Raising Can-Do Kids: Giving Children the Tools to Thrive in a Fast-Changing World

Rende, a developmental psychologist, and Prosek (Army of Entrepreneurs), CEO of public relations firm Prosek Partners, unite to provide useful strategies for parents hoping to steer their children toward successful careers. Rende and Prosek weave current research throughout and include interviews with various business people who look back on their childhoods for clues to their accomplishments (e.g., Joe Wetli, the “director of innovation” at Elmer’s Glue; brothers John and Bert Jacobs, creators of the “Life is good” lifestyle brand). They use real-life examples to underscore their points; for instance, the Jacobs brothers recall their mother’s eternal optimism. The book stresses the importance of play in early childhood and argues against the trend toward an early and intense focus on academics. It also explores the benefits of arts and crafts, risk-taking, learning from mistakes, and developing conversational competence, among other topics. In our swiftly changing world, the authors claim, “the old paradigms for parenting for success are becoming increasingly obsolete.” Their book should help parents raise kids flexible and creative enough to grasp future opportunities in business and in life. Agent: Lorin Rees, Rees Literary Agency. (Aug.)