own experiences, giving an original and unique perspective on the topics he describes, which offers readers a realistic starting point that makes it easier and more enjoyable for us to follow his reasoning. Many of the concepts are mindblowing and deeply surprising, especially the chapter about our species' superpower which completely changed my point of view. Reading Surf the Seesaw has been an invaluable and inspiring journey and I am sure many other readers will be curious to discover and read this incredible book.

Reviewed by Maria Victoria Beltran for Readers' Favorite

Andrew's Awesome Adventures with His ADHD Brain by Kristin Wilcox is a thought-provoking and informative book focusing on attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The book consists of two parts. The first part is from the point of view of Andrew trying to cope with inattentive type ADHD. The second part is from the point of view of his mother, who is also an expert on ADHD, as she tries to help her son. With engaging chapter titles like Always Disorganized and Hopelessly Distracted, My ADHD Brain is a Master of Disaster, Let the Chaos Commence, and ADHD and the Incredible Hulk, it’s easy to relate to Andrew and his mother as they candidly reveal their day-to-day struggles. Read on and join Andrew and Kristin as they manage the negative symptoms of ADHD.

Kristin Wilcox’s Andrew's Awesome Adventures with His ADHD Brain provides a unique and very helpful approach to understanding the challenges of ADHD and successfully overcoming them. This book is not only beneficial for those with ADHD but also for others to understand their condition. Well-written and entertaining, it is a must-read for parents and teachers of children with ADHD. I find Andrew’s perspective interesting as he reveals the chaos and emotional turmoil he goes through and the daily battles he fights that most of us will never understand. Andrew's Awesome Adventures with His ADHD Brain gives us an intimate and unique glimpse into his world. Ultimately, this beautiful story of love provides simple ways to overcome the many challenges that a child with ADHD faces every day.

Reviewed by Bryone Peters for Readers' Favorite

Firework Humans by Jessica Mead is brilliant as it homes in on instincts that ignite entrepreneurial success. Mead asserts that everyone has tendencies like the knowledge-seeking instinct, the audacious dreamer instinct, and the try-again instinct, among others. These same instincts can make you successful in various spheres of your life. She provides a breakdown of the components of behavior, winning mindsets, skills, and how to ignite and nurture these components. Interestingly, these mindsets and behaviors may be due to our upbringing. The book emphasizes the importance of being ready to accept that we will make mistakes. Equally important is to be persistent, let your creative instincts thrive, and identify your learning styles, which will help to ignite the fireworks in you.

Firework Humans by Jessica Mead is a book that applies to all ages. Even young children can be successful entrepreneurs. She describes the similarities between how to deal with your children and how to deal with employees. I appreciated the practical advice on developing critical thinking and the benefits of homeschooling your children. It was refreshing to learn new parenting lessons. I agree that from an early age children should not link negative emotions with money, a dynamic of allowance, and chores - that should be family teamwork, not a job. Another beneficial recommendation is to spark fireworks in others. The result is that the whole company or family thrives. A bonus feature is that for the different topics websites are available to provide additional information.

Reviewed by Maria Victoria Beltran for Readers' Favorite

Inner Compass Mom: Finding Peace and Purpose in the Midst of Motherhood by Danielle Kloberdanz is an insightful non-fiction book that offers inspiration and guidance for overwhelmed mothers seeking peace and purpose in their busy lives. The book is divided into five parts, focusing on Getting Stuck, Following Your Inner Compass, Tapping Into Guidance, Awakening into Wholeness, and Living a Spiritual Life. Kloberdanz draws from her experiences to share her journey from a disillusioned mother to a fulfilled woman leading a meaningful life. She also shares the wisdom of spiritual leaders and philosophers such as Brené Brown, Eckhart Tolle, and Deepak Chopra, whose teachings helped her find her own inner compass.

Danielle Kloberdanz’s Inner Compass Mom is a memoir and a self-help guide encouraging mothers to prioritize their well-being while raising a family. Kloberdanz emphasizes the importance of self-discovery and spirituality, encouraging us to connect with our inner compass to be guided toward our true desires and purpose. One of its strengths is the writing style, which is easy to follow and engaging. It is well-structured and includes a conclusion and summary points at the end of each chapter, which provide helpful guidance and reinforce the book's main ideas. Ultimately, it is a valuable resource for any mother who feels disillusioned or overwhelmed in their role. Offering guidance on finding greater purpose and fulfillment, it serves as a roadmap for mothers seeking to connect with their inner selves and lead meaningful lives beyond motherhood. Highly recommended!

