Book Reviews
Yvette O’Dowd has been a passionate reader since childhood. Her first pregnancy in the early 1980s saw her consuming the local library collection of books about pregnancy, childbirth, child development and child care. Having ignited a life-long interest in these subjects, Yvette went on to work at Merrily Merrily Enterprises [the retail arm of the Nursing Mothers’ Association of Australia (now known as The Australian Breastfeeding Association)] from 1995 - 2000. This included the recommendation and sale of books on breastfeeding and human lactation, parenting and related titles to both parents and health professionals.
From 2008 - 2013, Yvette ran The Breastfeeding Centre In Dandenong, Victoria - the Victorian Branch Office of the Australian Breastfeeding Association. Here she curated and maintained an extensive library of books available to both members and volunteers. When establishing the Southern Natural Parenting Network in 2014, Yvette had a vision of a collection of books available to members and the wider community, establishing a community library on wheels available at meets and events. Yvette’ family are resigned to her extensive personal collection! (Thank goodness for the digital revolution!)
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Browse Yvette’s recommendations:
Playful Parenting
Playful Parenting presents an approach to parenting that emphasizes the use of play to build strong, connected relationships between parents and children. Lawrence J. Cohen, a clinical psychologist specializing in children's play and play therapy, argues that play is a fundamental way for children to express themselves, process emotions, and connect with others. The book offers practical strategies for parents to engage with their children through play, helping to address behavioral challenges, foster emotional resilience, and strengthen the parent-child bond.
Heart to Heart Parenting
This book offers a compassionate guide to nurturing children's emotional intelligence from conception through the early school years. Robin Grille, an Australian psychologist and parenting educator, emphasizes the importance of deep connection and empathy in parenting. He provides insights into understanding children's emotional needs and offers practical strategies for building strong, respectful relationships without resorting to punishment or manipulation.
Letting Go As Children Grow
This warm and insightful book examines the often emotional and complex journey of giving children increasing independence. Deborah Jackson explores how we can support our children’s growing autonomy while maintaining strong, connected relationships through each stage of development — from babyhood through to adolescence.
The Evolved Nest
Drawing on anthropology, neuroscience, psychology, and evolutionary biology, Darcia Narvaez explores how our ancestral caregiving practices shaped human development — and what happens when modern life disrupts them. The book presents the “Evolved Nest” model, which includes practices like extended breastfeeding, constant physical closeness, alloparenting, and responsive caregiving, as vital to raising thriving children and healthy societies.
Beginnings
In Beginnings, Sarah Ockwell-Smith explores how experiences during pregnancy, birth, and the early months of parenting shape a child’s lifelong emotional and physiological development. Drawing from psychology, neuroscience, and evolutionary biology, she challenges the push for early independence and instead celebrates slow, responsive beginnings rooted in connection and nurture.
The Yes Brain Child
This empowering guide explores how to cultivate openness, resilience, and balance in children. Through the lens of brain science, Siegel and Bryson show how to encourage a “Yes Brain” mindset—flexible, curious, and emotionally aware—versus a “No Brain” state of fear and reactivity.
Balanced and Barefoot
Pediatric occupational therapist Angela Hanscom makes a compelling case for the essential role of movement and outdoor play in childhood development. Balanced and Barefoot explores how modern lifestyles — with indoor living, structured schedules, and screen time — are limiting children’s physical and emotional growth, and offers practical ways to restore balance through free play in nature.
The Anthropology of Childhood
In this sweeping cross-cultural exploration, anthropologist David Lancy examines how children are raised across the globe — and how Western norms are far from universal. He challenges ideas of intensive parenting, early independence, and over-scheduling, showing instead how many societies allow children greater autonomy, responsibility, and community integration from an early age.
No-Drama Discipline
This insightful book reframes discipline as teaching, not punishment. Siegel and Bryson explain how to respond to misbehaviour with empathy and connection while guiding children to make better choices, all backed by neuroscience.
The Whole-Brain Child
This groundbreaking book explains how a child’s brain is wired and how it matures. Using neuroscience made accessible, the authors introduce 12 key strategies to support emotional regulation and healthy brain development in children.
Baby-Led Weaning
This influential guide introduces the concept of baby-led weaning — allowing babies to feed themselves solid foods from the start, rather than being spoon-fed purées. Rapley and Murkett explain how babies can safely explore food at their own pace, developing autonomy, coordination, and a healthy relationship with food through responsive, family-based mealtimes.
Parenting from the Inside Out
This pioneering book blends neuroscience and psychology to show how a parent’s self-understanding can profoundly shape their relationship with their child. By reflecting on one’s own childhood and emotional patterns, parents can become more attuned, responsive, and emotionally available.
Touchpoints – T. Berry Brazelton
In this classic work of developmental pediatrics, Dr. T. Berry Brazelton outlines key “touchpoints” — predictable periods of regression and growth in a child’s early years. He offers compassionate, stage-by-stage guidance on everything from sleep and feeding to social and emotional milestones, all rooted in deep respect for the child-parent relationship.
What’s Going On In There? – Lise Eliot
Neuroscientist and mother Lise Eliot offers an in-depth exploration of how a child’s brain develops from conception through age five. Covering everything from language acquisition to emotional regulation, this detailed yet accessible book blends cutting-edge science with relatable examples for parents and caregivers.