InSPAration A Teen's Guide to Healthy Living Inspired by Today's Top Spas by Mary Sammons, Samantha Moss, Azadeh Houshyar

From the Publisher

• Sports, school, extracurriculars,
community service, SATs…
today's teens lead stressful lives.


• Spas and resorts are seeing an influx
of young adults


• Lush photographs plus tips on skin care, spirit, stress management, body, and beauty, including how-tos on yoga, tai chi, stretching, toning, healthy eating, and more


It's not just moms who go to the spa anymore. Now teens are headed to these pampering centers, often for treatments designed just for them. InSPAration looks at the coolest teen-centered treatments these spas have to offer, then lays out easy-to-do, affordable at-home versions. With an emphasis on mind, body, and spirit (plus tips on hosting chic spa parties), this book motivates teens to learn more about healthy body image, proper nutrition, exercise, and good habits. Of course, it's all pretty luxurious, too! From make-your-own treatments like a Banana Split Body Polish and a Blemish-Buster Facial, to the relaxing and emotionally nurturing mom and daughter retreat, to just-for-fun Glam-Slam Nails, InSPAration is like being pampered for a lifetime instead of just one day.

Heather Mason - Children's Literature

For young girls, how you look is everything. Many girls express this concern with poorly applied lipstick and gallons of hairspray. The authors of this book encourage young women to look at beauty in a different way. They have gathered ideas from professional spas across the country and published them in a format perfect for teens and preteens. The book gives recipes for facemasks and body scrubs to make skin beautiful. Directions for hair and nail care are also included, as well as a small section about makeup and eyebrows. The book does not only concentrate on superficial beauty. There is a section about exercise and stress management. Everything can be done at home for very little money. Colorful and full of photos, the authors have made the book inviting and exciting for young readers. Rather than a child's version of a spa day, the treatments described are from professional spas, and the recipes and directions easy to read without being too kiddie. It is a great way to teach young girls that beauty does not begin at the cosmetic counter. 2005, Watson-Guptill, Ages 11 to 16.

Kelly Czarnecki - VOYA

It is no secret that most teens have extraordinarily busy lives. This book shows them how to feel and look good with insider tips from professionals around the United States. Organized into six colorful sections, including help with skin, body, and spirit, this book fittingly culminates in how to throw a spa party. Each do-it-yourself activity, inspired by an actual spa or resort, is accompanied by "here's how" instructions and a few simple steps to follow. Catchy titles such as "Sweet-Stuff Scrub" or "Feet ReTreat" will entice the reader. Cartoon drawings and a color photo of teens receiving treatment as well as a few cautionary tips-"rubbing your skin too hard can cause redness"-and quotes from top experts make up the inside scoop. Although men are pictured in a few shots, this book is definitely aimed for girls. Tweens might need some assistance in understanding how much is too much, from workouts to skin treatments and how to do some of the more complicated yoga poses which are directed more through text than visuals. The page layout is attractive, but the quotes in yellow text on white paper of the galley copy were nearly impossible to read. The list of ingredients on the far right of the instructions, instead of where the eye naturally starts at the left seemed awkward. Locations of spas and Internet sites for further searching are listed at the end of this fine holistic approach to beauty. VOYA CODES: 4Q 4P J (Better than most, marred only by occasional lapses; Broad general YA appeal; Junior High, defined as grades 7 to 9). 2005, Watson-Guptil, 128p.; Index. Illus. Photos. Further Reading., Ages 12 to 15.

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