On any given night in living rooms across America, moms everywhere gather for a fun girls’ night in to eat, drink and purchase the latest products—from Tupperware to Mary Kay to the Pampered Chef. Beneath the party atmosphere lies a billion-dollar industry, Direct Home Sales (DHS), which is currently changing how women navigate work and family. Many moms find that parties are a great way to earn extra cash—and still have time to pick up their kids from the bus after school.
Drawing from numerous interviews with consultants and observations at company-sponsored events, Paid to Party takes a closer look at how DHS promises to change the way we think and feel about the struggles of balancing work and family. Offering a new approach to a flexible work model, DHS companies tell women they can, in fact, have it all and not feel guilty. In DHS, work time is not measured by the hands of the clock, but by the emotional and financial fulfillment (not to mention fun) it brings.
“Can you help me with my math homework?” If, like most parents, this question fills you with a sense of dread (or even panic), then Old Dogs, New Math: Homework Help for Puzzled Parents ($15.95, amazon.com) is the book for you.
So much for the “good old days” when elementary students simply memorized their times tables and struggled through long division. Today, students are expected not just to find the right answer, but also to choose the best method for doing so—and to explain why it works.
On top of that, students are learning new strategies—even for basic arithmetic—that look foreign to many parents: What are open number lines, decomposing and nets, and how do you multiply on a grid?
If your attempts to help your child are met with “That’s not how the teacher does it,” then it’s time to take the stress out of math homework. Old Dogs, New Math is your guide to:
Number lines, place value and negative numbers
Long multiplication and division
Fractions, percentages and decimals
Shapes, symmetry and angles
Data analysis, probability and chance
Complete with sample questions, examples of children’s errors, and over 25 games and activities, Old Dogs, New Math will not only demystify math, but also help you and your child discover math all around you—and have, well, almost fun doing it!
Does having a new brother or sister make you more than you already are? Spencer is about to find out. He's as strong as a bear, as funny as a monkey, and as wild as a tiger. But one special day, everything changes. Now Spencer is strong, funny, wild, brave, free...and gentle, too.
One Special Day is a heartwarming picture book about an adventurous and imaginative boy becoming a big brother for the very first time. This playful take on a familiar matter is sure to capture the hearts of parents and children alike ($16.99, amazon.com).
For a sweet finish to Valentine's Day, read Tina Cocolina: Queen of the Cupcakes with your own little cupcake.
It's the day of the Cream of the Top Cupcake contest, and Tina Cocolina hasn't found her topping yet! The adorably illustrated book follows Tina Cocolina as she finds her topping in time for the contest. The story shows kids how determination and persistence (and being true to yourself) are the sweetest rewards of all.
The book even comes with recipes for the cupcakes--and toppings!--featured. You'll be inspired to make cupcakes with your own kids after reading Tina Cocolina. We were ($16.99, amazon.com).
Did you know that the month of a baby's birth can predict whether she'll be a morning bird or a night owl, and how late in life she'll be fertile? That if a mother-to-be dreams about her baby's gender, she's usually right? And that a pregnant woman's breasts grow larger is she's expecting a girl? In Do Chocolate Lovers Have Sweeter Babies?: Exploring the Surprising Science of Pregnancy, acclaimed science writer Jena Pincott offers a bright piece of brain candy about the science behind genes, hormones, instincts and other big-picture issues not found in other pregnancy books.
And yes, women who eat chocolate in pregnancy have been found to have less fussy, more adaptable babies later on. To that we say: Bring on the Godiva! ($15, amazon.com)
Fans of the legendary film Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory will simply adore I Want It Now! A memoir written by Julie Dawn Cole (who played spoiled Veruca Salt), the book is scrumdiddlyumptiously filled with trivia regarding the cast, crew and filming of the 1971 movie starring Gene Wilder. Cole also includes letters home to her family and tons of behind-the-scenes memories, photos and facts.
