Reviewed by BookLife, the independent publishing division of Publishers Weekly

Rated Editor's Pick

Packed with practical advice, clear examples, and hard-won insight for parents and caregivers of younger children, this handbook from psychologist Rogers, the first in a series, focuses on understanding, handling, and improving communication and behavior. "Can you think of any unpleasant patterns of interaction with your child? If so, you can plan how to change them," Rogers writes early on, getting right to the point and making a persuasive case for the power of caring interventions and the establishment of new routines and habits. In brisk, inviting chapters, Rogers offers direct and plainspoken guidance tied to a host of scenarios: helping a child who has fallen into "learned helplessness"; handling familiar battles about homework, screen time, bedtime, and morning routines; and teaching kids about feelings to ensure clearer communication.

In all these cases and more, Rogers provides actionable steps and easy-to-follow examples to help parents and caregivers recognize the triggers behind certain behaviors (like food refusal or tantrums) and make positive interventions. Rogers explains that as young kids are still learning how to express their feelings and verbalize their emotions, an explicable reason lies at the root of most behaviors, such as a desire for attention or learning cues from their parents. Highlighting the importance of listening to children when they talk and not treating them as "pets" to be called or reprimanded, Rogers demonstrates that parents must lead by example, especially when it comes to attempting to "break up long-standing, infuriating patterns" before they become entrenched.

Advice on pressing subjects like how to avoid power struggles and raise self-aware, communicative children is fresh and immediately applicable. Throughout this well-organized guide, Rogers writes with brisk efficiency, quickly defining concepts and then moving right into what readers will want to learn about: handling challenging behaviors in both common and uncommon situations, and building healthy and open relationships with their elementary-aged children. While compact, this guide is admirably thorough, pragmatic, and informative, sharing a wealth of Rogers's own tried-and-tested techniques.

Highly recommended.