PLATYPUS POST, Number 16, May 2006PLATYPUS POST, Number 16, May 2006
A regular publication of Platypus Media, an independent publisher of books for families, teachers and parenting professionals.
WELCOME to Platypus Post, an electronic newsletter from Platypus Media. We hope you find that the parenting, teaching, and breastfeeding information we provide here is useful. Feel free to forward the newsletter to friends or colleagues.
INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
DIA'S DIARY: Guilt Is Good For You!
Breastmilk is the ideal infant food, providing newborns and toddlers alike with everything they need for ideal mental, physical and emotional growth. It is safe, clean, abundant and free. Yet despite this, disappointingly few women choose to breastfeed, and even fewer choose to continue beyond the first months.
The infant formula companies have coined the issue as one of choice and consumer freedom. They say that how one feeds one's baby is a personal decision that should be made by the parents. As Dr. Nancy E. Wight, a pediatrician, neonatologist, and a frequent speaker on breastfeeding issues explains, "The truth is that the 'choice' between breast and bottle is really a sham, with everything in our society pushing us towards bottle-feeding. Despite the proven health benefits of breastfeeding for both mother and infant, physicians have traditionally been reluctant to take a stand for fear of making parents who choose to bottle feed feel guilty."
But a recent article from the Wall Street Journal reports that guilt is actually good for you. "It really causes us to stand up and take notice and make amends," June Tangney, a psychology professor at George Mason University who specializes in guilt and shame. "It pushes you to do the right thing, to confess, to apologize, to make amends for the problems you've created."
Consider sun worshipers. Researchers at Tulane University found the best way to get them to use sunscreen was to make them feel guilty about how loved ones would feel if they got cancer.
It seems that women are more likely to feel guilty than men, and a new poll out from ABC News and Good Housekeeping found that more than half of mothers felt guilty that they were not better mothers.
Many women who choose bottle feeding admit they could have been persuaded to choose breastfeeding if only someone had cared enough to tell them how important breastfeeding is. Human breastmilk is the only food designed to meet all the needs of human babies. Instead of being defensive about promoting breastfeeding and thinking of it as an inappropriate manipulation of behavior, we need to see it as a targeted message that serves a cultural priority. After all, the experts assure us, guilt is good for us!
The "guilt card" has long been the reason so many health care professionals hesitate to promote breastfeeding, but hiding behind guilt deflects attention from the lack of knowledge and understanding many healthcare professionals and parents have about breastfeeding.
As Dr. Wight summarizes, "Why would a rational adult, when presented with the choice between health and illness, choose illness? Let us continue to promote what is best for infants and let the guilt fall where it may!"
References:
ABC News, The Great American Guilt Trip: Why Guilt Is Good for You, April 7, 2006. http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/story?id=1817064&page=1
Wight, Nancy E., MD, FAAP, IBCLC, The Guilt Issue, San Diego Breastfeeding Coalition, http://www.breastfeeding.org/articles/guilt.html
This article is one of a number of articles provided by Platypus Media that may be reprinted and reproduced for non-commercial purposes. Platypus Media is happy to offer you these materials to use in your newsletters or to distribute at your next event or health fair . Just pick the ones you want and download them at http://platypusmedia.com/educate_handouts.shtml. Let's educate the world together!
AUSTRALIANS HEAR DIA TALK ABOUT PLATYPUSES!
Robyn Williams, of the Australian Broadcasting Company, interviewed Dia at the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) conference in St. Louis this past February. Robyn, being from Australia, is familiar with the platypus and wondered why we had plush platypuses on display at the AAAS conference. The interview aired March 4th but you can listen to it and/or read the transcript at http://platypusmedia.com/programs.shtml.
PM LAUNCHES NEW SERIES: Science, Naturally!
Platypus Media launched in 2000 with titles designed to meet the needs of new parents, maternal and child health professionals and elementary and middle school educators. After half a decade and a dozen books, it was decided to split Platypus Media into two companies with each focusing more on their core markets. Thus Science, Naturally! was created to develop and expand books for elementary and middle school students and educators, allowing Platypus Media to focus on the new parents and maternal/child health markets. Science, Naturally! now has one title in print and a half dozen in production.
