books for parents Archives

June Book Corner: Books for Adults

Published June 15, 2022

By Hannah-Karen Cogan

Being a parent is an extremely difficult job and it never hurts to have a few ways to make it easier. These books have stories and helpful ways to tackle the difficult job of being a parent.

When Your Hand is in the Lion’s Mouth

By Nina Whitaker

We don’t hear often enough about great black fathers in our stories or media. “When Your Hand is in the Lion’s Mouth” is a non-fiction story and a father-daughter memoir. It goes beyond stereotype, shining a light on a devoted man who lifts and enlightens. This book is about the foundation of love, wisdom and life lessons. Essays are included to help reflect about having better values, ways to be more kind and foundational wisdom. This book is also a great way to learn about Juneteenth Available June 19.

Raising Brains

By Dr. Sarah Allen

CEO and Founder of Brain Behavior Bridge and creator of the “Raising Brains Movement,” Dr. Sarah Allen’s best-selling book, “Raising Brains” focuses on helping parents raise healthy kids and healthy brains. “Raising Brains” is for moms who want to better every aspect of their lives, and understand that they are not just raising kids, but also brains. Dr. Sarah Allen walks parents through the magic questions of how to shape your brain and how to create the perfect parenting plan.

The C.A.S.T.L.E. Method

By Donna Tetreault

Written by a national parenting journalist and award-winning children’s book author, this book teaches positive parenting and emotional health to families worldwide. Parenting can be a hard and challenging task. In “The C.A.S.T.L.E. Method” Donna talks about building a family foundation on compassion, acceptance, trust, love and expectations. Available June 21 for new and established families.

Oldest Los Angeles

By Mimi Slawoff

Native Angeleno and seasoned travel journalist Mimi Slawoff is a former Los Angeles Daily News reporter who writes about Los Angeles travels. In her new book “Oldest Los Angeles” she takes readers on a journey through the past to the oldest buildings, businesses, and neighborhoods in the City of Angels. This book is informative and engaging with insider stories and fun facts. A great exploration for the whole family.

Jalan-Jalan

By Margo Weinstein

Just in time for the reopening of the world, a new book release, “Jalan-Jalan” is a journey of wanderlust and motherhood, that inspires travelers. With COVID-19 travel restrictions lifting and travelers seeking inspiration to explore again, Jalan-Jalan is the perfect book to get people off the couch and onto an airplane. Adventure seekers and armchair travelers will relish reading Weinstein’s exploits as she battles baboons in her Zimbabwe hotel room and surfaces under a capsized raft in Northern Pakistan.

For more book suggestions, check out our June Book Corner for kids and our May Book Corner.

November Book Corner: Family, Friendship and Nature

Published November 24, 2021

By Simone Quary

As the holiday season gets underway, November invites us to express gratitude for things in our lives, such as family, friendship, and nature! Our November Book Corner features warm and exciting reads for little ones and adults with books that promote creativity, acceptance and unity.

When Bella Lost Her Buzz

By Theodora “Teddi” Bear, illustrated by Julianne De La Cruz

Theodora’s, or “Teddi” Bear’s debut children’s book, “When Bella Lost Her Buzz”, follows the charismatic bee, Bella, and her friends Gwendolyn and Cleo. One day, Bella loses her buzz. Bella and her friends decide to venture through various habitats to find her buzz. Along the way, Bella discovers that imperfections don’t make her any less worthy. Instead, Bella learns that her positive attributes are what her friends admire about her. This uplifting book highlights the power of self-love and friendship.

From the Pocket of an Overcoat

Written and illustrated Robert Vincent

Local L.A. author and illustrator Robert Vincent’s new children’s book, “From the Pocket of an Overcoat”, is inspired by the real-life story of a black cat who gets rescued by a homeless woman in Dallas. The story follows a cat named Max Buckles who heads on journey to find his new home and family. From Sally in the city to Farmer Buckles and his dogs in the countryside, Max discovers a sense of belonging along the way. This book touches on themes such as self-identity, acceptance and adoption.

Grandude’s Green Submarine

By Paul McCartney, illustrated by Kathryn Durst

Author of the best-selling children’s book, “Hey Grandude!,” musician Paul McCartney releases the sequel, “Grandude’s Green Submarine.” Grandude and his grandchildren, the Chillers’ decide to build a submarine and head on a surprise-filled adventure to find Nandude, the Chillers’ grandmother. With vivid and colorful illustrations by Kathryn Durst, “Grandude’s Green Submarine” reminds readers the importance of love and family. Ages 4-6.

Home: A Peek-Through Picture Book

Written and illustrated by Britta Teckentrup

Author and illustrator of over twenty children’s books, Britta Teckentrup engages families with her new picture book, “Home.” A family of bears wander through the forest. Along the way, readers are introduced to different places animals call home, including a beaver lodge and a maze of rabbit burrows. When the snow falls, the bears come home to their cave to hibernate. Just in time for the holiday season, “Home” captures the love of science and nature, while cuddled up at home. Ages 3-7.

