This is a terrific book to help prepare children for their baby brothers or sisters. I have a 4 year old son and another child on the way and my son has enjoyed reading A New Baby at Koko Bear's House with me. It has elicited questions on my son's part and allowed us to discuss issues further. It covers several different topics including mom and dad going to the hospital and the fact that the baby isn't an instant playmate. In addition, the illustrations are very appealing to young children. As an extra bonus for the parents, the author includes many helpful hints (on the bottom of each page) to help make your older child's transition easier.

I originally bought this book because *I* am the CANDY monster in my family. My kids are nearly as bad. The book is great for for the whole family, with practical, easy-to-make and delicious recipes. I've been a big Lansky fan ever since I became a parent and started getting her books from the library. This one is probably the best one I've read to date, with concise, humorous, and informative passages and tried and true food ideas. Highly recommended!

My son just turned 9 and I have been using this book for ideas for most of those years. Every birthday I pull it out and I always seem to find a few new ideas in there that I didn't notice the previous year! It includes party activity ideas such as a no-cook play dough recipe, instructions for making pop-up puppets and "moon rocks", and fun ideas like cooking cupcakes in ice cream cones, and playing "spin the bottle" to choose which present to open next (eliminates favoritism in present-opening). The author also includes tips on the child psychology of birthdays (plan something after the party to prevent a big let down), as well as addresses and phone numbers of further party sources. Now my child is getting a little old for some of the tips (the cover states it is for ages 1-8) but some of the ideas work for all ages, so I will hold onto the book for the next birthday.

Of all the "Birthday" books I borrowed from the Library I found this one the best if you are planning a toddler birthday! I will definately be purchasing my own copy.

I found Lansky's book to be a common-sense guideline for what young children might find enjoyable. It also, aptly, advises keeping parties for younger kids short and simple. I appreciated her inclusion of cake recipes for special dietary needs. The book is very helpful for young, busy parents who need to organize and stay focused to pull off an extra special event.

This confuses me. Most of these poems are poems we know of (anonymous) but the author has just changed a few words or a line or two. This seems very strange to me. The illustrations are watered-down, too. Other bedtime books would be a better bet to read at night.

You will want to pick up this book again and again to enjoy the delightful extensive illustrations that celebrate families. The familiar songs and poems with fun new words will make bedtime an even more special time.

This bedtime read offers mom and dad a rich source of beauty and verse. Your imagination as well as your child's will be enriched by the detailed, softly lit illustrations. The text is short and simple and the artwork takes you into a very warm space where all is loving, safe and cozy. Definitely an evening time snuggle experience.

When I started reading this book, I intended to give it the benefit of the doubt, but when I got to the part where it said to put a few drops of whiskey in my baby's water bottle, I said, "FORGET IT!" I put the book down. I will never feed alcohol to my baby, nor should anyone. This book has some really erroneous thoughts to it. I realize the book is older, also, but it was scary to read that you should put your baby on his/her tummy to sleep. This book was full of bad information.

Babies and children cry for a reason, and is their first formof communication. Ignoring their cries teaches them that they aren'timportant and no one is going to care for their needs. Many desperate parents grab books like this, follow it, and have their hearts broken- in order to sleep. Babies arent' programmed to sleep through the night, something that Dr Ferber, a detached segment of our society and many non creative authors seem to have forgotten. Read "Nighttime Parenting" by William and Martha Sears, and their book on SIDS for a good understanding of sleep in babies and children.