Book review: The Little Black Book of Neuropsychology: A Syndrome-Based Approach(2011)

Book review: The Little Black Book of Neuropsychology: A Syndrome-Based Approach(2011) I have taken a little of a break from my reviewing, who can blame me having submitted my PhD and about to pick up a new locum position. And review season is now in full swing. So over the next few weeks, I will be catching up on reviewing all the peer reviewed journal articles and texts. This is a really good text to get me back into the game. Having...

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Book review: Mindful Parenting (2014)

Book review: Mindful Parenting (2014) I think I am in the same minds as the publisher, I am truly grateful that Mindful Parenting is finally published in it's current form. I have been training parents in evidence based family behavioural interventions and mindfulness based parenting (PuP) for a number of years, but there was a gap in our understanding of the scientific basis of such approaches.   It is an easy to read text including...

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Book review: Positive Psychology (2013)

Book review: Positive Psychology: Advances in understanding adult motivation (2013) I was really excited to see this text being published. It's a useful first and second look at Positive Psychology. Not light reading, but clearly useful for those interested in positive psychology. My psychological perspective Having been trained in traditional psychology perspectives, I have noticed that the focus on treatment is usually based on the...

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Book review: Evidence-Based Interventions for Children with Challenging Behavior (2014)

Book review: Evidence-Based Interventions for Children with Challenging Behavior (2014) This text is written in really simple language, and balances the practical needs of practitioners with evidence-based intervention techniques. For college students, this text provides a great overview of a range of childhood disorders- highly recommended for child development courses. And not only that, it will provide parents with some key tips on...

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Book review: Angels (2013) Alexis York Lumbard

Book review: Angels (2013) by Alexis York Lumbard This is a beautiful little picture book. My psychological perspective I love simple picture books that speaks beyond it's simple words. It's not so much about angels as about "differentness". Kids themselves, through this book can start to understand that they are unique in how they look and what that like, and that's all great.  Things to talk to your children about: uniqueness,...

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Book review: Never Underestimate a Hermit Crab (2014)- Sneak peak

Book review: Never Underestimate a Hermit Crab (2014)  This is a book that you will enjoy reading with your children. And as I was reading it, I could just image all the different sound effects and voices that parents can put on to make this a fun time with their little ones. And it is a good reminder for ourselves, that our children can accomplish so many things without us realizing. My Psychological perspective I loved this book...

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Book review: Zebra Stripes Go Head to Toe

Book review: Zebra Stripes Go Head to Toe My psychological perspective This is a great book to have around homes and kindy. It's about all things square and stripped and is an excellent tool to help kids learn about shapes in the world around them. My Christian perspective After reading this book with your kids, why not go on a hunt for square/cubbed things you can pray about? My overall view ExcellentThis is a very useful resource...

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Book review: Ladybugs Have Lots of Spots

Book review: Ladybugs Have Lots of Spots Simple is best. This book is all about one thing, all things round. My psychological perspective This book is great to have around the home and in kindy/ prep. It teaches kids about shapes, but also you can open it up to a lot of incidental learning. Things to talk to your children about Shapes and colours My Christian perspective I love finding opportunities to get kids more curious...

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Book review: Kobee Manatee (2013)

Book review: Kobee Manatee (2013) Books like this excite me. I learn something new while reading with a young person, and when you learn new things together you grow together. The illustrations are stunning. My psychological perspective This book is pitched at older children, optimally at grade 3. The words are a bit more difficult for the younger children and they will need this read to them.  The authors have put fast facts into...

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Book review: Claude at the beach (2014)

Brief Book review: Claude at the beach (2013) My psychological perspective I love a good picture book. This is no exception. Not quite a standard children's picture book though, with only a few shades of colour.  Words are a bit difficult for those who haven't started school yet. I would recommend reading this with your primary school child. Yes, it's a little silly, and I laughed out loud when Claude was being creative with sticky...

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Book review: The Giving Prescription (2014)

Book review: The giving prescription (2014) My psychological perspective Philanthrophic actions like volunteering have helped many of my clients stay mentally healthy and physically active. And the book is spot on, these actions provide meaning, helps us to make lemonade out of the lemons life throws at us. There are a bunch of other reasons why volunteering can promote mental health and wellbeing- it adds structure to your life- gives...

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Book review: Give, Save, Spend with the Three Little Pigs (2014) sneak peek

Book review: Give, Save, Spend with the Three Little Pigs (2014) sneak peek The ideas presented in this book are great. And I couldn't help but smile all the way through. My psychological perspective This book probably would make no sense to younger children, as their brains haven't developed enough to understand the concepts of savings. This is a great idea for kids who are about to get some pocket money. And is a great opportunity...

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Book review: Mindful Discipline (2014) Sneek Peak!

  Book review: Mindful Discipline (2014)  The authors open the book with describing children as seeds, undeveloped, but one day may grow into spectacular plants. Parents are seen as gardeners, and while there is little we can do to make the plant grow faster, we can provide these little plants with nourishment, we can help to prune the plants. Parents and clients often ask me the key to my calmness, even when things are out of control....

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Book review: FastExercise (2014) by Michael Mosley

Book Review:  FastExercise by Michael Mosley I jumped onto this book as soon as I finished the 5:2 book. High intensity training has always appealed to my brother, who is a doctor. He has urged me to do hill sprints and the like for years. I tried. And it was painful. It was difficult to do by yourself. So instead, over the years, I've been more drawn to endurance training. But it's hard to get up for pre-dawn sessions. And so I...

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Book review: FastDiet by Michael Mosley.

Book Review:  FastDiet by Michael Mosley I'm really slow on the pick up. I only got onto this book recently after a psychologist coworker explained why he has lost 8kg over the Christmas holidays and why he was eating a leafy salad for lunch. So like you would, I went home and googled it. Placed by order for the book, and while I was waiting, I found the original documentary Michael Mosley was in. I was cautioned, those that...

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Book review: Raising boys with ADHD (2012) by Forgan and Richey

Book Review:  Raising boys with ADHD (2012) by Forgan and Richey While ADHD presentations are becoming more common in my clinic, I have been searching for an easy to understand the helpful guide for parents. Kids with ADHD- hyperactive subtype diagnoses are sometimes struggling in the school environment both academically and socially because they are simply too interested - IN EVERYTHING at the SAME TIME. I have a bunch of beautiful...

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Book review: Year of no sugar (2014)- Sneak Peek

Book Review:  Year of no sugar (2014) Losing weight, being more fit, becoming more healthy are among the top new year's resolutions. This book details the struggles an American family goes through to stick to the goal of having no sugar within a year, including being creative in the kitchen, struggling to dine in a sugary world, being smart travelling, and how the kids dealt with it too (think birthdays, halloween, kid's parties)....

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