cover image Child Potential: Fulfilling Your Child's Intellectual, Emotional, and Creative Promise

Child Potential: Fulfilling Your Child's Intellectual, Emotional, and Creative Promise

Theodore Isaac Rubin. Continuum, $18.95 (299pp) ISBN 978-0-8264-0489-3

In his 30th book psychiatrist Rubin ( Lisa and David ) offers sound counsel somewhat less prescriptive than the title suggests. Citing case histories, the author advises parents on encouraging children to develop in diverse areas. The lengthy text contains cautionary tales of adults stunted in childhood years by inept or indifferent parents. In heartening contrast, Rubin describes responsible fathers and mothers providing their children with the essentials for human growth: love, attention, loyalty, honesty, respect and understanding. Sharing reading time and cultural as well as ordinary events, laughing or commiserating together, are all part of the doctor's recipe for a full, good life. The advice reiterates age-old verities but Rubin's conviction invests them with fresh appeal. (Oct.)