How to Baby: A No-Advice-Given Guide to Motherhood, with Drawings

by Liana Finck

A wryly personal and deeply relatable graphic memoir skewering the “traditional” parenting book to chronicle the absurdities, frustrations, and soaring joys of new parenthood--from the acclaimed New Yorker cartoonist and author
 
How do you know if you’re ready to have a baby? How do you know if you might be pregnant? And how do you deal with peeing all the time and being hungry all the time and fielding well-meaning but kind of insulting advice and finding a doula and being dropped by your old friends and learning why it’s called mom brain and not dad brain and the tyranny of the milestones you’re not meeting and negotiating boundaries with in-laws and realizing that your heart now exists outside of your chest and in the body of this tiny little being whose entire existence depends on the quality of your care? 
 
To tackle these questions and many others, award-winning cartoonist and memoirist Liana Finck began illustrating her early years of motherhood, giving images and language to her insecurities, frustrations, and wild joy. 
 
In How to Baby , Liana takes her witty and lacerating cartoons ("Hobbies for Pregnant Waiting on Hold with the Insurance Company") and weaves them together with comic essays ("You Married a Brute. Worse. You're a Go Ahead and Argue with Each Other"), handy lists ("Nesting. The Comprehensive List of What to Buy and Why Getting Things Used Is Dangerous and Unamerican"), and profound observations. Together, these brilliant pieces form an immersive and comprehensive narrative whole—a baby book, a resource, and an emotional balm—for our time.

Genres: Graphic Novels, Parenting, Nonfiction, Humor, Memoir, Comics, Biography Memoir

272 pages, Hardcover

Published April 30, 2024

About the author

Liana Finck is a cartoonist, illustrator and regular contributor to the New Yorker where she also authors the “Dear Pepper” advice-from-a-dog column. As the author of eight books, her work also frequently appears in The New York Times, The Atlantic, The Wall Street Journal, New York Magazine and more. She is the recipient of Fulbright, Guggenheim and New York Foundation for the Arts Fellowships. She teaches creative writing at Barnard College. www.lianafinck.com
Photo credit: Jorge Colombo

Reviews

[Cyndi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the art and the story in this book! It follows a woman's pregnancy, childbirth and beyond. She captures the humor in the situations while showing respect to the process. She is honest but not terrifyingly so. The author lets the reader know that all of it is hard and scary, but definitely worth it.
Wonderful book for new parents. The reader will feel that they are not alone in the world of baby.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this book in exchange for an honest review.
I don't have kids or ever wanted kids so I wasn't the target audience for this book. But it looked like a funny book that I could still enjoy. And it was funny. The drawings are so bad but that makes the book more charming. This would be a fun gift for expectant mothers.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the most cathartic read for a new parent. It had me laughing and relating the whole way through. It’s the perfect gift for new parents in your life!

[Neele · Rating 4 out of 5]

Heb deze in het Duits gelezen dus snapte 80-90%, maar aanrader!!

[Ashley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyable and somewhat relatable, though I really think straight people are not alright in their relationships. Like it’s just a given that your partner will be a selfish piece of garbage you have to take care of on top of your baby, and he will contribute nothing?? What’s going on over there??? Obvi there are men who aren’t like that, but it’s written here as this typical thing! My heart goes out to straight moms. Really hoping to raise a better man if that’s how my kid identifies, but his peers are really mired in this inequitable culture at home so good luck to all of us. How grim.

[Nuha · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thanks Dial Press & Netgalley for the Advanced Reader's Copy!

Available April 30th 2024.

Reading Liana Fink's "How to Baby" felt like someone was creating comics on my own life and thoughts. Fink captures the rollercoaster of emotions that is the first year(s) of motherhood with a graceful, comedic eye. I highly recommend this book for all new moms and those who may know them.

[Justin Sant · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best cartoonist in the game. Could not be a more relevant topic to engage with a full-length project from Liana. Related to a lot of it, though not all - it was written from and for a primarily female perspective (M got lots out of it and shared it with lots of pregnant friends) but Fink remains self-aware when being contradictory or unfair. A very fast read.

[Lorena · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Dial Press for a copy of How to Baby!

"A wryly personal and deeply relatable graphic memoir skewering the “traditional” parenting book to chronicle the absurdities, frustrations, and soaring joys of new parenthood."

I seriously will read any topic in graphic novel form! How to Baby is so absolutely entertaining and relatable. This book brings out the ridiculousness that pregnant women / moms experience and I love the sprinkled advice given in between the funny illustrations!

