Stefanie Wilder-Tayler is an author and blogger who published Gummi Bears Should Not Be Organic: And Other Opinions I Can’t Back Up With Facts via Gallery Books on April 7, 2015.
Gummi Bears Should Not Be Organic is a humorous take on what Wilder-Tayler believes children go through and how their parents react. She pokes fun at the over-protective parents, the various dietary fads for children, a parent’s inability to let go, and other parent-isms.
Despite her hilarious commentary on parenting fads, Wilder-Tayler takes the time to differentiate between giving the proverbial umbilical some slack and cutting it altogether. She admits that there are certain instances where kids should not be allowed to “just be kids” and that responsible parents know when to control their young and take the time to teach them important life lessons, such as allowing them to prepare their own simple meals, participate in household chores, and to make mistakes.
There are also several instances where she gives advice, such as no blown up pictures of your child for their teacher’s end-of-the-school-year gift, that leaves you wondering what sane parent would do such a thing, only adding to the humor.
Wilder-Tayler’s target audience includes all types of parents, preferably those who can take a joke and constructive criticism, however anyone can enjoy her antics on dealing with children who lie, cheat, or steal. She maintains a nice balance between humorous ranting and parental realizations based on personal experience, which keeps her grounded and the overall effect of the novel smooth and concise. Using this method, the reader is relaxed and feels open to considering the things she has to say about the different parenting styles.
Overall, Gummi Bears Should Not Be Organic earns itself 3/5 stars. The three stars are due to its comedy, valid statements, and the fact that she softens criticisms while enforcing their seriousness. It loses two stars because as interesting and fun as the book is, it seems to just go on and on. It is best read in chunks here and there, which may have been the point since the chapters are so short and because her target audience is usually attempting to balance their personal, professional, and familial time. If you are fine with reading short and funny chapters, Gummi Bears Should Not Be Organic is for you. If you are looking for a book that will entertain your for hours in front of the pool, perhaps you would be better off looking elsewhere.