If you are wondering how do the French manage to raise well-behaved children and have a life, how French babies sleep through the night, why do French children happily eat what is put in front of them? How can French mums chat to their friends while their children play quietly? Why are French mums more likely to be seen in skinny jeans than tracksuit bottoms? Then ask the questions no more as French Children Don’t Throw Food by Pamela Druckerman will give you all the answers you need.
When I was pregnant with my daughter in Malaysia, I read a lot of books about babies and how to bring up children as I used to Freelance as a writer for a Baby Magazine and had to review 5 books a month for them. I used to frequent MPH Bookstore in search of books to feature and during one of my trips, I stumbled upon this book. I was at the time, aware of the French way of life and immediately was curious about how they brought up children. This book has since been my go to book when I was bringing up my kids and one of my prized books which I packed to bring along with me when I moved from Malaysia to the UK. Pamela has written the books so beautifully using her experience both in America and in France to highlight how the French bring up their kids.
Personally, I found the book relatable as well as funny and as a young first time mother (when I purchased the book), I wanted to know how to train my child to eat both Asian and Western food and be well behaved. In the book, Pamela explains in detail about her observation of French mums and how they bring up their children in comparison to British or American mums. She has also added that unlike British or American children where snacks are given to kids in between meals, the French children get a good breakfast, a three course lunch at school (from the age of 3), gouter or healthy snack follow by dinner. I was also fascinated by how the children in France are well-behaved and taught to patiently play by themselves or wait instead of constantly interrupting their parents. I also read in admiration how the French children slept in the night (when they were two to three months old) without disturbing their mother for feeds (I have to admit, I was lucky as both my children were pretty good and slept through the night from 4 months old but I found this was not the case with my friends). Pamela has also shared a couple of French recipes in the book which she learnt whilst living in Paris (I only wished she shared more).
How much is the book and where can you buy it?
The paperback retails at £7.72 while the kindle edition retails for £4.99. You can purchase it from Amazon here.
About the book
Paperback: 368 pages
Publisher: Black Swan (17 Jan. 2013)
Language: English
ISBN-13: 978-0552779173
Product Dimensions: 12.7 x 2.3 x 19.8 cm
About Pamela Druckerman
Pamela Druckerman is the author of the number one Sunday Times bestseller French Children Don’t Throw Food (published in the US as Bringing Up Bébé), which has been translated into 27 languages. She is also a Contributing Opinion Writer for the New York Times. She has also written There Are No Grown-Ups: A Midlife Coming-of-Age Story as well as Bébé Day By Day: 100 Keys to French Parenting and Lust in Translation: Infidelity from Tokyo to Tennessee. She lives in Paris with her English husband and their three children.
Here’s a short youtube video of my review of the book, do check it out to get an idea of the book is about.
Feel free to pin this image
You may also want to read this:
Cookbook Review: Cook Now Eat Later by Mary Berry
Mary Berry’s Chocolate Fork Biscuit Recipe
20 comments
I read this book when my kids were very small. I LOVED it. Great read.
So glad you did Beth, it is a fab book and I love it still
It is amazing how different things are done around the world, this sounds like an interesting look at how the French work with there kids and food.
It is a great combination and both go hand in hand together
It’s always so interesting to see how other countries parent children – great review!
Thank you for stopping by Jenny
This sounds like a really interesting read. I love reading about cultural differences and if they have tips on how to get their children to sleep, I’d love to hear them!
Yes the author does indeed Jennifer, worth getting a copy of the book to read
This looks an interesting read, i will recommend this to my wife as she likes to read these books , great review.
Thank you Liam, appreciate it
There must be so many different ways that people say you should raise kids, and I’m sure it differs massively from country to country, sounds like an interesting book x
A very good book if you ask me, would totally recommend it
The French way of life is totally different and I’ve seen it first hand as my parents live in France. I imagine the book is a very good read! Sim
Yes it is Sim, so glad you have seen how they bring up their children
Ooo I like the look of this book…I bet it was a very interesting read, as everyone has a different take on the way you should bring up kids x
Absolutely, it certainly was an interesting read and I did find so many good tips from the book
I think children learn by example and a lot of this does start at home. Manners and respect cost nothing but a lot of children just never get taught this
I totally agree with you there, so important to teach kids these things at home
I know you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover but I love this and would definitely give it a read.
I totally agree and yes do give this book a read