Can anyone recommend a good, general toddler book?

[Meandacat]

I'm looking for something very general to dip in and out of, with bits of info on everything.

I had "What to expect: the first year" and found it really excellent. But reviews of the follow-up "toddler years" are not so good and I wondered if there was something similar out there that is better recommended. What I absolutely do NOT want is some prescriptive, here's-the-way-I-think-works book in the mold of Gina Ford, Tracey Hogg etc. I'm looking for general tips and guidance, not an instruction manual.

Fed up hunting on Amazon and my lunch hour is nearly over!

I quite liked the toddler years actually although definitely used it less than what to expect in the first year, but I think that is natural as toddler 'change less quickly'. It was good to dip in to when I needed to and like the first year tries to be balanced.

New Toddler Taming by Dr. Christopher Green is our go to whenever we hit a new issue with our 3yr old DS. Don't be put of the name, it is a fantastic book with easy to find sections on everything from potty training to sibling rivalry etc. Absolute lifesaver and understandably a bestseller. It is not bossy and prescriptive, just very reassuring and packed with practical tips. I have heard The Incredible Years is also very good but have not read it yet. Hope this helps.

I quite liked Your Toddler's Development by Caroline Deacon in the Teach Yourself series. It outlines what children are able to do / think at each stage.

I hated the Dr Green book, it is the book he lauched his 'controlled crying' theory in so if you like cc it might be the book for you.

I had a few toddler specific books but didn't get much use from these, I have enjoyed some broader books like, How to Talk so Kids will Listen, Nurture Shock etc

The one I did like once DS started talking was Baby Talk by Sally Ward, very interesting, and getting toddlers to communicate as well as possible helps navigate lots of problems!

Hth

I liked 'Miss Poppy's Guide', written by a nanny called Elaine Addison. Has a few bits of developmental info, together with recipes, games and ways she dealt with some issues (like refusing to eat). She isn't prescriptive - not an instruction manual, but gave me some ideas on what to expect at different stages.

I thought Toddler Taming was really good as I liked the way it explained about how your toddler thinks and sees the world, which did help me to understand them better. Mind you I had done cc already so I guess I was on his wavelength...

Toddler Taming I thought was great and have dipped in and out of it for the past 3 years. My son is 4.7 now and I still reference it now and again

It doesn't tell you what you should and shouldn't do - more advice what you could try, what doesn't work, what's normal for said age and really gives you confidance you are not alone when you feel crappy or worrying about an issue.

It does suggest control Crying - which we didn't do, it's just personal choice. But I would definitely recommend.

I also have Toddler Taming but filter things to suit me. No controlled crying here either!

To be honest if you stick around you get a lot of tips and life experience from other mums which I value more than the book. Actually, I've just remembered that Mumsnet have published their own toddler guide which is quite good.

The MN guide is awesome and VVV funny (esp the potty training bit). I read it just for a laugh sometimes!