Library Notes for the week of September 24

Skagit Kids Read Week is September 23-29. Join the kids in reading Crazy Hair Day by Barney Saltzberg. This is a great picture book story about an elementary school boy named Stanley who wraps, dips and sprays his hair for crazy hair day at school.

We have several new books on raising children. Here are a few you might want to check out next time you are in the library.

In Defense of Childhood by Chris Mercogliano. As co-director of the Albany Free School, Chris Mercogliano has had success in helping youngsters find their way in the world. He regrets, however, that most kids' lives are subject to some form of control from dawn until dusk. Lamenting risk-averse parents, overstructured school days, and a lack of playtime and solitude, Mercogliano argues that we are robbing our young people of "that precious, irreplaceable period in their lives that nature has set aside for exploration and innocent discovery," leaving them ill-equipped to face adulthood.

Practical Wisdom for Parents by Nancy Schulman. Starting with the premise that parents today face more pressures than ever, the authors admit that getting a child into preschool can be a hurdle. The atmosphere of competitiveness is one of the most significant changes they've witnessed during their combined 59 years in the field. Discussions of bedtime, meals, discipline, and toilet training combine to make this a practical and comprehensive resource.

A Special Education by Dana Buchman. Fashion designer Buchman was a woman of accomplishments, when her toddler was diagnosed with neurological, spatial, and motor-skill problems. As Charlotte grew older, she manifested dyslexia, had trouble counting and telling stories, and moved awkwardly. In this intense memoir, Buchman details her journey to find the means to help her daughter learn.