Resource Center: Books and Articles

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This page contains books and articles of interest to WFNH. Do you have a favorite books you'd like to review for our website? Email your review of 100 words or less to info@wfnh.org. Be sure to include the title, author, and ages for children's books.

Article of Interest

Read the NH Women's Policy Institute's report - "The Economic Status of Women in New Hampshire."

Books of Interest

Below are books of interest, beginning with those of interest to adults, followed by those of interest to children and teens.

The She Spot: Why Women Are the Market for Changing the World -- And How to Reach Them (BK Business) (Berrett-Koehler Publishers (June 1, 2008), written by by Lisa Witter, Lisa Chen, and Gary Hirshberg.

Click the following link to purchase the book at Amazon.com. Women vote more, volunteer more and there is every indication that they will be giving more than men since they control over half of the total wealth in America. Women aren't a niche--they're the primary change-makers. The She Spot offers a practical -- and provocative -- primer on how nonprofit and advocacy organizations can strengthen their outreach to this highly motivated and engaged segment of the population. Click here to take The She Spot Quiz (PDF format).
A Field Guide to the Saints: The Traveler’s Illustrated Handbook to Church Art, written by Women’s Fund of New Hampshire’s Founder and Board member, Kate Rochefort Murray.

This book provides a fun and easy way to identify the saints found in churches and museums, and to learn their stories. Click the following link to purchase the book at Lulu Marketplace. Especially designed for travelers visiting southern Europe (but relevant anywhere that saints are found), this book allows you to solve the mystery of "Who is that saint?" It's a thrill to decode these images using the easy-to-read identification "clue list," and doing so can make visits to churches and museums a truly fun experience, a game anyone can play. If you are headed to Europe, bring this delightful, authoritative, and practical book along! You'll love reading the stories of the saints. The material is engaging and slightly irreverent, but always informative.
Love Your Body Program by Dina Zeckhausen, PhD, a companion to the children’s book, Full Mouse, Empty Mouse (Magination Press, 2007), written by Dina Zeckhausen, PhD, the founder of the Eating Disorders Information Network.

Full Mouse, Empty Mouse is the story of a boy mouse who copes with stress by over-eating, his sister who copes by under-eating, and the problems that result. The story, characters and illustrations help kids better understand the five key lessons presented in the handbook. The program is targeted to children in grades 2-5 and can be adapted to varying developmental levels. This Love Your Body program is designed to complement existing obesity prevention programs by emphasizing physical and mental health at any size. In an entertaining and creative format the program addresses the emotional, psychological and social issues related to eating problems.
Between Two Worlds: Escape from Tyranny: Growing Up in the Shadow of Saddam by Zainab Salbi and Laurie Beckland.

Zainab Salbi was eleven years old when her father was chosen to be Saddam Hussein’s personal pilot and her family’s life became entwined with his. In this absorbing memoir, Zainab reveals the roots of her struggle to become a leader and spokesperson in defense of women victims of war.
The Scalpel and the Silver Bear: The First Navajo Woman Surgeon Combines Western Medicine and Traditional Healing by Lori Alvord M.D.and Elizabeth Cohen Van Pelt.

An insider’s look at how modern medicine and the Navajo way mix. Dr. Alvord brings modern medicine to the Navajo reservation in Gallup, and the values of her people to a health care system in danger of losing its heart. In her work she merges the latest breakthroughs of modern science with the ancient tribal paths to recovery and wellness, following the Navajo philosophy of a balanced and harmonious life, called Walking in Beauty.
The Hummer and the Mini: Navigating the Contradictions of the New Trend Landscape by Robyn Waters

When Robyn Waters began her career in the 1970’s a trend was defined as something everybody wanted at the same time. Back then it was fairly easy for companies to figure out the next big trend and plan accordingly. But now the “next big thing” has been replaced by a thousand “next big things.” Robyn Waters explains that to discover what consumers are hungry for, companies need to ask what’s important to the consumer. One size no longer fit all. Waters explains that for every trend there is a countertrend, and to succeed at this time companies need to change their tactics.
Women, Philanthropy and Social Change Visions for a Just Society Ed., Elaine Clift.

The definitive book on women and philanthropy—essential reading for scholars, students, donors, grantees, and philanthropists. The seldom-heard “voice” of women's philanthropy speaks in this highly readable and richly contextualized collection of new writings. Elayne Clift, in her quest to demystify and honor women's philanthropy, turns to an impressive array of the movement's current leaders. As these remarkable women share their reflections and knowledge on the women's funding movement, it becomes clear that “women and philanthropy”—not so long ago a seeming oxymoron—harbors the marvelous potential for global social change across gender, race, and age barriers.
Great Books for Children and Teens
Robin’s Home by Jeannine Atkins (FOR BABY-PRESCHOOL)

Baby Robin is perfectly content in his "nest that fit as perfectly as a hug." As he snuggles in the nest, he asks his parents to tell him about how they built it, allowing the author to introduce information about robin behavior as part of the narrative. When Robin finally gathers his courage and takes his first leap into the wide world, he discovers that "the whole sky [is his] home." An appendix adds information useful for parents or teachers in explaining robin behavior to children.
Listen Buddy – Helen Lester (FOR AGES 4 - 8)

His ears are enormous, but listening is not the forte of a bunny named Buddy. And his misinterpretations of his parents's requests make for the sort of silly confusion that youngsters love: when his father asks for a pen, Buddy drags in a disgruntled hen; instead of the slice of bread his mother wants, Buddy turns up with the sawed-off headboard from a bed. Taking his first solo "long hop," Buddy forgets whether he is supposed to take a left or a right when the road forks. He selects the wrong route, of course, and ends up at the cave of the Scruffy Varmint, where he unleashes merry mayhem in trying to help that cranky creature cook soup.
Kira – Kira – Cynthia Kodohata (FOR AGES 9 - 12)

Katie's first word is "kira-kira," the Japanese word for "glittering," and she uses it to describe everything she likes. It was taught to her by her older sister, Lynn, whom Katie worships. Both girls have trouble adjusting when their parents move the family from Iowa to a small town in rural Georgia, where they are among only 31 Japanese-Americans. They seldom see their parents, who have grueling jobs in chicken-processing plants. Then Lynn becomes deathly ill, and Katie is often left to care for her, a difficult and emotionally devastating job.
Elsewhere – Gabrielle Zevin (FOR AGES13+)

What happens when you die? Where do you go? What do you do? Zevin provides answers to these questions in this intriguing novel, centering on the death of Liz Hall, almost 16 years old and looking forward to all that lies ahead: learning to drive, helping her best friend prepare for the prom, going to college, falling in love. Killed in a hit-and-run accident, Liz struggles to understand what has happened to her, grief-stricken at all she has lost, and incapable of seeing the benefits of the Elsewhere in which she finds herself. Refusing to participate in this new life, Liz spends her time looking longingly down at the family and friends back on Earth who go on without her. But the new environment pulls her into its own rhythms.