Pink Brain, Blue Brain: How Small Difference Grow into Troublesome Gaps - and What We Can Do About It by Lise Eliot, Ph.D.

Stars: *****

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt (2009)
432 pages
Adult Nonfiction

Summary: From the best-selling author of What's Going On In There?, neuroscientist Lise Eliot shatters the myths about sex differences, arguing that few are truly innate and that the brains of boys and girls are shaped by how they spend their time. - from Thomas Allen & Sons. (Click link for longer description)

This was an AWESOME book. I am always interested in sociology and gender differences fits right in. I've read other books and articles on the subject but this one takes the cake. In fact this one shows why some of the other ones I read weren't scientifically accurate. Any book that makes scientific claims needs to back them up but when I was younger, I just assumed if someone wrote a nonfiction book, they knew what they were talking about. How I of course know better.

Lise explains many different studies to back up what she says and mentions when a study is smaller and therefore can not be taken as "gospel" but with further research, can be proven one way or the other. You can tell she's done her research and she knows what she's talking about.

The most popular argument of course is whether boys and girls really do like different types of toys or whether we condition them that way. Lise seems to settle it once and for all. Boys and Girls DO play differently and are attracted to different toys - in GENERAL. Of course there are exceptions (which explains the boy who LOVES his dolls and the girl who rolls in the mud. However that doesn't mean we shouldn't encourage our boys and girls to play with the toys they tend to shy away from. Children learn different skills from different types of toys. So girls tend to be more communicative because they play with dolls and stuffed animals and play house which requires communication. Boys tend to have better large motor skills because they run around and chase, play cars and blocks. You can read more about this in the article linked below in Links of Interest.

I especially liked that the book talks about gender differences in each stage of life from prenatal to adult although there is more on children as the older you get, the harder it is to see if someone was born with that difference or just learned it throughout their life.  The prenatal section was very interesting to me since I'm pregnant.

There were only two small things that I should mention about the book.

1. It's somewhat technical. It's not a book you can read with lots of distractions but it's interesting enough to read through the technical parts. There would be no way the book could be written less technical though without being less believable as being a book written by a knowledgeable writer.

2. You can't just read some and then go tell everyone what you learned without continuing to read. Many times Lise would explain something a study showed and then just when you think that explains everything, the next section explains what that studies results can't be taken as fact. For example in the prenatal section, baby rats are studied to show how a release of androgen (hormone) affects baby boys. In the next section titled "Boys are Not Rats" it is explained why this doesn't necessarily mean the same thing with human babies.

Overall this was a great book and one I intend to share with some people I know who would appreciate it although I'll be holding on to it myself after that.

Links of Interest: Globe & Mail Article: Why Boys Need Barbies and Girls Need Footballs, Lise Eliot (especially check out the FAQ),

Other Reviews: Pussreboots, 5 Minutes for Mom,

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A Jaunt Through Capstone Publishers

I Love Capstone Publishers. Their books are perfect for classrooms but also great for kids who love nonfiction or fiction that still teach. Their books list interest level and reading level and most of them are perfect for reluctant readers.

From their FAQ:

Capstone is the leading publisher of preK-12 children’s books for libraries and classrooms. Our authors, artists and designers create rich experiences—from nonfiction, fiction and picture books to interactive books, audio books and literacy programs—which ignite kids’ passion for learning. 

I received some books to get a feel for what they offer but I assure you, my praise and excitement is genuine and would still be there if I had bought the books myself.

Growing a Garden by Mari Schuh (Garden Series)
Stars: ****
Summary: The very basics of starting a garden for preschoolers-Grade 1. (The rest of the series covesr all types of gardens, animals in the garden and tools for the garden.)
Review: This is the perfect introduction to gardening, especially for early readers. While the book would appeal to PreK-1, it's listed as the reading level of K-1. It seems a bit more like 1-2. However it's a great introduction. Features real photographs.
Excerpt: "When the soil feels dry, it's time to water the garden. Water in early morning. Then more water soaks in to the soil."

