Their Name is Today | Review

p/c

As Baby Pep's due date draws closer and closer, I constantly find myself thinking about the type of Mom I want to be. What values do I want to impart on my baby boy? What do I want to shield and protect him from? These were the questions that were plaguing my mind when I was offered the opportunity to review a new book, Their Name is Today: Reclaiming Childhood in a Hostile World by Johann Christoph Arnold. 

Goodreads describes this book as, 

"There's hope for childhood. Despite a perfect storm of hostile forces that are robbing children of a healthy childhood, courageous parents and teachers who know what s best for children are turning the tide. Johann Christoph Arnold, whose books on education, parenting, and relationships have helped more than a million readers through life s challenges, draws on the stories and voices of parents and educators on the ground, and a wealth of personal experience. He surveys the drastic changes in the lives of children, but also the groundswell of grassroots advocacy and action that he believes will lead to the triumph of common sense and time-tested wisdom. Arnold takes on technology, standardized testing, overstimulation, academic pressure, marketing to children, over-diagnosis and much more, calling on everyone who loves children to combat these threats to childhood and find creative ways to help children flourish. Every parent, teacher, and childcare provider has the power to make a difference, by giving children time to play, access to nature, and personal attention, and most of all, by defending their right to remain children."

The author is a huge advocate for children and his love and passion for our future generations is palpable throughout the entire book. I found myself nodding along as Arnold wrote about the importance of play in a child's life, as well as a societal need to decrease the amount of screentime children are exposed to. He also discusses the importance of raising children who are manipulated by marketing schemes to become materialistic and brand loyal from a very early age. All things that have been heavy on my mind, as of late.

Overall, the author's message is one that we can all get onboard with. Quite simply, children need love. Although, I found myself disappointed by the amount of references in this book (I felt as though half the book's content was the author quoting the wisdom of others), it was obvious that this man has a heart for children and as parents (and future parents) we could all do well to read how to raise up strong, compassionate and loving people in a conflicted and scary world. 

I gave this book...THREE STARS!