Childcare Worker

Children's Literature

Childcare Worker is a book in the "Careers with Character" series. There is an introduction by educational consultants and then nine chapters follow. Each chapter deals with the different aspects involved in choosing a career as a childcare worker. Some of the chapters describe the job requirements, responsibility, courage, self-discipline and diligence, career opportunities and others. Each chapter also offers a case history or role model. The chapter on Justice and Fairness talks about a childcare worker who always tried to treat each child the same, but lately she had been having trouble with one child who was not particularly likeable. Barbara had to use her childcare skills to evaluate the situation and find out what was troubling her. When she found out the child was being abused, she had found her answer to the child's misbehavior. Instead of getting angry, Barbara used patience and fairness in handling this situation. Another chapter on Job Requirements explains what is needed to become a childcare worker. Education, training and credentials are explored, as well as desirable personality traits. Sidebars are featured throughout the book such as Women Who Made a Difference in Their Communities and Marketing Strategies for Starting Your Own Childcare Business. This is a good book for anyone interested in childcare as a career. Good photographs, further books to read, a glossary and internet web sites are included. 2003, Mason Crest Publishers,
—Della A. Yannuzzi

VOYA

There are many employment guides aimed at the teenage reader. Most provide more or less the same information regarding job requirements, opportunities within a career field, and expected salaries and benefits. This eighteen-volume "Careers with Character" series does the same, but it approaches the task differently. Each title is filled with small vignettes and profiles that illustrate the activities a particular professional must face on a regular basis. For example, Childcare Worker emphasizes that some people place more value on their desire to help or instill values in others, not on making a large salary. As in the other volumes, the character traits that exemplify the best attributes of a good professional in the field are examined, particularly compassion, diligence, fairness, responsibility, and trustworthiness. Each text is readable because the writers avoid spouting data and statistics. Instead, role models in the highlighted fields are profiled, and their daily activities, both mundane and exciting, are evaluated. The page layout is nicely arranged, with bright photographs that often depict minorities and women interspersed with sidebars that highlight relevant quotes or further examine the virtues of a particular character trait. A reader fascinated with a certain career will get much out of this series, which includes books on the clergy, firefighter, psychologist, and social worker. The casual researcher will probably grow frustrated, scouring the profiles for the significant data. This well-written series provides an alternative approach to career education, matching the readers' moral fiber to the professions that might best suit those assets. VOYA CODES: 4Q 2P M J S(Better than most, marred only by occasional lapses; For the YA with a special interest in the subject; Middle School, defined as grades 6 to 8; Junior High, defined as grades 7 to 9; Senior High, defined as grades 10 to 12). 2003, Mason Crest, 90p. PLB Beach

School Library Journal

Gr 8 Up-Weaving together career and character education, these titles explore some of the ethical and moral dilemmas faced by people employed in these fields. Each title is organized into chapters that center around a specific value, such as responsibility, courage, self-discipline and diligence, and respect and compassion. Within each chapter, a fictional situation is explored, and readers are asked to discuss and think about the dilemma and the ethics of the situation. Only a small portion of each book is devoted to explaining job requirements and career opportunities. Nonetheless, readers are presented with some of the realities and everyday decisions in each of these fields. The books are clearly written and well organized; color photographs add to their attractiveness. The glossaries and indexes are somewhat minimal. These titles will supplement the standard career-education books found in many libraries, and teachers wanting students to explore some of the values needed in order to succeed in these chosen professions will find them useful.-Beth Jones, Shelby County High School, Shelbyville, KY Copyright 2003 Cahners Business Information.