Children's Books: Our favorites (and least favorites!)

Children's Books: Our favorites (and least favorites!)

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2524482/fan_mail/new] Two moms, one giant stack of picture books, and zero filter. In this episode of Moms of the Millennium, hosts Rosie and Sarah break down what actually makes a great children's book. Rhyme and meter, illustration quality, a fun story, and (sometimes) a good moral lesson, using their kids' real bedtime favorites as evidence. They also confess to their Wall of Shame: the books they've literally hidden in the closet so they never have to read them again. Along the way: a World Cup detour, a Dr. Seuss redemption arc, and a very serious debate about whether "Green Eggs and Ham" teaches terrible consent lessons. If you're building a home library, stocking up for a toddler, or just love talking picture books, this is your ultimate children's book recommendation list! English, German, and Turkish titles included. 📖 Full Book List (Title - Author) Rhyme, Rhythm & Read-Aloud Favorites * Laterne, Laterne, Lieselotte! - Alexander Steffensmeier (German) * King Bidgood's in the Bathtub - Audrey Wood (illustrated by Don Wood) * Room on the Broom - Julia Donaldson & Axel Scheffler * The Sneetches - Dr. Seuss * The Gruffalo - Julia Donaldson & Axel Scheffler * Green Eggs and Ham - Dr. Seuss * Llama Llama Red Pajama - Anna Dewdney * The Cat in the Hat - Dr. Seuss Early Reader & Board Book Staples * Moo, Baa, La La La! - Sandra Boynton * Tickle Time! - Sandra Boynton * The Very Hungry Caterpillar - Eric Carle * The Book with No Pictures - B.J. Novak Big Feelings, Family & Friendship * No, David! - David Shannon * The Family Book - Todd Parr * It's Okay to Make Mistakes - Todd Parr * The Goodbye Book - Todd Parr * Not Now, Bernard - David McKee * The Bumble Bear - Nadia Shereen * The Heart and the Bottle - Oliver Jeffers * Strega Nona - Tomie dePaola Curiosity, Numbers & Big Ideas * Here We Are: Book of Numbers - Oliver Jeffers * Bedtime Math - Laura Overdeck Social Justice (For Kids!) * Click, Clack, Moo: Cows That Type - Doreen Cronin * Noodlephant - Jacob Kramer (illustrated by K-Fai Steele) Body Science & Body Safety * See Inside Your Body - Katie Daynes (illustrated by Colin King) * My Body Belongs to Me from My Head to My Toes - Dagmar Geisler Vehicles & City Life * Große Fahrzeuge in der Stadt (German) * Beyoğlu Macerası - Sema Şahin Kanat & Ayşe İnan (Turkish) 🚫 Wall of Shame * The Potty Book * Disney Pixar 5-Minute Stories - Disney Press * How to Potty Train Your Dragon - Steve Herman 🎧 Listen now Find Moms of the Millennium wherever you get your podcasts, and follow Rosie at @RosieTheRedTok on TikTok and @RosieTheRedGram on Instagram. Check out Sarah's website: ZerinaUsmen.com [https://www.zerinausmen.com/] Tags: children's books, kids books podcast, best picture books, toddler books, bedtime stories, mom podcast, Todd Parr, Julia Donaldson, Oliver Jeffers, Dr. Seuss books, German children's books, Turkish children's books

The Oh Crap Potty Training Method: Parenting book Cliff Notes

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2524482/fan_mail/new] Does the ultimate "potty bible" actually work? 💩 In this episode of Moms of the Millennium, hosts Rosie and Sarah tackle the infamous, ultra-popular Oh Crap! Potty Training method by Jamie Glowacki. Rosie breaks down the book's method step-by-step. Is the "naked weekend" actually a foolproof strategy, or just a recipe for carpet disaster? The girls share their own hilarious, messy, and painfully relatable firsthand experiences with potty training their toddlers. While the moms agree the book offers some genuinely solid advice to get your kid out of diapers, they don't hold back on the aspects that drove them crazy. For example, the slightly condescending tone and a seriously outdated, eye-roll-inducing chapter dedicated to dads. Rosie and Sarah separate the gold from the garbage. 🎧 What We Cover in This Episode: * The Oh Crap! CliffNotes: A quick, digestible breakdown of the blocks/stages. * Real Mom Realities: What actually happened when we tried these methods at home. * The Good, the Bad, and the Annoying: Why some of the book's advice feels a little too rigid. * The Dad Chapter Disaster: Our honest reaction to how the book handles fathers (spoiler: it’s not great). Whether you are currently trapped in the house with a naked toddler, planning your training weekend, or just need a good laugh with fellow millennial moms, this episode is your judgment-free guide to the potty trenches. Keywords: Oh Crap Potty Training summary, Jamie Glowacki method review, potty training tips for toddlers, millennial mom podcast, parenting book reviews, honest potty training experience, Oh Crap potty training dad chapter.