[Skokie Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kann man auch sehr gut lesen, wenn man nicht Mutter ist. Hab viel gelacht, schönes Buch!

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

I laughed and read parts aloud to my husband.

Looking forward to a new reading buddy in March for my Goodreads 2026 challenge 🤍

[Laura Winnick · Rating 5 out of 5]

best pregnancy / child rearing book i’ve read

[Natalie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoy graphic novels about motherhood, and this was a graphic memoir that was very relatable in many ways. I especially loved the segment talking about the dog’s feelings about the new baby. That was my dog to a T!

[Alena Navarro · Rating 5 out of 5]

Am I crying because I am laughing or laughing because I am crying or is it all the hormones and also why does Liana Finck know exactly what I am thinking and feeling

[Anna Chenoweth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have loved Finck's drawings for years and this book is no different. I had my second baby several months ago and wish I could have read this while pregnant. There are so many relatable bits where I exclaimed "yes!" Or "ugh!" And Finck is so funny! She does a wonderful job sharing her experiences and bestowing wisdom without taking herself too seriously

*thank you Netgalley for the advanced reader copy

[Deedi Brown (DeediReads) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book of cartoons is exactly what it promises to be: “A No-Advice-Given Guide to Motherhood, with Drawings.” I’m 37 weeks pregnant and felt like this was a gift to me from Finck. I felt deeply seen by the parts of the journey I’d already experienced, validated by the parts of the process that are honestly shown as truly no fun at all, and buoyed by the prospect of a future that is going to be hard but also rewarding. Plus, it was dang funny.

This would make a fantastic baby shower gift for any expecting mother in your life.

[brookiecita · Rating 5 out of 5]

Liana Finck is a beautiful genius and I still don’t want to have a baby.

[Karen Cohn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Author Liana Finck has written and illustrated a rather tongue-in-cheek overview of conception, pregnancy, childbirth, and infancy - at least, I hope it's intended to be tongue-in-cheek. This wry and sometimes almost despondent narrative document her personal experiences with the process, using the style she developed as a cartoonist for the New Yorker, and will resonate with many parents, although others may consider it a bit too over-the-top. This is a realistic depiction, and yet there are times when it appears to be more parody than realistic, perhaps because so many similar volumes dwell more on the joy of parenthood and less on the reality depicted here, this would make a good gift for a baby shower, as long as the giver is sure the recipient will take the narrative as intended. Some readers will greatly enjoy this book; others may find it tasteless in its depiction of parenthood.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

*I received a copy of this book digitally for free and am leaving this review voluntarily*
Hello Fellow Readers,

Finck's book is not only extremely funny, but it's very relatable for me. In case you're wondering (Probably not) I am a mother to a toddler. That's what consumes my life right now. I didn't know that I needed to read (along with drawings) someone else to show me that they go through the same thing, it makes the loneliness of motherhood feel not so stifling. I really enjoyed the drawings in How to Baby, while not the most detailed it added to the ridiculousness and humor of it.

Finck talks about all things baby, from conception to birth, to the insane pressure society puts on women to fit into the mom bubble while praising fathers for the bare minimum (or to simplify 'The Double Standard). It's all done in a very tongue-in-cheek way. This book will make you laugh and nod a long while constantly thinking 'That's exactly how it feels'

Overall, a delightful book for mothers or future mothers (or people who maybe just want to laugh at motherhood?)

[Pam · Rating 5 out of 5]

A small book with a wide and accurate view of pregnancy and the exciting and exhausting life with a new baby. All the facts and emotions are here in whimsical, detailed drawings. I won this giveaway in the midst of walking beside my daughter as she had her first baby. It is totally true to life! There's a wealth of info available now that was never available to my generation, and this book gives the options without giving advice. Well done! Realistic portrayal of the changes, struggles, and joys for new parents and helpful thoughts to get you through. This would be a great gift for someone anticipating parenthood or with a new baby. The drawings are so charming and enjoyable. They make it easier and fun to read at a time you need it. Many thanks to Goodreads Giveaways.