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Birthday Parties and Celebrations by Sarah L. Schuette (Happy Birthday Series)
Stars: ****

Summary: What are birthdays? What are they all about? For PreK-2, covering what happens at birthday parties. (The rest of the series covers birthday cakes, customs around the world and party games.)
Review: A cute introduction to birthday parties. It includes photos of real children at real parties. The children are from different cultures and different ways of celebrating are covered.
Excerpt: "A birthday party means celebrating with friends. Emma and her friends eat pink cake."
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Camouflage Clues: A Photo Riddle Book by Megan Cooley Peterson (Look, Look Again Series)

Stars: *****
Summary: A fun way to learn about camouflage. Full of photo riddles a child would love. (The rest of the series covers mystery animal tracks, what's the shadow and guess what's growing.)
Review: I love this. Even I had hard time finding the animals in some of these photos. The others, although I could see it, I could see most kids not. They will be amazed by how well the animals and insects blend in to their backgrounds. It's learning and fun at the same time. They can take the book and challenge their friends to find the animals too.
Excerpt: "The forest is filled with lots of spots - spots to hide, spots to rest, spots to eat, jump and play. I trot through the trees and tall grasses, munching on leaves, twigs, and acorns all day. Where am I?"
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Hip-Hop Dancing by Kathryn Clay (Dance, Dance, Dance Series)
Stars: ****

Summary: Does your child want to know what Hip Hop dance is all about? Marketed to PreK-2, K think it would be enjoyed by K-3. Find out some basics including some basic moves. (The rest of the series covers Ballet, Jazz and Tap dancing.)
Review: I don't know if too many youngsters are interested in Hip Hop but if they are, this would be a good book. The text is fairly simple  and spaced out nicely for the older readers who are reading it themselves. The book has real photos of real kids dancing Hip Hop. A few moves are shown: toe drag, locking, top rocking, and a drop and kick out.
Excerpt: "Drop down like you're doing a push-up. Then kick your legs wide. This move is called the drop and kick out."
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A Polar Bear's World by Caroline Arnold (Caroline Arnold's Animals Series)
Stars: ****

Summary: What is a Polar Bear's World like? Where do they live? What do they eat? What do they do? How do they raise their young? These questions and more are answered in storybook format. (The rest of the series: Bald Eagle, Kangaroo, Killer Whale, Koala, Moose, Panda, Penguin, Platypus, Walrus, Wombat and Zebra)
Review: This book is a great introduction to polar bears for young children but may be a bit long for the K crowd. The illustrations look like pieces of paper cut to shape and then layered. Other animals pictured have their name near them and there are polar bear facts peppered throughout in addition to the text.
Excerpt: "By late fall, the ocean freezes again. Now the polar bears can go back on the ice. Sharp claws and leathery pads keep their feet from slipping. When the bears come to the edge of the ice, they leap into the water. Splash!"
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Giant Pandas by Lyn A. Sirota (Asian Animals Series)

Stars: ****

Summary: A PreK-2 guide to Giant Pandas. Including: life in Asia, their look, eating and drinking and staying safe. (Rest of series covers Bengal Tigers, Camels, King Cobras, Orangutans and Rhinoceroses.)
Review: It's a great beginner book about pandas. It covers the basics and has full colour, full size photos that I just love. The words are clear and spaced out well for beginning readers.
Excerpt: "Pandas' main meal is bamboo. These big bears also snack on grass, fruit, and small animals."

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Big Mouths by Catherine Ipcizade (Big Series)
Stars: ***

Summary: What animals have big mouths and how do they use them? From big to bigger to biggest. (The rest of the series is Big Boats, Big Bugs, Big Buildings, Big Dinosaurs, Big Pets, Big Predators, Big Roller Coasters and Big Trucks.)
Review: The book was a bit short and simple for me but I donated it to a teacher who runs a math program for kids ages 3-6. One of the topics they cover is the use of words such as big, bigger and biggest which the book contains.
Excerpt: NONE

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That's just a sampling of the nonfiction. There are tons of kids chapter books on all sorts of subjects as well as nonfiction I didn't even cover. They even have some Spanish language books.

I highly recommend Capstone, especially for librarians and educators.

