Thoughtful and enlightening; sure to be a calming and reassuring resource for caregivers.
A guide salutes the unsung hero status of caregivers.
There are over 43 million unpaid caregivers in the United States, more than 34 million of whom have provided assistance to an adult age 50 or older, according to statistics cited by Chillis (Misery at Work?, 2015, etc.). The author looked after her husband full-time for three years, and she is currently a certified caregiver consultant; as such, she deeply understands the highs and lows of a role that can be both challenging and rewarding. When Chillis kept seeing “heart-wrenching, negative feelings” expressed by caregivers, she decided to write a book about the care that they needed to give themselves. The compassionate manual begins by highlighting some myths and truths about the role, but most of the content surrounds seven “secrets” designed to help caregivers maintain an upbeat outlook. The first “secret,” for example, provides an excellent overview of different emotions, such as guilt, resentment, and grief. The author defines each one, discusses why it matters, uses examples to show its effect, and presents coping techniques. Another “secret” concentrates on how to resolve conflict within the family, delivering useful tips and urging mediation when all else fails. The final secret appropriately addresses the complex feelings of the caregiver after the loved one is gone. The work covers a broad range of topics within the secrets, focusing on physical, mental, and emotional health issues. Each of the secrets contains illustrative anecdotes involving caregivers, along with “tools” and “tip sheets” to assist in implementing strategies, all of which are simple yet powerful. The book is written in easy-to-follow language with lots of subheads, short sections, itemized lists, and “key takeaways” in each chapter. One of the more important elements is the heavy reliance on the stories of caregivers—sure to furnish readers the comforting sense that they are not alone in facing the various problems. Throughout the volume, Chillis adopts a positive, encouraging tone, recognizing that the caregiver may be emotionally frayed and in need of gentle coaching and guidance.
Thoughtful and enlightening; sure to be a calming and reassuring resource for caregivers.Pub Date: June 13, 2019
ISBN: 978-1-988645-22-3
Page Count: 220
Publisher: Wellness Ink Publishing
Review Posted Online: Oct. 24, 2019
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
This is not the Nutcracker sweet, as passed on by Tchaikovsky and Marius Petipa. No, this is the original Hoffmann tale of 1816, in which the froth of Christmas revelry occasionally parts to let the dark underside of childhood fantasies and fears peek through. The boundaries between dream and reality fade, just as Godfather Drosselmeier, the Nutcracker's creator, is seen as alternately sinister and jolly. And Italian artist Roberto Innocenti gives an errily realistic air to Marie's dreams, in richly detailed illustrations touched by a mysterious light. A beautiful version of this classic tale, which will captivate adults and children alike. (Nutcracker; $35.00; Oct. 28, 1996; 136 pp.; 0-15-100227-4)
Pub Date: Oct. 28, 1996
ISBN: 0-15-100227-4
Page Count: 136
Publisher: Harcourt
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 1996
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
An extravaganza in Bemelmans' inimitable vein, but written almost dead pan, with sly, amusing, sometimes biting undertones, breaking through. For Bemelmans was "the man who came to cocktails". And his hostess was Lady Mendl (Elsie de Wolfe), arbiter of American decorating taste over a generation. Lady Mendl was an incredible person,- self-made in proper American tradition on the one hand, for she had been haunted by the poverty of her childhood, and the years of struggle up from its ugliness,- until she became synonymous with the exotic, exquisite, worshipper at beauty's whrine. Bemelmans draws a portrait in extremes, through apt descriptions, through hilarious anecdote, through surprisingly sympathetic and understanding bits of appreciation. The scene shifts from Hollywood to the home she loved the best in Versailles. One meets in passing a vast roster of famous figures of the international and artistic set. And always one feels Bemelmans, slightly offstage, observing, recording, commenting, illustrated.
Pub Date: Feb. 23, 1955
ISBN: 0670717797
Page Count: -
Publisher: Viking
Review Posted Online: Oct. 25, 2011
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 1, 1955
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