Syndicated columnist Ann Landers usually hands out her own homespun advice. But this past Easter Sunday, Landers referred her estimated 90 million readers to the common sense found in the Harvard Common Press title Smart Love by Martha Heineman Pieper, Ph.D. and William J. Pieper, M.D.
"This book offers some excellent suggestions on how to be nurturing and compassionate so that you can help your child become well adjusted and happy," she said.
By Easter eve, the Piepers' book, which published this month, jumped to #40 on Amazon.com's Hot 100. Harvard Common Press is now going back to press for a second printing of 40,000 copies, which will bring the total in print to 75,000.
The Piepers' principles provide a direct contrast to the "tough love" parenting philosophy that has received a lot of play in the media recently. Harvard Common Press and publicist Carol Fass, who's working with the house on this project, are now working with Today show producers to develop a segment that would feature the Piepers alongside one of these more discipline-oriented proponents, possibly Andrews McMeel author John Rosemond.
That show is not yet scheduled, but other Pieper media is in the pipeline. The authors have been interviewed by Parenting, Woman's World, Working Mother, Fit Pregnancy, Redbook and even Penthouse, among others.
