YOUNG ADULT
MIDNIGHT SUN
THE latest instalment in the Twilight saga is a book 12 years in the making.
For all its hype, Bella and Edward’s romance finally re-told from the vampire’s perspective is disappointingly uninspiring.
Though filled with nostalgia for avid Twilight fans, Edward’s lengthy and often repetitive narrative may not be enough to hold the attention of a more casual reader until its gripping, action-packed conclusion.
The book, previously leaked as an unfinished draft in 2008, shows an insight into Edward’s intense, verging-on-obsessive behaviour, that may have been better left to the imagination of its young fans.
The young adult novel will satisfy readers itching for more from the vampiric saga, but isn’t quite filled with enough untold backstory from the 104-year-old protagonist to make Edward’s re-telling of the romance a must-read. Review by Emily Chudy
OUR toddler has hit or bitten another child again, and you’re beginning to think they have a problem. But don’t worry, it’s normal. Honestly.
Research has shown eight out of 10 children are hitting others at the age of 18 months, and kicking, pushing and throwing things at people peaks at 20 months. So aggressive behaviour starts even before the terrible twos – although the 2018 New York University study also showed two-year-olds hitting nearly four to six days a week.
But while aggression in toddlers is clearly very common, it doesn’t make it any easier if you are one of the parents who has to deal with it.
So why do young children become aggressive, and what should parents do about it?
THERE can be many reasons for young children to lash out, ranging from frustration, anger, jealousy, attention-seeking, tiredness, hunger, simple loss of self-control, or just testing boundaries to see what they’re allowed to get away with.
“Parents should try to think why the aggression is occurring, and perhaps keep some notes to describe the situation and what happens beforehand,” suggests David Messer, an
Open University professor of child development and learning.
And Norland nanny and maternity nurse Louenna
Hood, who runs the Nanny Louenna app (nannylouenna. com/nannylouennaapp), says: “Aggression usually occurs in children due to frustration. It’s not unusual for a toddler to have a tantrum if they don’t get their own way, or if they feel they aren’t being heard or understood.
“Over-tiredness is also a huge
Hitting out: