Cover image for How to talk so kids will listen & listen so kids will talkHow to Talk So Kids Will Listen and Listen So Kids Will Talk by Adele Faber and Elaine Mazlish

Reviewed by: Barb Rude, Adult Reference Services

Genre: Non-Fiction, Parenting

Suggested Age: Adults

What is the book about?: How To Talk So Kids Will Listen and Listen So Kids Will Talk is a parenting book that encourages authentic handling of communication, emotions, and problem-solving to foster harmony at home. The premise is basically this: treat your kids like reasonable, capable human beings and for the most part, kids will act like reasonable, capable human beings.

My Review: Did I lose you at ‘kids will act like reasonable, capable human beings’? I hope not—it’s no joke. This book offers many examples of how to express emotions and model behavior, encouraging a long view of parenting over short-term behavioral gain. I particularly enjoyed the section on encouraging autonomy, which suggests ways to invite children to find their own solutions and look outside the home for answers to their questions, and using specific language to praise children’s effort. This book is a great place to start if you want to open a dialog with your children but don’t quite know how. Oh—and it might help you talk to other grownups better, too.

Three Words That Describe This Book: practical, hopeful, hands-on

Give This a Try if You Like…  Nurture Shock, Siblings Without Rivalry, No Bad Kids

Rating: 4/5

Find it at the library!

About FDL Reads

FDL ReadsWelcome to FDL Reads, weekly book reviews from Fondulac District Library.  Librarians (and possibly some other guest reviewers) review all types of books, from children’s picture books, young adult favorites, to the latest adult thriller, and share their thoughts each week at fondulaclibrary.org. If the book is owned by Fondulac District Library (or another local library), you’ll see a direct link to the catalog entry and whether or not it is available.  If it is checked out or at another local library, you will be able to place a hold as long as you have your library card and PIN numbers. As with any book review, these are our opinions…we disagree amongst ourselves about books frequently.  We all have different likes and dislikes, which is what makes the world an interesting place. Please enjoy, and keep on reading!