“Healthy Child Healthy World” by Christopher Gavigan
March 24-April 4
As author Christopher Gavigan states in the opening chapter to Healthy Child Healthy World, this book is about how much we love our children.
As the CEO of the Healthy Child Healthy World, Gavigan’s sole focus is making the world environmentally safe for children. His book gives parents the tools they need to eliminate harmful chemicals and contaminants from their house and surrounding area. It isn’t as simple as locking away the household cleaners and bug sprays.
Gavigan keeps the average budget and time constraints in mind as he suggests simple changes a person can make to the way they clean, organize their house, or purchase toys. Even the garden outside the house gets a makeover in order to maximize healthy living space.
Where to find more about Healthy Child Healthy World and author, Christopher Gavigan:
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Healthy Child Health World Website |
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Here’s what MotherTalk Reviewers are saying about Healthy Child Healthy World:
Naturemoms Blog thought this was one of the most important books a new parent could read. “This is a book that EVERY single parent needs to read…before they read the What to Expect Books or even Dr. Sears books. More parents NEED to know about the dangers their children are being exposed to every day. Parents concerned about the issues covered in this book are not alarmists or extremists…the danger is there and it is real. This book is my new #1 baby shower gift.”
As an allergy-sufferer, The Chunky Purse wrote about the importance of being eco-smart. “If you are pregnant, or just plain new (as in living under a rock) to eco-living this book is for you. This book has a great introduction to all things environmentally friendly, specifically cleaning solutions, no or low VOC paint for baby nurseries and food.”
This book was perfect for Production, Not Reproduction because she was already taking steps to make her house safer for her two children. “Written in an accessible, sound-bite style, the book is a fast read. Gavigan is determined to keep readers from feeling too overwhelmed, so doesn’t spend much time on the research behind the suggestions. He breaks things down into achievable steps and offers alternatives when the best practice (like buying all organic kids’ clothing) will probably be too expensive for most.”
Gift of Green shared the book with a coworker and found it had an added benefit beyond providing excellent information. “More importantly it got us talking about the things we were doing, and wanted to do, exchanging ideas and experiences.”
Healthy Child Healthy World is the kind of book Gotcha Baby will refer to again and again. “I can’t stop talking about this book. Maybe it’s because many of my friends are also moms of kids who want to do the best thing for them, maybe it’s because not only I am a mom, but a teacher as well. I have mentioned this book to almost everyone I’ve had a conversation with for the past two weeks.”
The Not Quite Crunchy Parent gleaned new ideas she hadn’t read before. “This book is an easy read and one that will be picked up again and again. It carries perhaps more weight than other books on green parenting that I have read because it’s author is the CEO of The Healthy Child Healthy World organization, which is dedicated to educating parents about environmental hazards.”
Life as Lou saw the world in a different way after reading this book. “What a resource! I would rarely advise someone I didn’t know to run out and buy a book, but this one really applies to us all: parents, yuppies, hippies, swingers, religious, non religious and those deep thinking people who wonder why new carpet smells so bad. This book is for you. It is about quality of life.”
Writing in the Mountains thought this book should be on every parent’s shelf. “This book is filled with amazing tips and facts, how-to safer cleaning and more, without breaking the bank. I finished it in a day and a half, most likely because it’s not just straight text but made up of easy to read sections, great for flipping back and forth.”
In Te Domine had been changing her home for a while once she realized how much her choices affected her child. “I also have to say I love the wealth of resources and information all compiled within this one book. No more surfing around endless websites and trying to keep track of it all in my brain. The info I am looking for is very likely at least touched on in this book. Another great relief for busy me.”
A Vocational Duality appreciated that many of the changes were managable on a budget. “That, ultimately, may be the strongest message of Gavigan’s book: individuals can make the world a better place–without giving up so many of the comforts that savvy marketers have convinced us we need.”
Crazy Momcat only wished she had this book earlier. “Healthy Child Healthy World acts as a complete and easy-to-understand map to novice readers for how to “go green,” but what makes it stand out is that it does not overwhelm you with too much information. Instead, the book offers up examples and solutions for the cost-conscious reader who wants to make changes.”
