If you long to create for your family a beautiful life full of music and books, parties and naps, bonfires and ponies, look no further than Tom Hodgkinson's inspiring manual on raising kids.
In stark contrast to the supremely un-fun "Tiger Mom" approach and psyche-speak offerings that urge you to "tame your toddler", The Idle Parent is a totally refreshing guide to family life. Follow Tom's advice and you will soon find your creative, independent and non-whiny children bringing you tea while you have a nice lazy lie-in with your spouse. Sweet!
In one chapter, Hodgkinson shares a reading list of the authors, stories and poetry that he and his children most enjoy. He recommends picking the books up at jumble sales for a few cents, because idle parents are thrifty and don't spend lots of money on stuff. More space to dance that way. These books are more suited to kids age 5 and up.
1. The Ahlbergs - Each Peach Pear Plum and Peepo!
2. J.M. Barrie - Peter Pan
3. The poetry of William Blake - in particular, 'The Tyger'
4. Enid Blyton - The Famous Five books and The Faraway Tree
5. Raymond Briggs - Fungus the Bogeyman, The Snowman
6. Lewis Carroll - The Alice books
7. Roald Dahl - Danny the Champion of the World
8. Daniel Defoe - Robinson Crusoe
9. Charles Dickens - A Christmas Carol
10. Arthur Conan Doyle - Sherlock Holmes mysteriesPeabirds very very highly recommends
The Idle Parent by Tom Hodgkinson. Hamish Hamilton, Penguin books 2009.
I wholeheartedly agree! The Idle Parent is the only book on child-rearing I recommend to my friends. Thanks for the blog, I just discovered it. I have a 2-year old and a 4-year old and your reviews are just what I need for our frequent visits to the library! Keep up the good work!
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