Maw Books Blog

Father’s Day is the perfect day to review a book series that I have been wanting to talk about for a very long time! The Baby Owner’s Manual: Operating Instructions, Trouble-Shooting Tips, and Advice on First-Year Maintenance by Louis Borgenicht and Joe Borgenicht (a pediatrician and his son) and The Toddler Owner’s Manual: Operating Instructions, Troubleshooting Tips, and Advice on System Maintenance by Brett R. Kuhn and Joe Borgenicht. These books are HILARIOUS! I picked them both up about a year ago from our library and have since bought the first one and would love to own the second.

Why are these my father’s day picks? Because these are essential books for the new dad! Although written for both parents, I think this would be the perfect gift for any dad because it’s written in a language that most men can understand: a maintenance manual. I say most because my husband doesn’t actually think analytically. His brain just doesn’t work that way. But that didn’t stop him from getting a chuckle or two out of this one, mostly when I was reading it out loud to him and shoving the illustrations in his face.

To give you an idea of the language used in this series:

• Head: central processing unit
• Tummy: nutrient absorption chamber
• Diaper: waste depository
• Feeing: power supply
• Sleeping through the night: programming sleep mode
• Pediatrician: baby’s service provider
• Crying: audio output system

The advice is well thought out and comprehensive and answers most questions that new parents have. From how to swaddle, when to take the “model in for servicing,” how to safety proof, how to change a diaper, feed and more. The Toddler Owner’s Manual covers what to do if they aren’t eating, how to potty train and more. It states the facts in a clear and concise way. No stories, no sentimentalism, a true maintenance manual.

The diagrams in this series are great! Not only is the language creative but the illustrations are so fun to look at. If a new dad can’t figure out what to do by looking at the diagrams than he’s probably pretty hopeless. Here’s a photo to give you an idea:

I could not put down either of these books they were so much fun to read! As a parent myself, I could appreciate the advice given while at the same time amusing me to no end. I just wish I knew somebody who was becoming a dad for the first time because I’ve been waiting to give these out as gifts. I don’t feel like my few incoherent words have given these books justice. Trust me, they’re great!

And if you have two little monsters like these ones, every dad needs all the help he can get (ya, ya, they look sweet now, but my oldest can get into all kinds of trouble in no time flat!).

Happy Fathers Day!