Bébé Day by Day: 100 Keys to French Parenting

Although the concepts discussed are informative, this follow-up to Duckerman's original, "Raising Bebe" read a lot like a Cliff's Notes of the original. I thoroughly enjoyed "Raising Bebe" & found it very helpful in considering French parenting styles & discussing along with my husband, who is French. Unfortunately, Bebe Day by Day turned out to be nothing new. It re-stated most of the concepts previously discussed in the first book, in a nearly outline-type format. It was also very short. I read it in one sitting which left me longing for more. Ironically, I would recommend this book to someone who might like an idea of what the first book is about without actually having to read it. Otherwise, I wouldn't spend anything on this book other then the time it takes to thumb through it at the library.

While this book was a little shorter than I would like given the cover price, it was so deliciously appealing to me, a woman pregnant for the first time, that I had to ration out the chapters so I didn't finish it too soon. I could've easily read it in one sitting.

If you've read her other book, Bringing Up Bebe, nothing in this book will come as a revelation or surprise to you. However, since it's been a couple months since I read the first one, I was absolutely delighted to have the refresher course on the actual principles brought up in the first book without having to read all of the stories over again. I mean, I really enjoyed the stories the first time around, don't get me wrong, but when I return to a book like this, it's because I'm interested in the concepts.

This book did a marvelous job of condensing the concepts into short tidbits that are easy to share with your partner or caregivers, or just keep yourself inspired and remind yourself of some of these ideas. There are a few recipes in the back of what they serve at the French day cares, some of which sounded delicious and like I definitely want to try them.

Overall, the book is priced much higher than it should be given the fact that it is such a slim volume, and I'm especially offended by the price of the digital version as opposed to the hardcover version. Do publishers not realize they are only making consumers angry by charging similarly for a digital version as for an actual physical copy? It doesn't make me more loyal to Penguin for example to feel that they are gouging me. However, I know the author probably has zero say in the pricing, so that it doesn't affect my tremendously positive feelings about this book.

If you are a new parent or pregnant, I would absolutely recommend this book as a reassuring and laid-back approach to parenting. You may not end up using all of the ideas, but it is certainly worth a read and the writing is so fluid that you'll find your time with the book an absolute pleasure.

Love Druckerman's "bebe" books. Finally advice that makes sense and is reasonable. Using the techniques described, our (now) almost 12 week old daughter was able to sleep for 8 hours straight at 8 weeks of age.

I really enjoyed the 1st book and thought I would get the 2nd to read additional tips and points of interest. Unfortunately this book just repeats all of the points from the 1st without the more interesting narrative. I can only think perhaps it makes it easy for quick reference or is good for someone who doesn't enjoy really reading.

My husband purchased this book and its companion for me for mothers day. They were wonderful. The author is very funny as she points out the embarrassing but obvious truth of American parenting. This is not a book to tell you how to parent, nor a guideline for you to follow, but a series of observations that are overlooked by parents trying to overcome the challenge of raising secure and happy children.

Lifted from her original book. What a waste of money. Loved her original book. Was very disappointed she had nothing new to offer in this book. What a blatant money grab on the author and publishers part.

I really enjoyed her other book more - but this is a quicker read. Includes her top tips. I would recommend this to someone who wants a quick primer on French parenting (I was thinking of loaning it to my parents so they can get an idea of some of the ways we want them to consider being grandparents)>

Bebe by Day is a minimal version of "French Children Don't Throw Food" (released in the US under the title "Bringing Up Bebe"). her first book is a delightful exploration through conversation and investigation of what makes the french approach so different, and what makes it work. In this book she has boiled this exploration down to 100 very practical tips. It's the mini-version, for those who don't want to read the whole thing. But this also means missing out on the nuances and understanding exactly how the "tips" work.

A good book for someone who isn't going to sit and read the whole shibang. but I still recommend the whole shibang above this!

Great overview of the philosophy in the full book "Bringing up Bèbè".

However the book "Bringing up Bèbè" now includes what appears to be the entire contents of "Bèbè Day by Day". So I would recommend buying that book and not this one.

Great book broken down into 100 short chapters. The caption expresses the her big idea. How do the French pull it off? Meals are served in courses, with veggies and fruit served first. The child must try the food and is not allowed to ignore it. The parents are not short order cooks. Child interrupts the parent on the phone? Tell him or her that I am now on the phone and will talk to you in a few minutes. Understand that "educating" your child in manners and interpersonal skills early on is more important than having them learn the alaphabet or crunch numbers. This is a concept from Latin culture where one comments that a child has had a "good education";that is that she or he was brought up right. Lots of good stuff for those with kids and those just trying to understand how children are raised.

I actually enjoyed this book more than I did with her previous one, probably because she isn't sharing anything about her personal life here.
I didn't think that she is explaining too much about how to accomplish certain things though, thus 4 stars and not 5.

Although I appreciate the concept behind this book - short and sweet parenting tips, - there were no additional tips in this book that weren't already laid out in Bringing Up Bebe. If you already have the first book, save your money and spend just a little time skimming it again.

Refreshing to read good practical advice that counteracts the train wreck of American parenting. Most children I know are completely out of control and the parents would benefit from these helpful guidelines.

Refreshing to read good practical advice that counteracts the train wreck of American parenting. Most children I know are completely out of control and the parents would benefit from these helpful guidelines.