Well, if you were to ask author John Cheetham, parents are not necessarily “grown up.” This author from Melbourne has a new book called “Grow Up! How to raise an adult by being one yourself” and in it, he challenges parents to quit behaving like overgrown children and start acting their age. I don’t have a copy of the book as of yet but the information presented in News.com.au has gotten my interest. Here’s a sampling:

He says parents should stop drinking, smoking, swearing and losing their temper – particularly when driving. He thinks parents are too over-emotional, too over-protective and over-react to their teens’ faults. “The most important thing is to remember the power of example,” Dr Cheetham said. “Parents need to be in tune with their emotions – it’s not what you say, it’s what you do. And this means not having an episode of road rage on the way to taking your son to get his learners.”

If you think about it, this is an age old principle. Walk the talk and so on. I suppose, though, that in this day and age of indulgence, we can always use a reminder like this book. Now here is my question: Are you a grown up parent?

10. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
J.K. Rowling
Scholastic/Levine
1998
6,335,585

There was high expectation from this second novel in the Harry Potter series because of its critically acclaimed predecessor, “Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone.” No wonder why the author was having difficulty to finish the book. But when it was published, it has won high praises both from critics and readers.

The story revolves around Harry and friends’ investigations on why several students were “petrified” (or frozen) after warnings that the “Chamber of Secrets” is open and that the “heir of Slytherin” is coming to kill pupils who are not from all-magical families.

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9. The Cat in the Hat
Dr. Seuss
Random House
1957
7,220,982

Theodor S. Geisel, a.k.a “Dr. Seuss,” wrote the book in response to John Hersey’s challenge on Life magazine that the author, who is a critically-acclaimed children’s illustrator, should create a book that will associate words with rich illustrations.

The author’s friend, William Ellsworth Spaulding, suggested that he write and illustrate a book using only 225 words that most five-year-olds know. After nine months, “The Cat in The Hat” has appeared. It used 223 words from that list plus 13 other words.

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8. Scuffy the Tugboat
Gertrude Crampton
Golden
1955
7,366,073

This book is one of the titles in the Little Golden Books series along with “Mother Goose” and “The Little Red Hen.” The story is about Scuffy, a toy tugboat, who wants to sail on things bigger than a bathtub. His wish was granted when his owner took him to a small brook where the current soon takes him away into the stream, a small river, and a larger river.

Scuffy was pleased at first but soon became overwhelmed. He was to sail off to an ocean when his owner came to the rescue. He was brought back to the bathtub, where Scuffy remained contented.

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7. Saggy Baggy Elephant
Kathryn & Byron Jackson
Golden
1947
7,476,395

This title is also among the Little Golden Books titles. The story revolves around Sooki, an elephant who loves to dance around the jungle. That is, until a tactless parrot tells him that his skin doesn’t fit him right.

Since then, Sooki tries to improve himself. He meets a tiger who volunteered to chew off some of his skin. Then, he meets a crocodile who suggested he would eat Sooki’s ears. Then, he meets a lion who wants nothing but eat the poor elephant altogether. Luckily, the baby elephant was rescued by a herd of elephants who also love to dance. Finally, Snooki found a place where he truly belongs.

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6. Pat The Bunny
Dorothy Kunhardt
Golden
1940
7,562,710

“Pat the Bunny” is a phenomenal touch-and-feel book for babies and toddlers. It was a new idea at the time of its release. It’s not really a book per se, but a collection of what the child can do with it like touching the sandpaper, patting the fake rabbit fur, or looking at the mirror.

The book is actually an experiment used by the author for her three-year-old child. This child soon published three more companions of her mother’s book, entitled “Pat the Cat,” “Pat the Puppy,” and “Pat the Pony.”

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5. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
J.K. Rowling
Scholastic/Levine
2000
7,913,765

The author admitted this one to be the most difficult to write compared to the three earlier series of Harry Potter novels. She even had to rewrite “The Dark Mark” chapter for 13 times.

Despite that, the book still gained equal popularity, which is partially due to the author’s spoiler that one of the characters will be murdered. Three million copies were immediately sold over the first weekend after its release.

The novel won the 2001 Hugo Award for Best Novel, the 2002 Indian Paintbrush Award, and an Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Platinum Award for being one of the best books.

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4. Green Eggs and Ham
Dr. Seuss
Random House
1960
8,143,088

This book became a bestseller using only 50 different words, written in a very simple vocabulary. Dr. Seuss wrote it as a beginner book. It’s about Sam who insists the other character to taste the green eggs and ham.

Like the equally popular “The Cat in the Hat,” the author was encouraged to write this book after Bennett Cerf’s bet that he could not write a book using only 50 different words. “Green Eggs and Ham” also ranked third on a 1999 online survey conducted by the National Education Association.

