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Happy Chaos
From Punky to parenting, Soleil Moon Frye shares insightful, realistic, in-the-trenches parenting advice, inspiration, and fun.
Enthusiastic, spunky, and positive, Punky Brewster was the quintessential eighties kid. Nearly thirty years later, Soleil Moon Frye-the adorable girl who played her on TV-is all grown up. Now she's a married mom of two, an entrepreneur who parlay...more
Enthusiastic, spunky, and positive, Punky Brewster was the quintessential eighties kid. Nearly thirty years later, Soleil Moon Frye-the adorable girl who played her on TV-is all grown up. Now she's a married mom of two, an entrepreneur who parlay...more
Hardcover, 304 pages
Published
August 23rd 2011
by Dutton Adult
(first published August 18th 2011)
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This was boring to me. I was kind of expecting a biography thing about Punky Brewster in the 80's, but it was more about her boring adventures in parenting. I read the entire book in an hour, because I skimmed over all the boring parts. I'm sure it's an okay book, but reading about someone else's mom adventures is really boring, even if she is Punky Brewster.
The one cool part to read about was her evening with Michael Jackson when she was 8 or 9. As all parents seem to somehow do, they left Punk...more
The one cool part to read about was her evening with Michael Jackson when she was 8 or 9. As all parents seem to somehow do, they left Punk...more
A cute book in an easy to read format divided into short chapters. I really didn't see the "chaos" in Soleil's life though. I thought I'd get more funny, crazy stories about parenting that I could relate to, but it just wasn't in here. If you want to see happy chaos(or sometimes just plain chaos) come on over to my house! Her life sounds a little too perfect for me to relate to. Hasn't she ever shanghaied by stepping on a lego in the middle of the night on the way to the bathroom? Kids ever star...more
Absolutely wonderful. I had an inkling it wouldn't be the "what it was like to be Punky" book I'd perhaps prefer but the subject matter (parenting) didn't put me off as I've grown to love her voice and attitude on Twitter and would read anything she wished to write about in long form. This contains a lot of eye-opening information about parenting (an adventure I've yet to embark on), much of it surprisingly hope-inducing (she comes from free-thinking stock and continues in the same spirit with h...more
The book is written in a random style that might not appeal to some readers. The book is very cheery. It is less of a guide to parenting and more of a collection of memories from the actress that played Punky Brewster: Soleil Moon Frye. If you enjoyed Punky Brewster as a kid - you might enjoy this book.
I chose this book at the library because it seemed a whimsical choice full of words that seemed joyful, colorful and cheerful.
The book might have been written in a more streamlined fashion. The bo...more
I chose this book at the library because it seemed a whimsical choice full of words that seemed joyful, colorful and cheerful.
The book might have been written in a more streamlined fashion. The bo...more
I would give the book a 3.5. I really loved the book to begin with and if I'd had the time I probably would have finished it in one sitting. It has a lot of humor, especially at the beginning. As a first time parent, it is nice to have someone to relate to, someone who doesn't know it all or have all the answers, someone who makes you feel like you are doing okay just being you.
Toward the middle, the book seemed to spend too much time talking about Soliel as a tween/teen and focusing on a lot o...more
Toward the middle, the book seemed to spend too much time talking about Soliel as a tween/teen and focusing on a lot o...more
I read this book as a first time parent and was hoping to gleam some words of wisdom about the chaos that comes with taking care of a newborn. Punky's "chaos" certainly was happy. From her prose, she looked like she had it all together as a new parent. Everything was happy and free and beautiful - a huge contrast to my nights of sobbing hysterically trying to calm a newborn who can't get the hang of eating. However, the book was cute. I liked her retrospectives on playing Punky Brewster and enjo...more
Punky Brewster was one of my favorite shows when I was a kid- I even dressed as Punky one year for Halloween. Naturally, when I heard she had a book coming out I wanted to read it. I'll be frank... there's some TMI about the delivery of her children and a couple of stories I thought didn't exactly need to be shared. Still, I enjoyed the book and there were some great stories from her childhood.
One of my favorite stories was about her being found hiding in Johnny Carson's personal office after h...more
One of my favorite stories was about her being found hiding in Johnny Carson's personal office after h...more
Another fun parenting memoir -- which I found at the library on the new biographies shelf by the checkout. I loved Punky as a kid (one of my best Halloween costumes was as her ... although I lost my knee bandana and that still haunts me). She wrote the book sort of with the help of her Twitter followers and Facebook fans -- the start of each chapter has quotes from those people responding to questions about parenting. I kind of skipped over those, but otherwise liked reading about her life, her...more
Okay. Having read a gazillion blind items about what was going on in her life as she was promoting this book probably set the bar too high.