Reviewed by Pikasho Deka for Readers' Favorite

In the summer of 2018, Josh Wood decided to part ways with his old Ford van and put an ad on Craigslist, leading to an overwhelming response from people that inspired him to recount anecdotes about his own family and life through his book Struggle Bus. After a teenager moved into their home, Josh's family eventually became a group of 11, and with such a large family, things can get quite chaotic. Some of these stories have Josh and his family finding themselves in extraordinary situations, such as preaching at a congregation full of topless women in a village in Kenya, attending defensive driving classes, joining a yoga program with disastrous results, completing a marathon taking double the expected time, learning to put his trust in professionals rather than relying on the wisdom of Google or YouTube, and much more.

Join Josh Wood and his family on a wild rollercoaster of a ride where you will learn to navigate through the challenges and absurdities of life with a smile on your face. Struggle Bus is a true adventure story where you follow a family as they ride through the ups and downs of life with faith, fun, and a bellyful of laughs. Wood's engaging writing style pulls you in and holds your attention as you immerse yourself in the quirky anecdotes of his family life. The Wood family adventures teach you that life is about finding joy amid mistakes and changes and that it's okay to be sometimes not okay. So if you're looking for a light-hearted adventure tale, this is it.

Reviewed by Daniel D Staats for Readers' Favorite

What do you think of when you hear the word “homeschool”? Prepare to change your thoughts. Marta Obiols Llistar is an unschooling mom and shares her experiences in the book 18: An Unschooling Experience. For anyone considering keeping their child(ren) at home for their education, this book is a must. Many parents desire to homeschool but are afraid. This book will calm their fears and give them a myriad of ideas on making it work. Marta lives in Georgia and explains what it takes to remove your child(ren) from public school and register as a homeschooler. Research shows that homeschooled children tend to excel and do better in socialization. Marta shares the many adventures that she and her children share while homeschooling. This book will help explain to others what homeschooling is, and why it is a viable alternative to the traditional approach to schooling.

Marta Obiols Llistar has written an encouraging and motivating book for those who homeschool or desire to homeschool. In 18: An Unschooling Experience, even those who do not wish to homeschool will find the stories and memories in this book heartwarming. The writing is simple to understand and folksy. Reading this book is like sitting down with the author and learning how she accomplished what seems to many to be an impossible task. Marta gently guides the reader through the minefields of homeschooling. Many fear starting to homeschool, but reading this book will lay your fears to rest. Even though Marta has a degree in education and taught in public school, she does not come across as a teacher giving lectures. Instead, she writes with compassion and understanding.

Reviewed by Daniel D Staats for Readers' Favorite

Jodi Dee grew up in a learning environment. Her mother developed programs for her day-care. Jodi takes the knowledge gained from her life in child development and shares great ideas with readers in Create a Home of Learning. Every parent wants what is best for their child, and this book helps parents make their home a haven for learning. The book explains how children learn and what is needed to increase that learning. This book contains helpful information for parents who want to give their children learning opportunities after school or decide to homeschool. The suggestions can also be used for operating a child-care/early learning center. After reading this book, any parent will be equipped to help their children become conducive to early learning.

Jodi Dee has authored Create a Home of Learning based on her 18 years of experience working in an accredited preschool center. She also has a Master’s Degree in Education. Jodi’s love of children is easy to see as one peruses this book. Her desire is to help parents learn to take advantage of teachable moments with their youngsters. Children’s minds develop fast before they reach school age. Jodi believes, correctly, that children’s learning is play. Play is how they learn to relate to the real world around them. As a parent, it is your job to facilitate learning through play. Parents can no longer claim ignorance. With Jodi to guide them, parents can create a learning area that even the best private schools envy. I wish I'd had this book back in the 80s when my wife and I homeschooled our two children!

