If Your Kid Eats This Book, Everything Will Still Be Okay

by Lara Zibners

I won this book from another blogger, a giveaway at Worducopia. It sat on my shelf unread far too long. I wish now I'd picked it up sooner! Written by an ER pediatrician, the book methodically goes through all the illness, accidents and just plain strange-looking things (on newborns, in particular) that might alarm parents. It tells you what to expect, what to worry about, when to call your pediatrician, when to head for the hospital, and when to just calm down and treat your kid at home. It's very informative, plus written in a friendly, straightforward style that makes it easy to understand. There's a bit of humor thrown in there as well, to lighten up what might otherwise be a stressful read. I don't know if I'd recommend reading straight through the entire thing like I did, as a bit too much knowledge on all the dangers facing your kid can make your head swim! But I learned quite a bit in the process: babies are sometimes born with a few teeth. The idea that you have to keep someone who hit their head awake is a myth. Pet reptiles (especially turtles) often carry salmonella. And much, much more. This is a book I'm definitely keeping around for reference, it's got a thorough index so you can flip quickly to any topic when you need to know something urgently. Also in the back there's a useful little section that tells you what to expect when you do have to visit the emergency room, and what procedures you might face there. I'd recommend this book to anyone with infants or young children. An invaluable resource.

rating: 4/5 ........ 305 pages, 2009

more opinions:
First-Time Mommy.com
Mama Latina