Customer Reviews

Love, Magic, and Mudpies: Raising Your Kids to Feel Loved, Be Kind, and Make a Difference

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Known for his bestseller, LOVE, MEDICINE & MIRACLES, Bernie Siegel, M.D. presents readers with his latest prescription for family health. In LOVE, MAGIC & MUDPIES, Siegel offers advice for parents and grandparents. Equal parts sage, comedic, and loving, Siegel's words of wisdom address everything from daily living to family time to hefty issues that can intimidate everyone.

Rather than lecture, Siegel makes each point within two to three pages and follows up with suggestions to add magic to the home. He keeps it simple and on topic, which makes it a comfortable read.

This touching book would make a great gift to parents and grandparents. As with any parenting guide, take it and use what works for you. Some families will find Siegel's view rather laid back, even "fluffy," but don't let that put you off. No matter who you are, there will be something to find and treasure within these pages. If nothing else, the writing will make you feel warm, even as you laugh with delight.

Reviewed by Christina Wantz Fixemer
on 01/21/2007

4.5-BOOKS on WUAT = 5-Stars on Amazon

Love, Magic and Mudpies by Dr. Bernie Seigel is a reminder for parents to slow down and enjoy our kids while they are still young. Dr. Seigel offers advice for connecting with children and allowing them to grow into healthy, independent adults. The entire book is divided into two to three page anecdotes of wisdom, much of it coming from Seigel's own experiences as a father and pediatric surgeon. Each section opens with an inspirational quote from a notable icon and closes with an activity to foster bonds between parents and children. Because of the structure, the book progresses quickly, so some readers might consider exploring one section at a time as a daybook and taking the time to focus their full attention on that specific day's concept before moving on, as each merits consideration.

Seigel candidly relates his own struggles and stumbling blocks as a parent and how they have affected his own view of life. His plight to maintain an easygoing parenting style is courageous and at times amusing. One can only imagine what his neighbors think of the "garbage art" adorning his lawn and the zoo of animals he and his family have maintained. I took Seigel's advice to heart and have gained a new appreciation for my children and a much-needed reminder of what really matters in life. Parenting is one of the most difficult jobs we will ever do, but it can also be the most rewarding, and sometimes we lose sight of the rewards amidst the struggle. Love, Magic and Mudpies is an encouraging reality check that could benefit any parent at any stage in life and illustrates the powerful effects that adults can impart on impressionable children.

Subtitled: Raising Your Kids to Feel Loved, Be Kind, and Make a Difference

Siegel offers a simple, easy-to-read book for parents on raising children to feel loved. Divided into eight parts, we're shown how to create family values, show love, be comedians, get creative, use the three Rs, work through rocky roads, encourage a child's soul, and care for ourselves as well. Each section is then divided into topics--short, two-paged devotional-type messages, starting with a famous quote and ending with a gray box entitled "How to Make the Magic," which offers tips on how to incorporate that topic into your life.

This book could easily be a daily reading for a parent, with over 100 topics to work through over the course of a few months.

I really enjoyed working through this book and trying some of the tips and tricks within my own family. I especially like this particular line in the book: "The key ingredient...is love. You cannot consume too much love nor become deficient by giving too much away. ...If love makes the bricks out of which you build your life, laughter and humor are the mortar."

Everything in our parenting boils down to love...our discipline, our laughter, and our friendships with our children. How we treat them is how we show our love to and for them. By following the vast array of advice from this book, any parent...any family...would benefit greatly.

Armchair Interviews says: It's a nice little handbook for great parenting!

Another great book from Dr. Bernie Siegel. A wonderful reminder to enjoy our children while they are young and keep a sense of humor and an open heart. Two thumbs up!

Vingettes of ideas and experiences on making magic with your children, no matter their age. Helpful resouse to bring you closer with your children for memory-making.

Love, Magic & Mudpies: Raising Your Kids to Feel Loved, Be Kind, and Make a Difference comes from a father of five and pediatric surgeon who has long observed how parents raise kids -and how kids learn self-esteem and choices from loving parents. Any adult who would make a different in a child's life needs this: it shares the author's insights gleaned from his personal life and medical practice, and tells how to 'make the magic moment' a child will remember and learn from.

Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch

Lots of little nuggets to take into your parenting repertoire. Also - lots of useful quotations to help along the journey. Appreciate those children while they're children. This isn't a discipline guide or anything like that - it's like getting advice about life with children from someone who's been through it. Heart warming too.

Bernie is going to appear for a second time on my show Classroom Connections to discuss his wonderful book Love, Magic and Mudpies. This book is a must read for all parents, grandparents, caregivers, and teachers.

With all the attention given to test scores, parents and teachers need to pause and remember that raising a loving and happy child to be a person of strong moral fiber, is a priority for parents and teachers.

Watch Bernie's first appearance on Classroom Connections by going to YouTube and do a search for Classroom Connection or me, Jan Doyle.