Goth Parenting: The Dark Joys of Raising Baby Bats

by Casey Gilly, Robin Robinson (Illustrator)

From the cradle bars to pre-preteen goo goo mucks, Goth Parenting is an illustrated humor book with heart for families who do things a little differently.

Your local mall goths and graveyard lurkers experience the same milestones of parenthood as anyone else. Goths just do it with a little extra style and more Edgar Allan Poe references.

Goth Parenting takes you from a baby bat’s very earliest days through age seven, illustrating parents’ memorable moments, challenges, and rewards along the way. Like figuring out how to child-proof your tomb sweet tomb, what to feed a toddler to make sure they live deliciously, and how to cope if your little monster doesn’t wish every day was Halloween.

Whether your gashlycrumb tiny is a ball of darkness like you or a little ray of sunshine, there’s something here for every alternative parent. Because being a goth parent is about more than just Victorian accessories and black clothing—it’s about acceptance, love, and always being yourself. And also black clothing.

CELEBRATION OF ALL THINGS GOTH: The funny, gentle advice is peppered with instantly recognizable references, from Dracula to Edward Gorey to The Sisters of Mercy.

BEAUTIFULLY ILLUSTRATED ALT PARENTING BOOK: Cute and colorful pictures illustrate diverse, loving goth families on every page.

GREAT GIFT: Super-relatable moments make this an ideal present for goths at any stage of their parenting adventures. Wrap in a sheet of skull floral paper for baby shower, birthday, or stocking stuffer gift-giving to moms, dads, or couples.

Perfect for:

- Moms, dads, aunts, uncles, grandparents, and caretakers with an offbeat sense of humor
- Kids of goth parents looking for a Mother's Day, Father's Day, or birthday present
- Gen X mall goths, alternative millennials, and older Gen Zers starting families
- Goths, punks, witches, graveyard lurkers, reformed Hot Topic teens, proud emo crybabies, and anyone who admires the goth aesthetic and lifestyle
- Fans of My Chemical Romance, The Addams Family, and Netflix’s Wednesday reboot

Genres: Humor, Nonfiction, Graphic Novels, Gothic, Self Help, Parenting, Vampires

96 pages, Hardcover

First published September 3, 2024

Reviews

[Ari · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Netgalley and Chronicle Books for this ARC.

This was a joy to read. Not only is it filled with succinct parenting tips, but the illustrations are gorgeous. And the sprinkling of Gothic references throughout were perfectly timed. Overall an adorable, highly recommended read.

[Lisa Davidson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm a parent who brought my child with me to volunteer at horror conventions, where I was pleased and surprised to see so so many families with their children, including babies. Clearly, it's never too early to start sharing our love of genre.
The pictures are cute, the language is clever and fun, but my favorite thing is the section titles -- absolutely hilarious!! I highly recommend this for everyone who is able to think outside the boring, conventional box when it comes to parenting.
Thanks to NetGalley for letting me read this

[Jenna]

a great gift book for soon-to-be or new parents who vibe with all things spooky

[Mehsi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book from Edelweiss in exchange of an honest review.

This was such a fun goth (maybe a dash of vampire/monster) parenting from baby to older child. I really loved the little nuggets of wisdom here and there and I love the diversity in parenting, white, Black, LGBT, thin and bigger. I also liked that there were a few monsters included, though that did confuse me, haha. I loved seeing the little kid grow up and stand between its very goth parents. Wearing pink whereas they wore black/gray, haha. And the illustrations that were all over were just so much fun and fitted the book perfectly. All in all, recommended!

[Lindsey (Bagel) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Netgalley for giving an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Now, am I a parent? No. Am I goth? Also no. But man did I enjoy this cute and informative book about parenting little bats! The illustrations were adorable, the content made me laugh, and now I’m debating if the goth way is my way for raising little vampires. I had such a blast!!

[Sabrianna Woodmansee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was adorable and everything I wanted it to be! It was funny, I enjoyed all the goth references and the illustrations were so pretty! Thank you netgalley for the e arc.

[Catherine T · Rating 4 out of 5]

Checked this out on a whim (I'm neither Goth nor Parent), but found it surprisingly sweet and with some good advice.

