Who's Raising Your Child?: Battling the Marketers for Your Child's Heart and Soul

What an informative look at the way media messages shape our self-images, relationships and spending patterns. From the descriptive opening pages offering a bird's eye view of a teenager's prom preparations to a toddler's favorite birthday gifts, readers are lured into a story of the effect of mass consumerism on modern day families. Startling statistics, real life examples, and an easy to read format make this book a perfect conversation starter for parents, teachers, community leaders and marketers. The format includes stories, sidebars, bulleted lists and numerous topic headings within each chapter making it easy to read during stolen moments throughout the day. The authors address marketing tactics that influence toddlers, adolescents, tweens and teens (Note: The same strategies are often used to persuade adult consumers as well.) Topics include sex, violence, alcohol, pornography, video games, music and magazines. The resources section offers additional sources of help and information. Review by JoAnna Carey, Rat Race Relaxer: Your Potential & The Maze of Life

Highly recommended for parents of children of all ages. This is a provocative and helpful book. Parents who aren't yet concerned about how their kids are being brainwashed by the media will be after they read the book; concerned parents will find great and useful tips for dealing with their children after they've been exposed to any number of marketing schemes. The book identifies specific marketing strategies aimed at different age groups from baby to teenager, then gives advice on counteracting these strategies. Parents will want to pass this valuable book on to their friends.