We have read many books in preparation for Baby Tebault's arrival (and likely long thereafter) about parenting, pregnancy, Dad's topics, attachment, finance, and much more. Here is a list of many we have read, our brief thoughts on each, and how many stars out of 5 we award it. Each title is also a link to the Amazon.com page for the book. Perhaps this can be a helpful shopping list for you if you know somebody beginning parenthood, or are just plain curious about what we're reading these days. If you are interested in borrowing one of these books, or simply want to talk it over with a cup of coffee, please ask!
Pregnancy
"What to Expect When You're Expecting" by Heidi Murkoff and Sharon Mazel
***** - 5 stars!
An excellent choice for the first-time pregnant lady, eager dads-to-be, or even the young married couple hoping for a future pregnancy. Some have criticized the book for containing so much detail that it creates unnecessary worry, but I have not found that to be the case, and appreciate the detail very much. In fact, I believe this book helps to alleviate worry over the many unusual and sometimes frightening conditions of pregnancy, and thereby single-handedly saves the world millions of dollars in unnecessary doctor visits or calls to nurse triage phone lines by pregnant ladies. In controversial matters surrounding pregnancy, this book does a good job of presenting the facts in a relatively unbiased and non-offensive way. 5 of 5 stars. [review by Deb]
An excellent choice for the first-time pregnant lady, eager dads-to-be, or even the young married couple hoping for a future pregnancy. Some have criticized the book for containing so much detail that it creates unnecessary worry, but I have not found that to be the case, and appreciate the detail very much. In fact, I believe this book helps to alleviate worry over the many unusual and sometimes frightening conditions of pregnancy, and thereby single-handedly saves the world millions of dollars in unnecessary doctor visits or calls to nurse triage phone lines by pregnant ladies. In controversial matters surrounding pregnancy, this book does a good job of presenting the facts in a relatively unbiased and non-offensive way. 5 of 5 stars. [review by Deb]
“Belly Laughs: The Naked Truth about Pregnancy and Childbirth” by Jenny McCarthy
[Review to arrive shortly - please check back later]
[Review to arrive shortly - please check back later]
“Nutrition for a Healthy Pregnancy” by Elizabeth Somer, M.A., R.D.
*** - 3 stars
*** - 3 stars
A detailed look at the optimal nutrition any woman could hope to achieve during pregnancy. It felt discouraging and unattainable to me. There was plenty of data and encouragement sprinkled throughout the book, however, when I got sick during the first trimester, all attempts at nutrition went out the window in favor of, "if it stays down, it's what's for dinner". Good book for the healthier pregnant lady who already has pretty good habits established and wants to optimize her routine. Not so good book for the rest of us, who are more susceptible to morning sickness, pregnancy cravings, or other willpower killers. 3 of 5 stars. [Review by Deb]
"A Child is Born" by Lennart Nilsson & Lars Hamberger
"A Child is Born" by Lennart Nilsson & Lars Hamberger
***** - 5 stars!
This book contains stunning photography of life inside the womb. Be aware, it also contains some gory, body parts, bloody, childbirthing stuff too, but it is all very tastefully done. I imagine some of the images could be scary for children, however, it is fascinating stuff for adults who are curious about what is going on inside during pregnancy. The photographs are organized and labeled according to a timeline of fetal development with brief explanations of what is happening at that time. Such a beautiful book. If the topic were not so immodest, it would make an excellent coffee table book - however, I strongly recommend you keep this one tucked away on your shelf for sharing with your spouse only. 5 of 5 stars. [Review by Deb]
This book contains stunning photography of life inside the womb. Be aware, it also contains some gory, body parts, bloody, childbirthing stuff too, but it is all very tastefully done. I imagine some of the images could be scary for children, however, it is fascinating stuff for adults who are curious about what is going on inside during pregnancy. The photographs are organized and labeled according to a timeline of fetal development with brief explanations of what is happening at that time. Such a beautiful book. If the topic were not so immodest, it would make an excellent coffee table book - however, I strongly recommend you keep this one tucked away on your shelf for sharing with your spouse only. 5 of 5 stars. [Review by Deb]
"Pregnancy Day by Day" by Paula Amato, M.D.
**** - 4 stars
An excellent book for any woman who recently learned she's pregnant! This book is full of beautiful pictures, graphics, and charts, along with brief explanations of what is occurring each day of pregnancy. My husband and I enjoyed our nightly ritual of reading each day together and learning about what was happening inside my belly. This book became a valuable highlight of my day during the dark days of hospitalization and hyperemesis to keep us connected with the baby that was growing inside in spite of all the yucky stuff happening on the outside. Although not the most thorough or medically informative when compared with other pregnancy reference books, it is certainly the most pleasing for the eyes. 4 of 5 stars. [Review by Deb]
Dad's Topics
"The Expectant Father: Facts, Tips, and Advice for Dads-to-Be" by Armin A. Brott and Jennifer Ash
[Review to arrive shortly - please check back later]
"The Caveman's Guide to Pregnancy" by David Port and John Ralston
[Review to arrive shortly - please check back later]
“Title” by Author
[Review to arrive shortly - please check back later]
Natural/Husband-Coached Childbirth
Natural/Husband-Coached Childbirth
“Husband-Coached Childbirth (Fifth Edition): The Bradley Method of Natural Childbirth” by Robert A. Bradley, M.D., et al.
