Nurturing Children and Families
Reviews and Comments
"Sarah Baldwin has created a beautiful portrait of the grace that a Waldorf parent/child program can be -- for the parents, the children and the entire community. She writes from her heart, from her considerable knowledge of children and families, and from her experience leading the Ashwood School's Parent/Child Class. The result is a book that covers all the bases, from why to have such a class at all, to what sort of qualities a parent/child teacher needs, to a detailed description of the rhythms of day and season in her own class.
"In addition, about half the book is devoted to discussion about parent education, space, publicity, festivals, field trips, birthdays and more. Finally, there are brief descriptions of other Parent/Child classes at other schools. All in all, this is a beautiful, delicious resource -- one which will inspire and guide anyone interested in young children, families and the fostering of healthy community. Like a small seed on fertile soil, I can see this book growing beyond its covers until it shares its harvest with all who pass by."
--Bob & Nancy's Bookshop - www.waldorfbooks.com
Your beautiful book remains a steady seller and continues to garner much gratitude and praise from those who read it. Thanks again for your good work in writing it!
--Bob & Nancy's Bookshop - www.waldorfbooks.com
"Perhaps nothing can equal the experience of working with a gifted mentor. In reading [Nurturing Children and Families] for the first time, however, I felt that this book would be the best possible substitute for such a mentorship. Sarah's writing is clear, yet warm and welcoming in tone. She offers wise counsel based on her own experience, with a sense of honesty, good humor, and humility that is refreshing and inspires confidence. Along with helpful clarity, the reader receives the all-important sense of being left free to find his or her own way."
-- Nancy Foster, Acorn Hill Waldorf Kindergarten & Nursery
"Sarah Baldwin has wisely used her years in guiding the development of the parent/child programs at the Ashwood Waldorf School in Maine as the substance of this text. Conversations with Sarah over these years have given me a clear picture of the love and inspiration with which she carried this work. I am therefore delighted that she has put pen to paper to share her work with others. . . . This book will offer much to those interested in this rich and rewarding work--accompanying families in the early years of their journeys."
--Susan Weber, Executive Director, Sophia's Hearth Family Center, Keene, NH
"This is the book to get if you are wishing to work with others to create any kind of Waldorf-inspired playgroup or co-op for young children. Warm, enabling and very, very practical, this book is a gem."
--Christopherus Homeschool Resources - www.christopherushomeschool.org
" I just ... received a copy of your book. What a wonderful resource. Many, many thanks!"
--Cynthia Aldinger, Director, LifeWays North America - http://lifeways-center.org/
"If you haven't already, you must get Sarah's book about working with groups of young children in a Waldorf setting. Every single one of you who has a co-op, or just meets with friends but is trying to create some sort of Waldorf-inspired setting for children of kindergarten age or younger, please do yourselves a huge favor and get Sarah's book! Although she mainly speaks about programs within the context of a Waldorf school, it is INVALUABLE to anyone who is seeking to bring a Waldorf mood, flavor, content to the early years program they are running, either as a co-op or, as some of you do, in a childcare situation."
--Donna Simmons, Moderator, Waldorf at Home Discussion Group
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Waldorf_at_Home/
"Congratulations, Sarah, on "Nurturing Children and Families". I enjoyed reading it on the plane ride coming home from a mentoring task force meeting in Spring Valley. I was awed to find my name mentioned several times in the book. At no time was I embarassed by the quotes. You handled it all very sensitively. I must admit, I was rather pleased and was smiling when I got off the plane. Smiling because I found it to be a helpful book that the movement needs, and smiling because I felt I had played a small role in its creation. Thank you for your inspiring book."
--Connie White, Veteran Waldorf Parent/Child Teacher, Ontario, Canada
"I was finally able to read your book cover-to-cover a couple weeks ago and wanted to let you know what a joy it was. It is so clear and heartfelt, and it answers all the questions about parent/child classes that both a new and seasoned teacher might ask. It's getting me enthused about starting a class in my home again!"
--Kim Lewis, Moderator
Waldorf Birth-to-Four List
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/waldorfbirthtofour/
"Nurturing Children and Families, was most helpful to our playgroup because of the six families participating, only one of them had any Waldorf school or playgroup experience. I was having a difficult time describing what I had in mind so that the other moms could help make the group closer to what I envisioned. Sarah's book was very helpful in painting that picture for me. The transformation the book has had for our group has been magical. Thanks, Sarah, for an incredible resource!"
--Elaine S., Slidell, LA
"I could not put it down. It is sooo good and helpful! I learned that I am on the right track. I love your meeting with the parents before starting, and your letter to the parents--the place where I most struggle, getting the parents onboard. Your book is a gift, a treasure, an inspiration! Thank you, thank you, thank you."
--Lisa M., Shelburne, VT
"I just purchased your book and I received it in the mail last week. I've been reading it every free minute I get with a two-year-old toddler. It is hard to put down. Thank you for this wonderful resource.
--Monika E., Lawrence, KS
"I loved your book. It gives really good insights and it reinforced me in the work I am doing. Although I have been working right now for six months as a director of a quite conventional small French speaking daycare, I hope to start a parent/child class sometime soon.
--Chalia T., Yukon, Canada
"Thank you for the book. It's given me a greater insight into the Waldorf approach. I read it the day it arrived and really enjoyed it. What a wonderful subject to write upon!"
--Liz P., West Sussex, UK
"I just finished reading your book for inspiration to start a parent child program at my children's new school. I worked with a parent child program for two years at our old school and took some time off due to the birth of my third child. After reading your book I remembered how wonderful it was to experience the support and encouragement the parents in the group gave one another. Thank you for a wonderful resource for those not sure if they can start a program!"
--Kelly H., Ann Arbor, MI
Copyright © 2004, 2005 Max Alexander and Sarah Baldwin
"Like a small seed on fertile soil, I can see this book growing beyond its covers until it shares its harvest with all who pass by." --Nancy Parsons Whittaker