parenting

Every year the Canton Public Library staff name their favorite book of the year.  This list is a mixture of  Adult, Teen, Tween, and Children's Non-fiction published between December 2016 - December 2017.

When Swedish-born Linda McGurk moved to small-town Indiana with her American husband to start a family, she quickly realized that her outdoorsy ways were not the norm. In Sweden children play outside all year round, regardless of the weather, and letting young babies nap outside in freezing temperatures is not only common--it is a practice recommended by physicians. In the US, on the other hand, she found that the playgrounds, which she had expected to find teeming with children, were mostly deserted. In preschool, children were getting drilled to learn academic skills, while their Scandinavian counterparts were climbing trees, catching frogs, and learning how to compost. Worse, she realized that giving her daughters the same freedom to play outside that she had enjoyed as a child in Sweden could quickly lead to a visit by Child Protective Services. 

Traveling to 41 countries in 2015 with a backpack and binoculars, Noah Strycker became the first person to see more than half the world's 10,000 species of birds in one year.  In 2015, Noah Strycker set himself a lofty goal: to become the first person to see half the world's birds in one year. For 365 days, with a backpack, binoculars, and a series of one-way tickets, he traveled across forty-one countries and all seven continents, eventually spotting 6,042 species--by far the biggest birding year on record. This is no travelogue or glorified checklist. Noah ventures deep into a world of blood-sucking leeches, chronic sleep deprivation, airline snafus, breakdowns, mudslides, floods, war zones, ecologic devastation, conservation triumphs, common and iconic species, and scores of passionate bird lovers around the globe. By pursuing the freest creatures on the planet, Noah gains a unique perspective on the world they share with us--and offers a hopeful message that even as many birds face an uncertain future, more people than ever are working to protect them.

For children, reading level and experience level are not always the same. Eager readers are often interested in ideas and topics that seem advanced, but situations and subjects that sixth graders can handle with aplomb may be emotionally confusing for a younger child. Early and eager readers deserve stories they can get into, information that's challenging and up-to-date, and ideas that are new and stimulating, all while remaining age appropriate. Here, children's lit expert Isaacs offers 300 book recommendations for early able readers ages 4-10, honing in on writing that will challenge but not frustrate young readers. 

Teach your baby how to sign. Children can look at the picture, feel the touches, and learn to sign! The book features 25 signs and first words that your child should be using by age two. And all of this is provided in a sturdy, lightweight board book with touch and feels on every spread that's just right for little fingers to handle on their own!.

Bestselling author Eric Rosswood covers every aspect of fatherhood for gay men in this essential guide to growing your family in the post-DOMA era. Unlike other parenting books that have whole chapters focusing on things specifically related to mothers (such as how to get the perfect latch when breastfeeding), this parenting book replaces those sections with things relevant to gay dads. It covers topics like how to find LGBT friendly pediatricians, how to find LGBT friendly schools, how to childproof your home with style, how to answer awkward and prying questions about your family from strangers, examples for what two-dad families can do on Mother's Day, and much more.

Puberty and sex can be challenging topics to bring up with your child, but if you need some resources to help you, take a look at these. As with many nonfiction topics, these books will be located by others on the same or similar topics.

Not all books will be suitable for all readers.

Books for Younger Children

Avoiding Perfectionism

Freeing our families from perfectionism by Thomas S. Greenspon ; edited by Pat Samples — Do you expect too much of yourself or your kids? Do you have a hard time relaxing? These tendencies can be a few of the problems that result from perfectionism, which is a problem for many families. This book will teach you what perfectionism is not and help you free your family from this burden that can take a heavy toll on self-esteem, relationships, and energy.

Baby Games

Help your infant develop brain power and have fun by trying out some new games during playtime. Below are some suggested books filled with ideas for baby and caregiver play. You can find these titles in the Parenting section in the Children's Department.

Baby minds: brain-building games your baby will love by Linda Acredolo, Ph.D. and Susan Goodwyn, Ph.D

Baby play by general editors Wendy S. Masi, Roni Cohen Leiderman

Baby days: activities, ideas, and games for enjoying daily life with a child under three by Barbara Rowley

Your child at play. Birth to one year: discovering the senses and learning about the world by Marilyn Segal; foreword by Wendy Masi

Look What's In Large Print: March 2012

10th anniversary by James Patterson and Maxine Paetro

Afraid of the dark [large print] by James Grippando

Heartwood [Large print]: a novel by Belva Plain

Love me if you dare [Large print] by Carly Phillips

Nightwoods [Large print]: a novel by Charles Frazier

Infants and Sleep

Getting your baby to sleep at night can be a challenge. For parents who need tips and advice for successful sleeping, we have several sleep guides available in the Parenting section in the Children's Department. Check out some of the titles listed below to help your baby (and yourself!) get some much-needed rest.

The complete guide to helping your baby sleep through the night so you can too: 101 tips and tricks every parent needs to know by Jessica Linnell

The baby sleeps tonight: your infant sleeping through the night by 9 weeks (yes, really!) by Shari Mezrah

The good night, sleep tight workbook: newborn to five years by Kim West ; edited by Maura Rhodes

New Parenting Books

Below are some new arrivals to the Parenting collection in the Children's Department. Stop by the Children's New Book Shelf to see what's available!

Smart parenting, smarter kids: the one brain book you need to help your child grow brighter, healthier, and happier by David Walsh

Building resilience in children and teens: giving kids roots and wings by Kenneth R. Ginsburg with Martha M. Jablow

Pre-school parenting secrets: talking with the sky by Brian Caswell, David Chiem & Kylie Bell

The digital mom handbook: how to blog, vlog, tweet, and facebook your way to a dream career at home by Audrey McClelland and Colleen Padilla

Family Dinner

For busy families on the go, it can be difficult to find time to share a meal together. Pull your chair up to the dinner table during the month of October, also known as Eat Better, Eat Together Month. Want to find out more about the benefits of family dinners? Check out The Surprising Power of Family Meals by Miriam Weinstein and learn just how much of a positive impact eating together has on the family.

Need some ideas for cooking that family meal? Get everyone involved in the process by picking up a cookbook like Cooking Fun: 121 Simple Recipes To Make With Kids. Bon appetit!

Everything For Fall

Everything for fall : a complete activity book for teachers of young children : activities for September, October, and November by edited by Kathy Charner ; illustrations by Joan Waites — can help both teachers and parents plan fun, educational, autumn-based activities for young children. Covering the months of September, October and November, this book offers ideas for language, science and math activities, arts and crafts, snacks, and more. Check this book out from the Parenting section in the Children's Department.

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