Show Dad How: The New Dad's Guide to Baby's First Year

by Shawn Bean, Parenting Magazine (Editor)

Help any new or expecting father become the coolest, smartest, and most prepared dad around with Show Dad How , a fully illustrated, step-by-step guide to everything a dad needs to know from conception through baby’s first year.

For dads who are excited to be involved with their new baby, but might not quite know where to start, Show Dad How is an ideal resource. From practical to playful, 156 awesome things every new father needs to know--one step at a time. In a series of nearly wordless, highly informative, often hilariously illustrated, step-by-step activities, dads-to-be learn how to do dozens of useful (and fascinating and important and sometimes surprisingly fun) tasks,

- Preparing to impregnate
- Recognizing the signs of pregnancy
- Childproofing a home
- Delivering a baby in the subway
- Handling diaper disasters
- Making bath time fun
- Inventing a fairy tale
- Mixing formula the right way
- Making baby laugh
. . . and much, much more.

Presented in the bold visual style of the award-winning Show Me How series, drawing on the best of information technology and graphic-novel communication, this is a innovative reference book that can and will be enjoyed as a work of art and as a quirky, thoughtful gift. Packed with useful hands-on tutorials, Show Dad How is a real-life resource that can turn dad into an expert in any situation, from the bedroom to the kitchen to the playground.

Genres: Parenting, Nonfiction, Humor, Childrens

144 pages, Paperback

First published April 4, 2011

Reviews

[Jennessa Jessy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good book to get for dads that want a bit of information. It’s funny, and makes some serious subject more lighthearted. Very easy and quick read for me. Not a TON of information but a good start. Worth a read.

[Hans · Rating 3 out of 5]

Funny and somewhat informative

[Anie · Rating 1 out of 5]

I had been looking for an easy first time parent book for my husband(and probably myself as well) and this at first glance looked like a cute and funny guide. Turns out, it's mostly a joke. My husband didn't even want to peruse it.

[Samantha | thisbookbelongsto.sw · Rating 5 out of 5]

My husband picked up this book in anticipation of us expecting our first child in the next few months and shared it with me. I have to say, this was the perfect mix of practical, important information and light-hearted fun (which doesn't always happen with the parenting books I've come across).

Lots of helpful graphics and guides. Surprisingly lots of laughs. It's the perfect book for those who want to be prepared, but also don't take themselves too seriously and find themselves zoning out when reviewing the wall of text and barrage of information given to new and expecting parents.

Definitely going to be recommending this to everyone I know who is entering parenthood.

[Ilya Scheidwasser · Rating 3 out of 5]

A sort of picture book-style guide on parenting a newborn, this book has a bunch of helpful parenting tips, but because of its high-visual, low-text format, doesn't go particularly deeply into anything it discusses. A simple, easily-digestible book on fathering for people who either do not have the time or do not have the inclination to read a full-fledged book. The art is OK, and the book spends quite a bit of real estate on silly humor which I was fairly indifferent on. If you don't see yourself getting through a several hundred page text on parenting - if, indeed, you are barely getting through this one-paragraph book review - this is a decent substitute.

[Ralph Zoontjens · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute and well-illustrated book that not only provides practical tips, it also has several humorous suggestions as well as some scientific background that upcoming dads need to know about. There are even tips to do exercises training baby's different muscle groups, as well as cleaning and care tips and a plethora of different uses for empty cardboard boxes. Who knew?

Recommended for young first-timer parents (like me). My additional advice is to be original and also keep giving plenty of attention to your partner.

[Estefania · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bought this for my husband who isn't much of a reader. It's mostly pictures but it does have some good information

[Chad · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is more entertaining than educational. It’s written as if dads were imbeciles who lack common sense and couldn’t be bothered to read a real parenting book. It’s basically a comic book showing 3 areas of parenting: pregnancy planning, baby care, and playing with the baby. Some of the illustrations are hilarious, but many are ridiculously over-the-top (e.g., "Deliver during the Apocalypse"). The book is good for a laugh, but not much more.

My favorite illustration has the caption "Bring her [baby] to a convention" and shows 3 guys dressed in Star Wars and Star Trek costumes. The dad is dressed as a Jedi and is carrying a lightsaber and the baby in a Yoda costume. I'm a Star Wars fan so my wife and I found this especially funny.

Conception
Increase odds of conceiving a boy: have woman eat potassium, have coffee before sex, use rear entry, have sex after ovulation.
Increase odds of conceiving a girl: have woman eat magnesium, take a warm bath before sex, use missionary position, have sex before ovulation.

Labor phases
1. Early: contractions 15-20 min apart, lasting 30-45 seconds. Call doctor. Later, contractions 5 min apart. Go to hospital.
2. Active: contractions 3 min apart, lasting 60 sec.
3. Transition: contractions 2-3 min apart, lasting 60-90 sec.

Baby’s cues
gaze aversion: overstimulated
rubbing eyes: tired
arching back: reflux
startle reflex: scared; you should swaddle
cooing: wants to talk
concentrating face: pooping
pain cry: loud and long with sustained pitch
hunger cry: short with low pitch

Bathing
Bath temp should be 100°F.
Wash face, then body (top to bottom), then hair.

Remove stains
spit up/vomit: baking soda
fruit juice: lemon juice
grass stains: nail polish remover
dark veggies: white vinegar
urine: rubbing alcohol
poop: sunshine

Miscellaneous
Keep nursery at 68°F.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Got this book for my husband because I've loved the practical article the author writes for Parenting Magazine. It also helped that it is basically set up as picture book with very little to read - yet crazy informative!

My husband loved it, I found it to be hilarious, and while it did give him some anxiety in general about our upcoming bundle of joy it also finally put him in the right frame of mind.

[Frank · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was sort of a comedy on being a parent. It did have some good advice and had some great ideas for older babies. Most of the information was in comedy form. For example it would show a funny scene about babies laying on the stomach, and have side notes on when babies are able to turn, etc.

Was pretty good and pretty funny.

[Aurore · Rating 4 out of 5]

good choice for new parents. i myself appreciate its cute and friendly images which help us know more about what we should need in pregnancy. this could be a preferred gift for the couples who are thinking of a new member of their family :)

[Rick · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jill gave me this book a few months before Father's Day saying that she couldn't wait that long for me to have it. I don't think I should be offended by that sentiment. :) The book does contain much useful information that all new dads should know.

[Justin Fischbeck · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was fun and informative. Nothing mind blowing came out of it but it was really helpful in mentally preparing me for baby to come. Great supplement to What to Expect and easier to commit the time to. I definitely would recommend for first time fathers.

[Jesse · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some very entertaining illustrations and captions, and a few interesting ideas (especially in the cheap/crafty activities/toys department), but all-in-all not that impressive as far as an actual instructional book.

[Jacelyn]

Cute. Not too condescending to Papa. A nice break from all of the heavy mental lifting involved with getting ready for Bebe.

[John Hobbs · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute, nothing ground breaking, but entertaining.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Daddy got this book for Christmas. 4 stars for hilarious pictures and humorous info!

[Julyan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simple and visual! And extremely fun read! Awesome book for all daddies out there as this will help change the way they look at fatherhood.

[Patrice · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is informative and funny.

[Lakshmi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good for first time parents...

[RedRabbit13 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Отличный юмор, полезные советы, понравилось больше чем пособие для мам