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3. Tootle
Gertrude Crampton
Golden
1945
8,560,277

It’s no surprise for one of the titles in the Little Golden Books series to rank among the bestselling books for children. “Tootle” is one of them. It’s about Tootle, a baby locomotive, who dreams to be the Flyer on the New York-Chicago route.

He was attending a train school where students are taught lessons to be fast engines someday like stopping at red flags and pulling over a dining car without sipping soup. The most difficult lesson for Tootle is to stay on the rail no matter what because he enjoys chasing butterflies, picking buttercups, and racing against a horse.

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2. The Tale of Peter Rabbit
Beatrix Potter
Frederick Warne
1902
9,380,274

After rejections from several publishers, the author decided in 1901 to privately publish this all-time bestseller for family and friends. Finally, the revised copy of this children’s book got the interest of one of its original rejecters. In 1902, it was finally out in the market with 5,000 printed copies. The book’s illustration is believed to have boosted the book’s market value.

The fable is unique at that time because the protagonist still possesses rabbit instincts instead of adapting human behavior.

But it now

1. The Poky Little Puppy
Golden
1942
14,898,341

It is the first of the first 12 books in the Little Golden Books series. Amazingly, it has dramatically surpassed similar bestsellers of all-time like those written by Dr. Seuss. The story is about Poky Little Puppy and his siblings and how their fate turned upside-down within the story. A Poky plush toy was released in 1980s but is only short-lived due to poor sales.

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Author Elen Lewis has come out with a book titled “The Resourceful Mum’s Handbook” and I think it is pretty interesting, especially in the times that we live in. I know every mother is supposed to be resourceful – that’s part of the job, isn’t it? – but we can always use a helping hand in the realm of imagination. The context of the book is geared more towards a British audience but it seems to me that the concepts contained can be applied practically anywhere in the world.

Elen Lewis opens the book with a rough estimate of how much it costs to raise a child from birth to the time he or she is 21 years old. Now, of course that is assuming that at age 21, your child will be able to stand on his or her own and NOT depend on you to exist. With figures such as £194,000, one can easily see just how financially crippling raising a child can be; that is, if you do not exercise sound parenting habits. One would think that in this day and age, there is no choice but to be a frugal parent; you just might be surprised at how some people do not seem to grasp that concept, though.

With this book, it seems to me that age old concepts are being brought forth anew. The concepts may seem familiar – that’s because they are not all novel ideas – although the context is pleasantly modern. Learn how to be more discerning when it comes to advertising (clothing, food, toys, etc.) and discover tips and tricks that you can use on a daily basis as you nurture your children and guide them into become self-sufficient adults.

I think that whether or not you already have a kid, this book might come in handy. And just in case you think you know it all (you may even really know a LOT), the book is worth it if just to make you laugh. Did I mention that the author has a pretty good sense of humor?

Just the other day I got an email from my friend Katy telling me to check out the Tiny Art Director because it reminded so much of her daughter Max (who happens to be my Godchild). Maxine is an angelic looking 3 year old, who likes watching Igor in the morning and just had to have some scary dinosaurs at her birthday tea party. Katy said that she and her husband laughed, then breathed a sigh of relief when they read this blog, thinking that Max “Was not such a weirdo after all“.

And I totally agree with them, because my Nat was just like that at age 2,3,4. She even has a photo when she was around 3 where her expression and hair (and the angle) made her look just like that terrifying kid in the Ring. Her first word was “Wow” and she was such a tough, eloquent and opinionated little girl. She was sassy and certainly NOT your girly pink princess-loving little girl- and still is. That face on the book pictured above is very, very familiar to me, and I still get it now and then, despite her being in 1st grade.

Her little brother Ollie is very very different. Katy’s son Daniel who is Nat’s age, was the same- sweet and innocent, Mama-adoring little boys. Ollie never says anything too critical, and when I took him shopping with me the other day, I was amazed with his patience. He just sat in the dressing room with me as I tried on several things, cheerfully playing with his little cars, thoughtfully saying “Mom, you look good in that” or “Not so nice”. Nat, other the other hand would be saying “You look fat!” or “That’s yucky!” or “Lets go!” every 10 seconds. Which is why I rarely take her shopping with me.

But back to the Tiny Art Director, whose brutally honest critiques of her Father’s work are simply precious (and you can buy the book too!). I had to scroll down and read all the entries, it was so entertaining. If you have a kid like that (like me) you would love it too.

Nintendo DS

Just a little more than a week and Christmas Day will be here! I bet that your kids can barely contain their excitement as you start your preparations for the big day. I know that in our house, putting up the Christmas tree and lights is making everyone jump and down with the anticipation of Christmas. But have you decided on your presents for the kids yet?

I have several in mind but to be honest, I won’t be doing my shopping till tomorrow. I am sure that I am going to regret keeping it till this late when I am met by throngs of late shoppers tomorrow as well. Anyhow, I found an article detailing the most popular toys for kids this Christmas. Some of the recurring items that I noticed were gaming consoles and iPods. Umm, I think I shall refrain from these this Christmas – it’s too early for these this year. Perhaps the Wii, but nothing more.