[Lisa Davidson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the kind of guide I needed when I was expecting. Even though this book is short and humorous, it covers all the relevant topics for people expecting a baby. Not only is there practical information, but there is a lot of great advice on how to deal with people around you and their attitudes. That's so important for new mothers, especially if they are feeling insecure.
I think the illustrations are hilarious, and I like the quick style. I would recommend this as a gift for your friends or for yourself, whether you want to learn about having a baby or if you just want to enjoy this very human look at parenthood.
Thanks to NetGalley for letting me read this

[Ines Araujo · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Liana’s illustrations and humor and as the mom of a toddler I can totally relate to a lot that’s in it.
However, as someone who subscribes to her newsletter (highlight of my week!), I was a bit disappointed that I’d seen a lot of the illustrations featured in this book already. I understand it’s really hard to create new material every week for a newsletter while working on a book and multiple other projects all at once but I felt like I paid for something I’d already seen/read, and the surprise / ahah moment was lacking from my read. Still a lovely object and I’ll probably enjoy it for a long time and would totally recommend as a gift to the mom of a 1yr old or so.

[Kristen Johnson · Rating 2 out of 5]

While I fully understand that this is a story telling of the author’s unique, but obviously related experiences, I can’t help but think that this will be given to moms before they finish having these experiences for themselves. Some topics are delivered satirically and obvious for those who have already had those experiences, but to a newly pregnant woman this book will come across as fear mongering.

I feel like the target audience should be moms on the other side, while the title implies otherwise.

[Lauren Brennan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Firstly I’d love to thank NetGalley, the author, and publishing team for letting me read and review this work before the release date!

I loved this book! I think it is an authentic, relatable take on motherhood. I really enjoyed that it made commentary and had discussion about the whole process of starting a family from the EARLIEST parts, to include trying (and maybe struggling) to conceive and early feelings about pregnancy, to the latest parts, like having young children/toddlers, splitting responsibilities with a spouse, finding childcare, and learning and understanding more about your identity as a person v.s. as a mother. I teared up at several parts, and I really loved this as a short, somewhat playful, but also very meaningful take on starting a family! I think I will purchase this as a gift for some of my friends who perfectly fit this audience.

[Rach · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kudos to the subtitle: this really is a no-advice-given parenting book, the first in the entire universe.

Instead, Liana simply tells her story of pregnancy and the early months/years of childrearing. She has a remarkably simplistic art style, but the way she conveys complex emotions or situations sometimes left me breathless. There was so much in here that felt like the best explanation I've encountered, and she did it in about 15 collective lines.

This is a quick read, and I'd recommend it for any new parent. Not life changing or provocative, just.... real.

[KK Rebecca Lai]

Expecting my own soon... and came across this book. I loved it so much. It made me laugh out loud so many times. Showroom is reading it now too and he loves it as well. (And as someone who never reads English books!!!) Having a baby is the most craziest thing in the world, and yet people do it all the time and have been doing so for thousands of years. And yet we find ourselves in the same mess as always. I'm excited and scared and terrified and so incredibly happy at the same time. Maybe I'll make something like this too as a record of my own journey.

[Tim Rooney · Rating 2 out of 5]

At turns very funny and very moving. But the sketched out art in this is so loose and unappealing. There are several times I couldn’t even tell what the drawings were supposed to be. The handwritten text (and this is mostly prose) is sometimes tough to read.

Funny and relatable. Probably a better commiseration read for parents who’ve been through the first year than for expectant or brand new parents.

[Dakota Morgan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Liana Finck provides a look at her life as a new mother and it she certainly doesn't sell the experience. Be frustrated with your body! Fight with your husband! Lose your sense of self! Wheeeee

How to Baby is highly amusing, though, despite the dark vibes. The art is simple and delightfully goofy. Maybe soon-to-be mothers should give it a skip? But all others will probably be chuckling (and maybe a little worried for Finck's relationship).

[Kristina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Im really glad Ive had my kids (end of sentence?) more or less at the exact same time as the author. Her putting everything I think/feel into a few lines (I mean both the words and drawings) is something I consider a great and timely resource to have.
She is a philosopher of small everyday things and feelings. Her being a parent and writing about it has only extended my appreciation, I felt the same way when I was just looking at her illustrations pre-babies.

[Callie Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

The ARC of this book was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I'm the target audience for this as I'm currently pregnant. Very fun and interesting to read! I laughed out loud at least three times! Was kind of sad about the author's portrayal of men as caregivers. It isn't necessarily wrong, just sad. So grateful that I have a good community of helpers.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the advance copy. Overall I enjoyed the topics and themes of this book, especially the “you’re not the carefree woman I married” cartoon which I saw circulating on social media recently.

The authors style of illustration was not my cup of tea but it did help to get the story across.

I would recommend this as a light and enjoyable read to any mom.