When my son was born, my mom jokingly said, "Too bad they don't come with instruction manuals!" Thankfully, there are doctors and child development experts out there who have taken up the challenge of writing down advice that not only is easy to understand, but can actually be put into practice. The Triumphant Child addresses common issues such as picky eaters, giving up the pacifier and the bottle, discipline, sibling rivalry, and even current issues such as the economic downturn and issues with electronic media. The tips are practical, do-able, and even clever. In fact, I loaned The Triumphant Child to a neighbor so she could read the section on giving up the pacifier as she was currently trying to wean her daughter of one. After reading the tip of arranging a visit from the Binkie Fairy, she was able to eliminate pacifier use within a matter of days without the struggle that she was formerly encountering. I appreciate not only the expert advice, but also the real world parent stories that are included in each chapter. This helps to assure us parents that we are not alone as others have gone through the same issues and it's nice to know what parents have done to resolve those issues. The book is easy to navigate by topic so you can simply flip to the chapter that is applicable at the moment. My recommendation though is to read this book in advance so not only can you look towards the future, but you can also help to prevent some problem issues from ever even surfacing.

"Country Remedy embodies the finest attributes of a family film: a smart script, great characters, high production qualities and a plot line with heart."

These are masterful tales of that complex interaction involving pediatrician, children, and caregivers. Beautifully and honestly written caring dominates every page. Dr. Huff has done a wonderful job describing some of the joys and challenges of a pediatric career. I highly recommend this book for anyone who wants an uplifting experience.