The Last Parenting Book You'll Ever Read
Your guide to celebrating and loving your kids more than ever in the weeks, months, and years before they begin their adult lives We read the parenting books. We cheer from the sidelines. We grow accustomed to the joys and pains of raising toddlers, kids, tweens, and teens. And then, before we know it, it's our kids' last first day of school, the last time we'll watch them take the field, or the last night they sleep at home before heading off to their next adventures. A season of our lives as moms is ending, and we may be mourning its passing. And yet, while our kids still need us--in some ways, more than ever--this stage can also be an opportunity for personal transformation.Author Meagan Francis understands the mixed feelings that come along with this stage. As a mom of five kids ages teen to young adult, she's been blogging and podcasting about motherhood for more than twenty-five years while going from five kids under her roof to just one. In The Last Parenting Book You'll Ever Read, Francis will take you by the hand and lead you through the final stage of "active" parenting, as your teenagers prepare to step into the world...and you explore what it means to step back into yourself. The Last Parenting Book You'll Ever Read is about coming to terms with the many endings that moms of teenagers experience--but more than that, it's about all the new beginnings on the horizon, and how moms can still hold their families close while letting them go. With compassion for the big feelings that accompany big transitions, Francis helps readers harness some of the mothering energy they've been directing toward their children and redirect it back toward nurturing themselves.
Squirlie and Maude
B.T. Scherer grew up in South Florida, spending much of her childhood outdoors. Many fun creatures were part of her everyday life at the beach-crabs, seagulls, pelicans, jellyfish, and turtles - and in the country-horses, dogs, cats, bunnies, owls, and squirrels. Pursuing her interests, she studied biology and zoology at college. Nature and animals continue to be her passion today. Her stories are about the animals she came to know and love in her childhood. They are also reminiscent of the beloved bedtime stories told to her by her father.Squirlie and Maude: The White Squirrels of Brevard is a charming and wonderfully imaginative tale! I love how B.T. Scherer weaves history and storytelling together to create a narrative that is both entertaining and educational. Swish's invitation to the reader immediately draws you into Grandpa Squirrel's captivating tale, making it feel as though you're sitting under a tree listening to a cherished story passed down through generations.The journey of these adorable white squirrels-from their origins in Thailand to their escape and eventual settlement in North Carolina-is so unique and heartwarming. It's a story that feels magical while still being grounded in historical context, which makes it stand out beautifully.The illustrations add such warmth and personality to the book, perfectly complementing the author's delightful storytelling. I can easily see children and adults alike falling in love with this whimsical tale while learning about an extraordinary piece of history.B.T. Scherer has created a book that celebrates curiosity, adventure, and the importance of preserving local treasures like the white squirrels of Brevard. I hope to see more of her work in the future!
Attention Seeker
From neurodivergent comedian Darcy Michael, a hilarious memoir with a message about living with adult ADHD What if ADHD isn't a disorder to overcome, but a superpower that makes you funnier, more creative, and more resilient? In Attention Seeker, comedian and card-carrying adult with ADHD Darcy Michael offers a fresh perspective on getting through the daily struggles that confront those on the neurofabulous end of the spectrum. Darcy takes readers on a humorous-yet-heartfelt journey as he relates stories of growing up gay, getting married, and finding a career in comedy, all while navigating life with an attention-addled brain. From his early acting days on Spun Out to finding fame (and love) on the internet, Darcy shares all the dirty details (it's NSFW, folks!) of how ADHD has shaped his identity, his relationships, and his work. Peppered with asides from Darcy's long-suffering husband Jer, advice for ADHDers both silly and serious, and words of wisdom from Yuma Dog herself, this laugh-out-loud guide is essential reading for anyone unpacking what ADHD means for them--or anyone who just wants to giggle.
Please Yell at My Kids
Acclaimed journalist Marina Lopes travels the world to learn how diverse cultures embrace communal parenting, bringing home practical strategies for American parents on how to stop doing it all, reimagine their communities, and build their own village. Parenting in America is notoriously challenging: no federally supported parental leave, a lack of mental health support, a crushing combination of workplace pressure and aspirational parental perfection, and the fresh hell that is the playgroup Facebook page. But what if there was a better way? The simple fact is that parenting looks wildly different across nations. In Please Yell at My Kids, journalist Marina Lopes travels the globe, learning from parents in Singapore, Brazil, Mozambique, Malaysia, Sweden, China, and more to provide practical, actionable ways to reimagine parenting in America. At the heart of many global approaches to parenting lies one simple and not-so-simple element: community. In America, parenting is, at best, a dual mission. But globally, parenthood is more often a team sport played in the center of a community that helps, supports, and occasionally drives you up the wall. What can we learn from Brazilian birth parties, Singaporean grandparents, and Danish babies sleeping soundly outside of coffee shops? And how can that be integrated into the lives of American readers, even if we can't hop on a plane and wing our way to the land of paid parental leave? From guiding readers on how to define their own non-negotiable values to navigating tricky conversations with their in-laws, Please Yell at My Kids empowers parents to create a supportive community of care, rediscover the joy in parenting, and raise resilient, independent children--without having to go it alone.