Our flagship title, 101 Things Everyone Should Know About Science, was released at the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) conference in St. Louis. The response was gratifying. Within seventy-two hours, hundreds of copies were purchased and many copies of our upcoming books were pre-ordered. In addition to 101 Things Everyone Should Know About Science, look for 101 Things Everyone Should Know About Math and 101 Things Everyone Should Know About Health in the near future. Also in the works are 60 One-Minute Mysteries in Science, 60 One-Minute Mysteries in Math and 60 One-Minute Mysteries in Health.
Platypus Media will be distributing all Science, Naturally! titles, so make us your one-stop shop for great books. We are excited to be a part of this new endeavor and hope you share that excitement with us. Please let us know your thoughts, suggestions and needs. Contact us anytime at 877-PLATYPS (877-872-8977) or Info@PlatypusMedia.com.
Check Out Our New Title: 101 Things Everyone Should Know About Science
Why do you see lightning before you hear thunder? What keeps the planets orbiting around the sun? Why do we put salt on roads when they are icy? What metal is a liquid at room temperature? And the burning question: Why do so many scientists wear white lab coats?
Science affects everything -- yet so many of us wish we understood it better. Using an accessible question-and-answer approach, 101 Things Everyone Should Know About Science expands a reader's knowledge-whether they are 8 or 108. Key concepts in biology, chemistry, physics, earth science and general science are explored and demystified by an award-winning science writer and a seasoned educational trainer in consultation with a team of scientists. Endorsed by science organizations and educators, this easy-to-tackle book is a powerful tool to assess and increase science literacy.
Just released, this book has already garnered lots of attention-Katrina L. Kelner, Ph.D. of Science magazine says "Succinct, cleverly written…should be on everyone's bookshelf!", Julie Edmonds, Ph.D. of the Carnegie Academy for Science Education says "...encourages a lifetime of curiosity about the world around us!" and April Holladay, the author of ,USA Today's online science column WonderQuest says "Their book challenges our understanding, intrigues us, and leads us on a voyage of discovery!"
This is the first collaboration between Dia Michels and Nathan Levy. Dia is an award-winning science writer who has written or edited over a dozen books for adults and children, including If My Mom Were a Platypus: Mammal Babies and Their Mothers and Breastfeeding at a Glance: Facts, Figures and Trivia about Lactation. Nathan is a seasoned educator and the author of Stories with Holes, Whose Clues? and Nathan Levy's 100 Intriguing Questions. A former high school principal, Nathan has worked directly with children, teachers and parents in his thirty-five years of work in a public schools.
101 Things Everyone Should Know About Science
Dia L. Michels and Nathan Levy
Ages 8 to 108
160 pages
$9.95
0-9678020-5-9
SPRING SAVINGS AT PLATYPUS MEDIA!
We are very excited about our new title... 101 Things Everyone Should Know About Science, and we want EVERYONE to have a copy for themselves, give them as gifts, and donate them to libraries and schools. This book is endorsed by science organizations and educators and is perfect for kids, grown-ups and anyone interested in gaining a better understanding of how science impacts everyday life.
SPRING SPECIAL!
*Buy before July and get discounts up to 62%*
____________________________________________________________
5 Copies for $ 34.95 and FREE shipping: 36% Discount!! (retail: $49.75)
10 Copies for $ 59.95 and FREE shipping: 43% Discount!! (retail: $99.50)
25 Copies for $124.95 and FREE shipping: 53% Discount!! (retail: $248.75)
100 Copies for $389.95 and FREE shipping: 62% Discount!! (retail: $995.00)
*Expires June 30, 2006*
QUOTE OF THE MONTH
If we had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant; if we did not sometimes taste of adversity, prosperity would not be so welcome.
~ Anne Bradstreet
FUN AT HOME OR SCHOOL: Class Lunch-Bag Book
Create a "look and see" lunch-bag book for your child/class to enjoy. Use regular size brown lunch bags. Each child will need one bag and a rectangle of white paper that will fit easily into the lunch bag. On the outside have the children draw the habitat of an animal they know about. Then on the rectangular white shape draw the animal. Slip the picture inside the bag. Start by having each child describe and show the habitat of the animal that is hiding in their bag. Take guesses from the rest of the children. Older children can write riddles on the outside of the bag to read to the group as clues. All bags can then be put together with book rings to make a class "look and see" book.
