Customer Reviews

The Father's Almanac: From Pregnancy to Pre-school, Baby Care to Behavior, the Complete and Indispensable Book of Practical Advice and Ideas for Every Man Discovering the Fun and Challenge of Fatherhood

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
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1 star:		(0)

 

 

The author is a father of two sons and a child-center volunteer, but this book is not just one random guy's ruminations on how to be a better father. The author is also an experienced book editor, and he uses those skills to blend the experiences of nearly 50 other fathers of various backgrounds as he compiles this almanac of observations and seasoned advice.

The style is matter-of-fact yet sympathetic; pragmatic, down-to-earth, and engaging. The content is fair and balanced, offering varying points of view on many details of child-rearing, and does not preach. And while fairly nuanced in this way, on the other hand, it's not wishy-washy and "anything goes" about things -- it's also crisply authoritative in areas where there is just one no-nonsense way to go. E.g., the dangers of older cribs and the maximum recommended gaps between slats, or other safety issues not really open to much experimentation.

Overall though, the book is refreshingly descriptive rather than prescriptive. It's a nice mix of specific, often creative suggestions along with a general philosophy of caring, healthy, and personally appropriate/satisfying fatherhood.

The Almanac will make an excellent gift for fathers of newborns or young children -- up to approximately kindergarten, I'd say, although some of the material is appropriate for even slightly older children too.

Note: although even the more recent edition feels slightly dated simply because the pictures are old, the material itself is all still relevant as far as I could tell.

I raised my daughter by this book, and then gave it away to a young father who has raised his son on it. I am an Infant/Toddler teacher and am familiar with very very many many books for parents ... and as far as I am concerned this is only the best book of its kind on the market for fathers.

This book is great! It covers the kids, the wives, the boys, and the girls. It has great ideas, and answers all those Dad questions that you never want to ask your wife.

My partner is a savvy, well informed kind of guy. I had some fear that he would think this book was lame or at least unhelpful when I gave it to him when we were a couple months pregnant. He read the book and sang its praises for the practical ideas and advice it gave for dads to help mom in pregnancy and things to do with the baby when he/she arrives. It's not just pregnancy or baby focused, but includes ideas and activities for dad throughout baby and childhood.

This book is a wonderful collection of things Dads need to know. Humorous and easy to read and also a great reference filled with practical everyday projects and activities to share with your child from infancy to pre-teen. I highly recommend Family Hugs!

I have the older copy of this book for myself. I am ordering a copy of the latest edition for my brother-in-law (my Sister's Husband). It has practical advice, and many unique ideas. It is told in a straight forward, non-judgemental manner. Good luck to all Father's out there.

I had a copy of The Mother's Almanac when my kids were little (twenty years ago!) and used it frequently. I purchased several copies of The Father's Almanac during the 1980s as gifts. I recently bought a copy as a gift for a young man I work with. The ideas are still great! My only suggestion would be that the next time they revise the book - they revise the photos!

This book targets guys and their way of thinking really well as it gets to the point and includes a lot of practical pointers for everything from pregnancy to all the changes that occur after the baby is born. My husband has volunteered information he has learned from this book and is reading it of his own volition.

This book has helped me understand babies and become more of a father figure. I recomend this to anyone who is to soon become a father.

I bought this as a xmas present for my brother and his (at the time) 9 month old son. At first glance he laughed and said he wouldn't use it. Several months later, he has a different response. Every time I am over their house he is referencing the book for one thing or another. He absolutely loves it and I am sure his son is benefitting as well.