I just purchased 6 more of these books as gifts for young parents in my family. How to Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk is the best book I've found on the topic of communication (next to the bible). As a retired schoolteacher, parent and grandparent, I've read hundreds of parenting/teaching books and this one tops them all. It is easy to read and loaded with practical, easy-to-carry-out communication strategies. The best part is that IT WORKS! I've used the suggested techniques in the book on numerous occasions, for example, with children on field trips alongside parents I barely knew. The parents were always amazed at how easily I was able to direct a child without confrontation. They ultimately asked where I learned to do that and I had to give the credit to Mazlish and Faber. When raising my own children, I actually printed out the "quick reminder" pages, stapled them together and kept them handy for quick review so that I'd be prepared to use the suggested techniques for a particular situation rather than resort to my old, not-so-effective communication habits. As a wife, I found many of the communication suggestions to be most effective with my husband as well! It's a keeper!