Meet the author - Norman Swan

Norman Swan will be in conversation with Laura Tingle on his new book, So You Want to Know What's Good for Your Kids?, the ultimate parenting guide on what matters from birth to ten,

We all want our kids to grow into happy, healthy adults and the first ten years count more than any other time in our lives. So what should we be doing to give them the best chance? Most books on childhood stop at age five and start again in adolescence. They miss the critical primary school age years leading to adolescence - the years that make all the difference.

With a background in paediatrics and an over 30 year career monitoring and broadcasting the latest medical research, Dr Norman Swan fills that gap. He has unparalleled experience in delivering straight-talking, honest, unbiased and commonsense health information. Norman Swan knows what issues parents are worried about throughout childhood. Drawing on the questions he hears time and again, in this book he gives you the information you want and the answers you need to raise healthy and happy children, with a particular focus on the crucial years of five to ten - the runway to adolescence.

So You Want to Know What's Good for Your Kids? is a one-stop handbook that you can trust to clear away all the unnecessary advice, allowing you to focus on what makes the difference for kids. Norman Swan replaces myths, half-truths and misconceptions with practical knowledge on topics that parents agonise about - including sleep, diet, school refusal, screens, social media, what genetics determine and what you can and can't change, anxiety, ADHD and much, much more. This book will help you focus on the decisions that can make your kids the best they can be. It's a must-have book for every parent

Trained in paediatrics, Dr Norman Swan was one of the first medically qualified journalists in Australia, with a broadcast career spanning more than 30 years. He currently hosts Radio National's The Health Report and co-hosts What’s That Rash. During the pandemic he co-hosted the hugely popular Coronacast. He is also a reporter on ABC’s 7.30 and a reporter and commentator on other television and radio news outlets. In addition to being an active journalist and health broadcaster, Dr Swan pursues his commitment to children as a long standing board member of the Australian Research Alliance for Children and Youth (ARACY). He was also the co-founder of Tonic Media Network and the Aboriginal Health Television Network, health channels which play in GP and Aboriginal Medical Service waiting rooms. He is the bestselling author of So You Think You Know What's Good for You? and So You Want to Live Younger Longer

Laura Tingle has reported on Australian politics for more than 40 years and has worked for the Australian Broadcasting Corporation since 2018. as chief political correspondent for the ABC’s 7.30 program.She previously held senior positions in print media, including more than a decade as political editor of the Australian Financial Review. She has written four Quarterly Essays on Australian and New Zealand politics and won two Walkley Awards.Laura is President of the National Press Club of Australia and in 2023 joined the board of the ABC as staff-elected director 

The vote of thanks will be given by award-winning journalist and former ABC broadcaster Alex Sloan AM

This event is in association with Harry Hartog Bookshop. Books will be available for purchase. Pre-event book signings will be available from 5.30pm and again after the event.

Additional Information:

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Accessible parking is available, there are a total of 12 accessible parking spaces in the areas.

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A podcast will be made available after the event.

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