NEED2KNOW Book Reviews

Finding out that your baby has Down’s syndrome can be a time filled with worry and confusion. What does Down's syndrome mean for other members of the family? What adjustments will have to be made? What support is available for Down's syndrome?

This guide explains in straightforward language exactly what Down’s syndrome is, how to accept a diagnosis of Down's syndrome and move forward, and what support is available should you need it.

Parents can use the book to find out what educational provisions are available, how to cope with new family dynamics and what can be done in the future to help a child with Down’s syndrome live happily and achieve their potential.

Providing expert information along with sources of support, this book is essential reading for all parents and carers of a child with Down’s syndrome.

Totz2teens Review:  Finding out your baby is going to have or has Down's Syndrome is obviously devastating news.  I found the emotional rollercoaster diagram within the book an excellent explanation of emotions that you go through.  This book gives the facts good and bad and possibilities of the years ahead.  It also talks about the decisions you may decide upon whilst pregnant. 

I actually felt this book would be a fantastic book for grandparents as The Essential Guide is written as an understandable lay persona offering the reader a greater understanding in small sections.  I felt that a grandparent would be able to get all the information they would need and be able to offer support and understanding to the actual parents.  The book is factual and friendly making sure the reader is informed.  The directory then will refer the reader for more information to let them know they are not alone.

Totz2teens Rating:  4/5

We all want our children to do well, enjoy themselves and create the foundations for a successful adult life while they’re at secondary school. The choices and decisions made by teenagers regarding the subjects they study at secondary school are of such importance, it can sometimes be overwhelming, daunting and frustrating as a parent to provide support and help your child to make the best choices.

This book will guide parents through secondary school, from year 7 to 11, including information on secondary school league tables, secondary school cirriculum, Ofsted reports, SATs, GCSEs, homework, secondary school teachers and parents’ evenings. Problems with under-age drinking, smoking, relationships, bullying and friendships are typically part of growing up today, and this book will also contain practical guidance on how to cope with issues such as these so they have a minimal effect on your child’s schoolwork.

With a glossary to explain educational jargon, information on special educational needs plus practical advice about your child’s opportunities and choices post-secondary education, this book will be a great investment to see your child through some of the most important years of their life.

Totz2teens Review:  This is an information book on what to expect for a transition to Secondary school. It covers chosing a school, appeals and the curriculum from GCSE to A Level and then more social aspects such as friendships, motivation and common problems.

The book is well set out with a Summing up element at the end of each subject which breaks down to easy instructions and a check list of things that can help. Written in a user friendly way and even covering how to deal with Tricky Teachers! (could have used this one myself!)

There is also a handy section at the back detailing every website you can think of that would help you deal with the transition of Secondary School.

The only down side to this is that you are pretty much given all this information free when your son/daughter changes to Secondary School. There are aspects that are common sense, but if you found yourself with little or no information then it would definately guide you through.

Priced at £9.99 I feel that it is very overpriced.

Totz2teens rating:  3/5
 

The book is clearly laid out which helps make the reader feel calmer about the obviously anxious time ahead.  After choosing the school the guide then goes on to what to expect from a school day, what your child will be learning and how it is structured.  Explaining the different Key stages and what is the expected levels of achievement.   You are taken through to Year 6 so even if you were perhaps a parent of a year 2 child I think this could be a beneficial read.

I felt a sense of calmness when reading this interesting and easy to reference book.

Totz2teens Rating:  4/5

Readers will learn what the qualities of an effective student are, how to study successfully, the key attributes of note-taking and how essays and  coursework should be structured.  This is accompanied by illustrations and templates for building study plans and revision programmes.  Issues such as confidence, discipline, motivation and health are tackled along the way.

Whether you are a parent or studying for an exam yourself from GCSE's to A Levels or workplace courses, How to pass exams is an essential introductory guide to achieving exam success.

Totz2teens Member Review: Finding exams hard myself and always jealous of other students that were able to read a book, digest it and spout out some fabulous essay did make me think this book could have been written for solely me.  Having read this book I can see it is going to be exceedingly useful for many many more parents as well.  I have a really positive buzz right now and I am all charged up to help encourage my children with their studies.  How to pass exams has some very obvious points in it but these are the ones that you can think ok I can do that right now and will do another tomorrow so gives comfort that perhaps I am not totally failing my child.  How to pass exams gives guidelines on how to sort out course planners so for myself and my son this is very useful as he is taking his options later this year.  I feel that once my husband has read this book too we will both be armed with some really useful structural guides for him and the organisation of his home studying, Thank you  - I am sure this is going to be well thumbed and refered to on many an occasion.  I also found the book easy to read and understand.  The font was of a good size and the chapters easily indexed so you can jump about the book as required.

