Summer Reading Recommendations

all these books are available in “My Bookstore“, as well as in your local library!

My Father’s Daughter
Pool

My friend T lend me this book, and I ate it up in 2 hours.  It’s the (true) story of a British woman, adopted from Eritrea, who finds her birth family and goes back to Eritrea to meet them.  Fascinating to read about so many commonalities with Ethiopian culture - but more fascinating to imagine similar pilgrimages our kids might go on one day…  

. 

We Generation: Raising Socially Responsible Kids
M. Ungar

This book is all about raining your children so that they interact with and contribute to their community.  It’s also about combating helicopter-parent syndrome, and helping kids to see there are bigger things in the world than themselves.  I especially like the parts that talk about building a village of safe and caring adults for your kids to have as mentors.

. 

David Suzuki’s Green Guide
Suzuki and Boyd

This is the most comprehensive, SHORTEST! and most readable guide to making environmentally-friendly decisions in your home that I have read, and I highly recommend it.  Why not do some reading and make up a little list of changes and/or projects with your kids to do over the summer?

. 

The Connected Child
Purvis, Cross and Sunshine

My mom had this book recommended to her, and I picked it up while I was up north.  Bascially it’s about dealing with adoption-specific issues your kids may have, such as fears, attachment issues, etc.  But what I really like about this book is it’s the first one I’ve read that has suggestions for discipline that promote attachment and work for kids who have been left/hurt/starved… some really great ideas, and even examples of what to say and some coaching on what may be going on with your kids.  My new most recommended book for people adopting older kids or who have kids at home.