The Orchid and the Dandelion

Seriously good ... I read it with pencil in hand, underlining ideas I wanted to hold onto, or even memorize. [Boyce] is also a wonderfully fine writer. His humanity and warmth inform his evidence-based insights, and his clear strong prose and poetic sensitivity make his stories compelling. The Orchid and the Dandelion leaves me with much to think about, and meaningful encouragement in my own personal life as a parent and grandparent.

--Dona Matthews, Psychology Today

The Orchid and the Dandelion is based on groundbreaking research that has the power to change the lives of countless children--and the adults who love them.--Susan Cain, New York Times bestselling author of Quiet: The Power of Introverts

This book fills an important need. Tom Boyce's elegantly simple characterization of dandelion and orchid children belies the complexity and rigor of the research that informs it. His book shows parents why the same conditions that may be good for one of their children will not be best for the other.--Nancy Adler, professor of psychiatry and medical psychology at University of California, San Francisco

Tom Boyce is the foremost scholar in the world in the area of child growth and development. I have no doubt that his book will have a profound impact on readers everywhere.--Leonard Syme, professor emeritus of epidemiology and community health, School of Public Health, University of California

What is so timely about this book is that it brings a fresh perspective to individual differences. The author's clinical and academic expertise is unique; his prose is lucid and engaging; and he tackles a problem of enormous importance.--Charles A. Nelson III, professor of pediatrics, Harvard Medical School

Boyce's stellar research on orchid and dandelion children will help parents and professionals develop greater sensitivity to the needs of orchid kids who are biologically challenged but surprisingly have much higher potential. A must read for all parents, teachers, and psychologists.--John M. Gottman, PhD, New York Times bestselling author of Raising an Emotionally Intelligent Child

A book that must be written, and Tom Boyce is unquestionably the most qualified person to do it right! There is an extensive audience of parents and teachers whose lives will be touched by this book. The well-being of their children and their students will reap enormous benefits from what Boyce can teach us all about the valleys and the mountaintops of child development.--Jack P. Shonkoff, MD, director, Center for the Developing Child, Harvard University