[Tori · Rating 3 out of 5]

Am I ever having children? Absolutely not, but this was a quick, cute read. 🦇

[Maggie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and Chronicle Books for the opportunity to read this advanced reader copy. All opinions expressed in this review are honest and my own.

Goth Parenting: The Dark Joys of Raising Baby Bats is an absolutely delightful parenting book with a dark and moody twist. It’s a sweet book about the ups, downs, and all arounds of parenting with humor and illustrations to die for. While this book does offer great and concise advice, my favorite takeaway from this book was the emphasis on parents remaining true to themselves while also allowing their little bats to discover who they are. In a time when parents often become strangers to themselves because they are so lost in parenthood and, on the flip side, the sad beige mom aesthetic is removing color from kids’ worlds this reminder is needed more than ever. You can be you while encouraging them to be them and everyone will be better for it. I am absolutely batty (wink wink) for this book.

Overall, I gave this book 5 stars.

#GothParenting #NetGalley

[Michelle "Champ" · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an adorable book!! I do believe there are tips that even a non-goth parent would enjoy. I am an out-of-the-box kind of person, and I loved that the parents in. this book were out of the box, and the kids were just fine. :)

While I liked the tips a lot, the illustrations are really what makes this book stand out. The illustrations are incredible and well worth your time.

This is a quick, very enjoyable read and I can see it being a gift for someone.

Thanks to NetGalley for letting me get my hands on this one.

[Jade · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got this as a NetGalley ARC because I was simply intrigued.

Now this book is intended for expecting parents or goths or even both! However as someone who may not ever have kids, nor does she expect to want them, this was just fun to read. If you want to ease some worries about your potential future, see some amazing artwork, or read the MCR drop, pick this short illustrated book up.

[Whitney · Rating 3 out of 5]

Yeah, I definitely still don’t want to be a mom, but if I did this would be so on point for me. The illustrations were so cute and I did enjoy the read. This would be a cute gift for some of my friends and I’ll keep that in mind as they start to grow their families!

[Sam · Rating 2 out of 5]

Any parenting advice that recommends devices for “occupying” young children gets a huge nope. The art was cute though.

[Sierra Enochs · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun quick read with great illustrations.

[Erikka · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a cute gimmick, but nothing to write home about. Very cute gift if you have a goth friend who is expecting.

[Nína Guðrún · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best parenting book I’ve read so far

[Rachael A · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was super fun (which is likely not the apathetic, melancholic review they were looking for, but alas). I have a baby bat at home and personally loved learning all the new things I can call my little monster ("bundle of organs", "little spider from Mars", etc.). The best part, aside from the alternative words for baby, were the illustrations. And the puns. And poking fun at goth lifestyle and aesthetic while also paying lyrical homage to it. The Ghastly Crumbs poem is a particular favorite of mine. Also, the author is right - cats definitely count as siblings.

[KaoticFabelReads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Be still my aching gothic heart. This book is absolutely adorable. I love the art style used and the diversity shown. Goth so often is shown in one way, and it's encouraging to see that we are finally seeing the diversity the culture actually encompasses. And seeing it, even if it is in quite possibly the cutest parenting book I have ever seen. I am obsessed. I will definitely be checking this author and artist out more.

**This book was given to me for an honest review from NetGalley.**

[Jamie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Goth Parenting is a practical guide for new parents on what to expect with their first child… But goth flavored. The book goes from infancy to age seven. Each page gives a nugget of wisdom and includes fun illustrations. There is a fair amount of goth humor and the tone is gentle and playful, even when addressing less pleasant topics.

I appreciated that the book made common advice fun and included some less common topics, such as fitting in with other (normie) parents, being supportive of your child’s developing self-expression (even if it doesn’t match your own aesthetic), or acknowledging imaginary friends.

The graphic design of this little book is thoughtful and the illustrations are great. There are pop culture references peppered throughout that were cute, like Beetlejuice, Welcome to the Black Parade, and The Shining. Goth Parenting is an adorable little book that would make a wonderful gift, and the brevity of the text makes it far easier to digest than other parenting guides.

[ashley and the never ending TBR · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a cute, quick read that reminds you of the highs and lows of parenting and allows you to be different. The illustrations associated with each page are incredible and I was eager to see what the next one would show.

The MCR reference was much appreciated as was the cat’s are siblings stance.

