What To Expect Books Giveaway

The What To Expect series is now on its fourth edition!

The most recent updates to the What to Expect When You’re Expecting book include answers to dozens of new questions and a detailed week-by-week fetal development section in each of the monthly chapters, an expanded chapter on pre-conception, and a brand new one on carrying multiples. There is an expanded section for work place concerns and additional material covering physical, emotional health and nutrition.
Since I am not a parent, I have never read any of the What to Expect books, but when they generously offered to give two sets of books to two of my readers, I wanted to check them out. So I decided that since I work with babies, it would be useful to read What to Expect the First Year.

So far, I have been surprised about how much information this book covers. It covers everything from baby’s first medical exam, advice for soothing a colicky baby, signs of common illnesses in babies to baby’s first bath. It has a detailed section on breastfeeding vs. bottle feeding and the advantages and disadvantages of both. The month by month chapters show you what to expect during each month of your baby’s first year. The developmental chart of milestones is meant as a guide, but as the book reminds us, each baby is different and will develop at their own pace.




After your baby’s first birthday, What to Expect The Second Year picks up where What to Expect the first Year left off.
This book covers milestones (from first steps to first words, first scribbles to first friends). There are chapters on growth, feeding, sleeping, behaviors of every conceivable kind, discipline (including teaching right from wrong), and keeping a toddler healthy and safe as he or she takes on the world. There is a developmental timeline of the second year with special milestone boxes which help parents keep track of their toddler’s development.


Two of my readers will win a copy of each book! Meaning three books for each winner!
How to enter:
1. Leave a comment on this post telling me which book you would find the most useful.
Additional entries:
2. Follow @play2grow on Twitter and leave a comment on this post letting me know.
3. Follow @whattoexpect on Twitter and leave a comment on this post.
4. Follow play2grow via Google Friend Connect or subscribe by E-mail and leave a comment letting me know.
Please be sure that you leave an E-mail address in your comments so I can contact you if you win.
If I do not hear back from you within 48 hours, another winner will be drawn.
The giveaway ends on Friday July 20th at midnight Eastern
Thank you and good luck!

Books of the Week

Your All My Favorites by Sam McBratney is a good book especially if you have multiple children. Even though the bear cubs are different, their mom and dad still love them. We read it to our four and five-year-olds. They sat quietly through the story and sometimes pointed out things in the pictures. It was a story they could relate to and they seemed to enjoy it. One of the parents brought it in from home and the boy said that it was one of his favorite books last year. It's worth reading at least once.

The Ugly Caterpillar by Carl Sommer is a book we've read to our younger group many times. First, they enjoy the illustrations and usually sit quietly for the story. It's sad at first when Katie the Caterpillar can't find a friend because she's too ugly. Eventually, she finds a best friend who stays with her through her transformation into a butterfly.
Here's the summary from Amazon.com.
"Speckles the spider and Crumbs the cricket think Katy the caterpillar is much to
Ugly to be their friend. But Annie the ant doesn't agree, and she and Katy become
best friends. As Katy the caterpillar begins her strange transformation into a beautiful
butterfly, her friend Annie is shocked and amazed. Speckles and Crumbs finally learn
that true meaning of Beauty and friendship-and caterpillars? This lively and original
story of respect for others by Carl Sommer is perfectly illustrated in full color
by Greg Budwine and is very highly recommended for young readers, grades K-4."