Totz2teens member rating:  5/5
 

Laws have changed recently regarding flexible working hours which is covered in this book.  I wasn't up to date with the maternity laws so this section was very interesting to me. 

One thing that amazes me about this book is that after I read this book I felt empowered.  Could I really manage all of this.  Well actually yes.  I have done it for quite a few years and actually we cope.  Sometimes brilliantly but other times not so but having read this book I know that many working mothers will be able to go though and ensure they are covering their backs and maybe their life wont be as stressful as some other working mums because they KNOW what they need to do and HOW to do it.  This book even covers the guilt aspect of returning to work.  I am sure every mother has this if they leave their child or have to work at home with them around.  Well ok no magic wand on this one but by covering the topic means you are able to self-analyse your life and your working life too.

May all working mothers be happy ones.

Totz2teens Member Rating:  5/5
 

If so, the chances are they’re just being boisterous. But for five to ten per cent of children it isn’t that simple – these are the symptoms of Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD). So, how can you tell the difference and what can you do about it?

This book guides you step-by-step through the action you need to take, giving you answers to all the essential questions.

Totz2teens Member Review: Wondering if your child has ADHD is quite a worrying time.  I have personally been through this experience and my child was diagnosed with this condition.  Its not an excuse for bad behaviour but a reason and one that this book helps explain.  I felt the book is written in an easy format so that any parent is not bedazzled by medicalness but clear ways of working through it all.  The book helps explain different ways of treating this condition such as drugs, food, behaviour management and more.  I feel this is more of a touch on each way but it is offering food for thought and the ability to extend this further with helpful links to websites and support groups.  I would recommend this book to parents and I also allowed my son to look through it too because I felt he could understand things without being scared.  I personally found the medication side effects list very useful as sometimes however much you search you get a mismatch of answers.  This seems quite clear. 

Totz2teens Member Rating 4/5

Totz2teens Member Review:  Knowing my child has a problem and wondering if it is ADHD I found this book really helpful.  I havent taken medical advice on this so reading this I found I was being told things I didnt know but am happy to read about.  I found each section easy to read and informative.  The back section with lots of places to contact was really helpful too. 

Totz2teens Member Rating:  5/5
 

This guide to sexually transmitted infections is one way forward to making the whole process easier. It clearly explains all the infections you can be at risk from, their symptoms and treatments, and what you can do to prevent infection.

Information is provided on alcohol abuse and STIs, what happens at a GU clinic and what you need to remember when meeting someone new.

Advice is included within each chapter on talking to teenagers about STIs, whether that teenager is your child or pupil.

If you want to protect yourself, learn more about a condition you have or just want to talk frankly about how these issues are dealt with, then this is the book for you.

Totz2teens Member Review: I have to confess to knowing exceedingly little about sexually transmitted diseases.  After reading this myself I left it lying around for my teenager to read too as I felt it was appropriate.  (just in case).  The book explains each disease , how it affects you, how you are tested - which is actually quite interesting and not something I had considered.  Treatment and how you can protect yourself.  The summing up section is also really good.  The book discusses what affects this could have if you are pregnant and what effects it can have on the baby.  I found the section on what happens at a GU clinic interesting as I imagined all sorts of things about it. All in all I found this a very interesting and informative book

Totz2teens Member Rating:  5/5
 

It can be hard for prospective adopters, foster carers and their support networks to cut through the hyperbole and opinion, and get comprehensive, no-nonsense advice and guidance.

Totz2teens Member Review: A complicated minefield of adoption and fostering WOW.  Ive learnt so much from this book.  Anyone considering either will find this book so helpful and interesting.  I found the chapters on after the adoption very interesting as I have to say I hadnt really considered this.  A really helpful book.

Totz2teens Member Rating:  4/5
 

Covering the main challenges that face newly single parents, the book shows you how to deal with the reality that you are on your own and how to break the news to family and friends. Communicating with your children, managing the home, controlling the finances, careers, health and dating are just some of the issues discussed. Details of support networks are included.

Using expert advice and the latest information, this book brings together the facts on Special Educational Needs, looking in detail at the different types of additional needs and how parents and carers can cope with it in daily life.

Find out which professionals can help, how to get through the ‘system’ and gain support, how to handle behavioural difficulties at home and school, and how to get the best education for your child’s needs.

Whether you are worried about your child’s development or work with children and want to know more about the subject, this book will guide you through helping a child with special educational needs.

Totz2teens Member Review: Wondering if your child has special educational needs is a complicated and difficult time for any parents.  Reading this book was very helpful.  It is clearly written and explains some of the different difficulties that children could be facing.  Even eyesight problems are covered within this book.  The way the book is written is so helpful as it is easy to understand and to pick it up as necessary.  Totally a useful book and happy to recommend it.

Totz2teens Member Rating:  5/5