Consejos para padres
Barbara M. Bibel, Oakland P.L., CA -- Críticas, 6/1/2007
Young Hispanic families in the United States today are often far from abuelos who can share their wisdom and offer support. Thus, parents often turn to books for advice and information to help them address the challenges that arise when raising children. Covering a variety of topics, the following titles will provide invaluable help to Spanish-speaking patrons and are essential for any Spanish-language collection.
General Parenting Information
Actis, Beatriz. Cómo promover la lectura. (How To Encourage Reading) Argentina: Longseller. 2006. 127p. ISBN 987-550-640-0. pap. $7.95. PARENT
Actis, a professor of children’s literature and education, here emphasizes the importance of reading and literature. The author suggests that parents should introduce books to children at an early age and provide appropriate reading material in a variety of genres while partnering with schools and libraries to encourage literacy. Though the book contains a fair amount of education jargon, the tips and additional information will be of great value for parents. A unique work stressing that reading is fundamental for education.
Arango, María Teresa & María Elena López. El hijo único. Consejos para la crianza de un solo hijo. (The Only Child: Advice for Raising an Only Child) Colombia: Norma. 2006. 168p. ISBN 958-04-7059-6. pap. $10. PARENT
Two child psychologists provide parents with support for the decision to have only one child as well as tips for raising and socializing him or her. The authors debunk myths and clichés about only children, pointing out that they are not necessarily spoiled, self-centered, or shy and that parents of only children are not always over-protective. The book’s main points are neatly summarized in boxes throughout. One drawback: the bibliography lists only English-language resources.
Hogg, Tracy & Melinda Blau. El secreto de tener bebés tranquilos y felices. (The Secret for Raising Calm, Happy Babies) tr. by Librada Piñero. Spain: RBA. 2006. 366p. ISBN 84-7871-729-3. pap. $10.99. PARENT
Hogg, a British-trained nurse and lactation consultant, joins with journalist Blau to tell parents how to analyze their child’s personality so that they can interact most effectively. They offer techniques for understanding and communicating with babies, changing parents’ and infants’ bad habits in three days, and putting babies on schedules (for eating, sleeping, and playing). An invaluable resource for first-time parents.
Huete, Anna. En vez de ver la tele… (Instead of Watching TV…) México/U.S.: Oceano. 2005. 124p. ISBN 84-7556-386-4. $16.75. PARENT
Most experts agree that children spend too much time watching television. Huete suggests that parents can set a good example by limiting their own viewing and making sure that their children watch only carefully selected programs. She provides simple crafts, active games, and easy recipes as activities that parents and children could employ as a substitute for television.
Porti, Mariana C. Obesidad Infantil. (Childhood Obesity). Argentina: Imaginador. 2006. 125p. ISBN 950-768-563-4. pap. $11.95. PARENT
Childhood obesity is reaching epidemic proportions in the United States and around the world. Parents can prevent it by implementing proper diet and exercise. This book provides information on obesity and the health problems associated with it, such as hypertension, diabetes, and high cholesterol, as well as the psychological aspects of obesity. Concrete advice on things like portion control make this book especially useful.
Rodríguez, Nora. Stop Bullying. Las mejores estrategiaspara prevenir y frenar el acoso escolar. (Stop Bullying: The Best Strategies for Preventing and Stopping Bullying in the School) Spain: RBA. 2006. 212p. ISBN 84-7871-582-7. pap. $21.99.
Sullivan, Keith & et al. Bullying en la enseñanza secundaria. (Bullying in Secondary Schools: What It Looks Like and How To Manage It) Mexico/U.S.: CEAC: Planeta. 2005. 255p. ISBN 84-329-1433-9. pap. $24.95. PARENT
In Stop Bullying, teacher and author Rodríguez offers strategies for the prevention of bullying (e.g., teaching nonviolence, conflict resolution, and respect) appropriate for different age groups. The authors of Bullying discuss adolescent development within the social context of school, describing healthy and unhealthy school environments and offering student-centered responses as a method to combat bullying. Useful resources for parents and teachers, both works reinforce the need to get involved in order to remedy the situation.
