From Publishers Weekly
In 1990 science writer McDermott (The Killing Winds: The Menace of Biological Warfare) gave birth to her second child. Although a prenatal amniocentesis had indicated she was carrying another healthy boy (her eldest, Jeremy, was then three), Nathaniel was born with a craniofacial abnormality and webbed fingers and toes (Apert Syndrome). Based on a journal she kept during her baby's first year, this book artfully combines fact and feeling to illuminate how McDermott and her husband, Ted, dealt with the drastically altered circumstances of their lives, and how they struggled to keep Nathaniel and themselves healthy. McDermott describes the crippling anxiety that engulfed her and Ted as Nathaniel underwent four operations in his first year of life--operations intended to make room for his growing brain, to protect his eyes and to improve his impaired respiration. She also explores the effect caring for her son had on her marriage: when the stress of Nathaniel's condition began to take over every aspect of their lives, McDermott and her husband decided they had to carve out time to be alone together. Without that down time, she writes, their relationship might not have survived. She also writes about her agonized response to strangers who stared at or commented on Nathaniel's appearance ("That baby looks like a space alien," she overheard one person say). Nathaniel is now a happy third-grader, comfortable with himself and others, but his struggle isn't over; his condition will probably require more operations. Still, McDermott notes, "the syndrome ceased to be the center of our lives [and] Nathaniel's." This insightful and expressive account will serve as an important resource for families struggling with Apert Syndrome. Agent, Michele Rubin, Writers House. (Sept.)
Copyright 2000 Cahners Business Information, Inc.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
From Library Journal
With Babyface, Woodbine House hopes not only to reach its established audience"parents of children with special needs"but also an educated general readership. This is the story of Nathaniel, a child born with the rare Apert Syndrome, a craniofascial disorder. McDermott, a science journalist and Nathaniel!s mother, does a wonderful job of describing the turbulent time following the birth of a child with special needs, and the drama in her writing would certainly appeal to a crossover readership. However, McDermott!s scholarly language and difficult analogies might be too much for the already overwhelmed new parents of a special-needs baby, who are often dealing with chaotic emotions and a barrage of information, By sharing her personal experience, McDermott offers helpful information to families of Apert children, but her text is not as comprehensive nor as easy to understand as Hope Charkins!s straightforward and practical Children with Facial Difference (LJ 6/15/96). Refer parents still in the early stages of adjusting to their child!s diagonsis to Charkins!s book; McDermott is more suitable for those who just need a reminder that they are not alone. For larger collections in academic, medical, and public libraries."KellyJo Houtz Griffin, Eatonville, WA
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
