Annotated Reading List

This magazine article highlights the lessons learned from playing and swimming with endangered West Indian manatees in Crystal River, Florida.

Lynne Cox takes the reader on her early morning training swim off the California coast.  During the swim she encounters a baby gray whale separated from its mother.  Lynne spends the next several hours trying to help the whale locate its mother.  This gem of a book is written from the heart and experience of good writer and caring person.  It richly depicts a hopeful relationship between people and the natural world.

Fred Donaldson's text is the definitive writing on Original Play. The book covers his early experiences playing with children and wild animals. The book is no longer available from Health Communications. Copies are currently available from the author.

The ReVision magazine article is a concise description of Original Play, its origins and the thoughts behind Fred Donaldson's vocation of creating playmates all over the world.

Riane Eisler's text is a must read for anyone interested in transforming the classroom experience for children. The book highlights not only why our educational system must change from one of competition to cooperation but also how lesson plans can be developed to reach this goal.

This gem of a book tells the reader how to define kindness, recognize it in daily life and use its power to change the world.  Filled with inspiring stories and possibilities.

Lt. Colonel Grossman is a professor and a retired Army Ranger.  His book is both a scientific and historical exploration about why most men in previous wars were unable to kill enemy soldiers and how modern warfare training has changed that fact. Grossman applies this information to cultural issues that children face today. The book shares important information for those interested in the development of children.

Hayward is a physicist and father who takes us along on a retreat where he writes letters to his daughter.  In his letters, Hayward explains to his daughter about the existence of two worlds that she needs to know about in daily life.  The first world is the daily existence we all experience.  The other world is a hidden, magical existence that escape many people.  As a scientist, Hayward both uncovers this second, hidden world and explains why it is not recognized by most people today.

Jensen's book examines the interconnectedness of the natural world coupled with observations from his personal development.  The author's observations are both dark and powerful.

Kidder, Tracy (2004) Mountains Beyond Mountains. Random House.

Kidder beautifully chronicles the work of Dr. Paul Farmer, a dedicated physician who is changing the way the world teats multiple drug resistant tuberculosis and other infectious diseases.  Farmer, along with his colleagues at Partners in Health (www.pih.org), create meaningful changes in the lives of people in Haiti, Peru and Russia.  Kidders' book is proof-positive that a dedicated person can change the world.

Kohn, Alfie (1986) No contest: The case against competition. Boston: Houghton Mifflin.

Kohn's text is an in-depth review of competition. The book explores why competition does not deliver the outcomes that many people see as a natural result of the daily contest behavior in our culture.

Montagu's text, in its second printing, remains a must-read book on touch. The book is filled with highlights of studies that focus on the necessity of touch. It also explores the subject with historical accounts and varying perspectives from different cultures.

Dr. Prescott's research in the field of children's mental health often goes unrecognized. This article covers his research, which he believes speaks best to the factors that influence violence in the development of children.

Rashid's book on horse training is more of a blueprint for developing leadership skills than raising horses. In his book, Rashid highlights the differences between forced leadership and leadership chosen by the group, what he calls "passive leadership." The author implies that these skills are applicable to any leadership setting.

Rogers, Fred (2003) The world according to Mr. Rogers: Important things to remember. New York: Hyperion. 

This inspirational little book of quotes and short stories was compiled shortly after the death of Fred Rogers, the well-known man behind Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood from Public Television.  In this book we discover the kindness, radiance and love of the man, minister and musical composer that so many children have grown up knowing.  Fred Rogers reminds us through song and story that to serve children is to serve the world and ultimately ourselves.

Rusesabagina, Paul and Zoellner, Tom (2006). An ordinary man. Viking Penguin.

This autobiography covers the authors harrowing account of the 1994 Rwandan genocide and his efforts to save the lives of over 1000 people in the hotel he managed.  This powerful story illustrates how one person's focus and courage can change the lives of many people. The message between the lines provides  a beacon of hope in a dark period of history.

Senge examines the necessity of systems thinking in the development of corporate business culture.  The book is filled with a variety of systems theory perspectives from corporate leaders around the world.