This activity is found in the Look What I See! Where Can I Be? With My Animal Friends Activity Guide
Hardback book: $16.95, 0-930775-08-3
Each Platypus Media children's book has a teacher-written Activity Guide. These are available at no charge. Just download the guide(s) of your choice at www.PlatypusMedia.com/educate.shtml.
NEW T-SHIRTS: Get them for your organization now!
Platypus Media has two t-shirt designs available to help you and your child promote breastfeeding. The first shirt states "Bottle Feeding is a Spectator Sport: Breast Feeding! Just Do It!", and the second "Mom and I are Bosom Buddies". They are 100% cotton and come in various sizes and colors. Adult sizes are $12, child sizes are $10. The "Bosom Buddies" shirt was created in conjunction with Maryland WIC. Maryland WIC uses these T-shirts as promotional material in their peer counselor program to advertise and encourage breastfeeding. We would be happy to work with your agency or organization to produce T-shirts that fit your needs.
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SUMMER READING EXTRAVAGANZA
The 2006 Summer Reading Extravaganza is devoted to paperback books published by Children's Book Council (CBC) members. It is for summer-themed titles, beach reads, and other books for vacation reading. The Summer Reading Extravaganza will launch on May 1 and will remain prominently featured on CBC Online's home page through Labor Day, and will be listed on CBC Magazine's front page for the rest of the year. Science, Naturally! currently has two books included in the extravaganza: 101 Things Everyone Should Know About Science and If My Mom Were A Platypus.
For more information visit: http://www.cbcbooks.org/.
SPRING SAVINGS AT PLATYPUS MEDIA!
We are very excited about our new title... 101 Things Everyone Should Know About Science, and we want EVERYONE to have a copy for themselves, give them as gifts, and donate them to libraries and schools. This book is endorsed by science organizations and educators and is perfect for kids, grown-ups and anyone interested in gaining a better understanding of how science impacts everyday life.
SPRING SPECIAL!
*Buy before July and get discounts up to 62%*
____________________________________________________________
5 Copies for $ 34.95 and FREE shipping: 36% Discount!! (retail: $49.75)
10 Copies for $ 59.95 and FREE shipping: 43% Discount!! (retail: $99.50)
25 Copies for $124.95 and FREE shipping: 53% Discount!! (retail: $248.75)
100 Copies for $389.95 and FREE shipping: 62% Discount!! (retail: $995.00)
*Expires June 30, 2006*
OUR FAMILY KEEPS GROWING: New Places to find Platypus Media Books
Families with Children from China (FCC) is a nondenominational organization of families who have adopted children from China. Its excellent online resource provides invaluable information to those in this community including "The Mall" which provides links to companies that sell things related to China adoption. We're pleased that Platypus Media's Look What I See! Where Can I Be? Visiting China is included. To view items in "The Mall" go to www.fwcc.org/resources.html.
NotJustSkin.org is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing accurate information and support around childbirth. Their motto is "Informed Adults -- Healthy Kids." Their goal is to help restore people's confidence and avoid unnecessary interventions. They also advocate for under-represented human rights, including informed consent and bodily integrity. Learn more about them at www.NotJustSkin.org or 310-779-8388.
NEWSLETTER INFORMATION
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Do you have parenting or breastfeeding questions or comments? Subjects you'd like to see addressed in future issues? Write to us at PlatypusPost@PlatypusMedia.com. If you would like to receive our current catalog, send your mailing address to Info@PlatypusMedia.com with "catalog request" in the subject line.
About Platypus Media
At Platypus Media, our mission is to produce high quality books with a broad appeal to families from different backgrounds that share a commitment to attachment parenting or simply believe in the importance of family closeness. Our goal is to create books and products that parents love, children enjoy, teachers appreciate, and parenting professionals value in their work.
Contact us at:
Platypus Media
627 A Street, NE
Washington, DC 20002
Toll-free 1-877-PLATYPS (1-877-752-8977)
202-546-1674 / Fax: 202-546-2356
Info@PlatypusMedia.com
http://www.PlatypusMedia.com