For girls, the things on the list include the Nintendo DS Lite, Webkinz toys, Hannah Montana toys, and Barbie (yep, she is still at it). For toddlers, some ideas include Tickle Me Elmo Live, Lamaza Baby Toys, Leapfrog Little Touch LeapPad, and V-Tech Vsmile Baby.

I am leaning towards the educational toys for toddlers although I am really thinking about giving more books than toys this year. Some might think that this is the boring route but then again, get your children used to books and you will see just how much delight they will take in them.

What are you getting the kids this Christmas?

Courant.com recently featured a book by Matthew Kelly that just might give us what we are looking for. Entitled Building Better Families: A Practical Guide to Raising Amazing Children, the book aims to empower parents in raising wonderful kids. Of course, there is no such thing as a guarantee when it comes to this, but critics hail the book as one of the best there is.

I honestly haven’t read it yet but from the reviews that I have been reading, I think I need to get my hands on a copy. Courant’s feature ends with this:

The book does not include a simple 10-step plan or suggest that parents embrace a specific discipline method, diet, exercise regime or work/play ratio. Instead, Kelly is all about using — and teaching your kids to use — a single guiding principle for decisions great and small. When confronted with a choice, they and you should ask this question: “Will this help me become a better version of myself?”

Sounds good to me!

I realized the critical role that books and other printed materials played in my life during my formative years and I believe that our children should have the same factors in their lives. Studies have shown that children who read grow up to be more intellectually developed. Children who read learn how to learn more easily – and on their own. More than that, children who read develop their imaginative powers. Contrast reading to watching TV shows and movies – reading encourages children (and even adults!) to create a world of their own in their minds. On the other hand, watching TV or movies presents images – in effect, spoon feeding the viewer and possibly not stimulating one’s imagination as much.

If you remember, I wrote an entry on reading to your children a while back. This is another aspect of reading – reading aloud to your child also helps develop other things. These include vocabulary recognition, language cognition, and voice recognition. I can go on and on about the benefits of reading. The question is this: how do you encourage reading in your children?

Back then, I felt so deprived. My classmates would be talking about the latest episodes of the most popular cartoons and I would feel so left out. All I had were images in my head from stories that I read in the countless books that we had at home. Little did I know that that experience would enrich my life even more than the TV shows back then. Looking back, I realise that our parents actually did well in deciding that we should not have a television set.

Today, though, I can’t help but wonder if this practice can still apply. For one, we already have our own TV at home. We even have other similar gadgets like the computer, DVD player, and a video game console – all of which the kids can use. Of course, the books are still there – they can never be taken out of the equation.

I think that the times have changed. The television and other multimedia devices can help with our children’s development. However, there has to be discipline. What they watch, when they watch, and how long they watch needs to be controlled. They have to know their limits and balance their priorities as well.

Now that I am in my mother’s place, I recognize the importance of reading to children, no matter how old they are. From infanthood till the time your child learns to read, reading to them everyday is important. Simple stories, picture books, and the like – these are vital in the development of your child.

Once he learns to read on his own, should we still read to him? I think that it shouldn’t stop just because he can do it by himself. Bedtime stories are one of the things that your child will remember when he grows up. More than an intellectual activity, this is also a perfect way to bond with your child. It is one way of showing him that he is important and a priority for you. I still remember slowly drifting away to Neverland with the soothing voice of my mom or my dad in the background – a perfect way to sink into the thralls of night of peaceful sleep!

So, do you read to your children? Do you spend enough time doing this?

As we got a little older, my sister and I became voracious readers. One of our favourite places in the world was the Foyles bookshop in London, where we would spend hours on end choosing and reading books. The library near the Edgware Road was also a weekly treat. After a whole afternoon choosing books, we would pass by the local bakery for some delicious “air” bread to take home for tea. It truly was the stuff of childhood memories!

Anyway, the all-of-a-kind family was another series we re-read over and over again. For two girls growing up in the late seventies, there was a strange fascination with this turn-of-the-century family in America. Who can resist the characters – sensible Ella, the eldest girl, spunky Henny with her perfect curls, the little sisters and of course Mama and Papa who had very little money but a lot of morals- and love!

Written by Sydney Taylor, The all-of-a-kind family comprised 5 sisters (who were Jewish), growing up in New York’s Lower East Side. Simple joys, simple activities, ah the simple life in those days!

All-of-a-Kind Family (1951) is the first book of a series. Other books in the series include
More All-of-a-Kind Family (1954), All-of-a-Kind Family Uptown (1957), All-of-a-Kind Family Down-town (1972), and Ella of All-of-a-Kind Family (1978).

My copies all seem to be gone now (Mom! where have they gone?), but I can’t wait until the day I can introduce them to my daughter.