David Decides About Thumbsucking: A Story for Children, a Guide for Parents [Paperback]

Susan P H. D. Heitler (Author), Susan M. Heitler (Author)

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 5 and up
  
• Paperback: 64 pages
• Publisher: Reading Matters; 3 edition (May 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0961478020
• ISBN-13: 978-0961478025
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.1 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #45,751 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

44 of 44 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A perfect book for kids/parents who want to end sucking., June 5, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: David Decides About Thumbsucking: A Story for Children, a Guide for Parents (Paperback)

Bright colorful pictures of David and his brother and sister invite kids to join David as he decides if and how to end his thumbsucking habit. Great story. Remarkable impact on my son, who read the story and decided to follow David's example. Also, the best compilation of information for parents on thumb and finger sucking that I've seen. Covers all the research. Explains how sucking habits help young children, but then gradually become detrimental as kids get older.

23 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It worked for my 8-year-old, June 22, 2000

By 

Diane (IL, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: David Decides About Thumbsucking: A Story for Children, a Guide for Parents (Paperback)

Great story- My son and I read this book together before bed one night and because of the book, it was his idea to try to stop. We are into the sixth night now with no thumbs! This book was written from a childs view and talks to the child directly and hits on the subject in a very positive way. I highly recommend this before trying the 'nailpolish', or any other old-fashioned techniques. Very positive!

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Most effective non-appliance technique to end sucking habits, September 26, 2008

By 

Dr. Rob (RI United States) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: David Decides About Thumbsucking: A Story for Children, a Guide for Parents (Paperback)

I have been a clinical orthodontist/dentist since 1988. Influencing a patient with thumb/finger sucking habits (blanket and pacifiers as well) is quite challenging. My job is to try to help the patient stop their habit in a non-invasive manner, when possible. Using this book, along with some personal counseling, over 95% of my patients have stopped their habit within 3 months. I follow these patients for a year, and the cessation is complete. This is a remarkable success rate when compared to the rates listed in the literature. The patient's parents are out no money (they borrow a copy of the book from me), and thousands of dollars in orthodontic treatment due to flared upper front teeth ("buck teeth") can be avoided. Aren't braces needed to bring the upper front teeth back into alignment? Most of the time, no. The backward resting pressure of the upper lip alone tends to bring the incisors back into a good archform. Technical note: If the child has a "Class II" bite, then orthodontic treatment may be needed in the future. Incidentally, the flaring of the front teeth caused by a sucking habit increases the risk of fracture of these teeth during a sporting accident or fall. This is another reason to stop the habit. Do yourself a big favor and buy this book if your child has this type of oral habit.