Audiobook Follows ‘Mama Rock’s Rules’

By Terri Schlichenmeyer
The Bookworm
Published: July 6, 2008

“Mama Rock’s Rules” by Rose Rock with Valerie Graham, 2008, HarperAudio, $29.95/$31.95 Canada, 5 CDs/6 hours: Little brats.
Those two words best describe so many kids you know, and it’s not right.  Sure, your kids aren’t angels but they aren’t completely rotten, either. Still, you wonder how some parents do it. How do they raise successful, well-balanced, polite, wonderful children in today’s world?
In the new audiobook “Mama Rock’s Rules” by Rose Rock with Valerie Graham, you’ll hear some common and not-so-common sense advice from a woman who raised a passel of kids, including one who’s so successful, he’s famous.
As a parent, you know you have some hard decisions to make. Raising a good kid isn’t something you take lightly, and neither does Rose Rock.
Rock, the mother of 10 and foster mother of 17, is the person that comedian Chris Rock calls “mama.” She’s also an educator. With a resume like that, you know she knows kids.
Although the sub-title of this book says that Rock gives “Ten Lessons for Raising a Houseful of Successful Children,” the reality is that she gives 10 times that.  First rule – the most important one – is that you are the adult, and as the adult, you make the rules. While yes, your kids are part of the family, they are not the decision-makers. 
You are.
Know who your child is hanging out with and where he’s going. If you have to snoop in your child’s room, that’s okay; it’s your house, but do it wisely and not maliciously or as punishment.
Since education is important in raising a successful child, keep it in the forefront of your home. Make sure homework is done, always. Communicate with your child’s teachers often, and let your child know it.
Don’t argue with your spouse in front of the kids, and don’t talk bad about the other parent. Bring the family to the dinner table at least once a day, and listen to what your children say during the meal. 
Make your kids proud to be a member of the family, respect your children and expect it back. Above all, honor your children and they will honor you with success.
Sounds like a lot of common-sense stuff? It is, but “Mama Rock’s Rules” makes it sound like all new information on child-rearing.
While I really enjoyed the tips and ideas in here; while I found the “Mama’s Mojo” asides to be charmingly useful, quick-bulleted information; and while the stories author Rock tells make you feel like a close insider or an over-the-fence good neighbor, I had one issue here. 
“Mama Rock’s Rules” is read by the author, and therein lies the problem. Rock sounds like she’s reading her book. 
I would have much rather she told us her ideas, mojo and stories. It didn’t at all ruin the information in the audiobook, but less reading and more telling would’ve made it more enjoyable.
Still, this audiobook is helpful, particularly for brand-new parents or step-parents. If you want to avoid brat-dom in favor of raising great kids, “Mama Rock’s Rules” is solid as a rock.

‘RIVER’ REVIEW
“After River” by Donna Milner, 2008, HarperCollins, $24.95/$29.95 Canada, 320 pages: Natalie will always remember the summer of 1966 and the young man who walked up the road to the farmhouse. She was just 15, and in the new novel “After River” by Donna Milner, life was never the same again.
Thirty-five years after she left home, Natalie Ward is called back. Her mother, Nettie, is dying and she’s asking for Natalie. Vern, Natalie’s husband, offers to go with her to the farm nestled in the mountains of Canada, but Natalie tells him to stay.
On the trip home, Natalie remembers. She loved the farm once upon a time. She loved the fields, the smell of hay and making a milk run with her father. Working the garden was a favorite chore because she loved listening to her mother’s gentle voice.
The family was close then; brothers Carl and Morgan were never far apart, always teasing and laughing. Boyer, Natalie’s favorite sibling, taught her games and shared his love of words.
And then there was River.
In need of a farm hand, Nettie ignored her husband’s wishes and hired an American draft dodger.  On that summer day as he walked up the road, Natalie remembers how the young man looked golden in the sunlight, guitar slung over his shoulder, hair in a ponytail, wearing a hippie’s India-woven shirt. His real name was Richard, but they called him River. And he charmed everyone with his aquablue eyes and gentle ways. It wasn’t long before Natalie fell in love with him. She wondered what his skin would feel like against hers, yet she sometimes couldn’t bear to be in his presence.
Then, on the night of the storm, everything changed. It’s going to be a darn shame if this book isn’t turned into a Meryl Streep movie. “After River” is a beautiful, beautiful novel with a story that keeps you guessing and gasping. Milner’s style reminded me of Earl Hamner’s writing; it’s so quiet, so reflectively pained and yet so joyous that you want to read “just another chapter.” Before you know it, you’ve stayed up two hours past bedtime. Yes, this book is that hard to let go of.
If you crave a book with waves of emotion, well-deep sentiment and floods of beauty, you won’t regret finding this one. For you, “After River” is oceans of enjoyment.

TERRI SCHLICHENMEYER has been reading since she was 3 years old and never goes anywhere without a book. She lives on a hill in Wisconsin with two dogs and 11,000 books.