I review a lot of books here on my blog and I often go on to follow the authors on twitter, to find out what else they're up to and also to chat to them and get to know them as real people, not just a name on a cover. Well, this time it worked the other way round. I already "knew" author Tim Atkinson from twitter (you can follow him @dotterel) and his blog Bringing Up Charlie. He seems a genuinely nice bloke and, even if he did win the MADS Blogger of the Year award last year, he hasn't let it go to his head ! He seems genuine, down-to-earth and entertaining which, combined with the fact that he gave up his job to become a stay-at-home dad, makes him the perfect person for writing a parenting book for men.
This is the third book I've reviewed from the Need2Know series (after Travelling With Children : A Parent's Guide, which I reviewed here, and Children's Nutrition : A Parent's Guide here) and it follows the same user-friendly format with short chapters and handy point-by-point summaries at the end of each section.
The book is aimed as new dads and dads-to-be and, just as Tim is often a lone male voice in a sea of mummy bloggers online, his book really fills a gap in the baby book market that generally focuses on mums. He manages to get across the male viewpoint and pass on the information and advice that first time dads really need to know, without getting bogged down in the gynaecological details that many pregnancy books detail and that dads really don't want or need to know !
The book guides new dads right through pregnancy and into the toddler years, explaining how baby is developing and how their partners are probably feeling and addressing all those "new dad" worries that often get brushed under the carpet. The chapter that really leapt out at me was the one explaining financial help and legal entitlements as it's the first time I've ever seen this aspect covered in a baby book.
As with the other Need2Know titles I've reviewed, there are lots of testimonials from real dads which are always reassuring because they prove that you're not the only person having the same doubts and worries. Tim's style is simple, direct, straight to the point and very reassuring. Even if you're not big on reading, it's a brilliant book to dip in and out of, especially as it is structured by period, depending on the age of the child or the stage of pregnancy.
If you're looking for a great Fathers' Day gift for a new dad or a soon-to-be dad, this certainly ticks all the right boxes.
*****Great news - you can win a copy right here on my blog ! *****
star rating : 4.5/5
RRP: £9.99 (but only £6.96 on amazon with free delivery)
ISBN 10: 1861441223
ISBN 13: 978-1-86144-122-5
Size: 205mm x 195mm
Softback
Publication Date: 1st July 2011
Pages: 130
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Thanks for posting this Cheryl. I'm delighted you enjoyed reading it and felt able to recommend it to your blog readers. Hope the giveaway is a great success!
ReplyDeletethank you very much! http://tinkstales-tinkerbelldani.blogspot.com/2011/07/im-winner-well-jak-is.html xox
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