I must admit I jumped at the chance when offered to review author Harlan Cohen’s new book, Dad’s Pregnant Too. Afterall, who have not heard of this bestselling author who is also a nationally syndicated advice columnist. No? Perhaps his other bestselling book The Naked Roommate may ring a bell. I can hear the “Ahhhhhhhhh” now *grins*.

I’ve got to admit, most pregnancy books are catered for women so, Dad’s Pregnant Too! would make a wonderful guide for any dad-to-be. Being a woman myself, I know for a fact that when I was first pregnant, I was clueless about my impending role of motherhood if not for the help and advice from friends, families and most importantly, books!

Dad’s Pregnant Too! features more than 100 tips for expectant dads with step-by-step guide, advice and pictures. I love the fact that medically reviewed pictures of baby’s development are also included in this book. Who else knows better than us that men, being the typical M-E-N rarely talk about their insecurities during the pregnancy months. Instead of being left to wonder about what the next nine months of pregnancy will mean for them, this book will help men to understand their partner and what’s really going on inside her belly.

Dad’s Pregnant Too! scores extra brownie points for:

• Teaching the expectant dads that they need to treat their partner well as a pregnant woman needs to feel as good as she feels big

• Providing expectant dads an insight into the different minds of a pregnant woman.

• Preparing them to face the truth - that the first 2-3 months after the arrival of baby might be extremely stressful and exhausting though things will be spectacular in the next few months after that.

Many a times when I read this book, I would burst out in giggles as the author is witty and hilarious while not losing sight of factual information. Dad’s Pregnant Too! is so much FUN to read and I wish we had it eight years ago when I was first pregnant. It’s definitely THE essential guide, packed with the best advice for expectant couples from the experts and parents who have been there before.

BUY IT HERE for yourself, your partner or even as a gift for a friend.

The first time I set my eyes on the book, I was truly mesmerized by it. The picture above does not do it any justice. The artwork on the cover itself was so beautifully done and I was glad it came in hardcover so that when my little girl is old enough to read it, I can pass it on to her. For now, I just have to be contend to read it to her during bedtime.

The Fairy Foals is about the mystical journey of Suzanah, the main character in the book(who is also the author of the book), into the world of amazing tiny creatures called Fairy Foals. At the age of 40, Suzannah inherited her grandmother’s house which comes with a beautiful garden.  One day, while out exploring the garden, she discovered an exquisitely tiny horse with butterfly wings caught in a spider’s web. Read on and discover her extraordinary journey…..

The Fairy Foals is a gorgeous sketchbook and journal, coupled with adventure, friendship and beautiful poems. Ideal for those who enjoys magical and candid stories. I myself enjoyed the breathtaking illustrations which comes in wonderful vivid colours. If you are looking for a gift for a girl, a horse-lover or someone who loves art, this book would be the perfect choice!

If you are a fan of author J.H.Sweet’s Fairy Chronicles series, you will be happy to know that there is a latest addition to this series called Cinnabar & The Island Of Shadows. This book continues the tradition of the previous 7 Fairy Chronicles, which tells stories about wonderful 9 year old girls who are secretly fairies themselves

Here’s a synopsis of the book:

When seven babies are born without shadows, the fairies fear that humankind might be losing its closest companions!

Cinnabar and her friends must use elf magic to reach the mysterious and secret Island of Shadows to try and locate the lost shadows. But, as if that is not hard enough, Madam Toad fears the shadows are not just misplaced, but stolen! Fortunately, the King and Queen of the Shadowmakers — and even their Griffin — are ready to help fight whatever is responsible.

The fairies will have to work fast. Without the magical protection of shadows, all of mankind will soon be defenseless.

My 10 year old niece had the privilege to read this book and she spent the entire two days during her stay with us, glued to the book as she was eager to finish it before she had to go home. Such was the attraction of Cinnabar with her Aspen twig and her gift of enhanced abilities at night.

Like the rest of the books from The Fairy Chronicles series, I love the fact that it teaches children the importance of teamwork, respect as well as acceptance of people from a diverse society. Isn’t that what real life is all about?

I highly recommend Cinnabar & The Island Of Shadows to all children, girls as well as boys, not only as an extraordinary children’s fantasy book but a book that will help inculcate good morale and values in children. You can purchase this book and other books in the Fairy Chronicles series here.

