Abigail Pogrebin, author of “One and the Same,” and her identical twin sister, Robin Pogrebin, discuss the unique relationship between twins on the Today Show last week (October 22nd, 2009).

In her new book, “One and the Same: My Life as an Identical Twin and What I’ve Learned About Everyone’s Struggle to Be Singular,” author and former “60 Minutes” producer Abigail Pogrebin interviews countless twins for their hilarious and heartbreaking accounts of what it’s like to grow up with an identical sibling.

One and the Same: My Life as an Identical Twin and What I’ve Learned About Everyone’s Struggle to Be Singular is currently available (and on sale) at Amazon.com.

NEW One And The Same - Pogrebin, Abigail 9781400114849 US $21.29 Auction Ends: Wednesday Mar-31-2010 10:20:35 PDT   | Watch this Item

NEW One And The Same - Pogrebin, Abigail 9781400164844 US $14.85 Auction Ends: Wednesday Mar-31-2010 10:20:35 PDT   | Watch this Item

A North Carolina husband and wife who were thrust into the unfamiliar, terrifying world of the NICU upon the birth of their premature twins have written a book to help others in similar situations.

Nicole E. Zimmerman and Edward J. Spraque announced a book designed to help parents of preemies, their families and friends as well as healthcare providers who care for these children — to understand and navigate the uncertainty surrounding premature births.

The NICU Rollercoaster: How to Set Up and Use an Online Blog to Help Survive the Ups, Downs, Agonies and Joys of Your Baby’s Stay explains common problems preemies face, offers suggestions for coping and shares the authors’ experiences.  The innovative format combines helpful how to survive advice with blog entries and blog reader comments.

The NICU Rollercoaster is available to purchase through Amazon.com.

Janie McQueen, author of The New Magic Bookshelf: Finding Great Books Your Child Will Treasure Forever sent me an excerpt of her book (from Chapter 6, Book-Lovers From Babyhood) to share…

Any new parent knows that media and medical community reports are teeming with hot information about how babies’ brains are wired and influenced by their surroundings, and how synapses (brain connections) made within the first months of life are strengthened in proportion to infants’ exposure to new experiences.

Newsweek reports that fueling the neuroscience frenzy, “educational,” often electronic, products from companies like Baby Einstein, Brainy Baby, Baby Prodigy and Baby Genius now represent about a $20 billion a year industry. “Instead of Mandarin lessons, researchers now say parents would be better off spending more time talking, singing, reading and playing with their babies and toddlers. No special equipment is required,” notes the article’s author, Barbara Kantrowitz.

This more effective “affectionate interaction” can be better accomplished through baby-level introduction to the fundamental cultural blocks—literature, art and music—in simple, natural forms. In fact, children’s author Maurice Sendak credits the physical closeness of sitting on his father’s lap during reading with starting his lifelong love of literature. That physical connection can easily translate your affection for reading to your child.

Janie’s book is available for purchase from Amazon.com.  Janie is also expecting twins herself – a boy and a girl due in December, which will bring her kid count up to four like me!  You can find Janie over at MagicBookshelfOnline.com.

Find more books that I recommend over at HouseForKim.com.

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