Unlike some of the other commenters, I wasn't too sad about the fact that Frye is not talking about her Punky past all that much - but her parenting advice is nowhere near "spunky", "innovative", "alternative", "different" or whatever adjective she or her PR people may have used to describe it when promoting the book.
It's just neither a parenting advice boo...more
Unlike some of the other commenters, I wasn't too sad about the fact that Frye is not talking about her Punky past all that much - but her parenting advice is nowhere near "spunky", "innovative", "alternative", "different" or whatever adjective she or her PR people may have used to describe it when promoting the book.
It's just neither a parenting advice boo...more
Part memoir, part how-to/tips. Good idea to mix, not sure if it is geared to a large audience, more to Punky Brewster lovers. Very light reading, nothing too deep.
How to cut an apple to find the star and take a staycation, because you can't afford to fly your own family of 4 to Mexico spur of the moment...oh and here is a picture of Johnny Depp - kind of all over the place, which makes sense, I believe it was started as a blog.
Also starting each chapter with people answering questions?? Kind of...more
How to cut an apple to find the star and take a staycation, because you can't afford to fly your own family of 4 to Mexico spur of the moment...oh and here is a picture of Johnny Depp - kind of all over the place, which makes sense, I believe it was started as a blog.
Also starting each chapter with people answering questions?? Kind of...more
I read this more because I am a child of the 80's and adored Punky. I just had to be honest there. I thought her personal stories were great, and though I got no fabulous parenting advice (which did not bother me because I hate parenting books), I thought it was a fun book. She relates most things back to parenting even when it is a story about something she did as a child. I like that she is a little bit hippy mom, but also knows that you have to let some things go and be "conventional". A fun,...more
Okay, I'll admit it - I loved Punky Brewster as a kid so I was interested to see how Soleil Moon Frye is as a mother. I must say for the childhood she wrote about she seems to be a well-grounded, good mother. A little "granola" (aka hippy) but that didn't surprise me for some reason.
Her parenting advice was simple and wise - be present with your children, respect their fears and desires, have fun with them, and create as many memories as possible because they grow too quickly. I also loved that...more
Her parenting advice was simple and wise - be present with your children, respect their fears and desires, have fun with them, and create as many memories as possible because they grow too quickly. I also loved that...more
A fluffy but enjoyable trip through Frye's take on parenting. I agree with her on most stuff, except she has a very narrow and positive view on how much men do and want to help with children at least in *all* the families I know, it does not match her take on this topic. Her chapter for dads is laughable- assuming that all dads want to do more but poor old dads, the moms just wont let them because moms believe they have to do it all. But she comes from a different world and a different income br...more
I was torn as to whether or not to give this 3 or 4 stars. For some reason I was really drawn to this book. I am not a new mother, my oldest being seven, but sometimes it's nice to know that there are others out there who are doing the best they can and not always perfectly. It is also nice to get a new perspective and hear orhers ways of doing things. The book is a little repetitive at times and some of the information isn't relevant, but it was light hearted and positive which I found refreshi...more
I usually avoid celebrity memoirs, but I'm a childhood Punky fan and had to buy this. While Happy Chaos might not appeal to everyone, I did enjoy learning more about a childhood idol. The book is cheerful and really does set the "girlfriend chat" tone, but I can see how others might be confused or lost by how chapter sections are divided.
Frye had an incredibly...unique...childhood and has grown up with most of the target market for Happy Chaos. Her memoir gives fans that chance to delve deeper...more
Frye had an incredibly...unique...childhood and has grown up with most of the target market for Happy Chaos. Her memoir gives fans that chance to delve deeper...more
Oh gosh, I guess I'm the only one who didn't like this book. Chaos for sure, but I'm not so sure about the Happy part for me...At least 50% of it was her name-dropping celebrities from her childhood and ones she still runs with. All over the place with (duh-obvious) parenting tips--really, it's a cute idea to put a note in your kids' lunchboxes?? I never thought of that before--stories about her quirky mother, throw-backs to life as Punky, and her current beliefs about only using organic clothin...more
If you are looking for a book on Punky Brewster, this is not it. This is, however, a cute "guide to parenting" as compared with growing up playing Punky Brewster on TV. There are cute Punky anecdotes and fun stories from Soleil's youth (like hanging out with Joey Lawrence and Melissa Joan Hart) but this book is geared towards parents trying to survive in the crazy world of parenting.