While I am not a parent, I do have littles in my life and friends who are at the age where I’m expecting a pregnancy announcement- they’ll be receiving a copy of this book when that time comes

[Doreen · Rating 4 out of 5]

9/16/2024 4.5 stars. An utter delight that got me a little emotional. Full review tk at TheFrumiousConsortium.net.

9/17/2024 Readers, everything is making me emotional recently. Whether it was yesterday's Camp Twisted Pine stabbing me in the heart again with a pain first inflicted almost a year prior, to today's wonderful Goth Parenting reinforcing to this tired (and temporarily single) mom that I'm doing okay if not outright great, I have been having outsized feelings lately. Fortunately for my mental health, any negativity has been counteracted by the warmhearted nature of both books, and especially by this delightful guide on being a goth parent. 'Cause you know who are undoubtedly some of the best parents in the history of popular media? Ur-Goth parents Gomez and Morticia Addams. They love their kids wholeheartedly, support their interests even when they conflict with their own, and are unapologetically, unreservedly themselves, setting a terrific example for their kids as the latter sally forth into the world and figure out who they are as individual human beings. And that's exactly the kind of thinking that permeates this wonderful little volume on how to parent as a person who enjoys the darker or even just more offbeat side of living.

This fast, humorous read touches lightly on many aspects of parenting, divided primarily into sections by the age of the little one. It dispenses sage advice, from baby proofing the goth home to dealing with rebellion in older children. At all times, it emphasizes the importance of empathy and care when raising children, all in a tone that is darkly luminous, rather like the silver of a full moon gilding the nighttime clouds before it.

Perhaps the most important aspect of this book, however, is the much needed affirmation it gives to all alternative parents. Good parenting isn't solely the purview of mainstream normies who love being out in the sun, participating in team sports and wearing bright colors. It genuinely doesn't matter what "weird" interests or preferences you have as a parent as long as you're creating a safe, loving home for your kids. While this book isn't detailed enough to count as a true parenting manual, it's a reassuring reminder of all the things you're probably already doing right, as well as a font of useful tips for dealing with all the curveballs that parenting can throw at you. Because, as this book not only acknowledges but stresses, it's just as important to take care of yourself as it is to take care of your offspring.

Robin Robinson's delightful illustrations are the ideal accompaniment to Casey Gilly's gentle advice. Many of the parents in the full-color pictures look just as exhausted as I feel and the children can be literal little monsters, but it's clear that, as in all healthy families, everyone genuinely loves each other and is sincerely doing their best. I'm well into Week Four of solo parenting my 13 year-old and special needs 10 year-old twins by myself and I am so, so tired, but this book was the perfect little reminder that I don't have to be grocery store check-out line magazine-ready in order to be a good mom.

Goth Parenting by Casey Gilly & Robin Robinson was published September 3 2024 by Chronicle Books and is available from all good booksellers, including Bookshop!

[Caroline · Rating 5 out of 5]

After a bunch of people telling me about this book for months, I finally got it! I couldn't wait for my next pregnancy, so I read it now. It's not your typical parenting book, it's mainly illustrations with a paragraph per double page. So I have to say I was a liittle disappointed that there wasn't more to it. I loved all the goth puns though! The style of the book reminds me of Jillian Venters and Aurelio Voltaire. It takes you through the ages of 0-7, with a bunch of topics goth parents can relate to - of course many are also relatable for normie parents, hehe. This is the perfect gift for any goth parent!

[A Mac · Rating 4 out of 5]

Actual Rating 4.5

If you know a goth (or are a goth!) who is a soon-to-be parent or caretaker, then this book would make a lovely little gift. It’s full of fun references of goth pop culture, as well as some wholesome and helpful tidbits/reminders/encouragements for parents. The book is divided into four parts that give advice from newborns to high school graduation.

The illustrations are lovely. The style is quite cute and, of course, very gothy. But there were also splashes of bright colors especially as the children grew up. I also appreciated that the illustrations were quite diverse when it came to the depiction of the people included, which is always wonderful to see.

This short and wholesome read is highly recommended for those who are looking for an alternative book to give as a gift for parents/caretakers that strays away from the typical cutesy vibe (but is still cute!). Many thanks to NetGalley and Chronicle Books for allowing me to read this work. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.

