Reviewed by Philip Van Heusen 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.

Reviewed by Mamta Madhavan for Readers' Favorite

Shlok's Dad: A Father's Perspective of Parenthood by Vivek Sharma is an engaging book that looks at parenthood from a father's point of view with a humorous and entertaining perspective that will bring a smile to the faces of readers. The author introduces parents to fatherhood based on his personal experiences and life lessons learned. The book is a light read for parents, wannabe parents, and unsure parents to smile over the same kind of experiences they share while watching their offspring grow up. Reading the book is also a good way to revive nostalgic memories over losing their hair, sleep, stuff, hair, and teeth. The author also expects the book to serve as a legacy for his son when it is time for him to become a father.

Shlok's Dad is heartwarming and Vivek Sharma's sense of humor and the universal language of parenthood are palpable to readers as they go through the book. The author is vocal and expressive about the topic and gives readers glimpses of his personal stories and experiences, and he also shares useful parenting tips. Many personal stories will resonate with parents, and the author speaks of how becoming a father has left him in a daze, a feeling many fathers will be able to relate with. The book gives a sense of elation to all parents as they connect with the author's words and see images of their fatherhood in there. The style of writing is simple and funny which makes the book an enjoyable read.

Reviewed by Mamta Madhavan for Readers' Favorite

Your Pregnancy and Childbirth: Month To Month by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists is a handy manual that gives information on pregnancy medically in a simple and easy-to-understand manner. The information in the book is up-to-date, and the chapters on each month of pregnancy are helpful to readers who are pregnant and need information on the development of the baby, the changes taking place in the mother's and child's body, and how to manage the discomforts of pregnancy. The tools and techniques shared in the book will help pregnant readers to be in control of their pregnancy. The book can be a trusted resource during pregnancy and the postpartum period, thereby helping to have a healthy pregnancy and a healthy baby.

The step-by-step information from getting ready to become pregnant till the end of the book is useful and includes details that will guide readers who are pregnant or planning to get pregnant, making it easy for them to go about it in a healthy and confident way. The book also includes postpartum care, feeding the newborn baby, and birth control after pregnancy and beyond, which will be helpful to readers. The book is extensive and expansive on the topic, erasing doubts. Your Pregnancy and Childbirth is a must-have book for pregnant women so that they can use it as a reference during those doubtful moments during their pregnancy on what to do, how to go about it, and also about the monthly progress of the baby. The book covers everything associated with pregnancy and pregnant women will find it helpful, useful, and easy to relate to.

Reviewed by Marie-Hélène Fasquel for Readers' Favorite

Minimalist Moms: Living and Parenting with Simplicity by Diane Boden is an essential guide to set you on the minimalist journey, whether you are a parent or you are going to be one soon. It is extremely clear and even starts with a section on how to use this book. The author then explains how she became a minimalist and her story is relatable. It helps you envision what you could personally do to improve your life and help heal our planet. We all need to be part of the necessary change in our society in crisis.

Minimalist Moms: Living and Parenting with Simplicity by Diane Boden is a concise and yet comprehensive book on minimalism for moms. It is, however, perfect for everyone and will improve anyone's life. The author not only tackles decluttering but also the reasons why we should declutter and simplify all areas of our lives. The examples are telling, the advice is perfectly sound, the tips and ideas are simple to set up. This is a book I highly recommend if you want to be part of that change we need, if you want to feel freer, if you would like to save time for your family, for yourself. I will definitely keep it handy to refer back to it and give minimalism a try to feel less overwhelmed and more independent actually (as we tend to depend so much on what society expects from us). So let's start small but let's start now.

Reviewed by Sefina Hawke for Readers' Favorite

Secrets to Parenting Without Giving a F^ck (The Non-Conformist Playbook to Raising Happy Kids Without Public Meltdowns, Power Struggles, & Punishments) by Sue Donnellan is a non-fiction parenting book that would appeal most to a mixed audience of new parents, expectant parents, and parents looking for some guidance. In this book, the author shares the knowledge she gained from being a mother who navigated real parenting challenges with the mind of an unconventional thinker. The book provides ways for parents to avoid punishing and yelling at their children while also causing their child’s behavior to change. The book covers numerous important parenting areas like ways to respond to tantrums, getting rid of back-talk, reducing lying, and many other tips to prevent bad behavior. Are you ready to learn how to raise happy, well-adjusted kids?

Secrets to Parenting Without Giving a F^ck by Sue Donnellan is a very well-written parenting book that offers out-of-the-box strategies and ideas for parenting. As someone looking to become a foster mom in the future, I found the book to be a treasure trove of knowledge. I felt that by reading this book I was able to take a step in the right direction to become a good foster mom and role model before having my first foster child. I really felt like this author knew what she was writing about and was not just offering textbook outdated parenting strategies. Overall, I put down this book with a desire to refer back to it when I do become a foster mom to ensure I can help raise good children.

Reviewed by Mamta Madhavan for Readers' Favorite

Baby Out of Wedlock: Co-Parenting Basics From Pregnancy To Custody by Jim and Jessica Braz is a handy tool that will help millions of new or soon-to-be-mothers or fathers who are not in a conventional marriage. The book will help them go through the nine months of pregnancy or even past birth. The book is about learning rights and responsibilities as unmarried co-parents and making better decisions for the child. The tips in the book are also a good way for parents to understand their parenting rights while doing what is best for their child and provide answers that they are looking for efficiently and straightforwardly. 

Baby Out of Wedlock is filled with advice, and it applies to having a baby out of wedlock, regardless of race or socioeconomic background. The authors also tackle the basic questions about co-parenting relationships, paternity tests, child custody laws, visitation rights, support payments, and much more. The book will give balanced advice on how to get along well with the co-parent for the long term. It is useful for unmarried co-parents to have an effective Parenting Plan without making it to the court. Jim and Jessica Braz handle the subject methodically, making it easy for readers to understand and apply the suggestions in their personal lives if they find themselves in this situation. Pregnancy without marriage can be a daunting experience and the suggestions offered will give confidence to readers for their baby-out-of-wedlock story. It is definitely a book that will give readers good information on the basics of co-parenting without making it difficult and complicated.