THE FIRST FIVE YEARS: A Relaxed Approach to Child Care

Despite the authors' assertion that other manuals leave parents confused and insecure, and their snide allusion to ""the well-known child care guide, which was written in the mid-1940's"" (never mind that Speck is regularly revised and that baby models don't change each year like new cars), there is nothing here to justify still another guided tour through the first years of life. Pomeranz and Schultz go on at great length about the relative advantages of tubs and showers, the etiquette of visiting a doctor (remove the kid's shoes so he won't kick the examiner), the match between weather and outdoor clothing. . . .It's all aimed at parents who have to be told that ""tots and matches don't mix"" and who can stomach the cute headings: ""I am curious (Toddler)"" about sex education, ""And Now -- He-e-ere's Johnny!"" about new siblings, and on the unfunny subject of air pollution, ""Where Did You Go? Out. What Did You Do? Breathe."" What did we learn? Nothing.