For Couples Only Box Set by Shaunti and Jeff Feldhahn

Stars: ****

I received this for review through Waterbrook Multnomah.

Summary: Since their debut, these revolutionary guides have sold well over a million copies, been translated into fifteen languages, and sparked much fascinating water-cooler conversation around the country. Now together in the For Couples Only boxed set, these books provide the perfect resource to help you understand what you never knew about the woman or man in your life.
Each volume is based on input from more than a thousand members of the opposite sex—including an unprecedented nationwide survey and hundreds of personal interviews. This innovative approach yields candid and surprising answers about everything you don’t “get” about your significant other—even what that person deeply wishes you knew. It also produces simple but groundbreaking awareness of how you can best love and support the one who is most important to you.
So whether you are newly dating or have been married fifty years, get ready to know each other in a whole new way. The adventure is just beginning!

I reviewed For Parents Only by Shaunti Feldhahn and Lisa A. Rice in 2007. When I read then that Shaunti was also the author of For Women Only, I was interested in reading it. So when I was offered a chance to review the For Couples Only set, I was interested!

The set comes in a little box (hence box set,) which contains the two books, For Women Only and For Men Only, both by Shaunti and Jeff Feldhahn. There is also a free couple's conversation starter which is a little paper booklet with 12 ideas for working with the books, from reminders that your significant other(S.O) probably don't know what we think he/she does to ideas for how to read the books, such as reading your own gender first and highlighting what you really want your S.O. to know.

I would have loved my husband to read the For Men Only book and better understand women but alas, he rarely reads and this is something he would never read. However when I read it, I did highlight some parts and I'm going to try to get him to either read those parts or let me explain them. I've casually mentioned a few of them already during serious conversations.

I read For Women Only first, curious about men. I've read books on gender before so I already knew a few of them but I did learn some new things. During a recent serious conversation with my husband I brought up one of the things I'd learned and he was surprised to hear me say that I knew it! Although my husband was surprised, it turns out that men and women are confused about each other because we all assume the only difference between men and women is our parts. This is not true.

Here's what you'll learn about men in For Women Only:

Why Your Respect Means More to Him than Even Your Affection, Why Your Mr. Smooth looks so Impressive but Feels like an Impostor, How his Need to Provide Weights Your Man Down and Why he Likes it That Way, Why Sex unlocks a Man's Emotions, Why it's So Natural for Him to Look (at other women) and So Hard to Forget What He's Seen, Why the Reluctant Clod You Know Really Does Want Romance, Why What's on the Outside Matters to Him on the Inside and What Your Man Most Wishes You Knew About Him. (nope I'm not telling!)

Here's what you'll learn about women in For Men Only:

Why her "I Do" will always mean, "Do You?" and what to do about it, What you should know about the fabulous female brain, How your provider/protector instinct can leave her feeling more unsafe and less cared for, Why her feeling about the problem is the problem, and how to fix your urge to fix, How her desires are impacted by her unique wiring, and why your ego shouldn't be, What the little girl inside your woman is dying to hear from you - and how to guard your answer well and What the women who loves you most, most wants you to know.

What I read in For Men Only didn't surprise me one bit, it's very true of the majority of females. The information in the books was gleamed from surveys and interviews with thousands of women (and For Women Only info was gleamed from thousands of men,) and so the information provided is about the majority of women. The books even explains that not ALL women and men will agree with what is said but the majority will.

If you don't already know, For Parents Only is a Christian nonfiction box set. I'm not Christian but I still found the books useful. There was one chapter in both books that didn't apply to me because of my personal beliefs but otherwise it was fine. I don't want to get into a debate or anything but basically it's the one about your men looking at other women and how they should try to not do it but also can't help it. Personally, I have no problem with my guy looking at and ogling at other women just like I can look at other men. So if you feel the same way as me, you might not need that one chapter as much.

Buy For Couples Only Box Set

Author Bio:
Shaunti and Jeff Feldhahn hold graduate degrees from Harvard University and are popular national speakers, authors, and entrepreneurs. They are also active church members and the parents of two young children, and they enjoy every minute of living life at warp speed.