Reviewed by Marie-Hélène Fasquel for Readers' Favorite

Zen Parenting: Caring for Ourselves and Our Children in an Unpredictable World by Cathy Cassani Adams is a comprehensive non-fiction guidebook that immediately caught my eye as I am both a mother and teacher. We can all improve our ways, our lives, and our parenting. Zen Parenting focuses on the essential issues we have to address or at least not ignore as parents and carers: race, sex education, sexuality and gender, and mental wellness. I believe this guidebook is also a gem for teachers. Each part explores a different aspect of parenting in depth. The main topics are about our roots and foundation (as how can we teach anything if we are not ourselves deeply rooted in our lives?), the right to feel, be creative, and experience pleasure (essential parts of being ourselves too and sharing joy and happiness with our children), about identity, love, truthful communication, intuition, and enlightenment.

Everything you need to deal with as a zen parent and compassionate elder is to be found in this amazing guidebook. It is clear and progressive. It is first and foremost a guide to a better, improved, happier self, which you need to be to become a good parent. I loved each and every part of this book. I am also convinced that we may be perpetuating beliefs that were imposed by and on our grandparents, and parents. We have to reflect on what we want for our children and this guide ideally helps us do that. I found this book deeply soothing and enriching and am recommending it warmly. Zen Parenting is a fabulous read and a wonderful tool to have as a carer. Thank you so much to Cathy Cassani Adams for this gem of a book. I love it and will happily share its wisdom.

Reviewed by Tammy Ruggles for Readers' Favorite

Part memoir, part parenting book, Capable: A Story of Triumph for Children the World has Judged as "Different", by Deborah Winking, Ph.D., is a powerfully moving testament to what is possible for children with special needs. This book is based on the author's true story, from the beginning of her child Jack's life through adulthood. The challenges in motherhood were life-changing for both of them, and the frankness with which Winking writes will be appreciated by audiences, especially parents of special needs children. Each mom is different, of course, and approaches parenthood in their own unique way, but this mother's story has the benefit of hindsight, experience as a psychologist, child advocate, and a Ph.D. The crux of her message is one we all need to hear: That you reap what you sow, you get what you expect, and when you expect more, more happens.

Frustrated by the dire diagnosis that her son Jack couldn't do this and couldn't do that, the author turned the tables and began acting and reacting from the stance of what he could do. It takes someone special to meet the needs of a special needs child, but to go beyond that and expect more, is a gift and talent that not every parent has. Yet, all parents can learn from Winking's experience and expertise. This book can perhaps help parents of special needs children instill a sense of ability rather than disability, a can-do attitude instead of cannot. This isn't to gloss over how hard it is to raise a special needs child or to say that there won't be difficulties. It's to focus on what is possible, what is expected, and what can be achieved beyond predictions. But there is a measure of smiles and laughter too in this book, which makes it well-balanced and easy to read. There are many things to take away from the author's story, but one that stays with me is that the future of a special needs child can be a lot brighter than what you think, and the way the author points out how Jack's teacher "simplified" a children's story instead of sharing the richer, more detailed version with her young class. Overall, this story is full of light and life. As a former social worker, I highly recommend Capable, by Deborah Winking, Ph.D., for parents, book clubs, helping professionals, and support groups.

Reviewed by Emma Megan for Readers' Favorite

Jay Armstrong, a high school English teacher, explains in Bedtime Stories for the Living: A Father's Funny and Heartbreaking Memoir About The Power of Pursuing Your Dreams how he was diagnosed with a rare, degenerative brain disease. This striking memoir contains wonderful love letters for each of Jay's children, beautiful true stories, and precious life lessons and advice. It also contains what Jay never told his kids, what he felt like saying to them but failed as life got in the way. In Bedtime Stories for the Living, Jay talks about poetry and books, the importance of writing and its impact on his life, offering aspiring writers valuable writing tips. He also talks about the beauty and the challenges of life, of being a parent, and the difficulty of dealing with a rare disease.

You cannot read this breathtaking memoir and still be ungrateful for your health. Bedtime Stories for the Living by Jay Armstrong is the best motivational book I've ever read. Jay's writing style is addictive, mainly because it's nostalgic, vulnerable, and filled with wisdom and sorrow. In his uniqueness, Jay inspires and encourages not only his children but all his readers to figure out their dreams and to chase the one that brings them joy, to read poetry, and never to ignore their internal voice. He reminds them that they are responsible for how they adapt to change. Bedtime Stories for the Living is truly an empowering book as it speaks to the heart and the mind and delivers inspirational life lessons and unique stories. It's undoubtedly a must-read.