Skip to main content
PBS logo
 
 

Book Reviews of What to Expect: The Toddler Years

What to Expect: The Toddler Years
What to Expect The Toddler Years
Author: Arlene Eisenberg, Heidi E. Murkoff, Sandee E. Hathaway
ISBN-13: 9780894809941
ISBN-10: 0894809946
Publication Date: 1/11/1994
Pages: 904
Rating:
  • Currently 3.9/5 Stars.
 333

3.9 stars, based on 333 ratings
Publisher: Workman Publishing Company
Book Type: Paperback
Reviews: Amazon | Write a Review

55 Book Reviews submitted by our Members...sorted by voted most helpful

reviewed What to Expect: The Toddler Years on
Helpful Score: 6
I was very disappointed with the advice in this book and found myself disagreeing with some of it. I was completely incredulous to hear the author DIScourage breastfeeding beyond 12 months of age! I guess she must not be aware of all the evidence that points to breastmilk being beneficial up to 2 years+. A lot of other advice in the book seems arbitrary and not backed up by research or proof. There were only a few sections that I disagreed with and the rest of the book is filled with good information. But they touched enough of a nerve that I would never give this book away to a friend.
reviewed What to Expect: The Toddler Years on + 5 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 4
None of the book's three authors are doctors. None of them have advanced degrees in childhood development. Only one is a nurse. Perhaps they are all mothers, but none of them have the credentials to write an "authoritative" book on childcare.