Schiller, Virginia & et al. Recompensas para niños por buen comportamiento. (Rewards for Kids for Good Behavior) U.S.: Jorge Pinto Books. 2007. 132p. ISBN 0-9774724-4-2. pap. $23.95. PARENT
Originally published by the American Psychological Association as Rewards for Kids! Ready-To-Use Charts and Activities for Positive Parenting, this book from the Yale Child Study Center shows parents how to use positive parenting techniques to overcome common problems, such as bedtime resistance, failure to do chores, and sibling rivalry. It provides child-friendly charts to use with stickers and other tools to create rewards that help children behave well.
CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS
Cuadros Ferré, Isabel Ordóñez Vera & Martha Ordóñez Vera. La infancia rota. Testimonios y guías para descubrir y tratar el abuso sexual infantil. (Broken Childhood: Testimony and Guidelines for Discovering and Treating Childhood Sexual Abuse) Colombia: Norma. 2006. 177p. bibliog. ISBN 978-958-04-9751-6. $9. PARENT
The authors, a psychiatrist and a journalist, provide case histories to describe the types of child abuse and the symptoms that adults should notice. Although this information is invaluable, the book would have been more helpful for U.S. readers had its resource list of Latin American organizations concerned with child abuse included organizations in the United States that provide services or help for Spanish speakers.
Fisher, Gary & Rhoda Cummings. Cuando tu hijo tiene dificultades de aprendizaje. (When Your Child Has Learning Disabilities: A Survival Guide for Parents) tr. by Florencia Podestá. Pax México, 2004. 136p. ISBN 968-860-686-3. pap. $14.95. PARENT
The authors of this useful book help parents understand learning disabilities. It goes beyond the basics, describing the guilt parents feel when their child receives a diagnosis of learning disability and also what the child feels and endures while trying to deal with school and life. The text is rounded out by good suggestions for what parents can do to help.
Howlin, Patricia & et al. Enseñar a los niños autistas a comprender a los demás. Guía práctica para educadores. (Teaching Children with Autism To Mind-Read: A Practical Guide for Teachers) Mexico/U.S.: CEAC: Planeta. 2006.290p. ISBN 84-329-1514-9. pap. $39.95.
Viloca, Llúcia. El niño autista. Detección, evolución y tratamiento. (The Autistic Child: Detection, Evolution, and Treatment) Mexico/U.S.: CEAC: Planeta. 2003. 143p. bibliog. ISBN 84-329-9530-4. pap. $11.95. PARENT
Autistic children have communication problems because they cannot interpret facial expressions, recognize feelings, or understand how events affect emotions. In the first work, three British psychologists suggest methods parents and teachers could implement to teach autistic children how to understand the feelings and ideas of others. In El niño autista, Viloca—a Spanish pediatrician who specializes in treating autism—provides a detailed explanation of the various conditions that are part of the autism spectrum, the symptoms, and the different therapies used to treat it. A list of treatment centers is included, though they are all in Spain.
Puig, Conxita & Cristina Balés. Estrategias para entender y ayudar a niños con trastorno por déficit de atención con o sin hiperactividad (TDA/H). (Strategies for Understanding and Helping Children with AD/HD) Mexico/U.S.: CEAC: Planeta. 2003. 118p. ISBN 84-329-9496-0. pap. $7.95. PARENT
Though written for teachers, this title has basic information about AD/HD that will be useful for parents as well. The authors explain the signs and symptoms of AD/HD, addressing diagnosis, treatments (including drugs and behavioral and cognitive therapies), and special education. They also stress the need for collaboration among parents, teachers, and specialists.
Barbara Bibel is a reference librarian at the Oakland Public Library. She is certified as a consumer health information specialist by the Medical Library Association.
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