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!)
Yvette also has a passion for children’s books - particularly picture books - and her collection expanded as her family has. Books for children about babies are of particular interest. Stay tuned for review soon!
Browse Yvette’s recommendations:
Peaceful Parent, Happy Kids: How to Stop Yelling and Start Connecting
This book offers a clear, practical framework for parents who want to move away from reactive, punitive approaches and build a more connected, cooperative relationship with their children. Dr. Laura Markham introduces three core ideas: regulating yourself as a parent (self-awareness and emotional management), connecting with your child (building trust and emotional safety), and coaching rather than controlling (guiding instead of punishing).
The book blends neuroscience, developmental psychology, and gentle parenting strategies in an accessible, encouraging style.
The Nurture Revolution
Neuroscientist and doula Dr. Greer Kirshenbaum offers a compelling case for the power of nurtured parenting in shaping the developing brain. Drawing on the latest research in epigenetics and neuroplasticity, she explains how love, touch, responsiveness, and emotional attunement in the first 1,000 days of life can profoundly impact a child’s lifelong wellbeing.
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.
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 Gentle Discipline Book
This book offers respectful, effective strategies for guiding behaviour in toddlers and young children — without shouting, punishments, or rewards. Sarah Ockwell-Smith explains how to handle tantrums, defiance, aggression, and boundary-pushing with empathy, age-appropriate expectations, and calm consistency.
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.
The Science of Parenting
This accessible guide draws on the latest neuroscience to explain how early experiences shape a child’s brain development. Margot Sunderland offers practical strategies for promoting emotional wellbeing, regulating behaviour, and building strong parent-child connections — all grounded in science and compassion.