Cold Turkey

By Corey Rosen Schwartz and Kirsti Call, illustrated by Chad Otis

Want a good laugh? “Cold Turkey” by Coren Rosen Schwartz follows a turkey sharing clothes with some animals during the holiday season. However, the animals have a hard time fitting into the item of clothing the turkey has gifted. With humorous rhyming text and giggle-inducing illustrations, this heartwarming picture book about kindness is the perfect read for the little ones around the holidays, and all-year-round! Ages 4-8.

Have You Seen My Friends? The Adventures of Creativity

By Monica Kang, illustrated by Khadeeja Qureshi

The founder and CEO of InnovatorsBox®, Monica Kang publishes her very first children’s book, “Have You Seen My Friends? The Adventures of Creativity.” The book follows the main character who is looking for their friends Curiosity, Courage and Creativity. As the main character searches for their friends, they describe their characteristics. This children’s book explains to children in a whimsical way why these friends are important to have throughout life. The animated and colorful illustrations by Khadeeja Qureshi only further engage readers and reiterate the importance of creativity to children and adults.

Rethink Creativity: How to Innovate, Inspire, and Thrive at Work

By Monica Kang

Kang’s mission on sparking creativity for all ages continues with an accompanying book for adults, “Rethink Creativity: How to Innovate, Inspire, and Thrive at Work.” Kang’s updated version takes immense world changes into account as she shares personal stories, team-building strategies, and asks questions that challenge readers to think differently. Kang’s approach to creativity and innovation transcends beyond the work force, and can be used in all areas of life.

For more book suggestions, check out the October Book Corner and our Fall Into Reading roundup.

September Book Corner: Motivation, Inspiration and Parenting Tools

Published September 20, 2021

By Evonna Ranade

The September Book Corner introduces books to motivate, challenge and inspire parents. The following books bring a new light to hardships and challenges that come with parenthood. Bond with others over being an older parent, learn mindful practices for an ounce of calm in your everyday life, get insight into a complicated mother-daughter relationship and experience what it’s like to be able to heal your mind, body and soul.

Tick Tock: Essays on Becoming a Parent After 40

Edited by Vicki Breitbart and Nan Bauer-Maglin

Becoming a parent after forty is a growing occurrence, however, it is not treated as normal in our culture. “Tick Tock: Essays on Becoming a Parent After 40” is a collection of essays by more than 30 writers to break down this barrier. It discusses their experiences about being or having older parents and counters the negatives with raw, witty stories. This collection is divided into five parts, sharing truths about why people become older parents, pregnancy, adoption, hardships and creating a community. This book offers support and focuses on the joy of a parent-child relationship, regardless of our ages.

Baby Bomb

By Kara Hoppe MA, MFT and Stan Tatkin PsyD, MFT

A baby changes everything, including your relationship with your partner. How do you make time for each other if you can barely make time for yourself? How do you navigate the overwhelm of new parenthood without losing the romantic connection with your partner? Written by a relationship expert and a psychologist, “Baby Bomb” guides you through these common and natural questions that come up when a new baby arrives. Although you can never fully prepare for this moment, Hoppe and Tatkin offer solid, actionable advice based in neurobiology, while sharing their own personal stories along the way, that can help you survive — maybe thrive! — as a couple with a baby bomb.

Mindfulness Journal for Parents: Prompts and Practices to Stay Calm, Present, and Connected

By Josephine Atluri

It’s no secret that life as a parent has lots of moving parts. Some may even call it a bit chaotic. “Mindfulness Journal for Parents: Prompts and Practices to Stay Calm, Present, and Connected” by Josephine Atluri introduces everyday practices to help bring a little ounce of calm to the storm. This journal offers different exercises and prompts for parents such as reflection writing and practicing open communication. These ideas teach families how to bring mindfulness into their everyday routines and into interactions with their children. It also challenges parents to think in new ways to improve the goals and functioning of the family.

Pretty Girls Don’t Get Cancer

By M. Patricia Diaz

Everything changed for author M. Patricia Diaz during her last year of high school. What was supposed to be full of fun turned into a year of social isolation. Why? She was diagnosed with Stage IV terminal cancer. Her book “Pretty Girls Don’t Get Cancer” takes you back to her life in Venezuela and shares the story about her personal transformation through this experience. Not only did she defy medical odds, but she also found a way to heal her mind, body and spirit. You will get to see how Diaz embraced all her feelings to overcome difficulties and rise to be stronger than before. Part coming of age story, part motivational memoir, this book will inspire and show how restoring physical health is only the first step toward healing.

Driven: A Daughter’s Odyssey

by Julie Heldman

Retired American tennis star, Olympian and recent Tennis Hall of Famer Julie Heldman writes not only about her professional tennis career journey, but also about the difficult relationship she had with her mother, Gladys, in her memoir, “Driven: A Daughter’s Odyssey.” Gladys Heldman founded “World Tennis” magazine in 1953, which took up most of her time and energy, leaving Julie isolated and alone. The book reveals Julie’s struggle with bipolar disorder and the emotional abuse she suffered from her mother while she maintained an immense drive to succeed as a tennis player. You don’t have to be a tennis fan to connect to Julie’s story of navigating life with mental illness and a complicated parent.

For more book suggestions, check out the August Book Corner, which is all about health, history and rhymes.