Dettpv.i'l The BiG Story fyvtAZUTZ,01^4 Barbie, Maureen, Deborah, Harold and Rebecca Unique Custom Designs Wedding Invitations • Bar/Bat Mitzvahs Party Invitations Full Service Accessories Calligraphy & Mailings Ask about our computer calligraphy. Instant invitations and addressing. Invitations 20% off. La Mirage Center 29555 Northwestern Highway Southfield, MI 48034 248-356-2454 Better S afe Sorry! 2 Complete Show Rooms of Floor Safes, Wall Safes, Gun Safes & Drop Safes. TL 15 & TL 30 Safes in Stock WE CAN PROTECT YOU! 248-858-7100 SAFES UNLIMITE 1991 ORCHARD LAKE RD SYLVAN LAKE, MI Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri 9:00-5:00 Wed 9:00-2:00 • Sat 2:00-5110 40,000 tote bags to schools and organizations. Workers at the Ohio Department of Health and Human . Services liked the bag so much, they bought 6,000 of them. Then they asked for a book, and that's how Zimmy's Guide to All Kids Need was launched. In his book, the letter "P" stands for "Patience." Zimberg himself has plen- ty of it for the inevitable question, "How can you write about children if you don't have them yourself?" "God willing, I do indeed hope to find a good wife — a good, com- passionate, loving wife and have our own children," he says. "But I write the book from a lot of experi- ence, not only from my own life, but from my youth work. While I was with NCSY, I traveled 35,000 miles a year in my car — not just attend- ! ing programs, but very much being I involved in children's lives, having access to their secret worlds." It was, he says, that work "right in the front trenches" that gives him a very different aspect on what youth need. Unlike many other parenting books out there, Zimmy's Guide does not look like a college text. Instead, each page offers a concept: Respect, for example, includes a sentence or two to explain why chil- dren need it, and a "Try It!" sugges- tion. On the "Respect" pages, the "Try It!" reads: "Value your child's opinion. Increasingly ask, 'What do you think?' 'What is your opinion?" Zimberg hopes his book will offer help to care givers looking for a little support, and also serve as a reminder to the best of parents. "Even for those parents [who are extremely competent] — there are many demands on their own time, for their own attention," he says. "The world that their children live in is so often complex, beyond any parent's reach, that even the most knowledgeable and attuned parent could use some good advice — and maybe even more so, some inspira- tion and motivation for what's a very difficult task for anyone." Now that he has completed his book on children, for his next topic, Zimberg has moved on to love. He knows what you're thinking — "But you're not even married!" — and laughs about a Web site (www.whyarentumarried.com ) that a friend of his started. But, as with his first book, this second guide is, in fact, based on What Qualities Makes A Good Parent? Three ocal moms answer he question. A GOOD PARENT IS.... Zimberg's own experience in New York. Roaming the streets of Manhattan, or just walking around his Washing- ton Heights neighborhood, Zimberg says he often stops passing couples if they are older men and women, who look to be very much in love. Then Zimberg says, "Do you mind if I ask you: What is your secret?" He rarely gets rebuffed, and always comes away with useful information. "I love talking to people on the street or in the subway," he says. "There's so much we can learn from each other." ❑ • Zimmy's Guide to All Kids Need is available at Book Beat in Oak Park, Self Esteem Shop in Royal Oak, Waldenbooks, B. Dalton, Barnes & Noble and on the Internet through amazon.com • Avraham Zimberg is available for speaking engagements by calling 1-888-88-GREAT. • Zimberg's Web site is www.zimmy.net compaSsionate, warm, loving, and giving." — Julie Sherizen of Huntington Wood.(wtt band, Eugene), parent of Eliezer, 5, and liana, "... forgiving, both of oneself and of one's chil and has faith in the process, that if he or she what he needs to do, and has a little maze! (luck), everything will turn out all right. A good parent has a sense of humor; spends a lot of time cu and teaches a child an awareness of God's pres- ence in the world." — Debra Darvick of Franklin (with husband, parent of Elliot, 16, and Emma, 13 "...loving, accepting, nurturing and honest. — Debbie Kirshner of Oak Park (with late hus Gabriel), parent of Elizabeth, 6