Autism and the Pursuit of Happiness: With guest Nakia

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2524482/fan_mail/new] Nakia, a mother navigating the complexities of raising a non-binary teenager with autism, joins hosts Rosie and Sarah in this deeply moving and enlightening episode.  Moving away from the medical model to focus on cultivating joy, Nakia shares tangible ways that friends and community members can provide genuine support. For example, the simple act of picking up specific preferred foods, or creating inclusive spaces by using plain language. The conversation also dives into the medical and therapeutic landscape. Nakia offers a powerful call to action for medical professionals to assume competence by directing questions to the child rather than parents. This episode is a masterclass in advocacy, autonomy, and the power of joy in the neurodivergent community. Show Notes & Resources: * Proloquo2Go: An award-winning symbol-based communication app (AAC) that gives a voice to those who cannot speak. * NeuroTribes by Steve Silberman: A groundbreaking book on the legacy of autism and the future of neurodiversity. * Feminincing: A resource and platform exploring the intersections of feminism, identity, and advocacy. * Autism Self Advocacy Network (ASAN): A nonprofit organization run by and for autistic people, advocating for disability rights and systemic change.

Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother vs Untigering: Parenting book Cliff Notes

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2524482/fan_mail/new] This week, Rosie and Sarah take a sharp, analytical look at the 2011 cultural phenomenon Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother. While the book is often framed as a "clash of cultures," Sarah peels back the layers to look at the darker psychological undercurrents of the "Tiger" philosophy.  Rather than focusing on the individual chores or practice hours, Sarah reflects on the psychology of control. We dive into why the Tiger parenting model is a "perfect storm" for parents with narcissistic tendencies—those who view their children not as separate individuals, but as extensions of their own ego and social standing. Key Discussion Points: * The Child as a Trophy: the drive to use a child’s achievements (the Ivy League degree, the Carnegie Hall debut) to bolster the parent's self-image. * The "Untigering" Framework: Moving beyond the "Tiger" archetype to reclaim autonomy. Sarah and Rosie discuss the book "Untigering" by Iris Chen. How to stop the cycle of performance-based love and transition into a parenting style rooted in unconditional love. * The Architecture of Fear: Why "Tiger" parenting relies on emotional withdrawal and shame, and how these tools are used to keep a child’s identity fused with the parent’s expectations. * Healing Through Communitz: Advice on building a community, cultivating positive relationships, and therapeutic connections that mirror your worth back to you—without the fine print of a grading rubric.

How To Talk So Little Kids Will Listen, Part 2: Parenting Book Cliff Notes

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2524482/fan_mail/new] Stop Shouting into the Void: The Toddler Whisperers Are Back! Ever felt like your parenting strategy is just a series of increasingly loud “becauses”? You’re not alone. This week, Rosie and Sarah are diving back into the parenting trenches to wrap up their deep dive into the modern classic, How to Talk So Little Kids Will Listen. In Part 2, the Moms of the Millennium move past the theory and into the "The Tools in Action." It’s one thing to understand empathy; it’s another thing entirely to use it when your kid is having a meltdown in the middle of Target. The hosts walk through the book's real-world anecdotes and share their own (sometimes messy) attempts at applying these strategies in the heat of the moment. In this episode, we cover "The Tools in Action" for: * The Grocery Store Gauntlet: How to get through the aisles without a "cereal box standoff." * The Bedtime Battle: Shifting from power struggles to peaceful transitions. * Sibling Rivalry & Transitions: Practical ways to use play and "fantasy" to move from Point A to Point B. * The Final Verdict: Why Rosie and Sarah give this book an enthusiastic thumbs up for surviving the preschool years. Whether you're dealing with a "threenager" or a spirited local toddler, this episode is packed with the empathy and humor you need to make it to bedtime. > The Consensus: It’s a thumbs up! Rosie and Sarah agree that these tools actually work when the stakes (and the screaming) are high.