Maybe I will re-read this in 3-5 years.
Maybe I will re-read this in 3-5 years.
I wanted to like this book better. The tone is upbeat and happy, and there are useful tips and fun little stories. But I think I'm getting tired of reading books that are adapted from blogs. I want a little more meat and substance, not snippets. This would be a good book to read in bits, not in one pass through. BUt since I borrowed it from the library, I didn't have that luxury.
This was an easy read! Funny, energetic, and sweet. I loved reading about all of the adventures and stories that Soleil experienced as a child and as a parent. There were some really great family ideas in this book a well. It definitely shined a light on loving and appreciating your family and enjoying every day of life you have with them.
2.5 - not sure if it's a parenting book dressed up as a memoir or a memoir dressed up as a parenting book...the parenting tips are trite and the Q&A from her blog? website? social media? is kind of annoying, but if you were a punky fan (!), the memoir parts are worth it. sigh. to be 8 again. in 1986.
Read this collection of anecdotes on a 2-3 hour plane ride. I would not see it as helpful to moms who are already "in it," unless they are not surrounded by very many other mom friends. It was inspirational to a twenty-something planning for children. And of course it doesn't hurt that it is Punky Brewster.
This book caught my eye at the library and I checked it out because I always loved her show. The book was an easy and enjoyable read. I didn't really find much advice in it, but more tidbits and funny happenings from her life. I think she's one of the success stories from being a childhood actress.
This book was an interesting combination of a Soleil Moon Frye biography and parenting book. Much of it was her telling stories from her life and talking about her personal approach to marriage, friendship, family and parenting. Pretty interesting little book, overall. Very easy, light reading!
Never did I dream that Punky Brewster would provide sound parenting advice. This book reinforced my own thoughts on parenting - not surprising, as we share the same generationally-driven outlook on a lot of subjects.
I also enjoyed reading the celebrity name-drops scattered throughout the book.
I also enjoyed reading the celebrity name-drops scattered throughout the book.
The cover of the book totally caught my eye at the library! They had it on their hot picks table. It was a quick read and fun to see what kind of life Soleil Moon Frye has lived. I loved Punky Brewster when I was a kid and I was happy to read that she maintained a balanced life. I love that she wasn't all over the tabloids as a failed teen star. She should be very proud of herself.
Soleil, although brought up in Hollywood has a genuine sense and desire to be a close-knit family. In her book she tells about the values she was brought up with and is instilling them in her 2 daughters. I love that she seems so 'normal'. Not anything like the majority of the Hollywood parents out there.
I enjoyed reading this and she seems like a nice woman, but it was totally generic on parenting. What I found much more interesting were the stories about her childhood, right up until her marriage actually - sounds like she had a fascinating upbringing. Would like to hear much more about that - she should write a memoir.
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This is more of a memoir than a parenting guide. Yes there are parenting tips in here, but a lot more Punky memories and a lot of name dropping. If you like Frye than this is interesting. Not a great book on parenting tips. For Punky fans only!
One of the best books I've read in a long time. One part memoir one part child rearing tips wrapped in a whole lot of grace, love, and personal faith. I recommend this to everyone, no matter if your planning a family or have children in their 20's. Soleil is one cool chick!
This was a quick read. More of a parenting book than memoir, which is what I read it for (the memoir,not parenting. Do not need that yet!). It is very entertaining. Soleil had a very unconvential, yet fascinating upbringing. And a happy childhood, especially being a child star. She is very insightful as a mom, too, I think.
I recommend if you are a Punky Brewster fan (or wondered what happened to her) or a parent or aunt or uncle or child caregiver.
I recommend if you are a Punky Brewster fan (or wondered what happened to her) or a parent or aunt or uncle or child caregiver.
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“And just like that, I became my mother. We all do, if only for a moment at a time. That person we never think we will be like when we grow up is the person we see in our own reflection. How did that happen so fast?”
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3 people liked it
“It is in the times when we feel most broken that we can discover how to be better parents, and it is in the pauses and dashes in between when we are able to fill life with all of the delicious discoveries, images, and snapshots that we will carry with us throughout our lifetimes.”
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2 people liked it
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