[Review to arrive shortly - please check back later]
“Natural Childbirth the Bradley Way” by Susan McCutcheon-Rosegg, et al.
[Review to arrive shortly - please check back later]
General Parenting
"Dr. Spock's Baby and Child Care" by Benjamin Spock, M.D. & Steven J. Parker, M.D.
**** - 4 stars
This classic book is a wonderful reference for every parent's library. They do take a liberal/medicine-friendly stance on several controversial issues, but they don't berate you with propaganda. The constant reassurance that parental instinct and common sense should prevail is excellent encouragement for the nervous new parent. This book contains a lot of great detail and I'm sure we'll be referring to it regularly. It is VERY long and works best as a reference manual rather than a cover-to-cover read. I recommend it for anyone who wants to know a lot about how babies work and easy steps for caring for their most basic needs. 4 of 5 stars. [Review by Deb]
"To Train Up a Child" by Michael Pearl
**** - 4 stars
This classic book is a wonderful reference for every parent's library. They do take a liberal/medicine-friendly stance on several controversial issues, but they don't berate you with propaganda. The constant reassurance that parental instinct and common sense should prevail is excellent encouragement for the nervous new parent. This book contains a lot of great detail and I'm sure we'll be referring to it regularly. It is VERY long and works best as a reference manual rather than a cover-to-cover read. I recommend it for anyone who wants to know a lot about how babies work and easy steps for caring for their most basic needs. 4 of 5 stars. [Review by Deb]
"To Train Up a Child" by Michael Pearl
[Review to arrive shortly - please check back later]
“The Focus on the Family Complete Book of Baby and Child Care” by Focus on the Family
[Review to arrive shortly - please check back later]
[Review to arrive shortly - please check back later]
“Steady Days - A Journey Toward Intentional, Professional Motherhood” by Jamie C. Martin
***** - 5 stars!
Visualizing life with a toddler can be tough, especially if you didn't grow up with younger siblings or cousins. I've read a ton about the difficult "trials" that many parents of young children must endure, and found such reading completely overwhelming because it often lacked any discussion of non-difficult times, even though there is much more to a day with a toddler than tantrums and entertaining insatiable little tyrant brains. I am so grateful for this book because it taught me about the rest of the day and filled-in what I knew to be true of toddlers: they are inquisitive, wonderful little miracles and God is glorified in their days too. This book provides a ton of practical guidance for how to structure the days, how to be an "intentional, professional" parent, and how to make the most of the time in your days AND your children's day. I highly recommend this book for new Moms, especially those who have ever wondered, "What am I supposed to do with this kid when they get here? What do 24 hours-a-day of caring for a child look like?" 5 of 5 stars. [Review by Deb]
Visualizing life with a toddler can be tough, especially if you didn't grow up with younger siblings or cousins. I've read a ton about the difficult "trials" that many parents of young children must endure, and found such reading completely overwhelming because it often lacked any discussion of non-difficult times, even though there is much more to a day with a toddler than tantrums and entertaining insatiable little tyrant brains. I am so grateful for this book because it taught me about the rest of the day and filled-in what I knew to be true of toddlers: they are inquisitive, wonderful little miracles and God is glorified in their days too. This book provides a ton of practical guidance for how to structure the days, how to be an "intentional, professional" parent, and how to make the most of the time in your days AND your children's day. I highly recommend this book for new Moms, especially those who have ever wondered, "What am I supposed to do with this kid when they get here? What do 24 hours-a-day of caring for a child look like?" 5 of 5 stars. [Review by Deb]
“The Happiest Baby on the Block” by Harvey Karp, M.D.
