Bringing Up Bebe: One American Mother Discovers the Wisdom of French Parenting by Pamela Druckerman
Reviewed by: Susie Rivera, Reference Specialist
Genre: Nonfiction
Suggested Age: Adult
What is the book about?: Pamela Druckerman marries a British journalist and they make their home in France. When she becomes pregnant with her first child, she begins to notice how pregnancy in France as well as French children are different than in America. For example, pregnant French women seem to sip wine without remorse and French children are well-behaved. They are even able to sit in a restaurant during a multi-course meal without parents having to give them an iPad. What are the secrets behind these phenomenons? Druckerman has done the research to find out why French parents are less stressed and why French children are so cultured and mindful.
My Review: I was drawn to this book after my son was born. My husband and I had just visited France, and I had noticed how well-behaved some of the children seemed in public. The insights Druckerman describes were fascinating to me as well as humorous. Though some of the pointers she gives regarding parenting seem like universal common sense, I learned a few new things that I tried right away with my baby. I listened to the e-audio version of this book and really enjoyed the narrator’s casual tone. Listening to her talk was like having lunch with a friend each day.
Three Words That Describe This Book: Interesting, funny, realistic
Give This a Try if You Like…French Women Don’t Get Fat, French Kids Eat Everything, Cultural differences
About FDL Reads
FDL Reads is a series of weekly book reviews from Fondulac District Library.