The opinions given are not backed up by research. Much of the book contradicts the current recommendations of the American Academy of Pediatrics and the World Health Organization. Much of the advice is age-inappropriate (such as weaning from the breast), and some of it is downright cruel (such as sleep training). Part of the book is in question-answer format; the questions are often insipid and the answers are more often condescending. I don't know how the What To Expect series is so popular, because it's consistently garbage. For the sake of your baby, look somewhere else.
reviewed What to Expect: The Toddler Years on
Helpful Score: 3
When my oldest daughter, now 10, was born, I lived by these books! It was great to have such a wonderful resource (other than my mom) because I was the first of all my friends to become a mother! Now, as a mom of 3, I still consult my "mommy bible" and give these as gifts to all of my "new mommy" friends!
reviewed What to Expect: The Toddler Years on + 34 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
An all-inclusive guide for the parents of toddlers.
reviewed What to Expect: The Toddler Years on + 117 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Great book to refer to with problems.
reviewed What to Expect: The Toddler Years on + 64 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
I loved this book; I'd read the appropriate month before she hit it to make sure she was developing properly, and I could quit worrying.
reviewed What to Expect: The Toddler Years on + 597 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
I love this one the most of all. I really found it helpfull with my second child. It covers everything you want to know if you have a toddler in the house.
reviewed What to Expect: The Toddler Years on + 11 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Fabulous resource for the turbulent toddler years! I lived with this at my bedside to check for normalcy and for suggestions on issues like potty training.
reviewed What to Expect: The Toddler Years on + 4 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Wonderful reference book for anyone with Toddlers. Has individual sections on each month starting with 13th and going to the 24th. Then groupings of months 25-36. Includes sections on Care, Safety, feeding,Potty training, Health care, First Aid, Special need children, and parenting.
kevinsbebe avatar reviewed What to Expect: The Toddler Years on + 165 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
A really great book to help you through those magical and trying toddler years. This is a great series too. I used the pregnancy one, the first year and this one for all three of my kids and loved them.
reviewed What to Expect: The Toddler Years on + 2 more book reviews
Fantastic reference source for first-time parent.
MyLikeIt avatar reviewed What to Expect: The Toddler Years on + 450 more book reviews
Classic now, and quite helpful.
wytchysteph avatar reviewed What to Expect: The Toddler Years on + 39 more book reviews
Picked this up from a rummage sale and although it was somewhat helpful during my son's toddler years I still had to muddle through quite a bit on my own simply because my son didn't fit into the "mold" of how this was written. I have a child that isn't quite the usual when it comes to development so although the general information is helpful, it doesn't help too much if your child is either behind or advanced or just "different".
reviewed What to Expect: The Toddler Years on + 2 more book reviews
Excellent source of information.
2manyb00ks avatar reviewed What to Expect: The Toddler Years on + 203 more book reviews
Great reference book for knowing what to expect when raising kids.
reviewed What to Expect: The Toddler Years on + 8 more book reviews
Very useful!
reviewed What to Expect: The Toddler Years on + 20 more book reviews
Good advice, a classic! Every parent needs this book!
reviewed What to Expect: The Toddler Years on
I found this book very helpful!
reviewed What to Expect: The Toddler Years on
A comprehensive guide thru the toddler years.
codyki avatar reviewed What to Expect: The Toddler Years on + 12 more book reviews
This book is as good as What to Expect When Your Expecting! Author Arlene Eisenberg thinks of everything.
reviewed What to Expect: The Toddler Years on + 11 more book reviews
This book was extremely helpful to me as a first time mom, even after I had three kids I often refered to this book. It was a great reference tool. I learned quite a bit from this book.
reviewed What to Expect: The Toddler Years on + 8 more book reviews
This mommy bible got me through some terrible two's and beyond. An absolute must for anyone with growing toddlers.
ammie avatar reviewed What to Expect: The Toddler Years on + 14 more book reviews
Excellent resource for those early childhood years
TangoBrat avatar reviewed What to Expect: The Toddler Years on + 83 more book reviews
Lots of good info.
reviewed What to Expect: The Toddler Years on + 23 more book reviews
Excellent reference book.
reviewed What to Expect: The Toddler Years on + 2 more book reviews
Good overview so far (my daughter is 14 months, so I haven't "finished" the book). It's not earthshattering, brand new information but it is helpful to read about the developmental milestones.
reviewed What to Expect: The Toddler Years on + 41 more book reviews
Excellent source of material for almost any situation on toddlers! Easily written and understood. The index is a little hard to navigate as there are proper and slang words used for some things.
reviewed What to Expect: The Toddler Years on
Another good common sense book for the expectant parent's library.
reviewed What to Expect: The Toddler Years on + 41 more book reviews
This is the UK version (prams, nappies, etc.). Way too mainstream for my tastes.
reviewed What to Expect: The Toddler Years on + 8 more book reviews
A MUST-HAVE if you're fortunate enough to have a toddler. Consider this book this instruction manual that you wish had some with the kid when he was born!
reviewed What to Expect: The Toddler Years on + 39 more book reviews
This is a must-have for new moms. Very detailed and thorough. All the books in this series are excellent.
reviewed What to Expect: The Toddler Years on + 17 more book reviews
Excellent resource!
reviewed What to Expect: The Toddler Years on + 469 more book reviews
904 pages "A first-rate accomplishment . . . I can hardly imagine a paren'ts question that goes unanswered in these pages." Mark D. Widome, M.D. M.P.H., Professor of Periatrics, Pennsylvania State University
reviewed What to Expect: The Toddler Years on + 82 more book reviews
In direct continuation of What to Expect When You're Expecting and What to Expect the First Year, America's most trusted pregnancy and child-care books, comes an all-inclusive guide for the parents of toddlers. Complete with information on self-esteem; emotional, physical, and social development; discipline; eccentric behaviors; and making time for yourself in the midst of it all.
reviewed What to Expect: The Toddler Years on + 41 more book reviews
I used it a lot!
reviewed What to Expect: The Toddler Years on + 18 more book reviews
Great reference book, very informative.
reviewed What to Expect: The Toddler Years on + 170 more book reviews
I am following along with this book as my toddler grows. It's very informative. Very well written, easy to understand!
reviewed What to Expect: The Toddler Years on + 33 more book reviews
This is the ultimate childhood reference book! Don't raise your kids without it!
reviewed What to Expect: The Toddler Years on + 19 more book reviews
this is in excellent shape. Only has a bit of what I guess is from sitting on a metal shelf on bottom edges of pages does not affect the book. the book is in otherwise exc. shape. Really great for first time moms
reviewed What to Expect: The Toddler Years on + 19 more book reviews
Wonderful Resourse
reviewed What to Expect: The Toddler Years on + 22 more book reviews
It has some interesting things to help out a first time mom.
reviewed What to Expect: The Toddler Years on + 6 more book reviews
great book
reviewed What to Expect: The Toddler Years on + 4 more book reviews
Covers everything! Even things you think only your kid is going through! Very helpful.
reviewed What to Expect: The Toddler Years on + 11 more book reviews
Love it and use it regularly ; )
reviewed What to Expect: The Toddler Years on
This is a large book filled with tons of practical information for raising toddlers! Great reference book. 903 pages.
reviewed What to Expect: The Toddler Years on + 12 more book reviews
A great way to get help through the toddler years!
reviewed What to Expect: The Toddler Years on + 5 more book reviews
Have you ever wondered what to expect out of your toddler from year to year, this book shows you what you may expect to see from them.
reviewed What to Expect: The Toddler Years on + 9 more book reviews
Great reference book! If you are a first time parent this book will help you very much.
reviewed What to Expect: The Toddler Years on + 115 more book reviews
Great resource book. I used this many a times when my son was in the toddler stage.
reviewed What to Expect: The Toddler Years on + 14 more book reviews
Very good book for those who are lost raising their toddlers. It is very comprehensive as to what you should expect from the time you take your bundle of joy home until he graduates to a young child. Contains tons of info on feeding, taking care of special needs, stimulating learning, healthy snacks, etc.
reviewed What to Expect: The Toddler Years on + 37 more book reviews
Great book that got me through the toddler years of my little one. This book is *very* well used and loved, some dog-eared pages and the cover is worn with a small tear in the binding.
reviewed What to Expect: The Toddler Years on + 10 more book reviews
This book was very helpful with my first and second child, as all children are different. I love how it covers the most laid back easy going kids all the way to the extreme hard to handle little ones. I have referred to this book on many occasions.
reviewed What to Expect: The Toddler Years on + 18 more book reviews
Superb. Closest thing to an instruction manual that you can get. Very handy.
reviewed What to Expect: The Toddler Years on + 8 more book reviews
The book does show signs of wear--because I LOVED IT! I wasn't sure what to do when my child grew out of toddler years--now I have teens, so I guess I could part with it...
reviewed What to Expect: The Toddler Years on + 17 more book reviews
This is brand new. I got it by accident from my ins company because they had my daughters birthday wrong.