***** - 5 stars!
One of my favorite books out of the dozens I have read. Well written, fascinating, and truly helpful. This book was recommended to me by several new parents and I'm looking forward to employing it's tips and methods with our son. The majority of the book discusses the "fourth trimester" theory and offers practical suggestions for helping your baby transition from life inside the womb - where every need baby had was met instantaneously, to life outside the womb - where needs require reflexes to work properly and parents to respond. It shares fascinating insight, supported with common sense and reliable research, into the first three months of baby's life outside the womb; and it does so without controversy or bashing alternative methods. I highly recommend this book for all new parents. 5 of 5 stars. [Review by Deb]
"On Becoming Baby Wise: Giving Your Baby the Gift of Nighttime Sleep” by Gary Ezzo & Robert Bucknam
"How Children Raise Parents: The Art of Listening to Your Family" by Dan B. Allender
"On Becoming Baby Wise: Giving Your Baby the Gift of Nighttime Sleep” by Gary Ezzo & Robert Bucknam
[Review to arrive shortly - please check back later]
“Love and Logic Magic for Early Childhood” by Jim Fay & Charles Fay
[Review to arrive shortly - please check back later]
"How Children Raise Parents: The Art of Listening to Your Family" by Dan B. Allender
[Review to arrive shortly - please check back later]
Attachment
"The Attachment Parenting Book: A Commonsense Guide to Understanding and Nurturing Your Baby" by Dr. William Sears
[Review to arrive shortly - please check back later]
“Attachments: Why You Love, Feel, and Act the Way You Do” by Dr.Tim Clinton & Dr. Gary Sibcy
[Review to arrive shortly - please check back later]
Finance
“The World's Easiest Guide to Finances” by Larry Burkett
[Review to arrive shortly - please check back later]
"Miserly Moms" by Jonni McCoy
[Review to arrive shortly - please check back later]
"The Two-Income Trap: Why Middle Class Mothers and Fathers Are Going Broke" by Elizabeth Warren & Amelia Warren Tyagi
**** - 4 stars
**** - 4 stars
This book provides an intriguing analysis of why it is more difficult for my generation to accomplish the same financial goals of prior generations. The authors have compiled a feast of fascinating data about bankruptcy, financial failure, and its relationship to the average American family. They propose solutions, some of which have come to pass since the publication of this book. The part I found interesting was their analysis of two-income households, as opposed to those with one income and one stay-at-home parent. The essential take-away for me was that it makes better financial sense for most families to live on one income, thereby saving substantial money in childcare and go-to-work expenses by keeping one spouse home, and to have that second spouse available as a back-up earner in the case of inevitable financial emergencies. A sometimes slow read with fascinating nuggets. 4 of 5 stars. [Review by Deb]
"Miserly Moms" by Jonni McCoy
**** - 4 stars
This book begins with excellent encouragement for women who are considering becoming stay-at-home moms. It continues with fascinating financial analysis of the costs of working (eating out, commuting, clothes, childcare, etc.), and the savings provided by having one parent stay at home. It then goes on to review hundreds of ways families can save even more money by trimming their spending and making the most of what they already have. The practical tips and references to other idea sources are excellent. Even though my copy of this book is ten years old, the detailed financial analysis of costs and spending still seem quite accurate and relevant. Some of the tips have already worked in our household, others seem a little "extreme" to me, and most are simple/practical/easy-to-embrace. A great resource for a woman who already stays at home, or the woman who daydreams about staying at home but has difficulty believing it is a realistic option for her family. 4 of 5 stars. [Review by Deb]
Miscellaneous
"The Duggars: 20 and Counting!: Raising One of America's Largest Families - How They Do It" by Michelle & Jim Bob Duggar
***** - 5 stars!
***** - 5 stars!
What an inspirational view into the lives of one of America's most admired families! The Duggars share their history, how it shaped them, and their best parenting and finance practices. This book provides a peek into the humanity and reality behind the seemingly utopian television family. This book has become a reference tool in my household for spiritual inspiration and practical ideas for finances and organization. I don't doubt that I will refer to it often when I need parenting advice. I recommend this book for anyone who has enjoyed watching the Duggar Family on television. 5 of 5 stars. [Review by Deb]
"25,000 + Baby Names" by Bruce Lansky
*** - 3 stars
This book has a first page titled "Ten Factors to Consider When Naming Your Baby" which offers some helpful bullet points to ponder, although little to no discussion of the ten factors; this page is followed by several hundred pages of baby names, their origins, and a brief meaning of the name. If soon-to-be parents want to expand their list of potential names, this book is full of ideas. However, if they are already feeling overwhelmed by choices, they should run far far away from this book and others like it. The book is very inexpensive and can be a fun tool in the daydream process, but it can also be an overwhelming encumbrance. 3 of 5 stars. [Review by Deb]
*** - 3 stars
This book has a first page titled "Ten Factors to Consider When Naming Your Baby" which offers some helpful bullet points to ponder, although little to no discussion of the ten factors; this page is followed by several hundred pages of baby names, their origins, and a brief meaning of the name. If soon-to-be parents want to expand their list of potential names, this book is full of ideas. However, if they are already feeling overwhelmed by choices, they should run far far away from this book and others like it. The book is very inexpensive and can be a fun tool in the daydream process, but it can also be an overwhelming encumbrance. 3 of 5 stars. [Review by Deb]
"Baby Sign Language Basics” by Monta Z. Briant
“Home Learning Year by Year: How to Design a Homeschool Curriculum from Preschool through High School” by Rebecca Rupp
[Review to arrive shortly - please check back later]
