Based on a review of the literature and her own decades-long clinical experience, clinical psychologist Little posits that although narcissism cannot be diagnosed until the end of adolescence, early identification of narcissistic tendencies in children and teens can give parents the opportunity to intervene and support positive emotional development. Billed as “a guide to preventing narcissistic development before it begins,” this book provides an understanding of the big picture of narcissism and the various ways it presents, then offers a multitude of practical strategies for concerned parents. Frequent use of examples, charts, and lists of takeaways helps clarify more complicated concepts, and notes and an extensive bibliography provide an avenue for further study. Not a quick how-to, this is for the parent, clinician, or caregiver seeking in-depth information and guidance. This topic is not well covered in parenting literature, which will make it a welcome addition to most collections.

Booklist

Groundbreaking, unique, brilliant. If you're a parent and you read this book, you can prevent your child from developing the most toxic, dangerous, and all-but-untreatable of any condition in mental health. The best approach—by far—almost never happens, namely to prevent narcissism from sinking its forbidding roots in the first place. In a dazzling display of original thinking, Little explains—in clear and simple words—how to do exactly that.

Edward Hallowell, MD, Harvard Medical School faculty, retired, and New York Times bestselling author of Driven to Distraction

In Childhood Narcissism Doctor Little brings together her years of clinical experience in the two fields of child development and personality disorders. This book is meticulously researched and very readable with clear descriptions and examples. It is a rare contribution that is an excellent resource for the clinician as well as an invaluable guidebook for parents.

Margalis Fjelstad, PhD, author of Raising Resilient Children with a Borderline or Narcissistic Parent

Every parent’s deepest desire is to raise healthy and happy children. However, we see so much narcissistic entitlement in our culture, social media and in people around us, we become anxious, and even a bit overwhelmed, that our kids might turn out that way. There is also a significant gap in parenting books that cover how to prevent narcissism during these critical years. Dr. Little’s book fills that gap, and is a gem of a contribution. Her style is warm and vulnerable, and the content is based on solid research, along with her own career experiences as a psychologist. And you can begin applying he practical “how-to” parenting steps immediately. We really can have happy health kids who will then grow up to be unselfish, loving and successful adults.

John Townsend, PhD, psychologist and author of the New York Times bestselling Boundaries book series and founder of Townsend Institue for Counseling and Leadership and Townsend Leadership Program

Childhood Narcissism is my nominee for the Best Nonfiction Book of the year. An authorial achievement of the highest order. This is psychology at its finest. It’s clear—every parent should have a Dr. Little.

J. Martin Brown, PhD. retired clinical psychologist and clinical supervisor, Department of Psychology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center Dallas

Dr. Mary Ann Little is a master therapist who has brilliantly synthesized years of research and theory to make a very practical guide that parents and clinicians can use to tackle the challenging problem of childhood narcissism. She is deserving of the title “mother whisperer” as she has unique expertise in helping parents understand the importance of raising empathetic and caring children and showing them how to build healthy parent-child relationships. Her special brand of wisdom and clinical insight culminate in a book that belongs on every parent's nightstand as well as in every psychology graduate student’s backpack and clinician’s bookshelf.

Matthew Housson, PhD, CEO of The Housson Center, co-founder of the nonprofit Parenting for the Present Podcast