[Janna Felix · Rating 4 out of 5]

Goth Parenting: The Dark Joys of Raising Baby Bats is a delightfully offbeat guide for parents who embrace the darker side of life without sacrificing warmth and humor. The book balances practical parenting tips, like child-proofing your tomb and managing picky eaters, with tongue-in-cheek references to everything from Edgar Allan Poe to The Sisters of Mercy. The illustrations are charmingly macabre, capturing diverse goth families in all their quirky, loving glory, and the text manages to be both funny and heartfelt. While some advice leans more toward playful commentary than serious guidance, the book succeeds as a celebration of alternative parenting, offering reassurance that it’s okay to do things a little differently. A solid four stars for its humor, creativity, and gothic charm, perfect for any parent who prefers their lullabies with a side of bats and black lace.

[Michelle G. · Rating 3 out of 5]

ARC review; thanks to NetGalley and Chronicle Books for the access to this!

3.5 stars, really.

I loooved the art style and illustrations, they're beautiful and one of my favorite things is the progression from childhood to adulthood at the end. The content itself started well, fun and cute, but then it started losing its spunk and I felt something switch off about the writing style, like the writer started struggling to maintain the same tone from the beginning and they just gave up. This is advertised for adults as much as for children to gift to adults, so I understand keeping it simple and easy to understand for children as well, but that doesn't explain why the writing style switched and it lost the essence/humor.

[Grace · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and Chronicle Books for this ARC.

This has exactly what it promises! I don't have kids, but I do like goth stuff. Lots of culture and song references. Still maintained a nuanced approach (it's OK if your kids don't like the same things as you, you can't force an aesthetic onto your kids, etc.) while not being preachy. The illustrations are cute and fun.


I did have a weird issue with some of the illustrations in the epilogue (right before the graduate). Part of the page seemed like it was copied and pasted on top of another image. I read this in the NetGalley Android app. Not sure if this was a misprint or an app issue. No big deal but maybe something the publisher might want to check.

[MKF]

Gave it 0 stars before reading it and I give it 0 stars after reading it. All it is, is a a supposedly humourous parenting guide with stereotypical goth and goth sounding things added. Some of these things are not goth not even a little and some easily confused as goth when in reality not goth.
There is a band mentioned in a section title that deserves to be acknowledged. There are probably a few readers mainly younger readers, who haven't heard of them so they won't get the references. This is the amazing English band The Sisters of Mercy from the 1980s who still owes us a new album since it's been 31 years since the last. You'll find this band mentioned on page 48 for the section titled Sisters of No Mercy( I do agree cats definitely counts as siblings).

[Melki · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is one I was really looking forward to, but sadly I found it disappointing. It seemed as though the author had a great idea for a premise, but didn't know what to do with the rest of the book. There is basically one page (sometimes one paragraph) describing the situation, and a cool accompanying illustration by Robin Robinson. And, that's it. There were plenty of things I would have loved to see expanded upon like having the goth mom try to get the other parents to LIKE her at the park, or ways goth parents can deal with a child who prefers rainbow-colored clothing instead of black.

This would probably make a fine gift if you know an expectant goth mother, but I wasn't a fan.

Thanks to Chronicle Books and NetGalley for sharing.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a quick and cute read. I love the illustrations that accompanied the advice and information on each page. The advice and information about what to expect at different stages were solid and concise. I like that the author lets new parents know there will be ups and downs, but they are not alone. In addition, the author encourages new parents to not let critics make them feel bad, to take some time for self-care, and to let their kids be true to themselves. Overall, this is a cute, funny, but relevant book for parents-to-be and new parents. Just FYI, I received this as an ARC and this is my honest review of the book.

[Maggie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Expecting new little bundle of joy sometime soon, but the brightly colored, aggressively cheerful new-parent guides are not quite your style? Do you prefer a color palette that makes most Instagram mommies balk in horror and have a propensity for the morbid and macabre? If so, this might just be the book for you!

Goth Parenting is as funny as it is short - because let's be real, not a single new parent has the time to read a full-length book. It's filled with tips and tricks on how to navigate the murky waters of parents from the earliest days all the way up to the Teen Years - and I cannot recommend it enough.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Chronicle books for the free e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.