A Kid’s Guide to Life

An updated, expanded (and now gender-free) advice book for kids ages 8 to 11* based on the original “guide to life” written for my (then) 8-year-old daughter and published 10 years later as A Girl’s Guide to Life. This edition has new illustrations too, more anecdotes, and of course is no longer aimed only at girl children (everyone can use some basic life advice!). It’s also informed by the seven years I’ve now spent as a professional advice columnist–during which I’ve seen it all.

Publisher’s description:

A Kid’s Guide to Life is a book of thoughtful, sensible advice, originally written by a mother for her own eight-year-old. From empathy to self-expression, from kindness to gratitude, from how to make new friends to how to make a heartfelt apology—from adventurousness to the importance of learning when and how to say no—this book offers warm, wise counsel that will be of use for many years to come.

“A delightful guide filled with wisdom and warmth…about saying yes and saying no and everything in between, giving respect and expecting it too…” -Dandi Daley Mackall, award-winning author of over 450 books for children

“Sensible, subtle, loving advice [about] how to be brave and happy and to do right — and that life is complicated.” -Lore Segal, Shakespeare’s Kitchen, Other People’s Houses, Tell Me A Mitzi

“Herman’s book may help to ease readers into their teenage years at a time when they want to be both independent and nurtured… A sweet book of advice….” –Kirkus Reviews

*younger too, with an adult reading alongside them–there’ll likely be some vocabulary that will need definition for younger children).