Managing the Motherload gave a teaser a few weeks ago and then jumped into this week telling how she has been using the book to create change. She looked for new diapers, threw out her cleaning supplies and “I’m now switching to organic fruits and vegetables. I’m using the information from the book regarding which fruits and vegetables pose a greater risk for consuming pesticides.”
After a lot of internal guilt for not being green enough, Sugar Mommy found a book that explains how the small changes make a big difference. “And best of all, Gavigan states more than once that just making one or two changes in our lives can make a difference. This book isn’t expecting us to all trade in our minivans for a Prius, start composting, grow our own foods AND spin flax into linen to make our children’s clothes. This book is about people in the real world. REAL moms and dads.”
Needs New Batteries also used the book to start making a change. “Today we bought indoor house plants as part of an overall plan to improve indoor air quality. Today I ordered 100% cotton organic pajamas for LP & underwear as well - more on that later!”
Mama(e) in Translation liked that the book revolved around a philosophy. “One of the main ideas that guides all the warnings, suggestions, and ‘recipes’ presented in this book is the ‘precautionary principle’ as Dr. Harvey Karp emphasizes on p.7. Since it has taken so many years for various substances to be proven toxic and cancerous, e.g. tobacco smoke, asbestos; even the suspicion or, animal studies, that certain substances may harm our children should be seriously examined.”
Life As I Know It saw the world differently after reading the book. “I read the book cover to cover in about two days. Scary? Yes. Motivating? Definitely. It can be overwhelming to learn of all the different toxins we come into contact with everyday. Very. Overwhelming.”
Ellinghouse loved the tone. “Being new to the ‘green scene’ myself, I really enjoyed this books simplicity and felt I learned a ton. It gave so many good suggestions (too many to count) and tips to making smart, healthy choices. What I do just love about the tone of the book is that it gave so many tips and suggestions, but by no means left me feeling overwhelmed or guilty. When finished, I was left feeling much more educated and aware of my daily choices I make for my family.”
A Mom, A Blog, and the Life In-Between found the book helpful. “The best, best feature of the book for me was the resource section at the end that lists the companies that provide these products and services. I don’t think it’s a comprehensive list, but it’s a good start.”
Rockin’ Mama thought there should be a space for this book on every parent’s bookshelf. “When we are equipped with knowledge, we are able to effect change. I would like to tell you that one chapter stood out as my favorite. But in reality, every chapter was pertinent and the suggestions were definitely more feasible and affordable than I expected.”
A Wrung Sponge commented that the more she tried to go green, the more complicated things became until she read this book. “My favorite chapters were the ones on toys and food. We have a fabulous new grocery store opening right down the street from us and I was delighted to see they have a large gluten-free and organic section. After reading this book I decided to buy all organic produce on the ‘Dirty Dozen’ list.”
The Crib Chick was blown away by the sheer amount of information included in the book. “If you pick up this book–and I do recommend it–be prepared; there’s a lot of information. A lot of this stuff, I already knew…and I was still overwhelmed, seeing it all in one place.”
The Bean Blog says, “Healthy Child Healthy World also includes tons of great recipes. I don’t mean recipes for meals (although there are a couple including some healthy snacks Gwenyth Paltrow feeds her two kids), but recipes for everything from cleaning to play-do. You can make your own all-purpose cleaner and your own homemade soft scrubber. And every day things like lemons, baking soda and vinegar can go a long way to keep your house clean.”
So a Blonde Walks into a Review wrote about the changes she was going to make in her home. “The good thing about this book is that it gives you answers and solutions along with the warnings and information. You’ll feel empowered rather than scared. There are easy-to-follow steps and the book encourages you to go slowly so as not to feel overwhelmed.”
Sandier Pastures says, “I know parenting is challenging enough and going green at home sounds like a lot more difficult but this book provides great tips to start with practical and effective solutions to guide parents in their mission.”
The Hidden Side of a Leaf says, “If you feel slightly frightened by the realization that you’ve been eating hot take-out from styrofoam, microwaving clingwrap, or worse, putting formula or breastmilk into clear plastic baby bottles, well, that’s just one paragraph, and this book is full of practical advice on small changes you can make to keep your child and yourself, as well as the earth, safer and healthier.”
