The Black Parenting Book: Caring for Our Children in the First Five Years (Paperback)

~ Allison Abner (Author), Linda Villarosa (Author), (Author) "This chapter starts where your baby's life begins-in the delivery room or birthing center..." (more)
Key Phrases: other gay parents, nasal droplets, lour child, Recommended Reading, African Americans, Call Your Health Care Provider (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Practical information, advice, and sensible answers to sensitive issues characterize The Black Parenting Book, a comprehensive guide to baby and child care for black children during their first five years. Written by Anne C. Beal (a pediatrician at Harvard Medical School), Linda Villarosa (an editor for the New York Times), and Allison Abner (an acclaimed journalist), The Black Parenting Book combines medical know-how and expert parenting advice with perspectives unique to African American parenting. Black kids are more at-risk than white kids in matters such as obesity (more than 25 percent of black children are obese), asthma, death from falls, inadvertent poisoning, and loss of self-esteem, and The Black Parenting Book deals with these issues as well as covering the basics of baby and child care (feeding, sleeping, skin, hair, bathing, toilet training). The authors raise and answer questions such as "How can I find a pediatrician who shares my values?" "Are all-black preschools best?" and "Should I straighten my child's hair?" The authors help parents prepare their children for the pain of racism, handle racist incidents, select a preschool, give support to their children during stressful times (divorce, death, moving), deal with discipline without spanking, and support spirituality and family traditions. The book handles these issues--and far more--with sensibility and sensitivity. --Ericka Lutz

Product Description

The parents of America's 3.6 million black children under age six face unique challenges and, until now, there has not been one complete resource for them. Combining pediatric expertise, cultural wisdom, insight from leading experts, and the newest research, The Black Parenting Book finally fills this void. With stories from parents across the country and authoritative advice for all aspects of a child's early life--including sleep, nutrition, discipline, play, medical treatments, hair and body care, spirituality, and education--this is the most comprehensive book of its kind.

The Black Parenting Book also explores topics such as talking about race, finding children's books featuring African-American main characters, and deciding whether to send children to all-black preschools. Tackling issues neglected in most parenting books, this is a much-needed guide to the crucial first five years.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 432 pages
• Publisher: Broadway; 1st edition (December 29, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0767901967
• ISBN-13: 978-0767901963
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 7.6 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #366,361 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Written with our cultural dynamics in mind..., March 29, 1999

By	Lorrie Irby (Dallas, Tx USA) - See all my reviews

I'm the mother of a 2-year-old, and although the other books on the market had info, it didn't address my concerns about explaining racism, different hair textures, and other things that affect Blacks uniquely and color our view of the world. It has a caring, authoritative tone that's never condescending, and touches on most modern issues. Although I wish it had discussed other issues,(i.e.,the "raise-the-daughters-and-spoil-the-sons" phenomenon that occurs in our community all too often), it answered more of my questions that I thought possible from one source. If you are a first-time parent, or if you're feeling "rusty", this book is the answer. If knowledge is power,then this book is the ATOMIC BOMB!!!

15 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent!, February 5, 2000

By	"pbsmom" (Winchester, MA) - See all my reviews

Dr. Anne Beal is my 9 month old son's pediatrician. She is fabulous! She is not only knowledgeable, but very compassionate. I am a white woman. My husband and son are both white. Although, this book is titled "The Black Parenting Book", it is an excellent guide for all parents. I purchased the book mainly because Dr. Beal is our pediatrician, but I find myself using it for reference quite often. I can't stress enough how wonderful Dr. Beal is as a doctor and how well-written and helpful this book is.

10 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars FABULOUS!, January 20, 1999

By	"dst4lyfe" (Peoria, Arizona United States) - See all my reviews

I am gald that someone created a book for black parents with pictures of African-American people nursing and caring for their children. I feel as if this book was designed for me and I don't have to fit the image of someone else. I credit all parenting books, but this shows me that I am okay and there are other African-American mothers going through the same thing that all mothers are facing. Thank You!