Dandelion on My Pillow, Butcher Knife Beneath (Coping With Personal Problems) [Paperback]

Beth Thomas (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 2002 | Series: Coping With Personal Problems

This shocking and thought provoking account is the true story of emotionally lost children and how some found their way back. Like a diamond in the rough, all of the kids who killed were tough and protected on the outside while hiding a glimmer of promise inside. For many of these children, the Thomas’s were their last hope. With the guidance of this courageous family, their stories of survival and victory break the unwritten code of silence about children without a conscience. Through therapeutic intervention comes the spellbinding metamorphosis of nine children. Although it stems from the deepest of human suffering, each shining triumph will leave you uplifted and celebrating life.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"I have been touched and educated from the stories of the persons within these pages." -- Denise M. Arehart, Ph.D. Developmental Psychologist, University of Colorado at Denver

About the Author

Nancy Thomas is respected internationally as a speaker and author. Living in Colorado with her family, she has touched the lives of thousands of children through her powerful techniques. Terena Thomas, a gifted writer, uses her talent to share the stories of woe and wonder of her valiant family. She founded Hooves for the Heart therapeutic horseback riding program and is a top trouble shooter for Family Connections. Beth Thomas, once labeled the “Child of Rage” by HBO, is now a university student studying to be a pediatric nurse. She is not longer a child of rage but a phenomenal woman. Her story is all here.

Product Details

• Paperback: 239 pages
• Publisher: Families By Design Inc (October 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0970352522
• ISBN-13: 978-0970352521
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #342,463 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Terena Thomas, a gifted writer, uses her talent to share the stories of woe and wonder of her valiant family. She founded Hooves for the Heart therapeutic horseback riding program and is a top trouble shooter for Family Connections.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Rivoting, March 15, 2006

By 

Mrs. Je Rayment (Wales, U.K.) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Dandelion on My Pillow, Butcher Knife Beneath (Coping With Personal Problems) (Paperback)

It is an eye opener to the reality of living with deeply abused and disturbed children. The encouragement it gives to all of us who struggle with difficult behaviour in children is immeasurable, giving hope where there is none. Nancy and her family write so openly and honestly about their experiences sharing their triumphs over attachment disorder.I would highly recommend any who is involved with abused children to read this real life account.

17 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Ho-hum writing, BUT tremendously helpful, September 11, 2005

By 

GroovyGirl177 (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Dandelion on My Pillow, Butcher Knife Beneath (Coping With Personal Problems) (Paperback)

My husband & I are parenting children like the ones Nancy talks about in her book, & her story was an inspiration to us...an inspiration of endurance! Some days, it is hard to comprehend living with such children for yet another day, but Nancy empowers us parents of RADs to persevere & persevere with hope, joy, & love. Her methods have been extraordinarily beneficial to our children, & I think I would have collapsed by now without knowing that someone else out there does indeed understand.

Nancy's books are vital, as some states (like mine) have ZERO resources for RAD. We needed to be validated. We needed to know we're not alone, & if her books serve no other purpose, they serve those.

True, like others have said, some of the language is hard to read through. It can be far to "flowery" at times & sounds like a high school writing student who's been urged repeatedly to use "descriptive imagery." Well, in a book about RAD, most readers don't care what the mountains or leaves looked like, but considering the weight of most of the content, the unbearable descriptions can be forgiven (or skipped over).

Bravo! Bravo! EVERY RAD parent should read this book (as well as Nancy's other books)!

15 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent, January 15, 2006

By 

SAMMY - See all my reviews

This review is from: Dandelion on My Pillow, Butcher Knife Beneath (Coping With Personal Problems) (Paperback)

Unfortunately, those that give this book a negative review are sadly mistaken regarding what is involved in RAD therapy. TRUE holding therapy is NOT holding a struggling child down while he or she screams in rage. Holding therapy is very gentle, where a child is held lovingly like an infant is. Mother and child make eye contact and mother sings or tells child stories. I have seen holding therapy and when a child is healing, it is a beautiful, powerful thing to all involved. Further more, although Nancy Thomas' techniques for parenting and therapy are non-traditional it is done with the child's safety as priority. Until you live it or work with it, you will never understand it. Do more research. Nancy Thomas may not be a scholar writer but she knows what she is talking about!