“Dr. Orenstein makes an important contribution to early childhood teachers by sharing practical, meaningful strategies for building constructive staff relationships in the uniquely emotion-laden world of early care and education. Dr. Orenstein’s years in early childhood classrooms taught her about the pressures and misunderstandings that challenge teachers’ working relationships, and her subsequent work in clinical psychology taught her how to recognize and understand those feelings. Increased self- awareness builds empathy, ultimately improving the experience of every person in the center; teachers will discover that using these reflective tools and communication skills will expand and improve their interactions with children and parents as well.”
—Claire Bainer and Lisa Hale, co-directors of Blue Skies for Children in Oakland, CA, authors of Second Home: A Day in the Life of a Model Early Childhood Program

“Este libro ayuda a contribuir al lector a través de las experiencias de vida y métodos que se pueden utilizar para mejorar el comportamiento de las personas y su calidad de vida. Estos procesos son fáciles de aplicar a situaciones que confrontamos día a día y nos ayuda a tomar decisiones correctas para mejorar nuestro comportamiento y controlar nuestras emociones se puede aplicar en cualquier nivel de trabajo y en el hogar. Es un libro sencillo para entender, claro y preciso en su mensaje y lenguaje.”
—Minerva Perez, project director of Centro VIDA-BAHIA in Fremont, CA, education specialist at CAPE Head Start in Livermore, CA

“Grace Orenstein offers her wisdom, gleaned from a life devoted to teaching about, consulting on, and caring for young children, about the ways that adults can communicate with one another that best benefits the children in their charge. Steeped in, and exquisitely sensitive to, the stressors and struggles that arise daily in the lives of those caring for young children, Orenstein eloquently translates her experience into practical training tips. Recognizing that adult relationships in early care settings are integral to how children are treated, Building Blocks for Reflective Communication reminds us to reflect on our contribution to those interactions and the tone we set for the children in our lives.”
—Kadijah Johnston, Director of the Infant-Parent Program at the University California, San Francisco, CA

“Building Blocks for Reflective Communication is a book about sorting the personal from the professional in the childcare workplace. The unique format and content of this book makes it an ideal tool for promoting self-reflection for individuals seeking professional development, and for improving workplace interactions. Dr. Orenstein has produced an excellent resource that childcare professionals will find relevant, useful, affirmative, acknowledging, insightful, and comprehensive.”
—Katrina Ross, Director of Rising Star Montessori in Alameda, CA

“This book is a great gift to our community of teachers. I truly believe that teachers need at least one year of coursework in communication. We just get snippets of it until a book like Building Blocks for Reflective Communication puts it all together with these pearls of wisdom.”
—Beatriz Leyva-Cutler, executive director of Bahia Inc.

The post Building Blocks for Reflective Communication appeared first on She Writes Press.

“A heart-wrenching and inspiring contribution to the literature of loss and disability, A Leg to Stand On offers the visceral detail, black humor, and grit of a fine novel combined with all the vulnerability of the deepest, most honest memoirs. Colleen Haggerty captures the tender and defiant voice of the 17-year-old she was when she lost her leg in a terrifying auto accident. But the author manages to imbue that voice with the ferocity required of her as she found a way to accept and surmount her disability. Anyone who has ever confronted limitation will be inspired by Haggerty’s story.”
—Amy Friedman, author of Desperado’s Wife: A Memoir

“In the midst of adolescence, when we are all trying to figure out who we are, Colleen Haggerty literally loses a part of herself when her leg is severed in a brutal accident. In the years following, her wounded body makes it impossible to ignore a deeper wound in her spirit. Without self-pity, she confronts her own misgivings and regrets as she moves through a difficult lesson in forgiveness, both of self and others. I was engaged and cheering for her every step of the way on this courageous journey toward wholeness.”
—Hollye Dexter, author of Fire Season

“A Leg to Stand On is a true shero’s tale, not because its author was disabled and bravely carried on, but because she did something even more brave: she opened herself to the transformational power of loss. And in the way of the shero, she has brought back the details of her journey that we may share in the wisdom, growth, and grace that was hidden along the way. Yes, we see clearly here what it is to live without a leg, but more we see what it is to walk with our own becoming. That makes this book more than touching, informative, or inspiring… It makes it alchemical.”
—Lyena Strelkoff, storyteller, performer, speaker, and coach