I had the priviledge to review author JoAnn Dawson’s latest series of books, thanks to the wonderful people of Sourcebooks, Inc. The award winning author’s Lucky Foot Stable Series tells the tales of two girl friends, Mary and Jody. It has nothing to do with shopping, sex or snobby school cliques but it centres around their talented ponies, Lady and Gypsy as well as their action packed adventures and secret missions to faraway places.

A delightful and engaging series, Lucky Foot Stable comprise of 3 books:

Lady’s Big Surprise

The first in The Lucky Foot Stable series follows best friends Mary and Jody on an amazing adventure, one that will take them to a cow funeral, to the mysterious Secret Place and, most incredibly, to their first horse show with their favorite ponies, Lady and Gypsy.

Star of Wonder

Nothing could have been a better Christmas present than the birth of Lady’s foal, Star of Wonder. But with a scary sleepover, the discovery of someone’s secret past, a daring escape (and rescue) and the terrible news of where Star of Wonder has disappeared to, the adventure is just beginning for best friends Mary and Jody in the second book.

A Star Discovered

Life at the Lucky Foot Stables has been going smoothly for epic friends Mary and Jody. They are working hard to get Lady’s foal, Star of Wonder ready for his yearling classes and his first horse show. All of this suddenly changes when a mysterious man shows up and says that he is going to take Star away. And the worst part is: he might have the right to do it!

Complete with beautiful line-drawn illustrations throughout, each installment of The Lucky Foot Stable takes readers on an exciting adventure with best friends Mary and Jody and their talented ponies Lady and Gypsy. Reflecting on teamwork that sends a positive message, The Lucky Foot Stable also encourages a healthy, active lifestyle and offers ideas for good clean fun.

Though this series focuses on girls, my son had a wonderful time reading the books and learning the various horse related glossary. Ideal for age 8 and above (especially for horse lovers), The Lucky Foot Stable series is available for purchase via Sourcebooks.com.

The title says it all. I love this book. It’s the perfect gift for any Mom, not necessarily only on Mother’s Day! Hey, mommies deserved to be pampered all year round.

My Mummy Is Magic is the combined effort of two authors, Carl Norac, a highly popular children’s author, and Ingrid Gordon, who is famous for her hugely successful WHAT SHALL WE DO WITH THE BOO-HOO BABY?, which has been translated into 10 languages.

Recently published on 01/02/2008, here’s a sneek peek at what this book is all about:

This little girl’s mummy makes cakes as big as a rocket and chases the night-time monsters away. Butterflies come and listen when she sings, and the sun always shines when she wears her favourite dress. But when she tells her daughter she loves her, that’s the most magic thing of all!

This special miniature edition of this beautiful picture book is available from PanMacmillan.

I consider myself very fortunate to be given this opportunity to review the hardcover edition of ScreamFree Parenting from Broadway Books. It was only recently released on September 4th, 2007 and became an instant national bestseller! Within the first week of its release, it soared to top of Parenting and Family categories of national bookseller rankings.

Hal Runkel, a licensed marriage and family therapist and a former pastor, is the author of ScreamFree Parenting and I find his approach  refreshing as he tells parents to focus on themselves instead of their kids. Through this book, parents will learn how to handle the 21st century child without resorting to coercion, force, fear, begging, bribery, or screaming.  Tell me about screaming at my kids and I am the first to admit. That’s one of the reason I was so eager to review this book.

I found one particular topic he had written about “Kids Need Their Room” very interesting as he emphasizes the importance of how a father should grow as his daughter develops physically. Hal further elaborates that as the daughter grows up, a father should not assume that one can hold and touch his daughter as when she was younger. I can really relate to this advice as when I grew up, I put a distance between my father and I as back then, I felt strongly that I should be given that respect. Hal has definitely struck a chord within me.

ScreamFree Parenting  makes us realize that No one, not even our kids, can make us feel or do anything.  As parents, we are the ones who can control our own emotional responses. This revolutionary approach invites parents to focus on themselves, grow themselves up, and calm themselves down. I am eager to follow these ScreamFree principles and see how far I can go to achieve the family relationship that I’ve always craved.

Verdict : Every parent who wish to raise your kids and not blow your top in the process, should read this book at least once and try out this revolutionary approach that Hal Runkel has so successfully practiced.