The Childhood Roots of Adult Happiness

August 5, 2002
Hallowell (Driven to Distraction) provides a refreshing look at what children really need in order to grow up to be happy adults. Hallowell argues that kids do not need straight As, a crammed schedule of extracurricular activities or even a traditional family in order to become contented adults. What children really need, according to the author, are unconditional love from someone (not necessarily a parent) and the opportunity to revel in the magic and play of childhood. Kids do not need perfect lives, and learn from adversity and failure, but for the best chance of future happiness, Hallowell says, they need five basic tenets: to feel connected, to play, to practice, attain mastery and receive recognition. It's easy to get caught up in the "great riptide that sucks kids out of childhood and into an achievement fast lane as early as nursery school," Hallowell warns. Instead, he says, parents should focus on social/emotional health and happiness, creating an environment in which kids are free to "develop the muscles of confidence, optimism and hope." Drawing upon the research of optimist expert Martin Seligman, happiness researcher Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi and others, the author offers a solid case for establishing joyful childhood roots that form the basis of adult contentment. Though occasionally overly sentimental, Hallowell's heartfelt message is essential for our fast-paced, electronic age, reminding parents and children alike to slow down, enjoy life and learn to play well. (Oct.)Forecast:The publisher plans a solid media package, including an 8-city author tour, but Hallowell's name alone will boost sales.

August 12, 2002
Hallowell (Harvard Medical Sch.) here aims to help parents give children the tools needed to achieve happiness. Though he provides useful, up-to-date information backed by quotes from many books and research studies, readers may resist his socioeconomic assumptions. Hallowell speaks as if everyone has attended an Ivy League school, for example. In addition, the vignettes used to illustrate various points often involve Hallowell's family, and it gets tiresome to read how terrific his children are. The absence of a bibliography is a further stumbling block. A much more accessible and easy-to-read book about raising happy children is Steve Biddulph's The Secret of Happy Children. Still, Hallowell's book may be requested because of his reputation and his previous publications, which include the popular Driven to Distraction, which addressed attention deficit disorder. Purchase this new book only where demand warrants. Alice Hershiser, Reedville, VA

Copyright 2002 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

September 15, 2002
Hallowell, a psychiatrist, offers a five-step program to help parents increase the likelihood that their children will enjoy childhood and grow into productive and happy adults. Using interviews with parents, educators, pediatricians, psychiatrists, social workers, and children of all ages, Hallowell explores the "roots of joy." He asks basic questions of parents regarding their aspirations for their children and advises parents to look back on their own childhood, recalling positive and negative memories and taking lessons from them. Separate chapters address each of the five steps--each step leading into the next--of connection, play, practice, mastery, and recognition. Using case studies and vignettes, Hallowell emphasizes teaching children to deal with adversity and develop self-esteem and the ability to create and sustain joy, supplementing his advice with practical suggestions to implement the five-step plan in daily life. A useful resource for parents and educators.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2002, American Library Association.)