One of the more memorable "mean kids," it might surprise most people that Cole's childhood was more Charlie Bucket than Veruca Salt. Handwritten notes to home illustrate Cole's sadness at being separated from her beloved mom, but also the excitement of filming Willy Wonka. She also details her crush on Peter Ostrum, who played Charlie, and her sometime rivalry with Denise Nickerson (who played Violet Beauregarde), who also vied for Peter's teenage affections.
For being only thirteen when the movie was filmed, Cole's ability to paint a complete portrait of the makings of the film are astounding, and make you feel that you were right there with the five lucky winners of The Golden Ticket.
Told through the eyes of a deserving, sweet young girl, I Want It Now! is almost as magical as the film itself ($21.95, amazon.com).
Celebrity Parents recently featured Julie Dawn Cole on our cover. Click here to see it!
Whether they want to admit it or not, every parent knows that as your kids get older, your cool factor diminishes. Yes, it’s a proven fact. And no where is this more evident than in the book Crazy Things Parents Text. Written by two barely out of their teen years authors, Wayne Miltz and Stephen Miltz, the book is a riot of goofs and gaffs that parents make when trying to be cool (i.e. text their kids). Coming from a house where my mom could barely operate the Call Waiting, I LMAO at this book, and imagine all the ways that I will embarrass my own kids in the future with technology that I won’t be able to understand, either. I can’t wait ($10.99, amazon.com).
It starts out innocent enough. Your pink-loving daughter loves dressing up in pretty gowns, plays with her dolls where the girl doll is swooning over the feats of the boy doll, and watches movies in which the princess in peril is always rescued by the handsome prince.
Have you been rescued by a prince lately?
Yeah, me neither.
And so is the battle cry of Princess Recovery: A How-To Guide to Raising Strong, Empowered Girls Who Can Create Their Own Happily Ever Afters ($21.95, amazon.com). Written by Jennifer L. Hartstein, PsyD, the book shows the dangers of letting little girls buy into the princess syndrome, where they value looks over smarts, and instead learn to build their own self-esteem based on good actions and intelligence. Each chapter highlights a Princess Symptom and a Heroine Value; instead of Entitlement, the Heroine values Hard Work...her own, that is.
Princess Recovery illustrates the point that girls can love all things girly, watch the fairy tales, but recognize them for just that--a fairy tale. So that one day, instead of a prince on a white stead showing up, it will be the princess herself showing up to become the self-confident Heroine she was always destined to be.
Dr. Jennifer Ashton, ob-gyn and TV personality, wants women in their 30s, 40s and beyond to feel, look and be better than when they were younger and start thinking about Your Body Beautiful: Clockstopping Secrets to Staying Healthy, Strong and Sexy in Your 30s, 40s and Beyond.
Dr. Ashton sets out a 5-part plan for women to live happier and healthier lives—but it takes commitment. The book provides a candid, confidential glimpse into the lives of women in their 30s and 40s. It offers these women specific strategies based on the latest medical research to help them make wise choices about their bodies. Driven by colorful anecdotes from Dr. Ashton’s practice, the book reminds us all that by looking at midlife with a fresh, new mindset, we can look, feel and be healthier—and better than ever.
Perez Hilton has crossed into the world of children's books with his fab first book, The Boy With Pink Hair. It's the story of a boy born with a shock of uber fab pink hair, and how he grows to accept and love himself for who he truly is. Celebrating individuality and self-acceptance, the book was inspired by Hilton's desire to promote equality in readers of ALL ages.
Says Hilton: "While I can identify in many ways with The Boy With Pink Hair, he represents so much more. This story is about every kid who's ever had a dream, felt excluded, wanted to belong, and hoped that one day he could do what he loved and make a difference. With this book, that's exactly what I feel I have the opportunity to do."
We love the fact that Hilton chose a children's book as his first foray into books. The message is sweet, and will encourage all kids to respect each other--and themselves. Now that's the point of children's literature ($17.99, amazon.com).