“At seventeen, Colleen Haggerty faces the loss of her leg to a tragic and life-altering accident. The path to peace after that moment of trauma is not linear, not easy. When, after many years of trails, she finally finds her own brand of normal, Colleen becomes the mother she’s always wanted to be . . . and becomes an instrument of healing to the other person whose life was indelibly changed that fateful day in 1978 . . . A Leg to Stand On tells of a beautiful and heartbreaking journey of loss, love, long-awaited motherhood, and self-determined healing. I am inspired and heartened.”
—Cami Ostman, author of Second Wind: One Woman’s Midlife Quest to Run Seven Marathons on Seven Continents

“Colleen Haggerty tells her poignant story with clarity, bravery and a healthy respect for the depth and texture of life’s choices. A Leg to Stand On follows a young woman’s journey through crashing loss–her leg at seventeen, two abortions and two difficult pregnancies, a long crisis of faith, to arrive at the place where she can share the truth in this courageous memoir.”
—Laura Kalpakian, author

The post A Leg to Stand On appeared first on She Writes Press.

“In this thoughtful, often hilarious book, Magnuson crosses parenting cultures with her husband and five children, gaining insight into herself, and ultimately finding her tribe. A powerful debut, Magnuson has the gift of conversational prose laced with a quick wit.”
—Marcelle Soviero, Editor in Chief, Brain Child: The Magazine for Thinking Mothers

“Jennifer Hillman-Magnuson places readers in India through evocative details and scenes, and introduces us to characters who breathe. We journey with her as she navigates mothering five children in this vastly different culture, and it is an entertaining, illuminating and enjoyable ride.”
—Erin Byrne, award-winning writer of travel, fiction, poetry and film

“Peanut Butter and Naan is equal parts hilarious, moving and inspiring. Jennifer Hillman Magnuson’s journey through India with her brood makes me want to hop on a plane with my kids and live life to the fullest!”
—Deva Dalporto, MyLifeSuckers.com

“Honest, hilarious, heart-warming. Jennifer Hillman-Magnuson avoids a universal set of motherhood do’s and don’ts and tells instead a refreshing tale of how far she was willing to go – literally across the globe – to teach her children, and ultimately herself, what it is to live a meaningful life.”
—Glenys Loewen-Thomas, contributor to Cup of Comfort book series

The post Peanut Butter and Naan appeared first on She Writes Press.

“…funny and introspective, filled with compassion and written without an ounce of affectation or disingenuousness.… Her explorations are illuminating. They’re also a kick, with a surprisingly uplifting effect. A candid, breezy memoir that may inspire even the most dating-averse.”
—Kirkus Reviews

“A wise, witty memoir about a woman of a certain age who boldly and unapologetically seeks―and finds sexual adventure, and surprises herself by discovering love in the process.”
—Christina Baker Kline, author of Orphan Train

“Women of any age will fi nd inspiration in Ann Anderson Evans’ compelling tale of romantic adventure and self-reinvention. Want to know how not to act old? Live as if your story can still have the happiest of endings.”
—Pamela Redmond Satran, author of New York Times bestseller How Not To Act Old

“Daring to Date Again is a lively, witty, achingly honest, well-crafted account of one woman’s emergence from twelve years of celibacy to become a sexual enthusiast in her sixties. You’ll laugh―and sometimes worry!―as Ann jumps into bed with her Mr. Right-for-the- Moment parade. She wears her heart on her sleeve―or she wears nothing at all―and we share her adventures.”
—Joan Price, author of Naked at Our Age: Talking Out Loud about Senior Sex

“Ann Anderson Evans details how a sophisticated lady of the Internet era opens doors to serious relationships [This is] a manual for sexy, smart people of a certain age, of either sex.”
—Ford Burkhart, Pulitzer Prize Winner, former editor at The New York Times

“Daring to Date Again: A Memoir is a sassy internet dating memoir with an attitude…. One doesn’t expect wit along with the wisdom, but it’s there. What’s also unexpected is the spirit of adventure in a sixty-something who is willing to travel halfway across the world to Zimbabwe to meet an internet contact―but it’s there, too. Most surprising of all is the quest for sexuality in older years: something few dating books even discuss. The result is best viewed as a rollicking train ride that leads to a few wrecks, excitement, and a lot of fun.”
—D. Donovan, Sr. eBook Reviewer, Midwest Book Review

The post Daring to Date Again appeared first on She Writes Press.

