I haven't really sorted out any kind of formal rating for books yet, however, stars 
indicate books and videos I feel are especially good.
If there's a book (or video) (or library!) you think should be listed here, or if you want to dispute my judgment on a book (good or bad), why not leave a message in my guestbook, or email me at kwoodbridge@uniserve.com.
Books (and Authors) That I Like
(in alphabetical order by author)
| Authors |
Book Titles |
My Comments |
| Joani Blank & Marcia Quackenbush |
The playbook for kids about sex |
If I had had this book when I was 9 instead of a public health pamphlet explaining how chickens procreated, my life would have been a lot different. |
| Anne Briggs |
Circumcision
What Every Parent Should Know
|
A very readable book about the realities of what circumcision is and does. A must-read for parents considering circumcising a son. |
 Ingrid Bauer |
Diaper Free!
The Gentle Wisdom of Natural Infant Hygiene |
Getting caught up in the cloth/disposables debate? Check out the completely different third option of Elimination Communication (EC) in which infants can be essentially diaper free from birth. This is NOT early toilet training, but rather parent's recognition of infant's elimination cues. Check out the website as well. |
Nancy Wainer Cohen |
Silent Knife: Cesarian Prevention & Vaginal Birth After Cesarian
|
You've never had a cesarian you say? Do you want that to continue? Read this book! |
Open Season: A Survival Guide for Natural Childbirth and VBAC in the 90s
|
Likewise this book!
Visit her website for more information on her and her services. |
| Ann Douglas |
The Mother of All Pregnancy Books
 |
It's Canadian!
This is an okay book, but it didn't make my short lists. It's got a fair bit of information on fertility and conceiving that you won't find in most pregnancy books, and the Canadian info and perspective is nice to have. |
Henci Goer |
Obstetric Myths vs. Research Realities |
A great book for getting the actual facts about obstetric research (your doctor may not know this stuff either). Check out her website!
|
The Thinking Woman's Guide to Birth |
Excellent book! Good information and actual references for helping to disprove a lot of the common modern myths regarding childbirth. |
Deborah Jackson |
Three in a Bed
The benefits of sleeping with your baby
|
I just finished reading this book and I loved it! Almost more of an anthropological study of human sleeping behaviour than an ordinary parenting book... but very readable. Many thoughts on the whys and wherefores of cosleeping and our attitudes for and against. It has a great chapter near the end with short answers to all the common questions about cosleeping, which could be a great reference in case of nosy relatives, neighbours and complete strangers on the street. |
| Marshall Klaus & Phyllis Klaus |
Your Amazing Newborn
|
Great book and pictures about interacting with newborn babies and understanding their cues. Also check out the companion video. (aside - July 28, 2003) I actually met Phyllis and Marshall Klaus at the recent Doula Education Day at Douglas College. I really enjoyed speaking to them. It's obvious that they care about what they do. It's also obvious that Marshall is not as young as he once was. Which is kind of sad. |
La Leche League |
The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding
|
A very good book for moms. Lots of great advice to do with common problems and questions. Very readable. |
The Breastfeeding Answer Book
|
A good reference for support persons. A bit expensive for parents though, get "The Womanly Art" instead. |
Robert Mendelsohn |
How to Raise a Healthy Child in Spite of Your Doctor
|
A great book written by a pediatrician. Gave me a much clearer understanding of illness and how our bodies naturally combat it. |
Confessions of a Medical Heretic
|
His first book, and highly recommended. As you might guess, I'm a bit of a rebel (only a bit?) and so his feelings on not letting the medical establishment rule the roost really resonate for me. |
Male Practice: How Doctors Manipulate Women |
Actually, I haven't read this one, as I can't find it at the local library. But I have heard good things about it, and his other books are great. |
Anne Semans & Cathy Winks |
The Mother's Guide to Sex: Enjoying your sexuality through all the stages of motherhood
|
I'm not pregnant or a mother and I got a lot out of this book! A sensitive topic treated very well. |
Penny Simkin |
The Birth Partner |
I was actually a little bit disappointed with some aspects of this book, but it's still one of the better book for dads and doulas. |
Penny Simkin, Janet Whalley & Ann Keppler |
Pregnancy, Childbirth and the Newborn |
The book I hope replaces "What to Expect" as THE book for expecting parents. Lots of helpful labour coping suggestions. |
not sure, sorry! |
A Good Birth, A Safe Birth |
Doctors, and even midwives, may sometimes be prone to using the "you want what's best for your baby" guilt trip to make you conform. This book is good for helping to balance that. |
Short List of Books for Expecting Moms
(in order of recommendation)
| Authors |
Book Titles |
My Comments |
Henci Goer |
The Thinking Woman's Guide to Birth |
Excellent book! Good information and actual references for helping to disprove a lot of the common modern myths regarding childbirth. |
Penny Simkin, Janet Whalley & Ann Keppler |
Pregnancy, Childbirth and the Newborn |
Lots of Labour Comfort Measures, very readable explanations of what's going on in labour and birth. |
Anne Semans & Cathy Winks |
The Mother's Guide to Sex: Enjoying your sexuality through all the stages of motherhood |
A very down-to-earth book about a sensitive topic. |
La Leche League |
The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding |
A good all-round book that should answer a lot of your basic breastfeeding qustions. |
