Creating Kids who Can Practical and proven ways to boost their self-esteem every day Jean Robb and Hilary Letts Most kids can do ‘with a little help from their friends’ when it comes to boosting their self-esteem. Creating Kids Who Can is for parents who want to do everything in their power to ease the path for their children to get the best out of school, make homework an adventure, and above all to be unique individuals who ‘enjoy the uniqueness of others’. I was curious to read in the introduction that if you follow the strategies laid out in this book ‘boredom will be a problem of the past for your child.’ And also, that your child will ‘become creative, motivated, focussed purposeful and enthusiastic about developing their potential’. Goodness! Could any parent ask for more from a book? I know many parents who will seize on the section dealing with what causes a child to have a barrier to learning, with its well set-out strategies to help you along. The same too, for the sections on making sure your child does his homework, on bullying, and on helping you to understand why your child may ‘stumble’ at school. Does you child have a problem with talking in school, clowning around, fiddling, or jumping in without thinking? The authors provide some useful troubleshooting strategies to help you understand why your child may be behaving in these ways. (Being gifted may be just one reason your child is struggling.) It is easy to find your way to sections covering issues which are causing you, or your child, concern. There is an excellent chapter on ‘parent power’ especially for parents who find it hard to go to the school and speak to their child’s teacher. Sometimes I got a bit overwhelmed by all the information, but it is a helpful book written by two authors who are teachers working with people with barriers to learning and they know their stuff. So if you want to help a child with spelling, reading, writing, maths or just living happily, there are plenty of tips here. published by Hodder Mobius   price £6.99   ISBN: 0340820438 and available from      Review published 21 June 2002 © Jill Curtis 2002