“A Cup of Redemption combines the two delightful preoccupations — food and travel — in a beautiful woven story of women, family, and the celebration of survival. American Kate meets French ex-pat Sophie and her mother Marcelle in her quest to perfect French cooking. This chance meeting leads them all on a life changing adventure… Bumpus’ project is so compelling, and the journey so rich, that it is thoroughly worth reading.”
―San Francisco Book Review/Manhattan Book Review

The post A Cup of Redemption appeared first on She Writes Press.

The post Trespassers appeared first on She Writes Press.

“Roberta Dolan courageously attacks the major obstacles to preventing sexual assault―secrecy and silence. Fearless and determined, Dolan holds nothing back as she charges full force―revealing personal experience through raw and powerful journal entries, and exposing and coping with the psychological damage caused by sexual assault. As victim, teacher, counselor, wife and mother, Dolan presents insight to all sides of the healing journey. More than an affirmation of inspiration, Say It Out Loud serves as a practical guide of easy-to-follow strategies. Survivors will know they’re not alone, and they’ll come to realize the possibility of restoring a joyful life. For loved ones, counselors and therapists, Say It Out Loud should be required reading.”
―Kathy Marcantonio, former counselor and community education volunteer of Connecticut Sexual Assault Crisis Services, Inc. (ConnSACS) Board of Directors

“Always being the ‘good girl,’ pleasing others, and internalizing your feelings is self-destructive. Our childhood is stored in our body, and if we do not heal our wounds someday, the body will present its bill. Roberta Dolan had the courage to transform and heal herself. The techniques she utilized to do so and the changes she made can benefit all those who have ever been abused, physically or psychologically. I strongly recommend reading this book to help you to release whatever pain exists within you and to restore your own life and body. It is never too late to leave the past behind and begin anew, as Roberta did.”
―Bernie Siegel, MD, author of 365 Prescriptions for the Soul and 101 Exercises for the Soul

“Roberta Dolan has found the courage to tell the story of her horrific sexual abuse in a book with the smart title Say It Out Loud. At least as much effort is spent on guiding others through the process, step by step, for which she is eminently qualified, not only as a survivor, but as a counselor with a master’s degree. But it is her own story that is the most compelling as she mines the darkest corners of her soul with honesty and integrity. By nurturing the healing process of others along the way, she heals herself. And that is contagious. I recommend her book to survivors at all stages of healing and to those who love and support survivors.”
―Trish Kinney, author of Silver Platter Girl

“Say It Out Loud is an intimate and courageous account of the steps that must be taken to recover from predatory sexual abuse. Dolan shares her healing process by walking the reader through her agony and into her eventual experience of joy. The complexities and beauty of the human heart are exposed in a frightened child now adult, who, because of the care of a therapist and a loving husband, can finally be free.”
―Gwen Plano, author of Letting Go Into Perfect Love

“Roberta has single-handedly, with honesty and love, provided us with not only a moving account of her experience but a practical guide for those recovering from childhood sexual abuse. Without hesitation, I recommend this book to those dealing with the lingering effects of childhood sexual abuse, to those family members and friends who support a survivor, and to those who work with survivors and their families. Roberta has changed, and will continue to change, lives. Thank you!”
―Sharon D. Chappelle Ph.D

“Roberta Dolan has unpacked the vicissitudes of her own personal healing journey in a way that informs, supports, encourages, and inspires others who have been sexually abused and those who love them. The book is practical in its structure, and her sensitivity and compassion flow from each paragraph. Prescriptive but not preachy, there is an intelligent, uplifting, kind, and gentle quality about Say It Out Loud that is unique among books of this genre, which I believe makes it accessible to readers at any point of their own journey.”
―Catherine McCall LMFT, author of the Piano Stops and Never Tell: the True Story of Overcoming a Terrifying Childhood

The post Say It Out Loud appeared first on She Writes Press.

The post Where Have I Been All My Life? appeared first on She Writes Press.