Tender: THE INSTANT SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER

by Harry Baker

'I was moved to tears and then laughing in seconds' DAVINA McCALL
'An exquisite, funny look into the life and love of a new dad' HOLLIE McNISH

Tender captures all the tiny, fragile, perfect moments of new life and, with it, new parenthood. Full of sleepless wonder and with his characteristic wit and warmth, Harry Baker offers snapshots into the intense first 100 days with his son as they get to know each other.

A yawn from a tiny pink mouth, a kind word from a stranger on a difficult day, the weight of a body sleeping against your chest – parents will recognise both themselves and their children in Tender and find consolation in this collection.

Genres: Poetry

171 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 5, 2026

Reviews

[Kate Packman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfect.

[Laura Lloyd (Hoggard) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Feels very fitting that I've finished this on the day I'll be seeing Harry live.

A beautiful collection of poems that made me laugh and cry in equal measure. He has written about the highs and the lows with such sensitivity. I also feel like maybe I didn't give my husband space for his own emotions when our children were born but it's all a blur now.

[Ella G · Rating 3 out of 5]

Harry Baker is still my fave poet. Bought this book bc I was in Margate for the day and I wouldn’t know what margate was if not for him. However this book is a live letter from a father to a son, an ode to parenting. Maybe bc I have not been there yet , harder to relate to the subject matter. Still enjoyed the read.

[Eline · Rating 4 out of 5]

Herkenbaar, lief en grappig. En bij vlagen mierzoet. 🩷

[Zar · Rating 4 out of 5]

As titled, tender. I think the concept of writing a poem a day when starting something new to capture the feelings of the newness is so good. Everyone should do that.

[Zaria Bettles · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tender by name and nature. A beautiful and honest reflection of those heady first days of parenthood. A must have for new dads - I already have a list I will be passing a copy on to!

[Amanda Downs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Listening to the audio all performed by Harry was perfect. 100 poems about parenthood and all of the overwhelming highs and lows.

[that girl who reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a non parent that has no plans to have children, this isn't the kind of book I'd usually pick up! But as a fan of Harry's work and hearing of his journey to parenthood I couldn't wait to read this.

I was really blown away by Harry's ability to find magic in the small moments in life and it inspired me to do the same in my own. I also loved the representation of good days vs bad days. We so often shy away from admitting we're struggling and rarely show insight into the days that we find hard yet are so keen to share with the world when we're having a good day! The ups and downs Harry's life over these 100 days felt like a very realistic portrayal of how we all struggle. These are universal messages for all parents and non parents alike!

It also gave me a whole new appreciation for all the parents in my life. I don't think I'd ever really thought about the experience of being a new parent and therefore I learnt a lot of what it is really like which was really refreshing. And what really shone through was how much Harry loves his son but also how difficult caring for his son can be. I hope parents reading this and are struggling can read this, relate to this, know they're not alone and understand it's ok to admit it's hard!

A wonderful collection and such an incredible way to record of those 100 days. Truly a lovely letter to his son and something precious for him to one day cherish.

[Val.F · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a beautiful adorable poetry book
-it would make an ideal gift for any new parents! Harry wrote this during the first 100 days of his newborn sons life -an incredible feat for any new parent! Even though my children are way past being babies, this book transported me back to that time and had me laughing and crying in equal amounts! Harry has such a wonderful outlook on life, he is both witty and caring and his heart and soul always shines through in his words -he is also fabulous to watch perform his poetry live -I would highly recommend this and all of his previous books

[Sean]

Perfectly titled- it's a sweet, delicate, warm collection of poems which captures the overwhelming infatuation of new parenthood. Baker is a performance poet, so this isn't the kind of collection where you'll be blown away by the technical skill or use of language. Instead, it is a plain spoken, populist work which nonetheless gleams with uncomplicated beauty.

[Gemma · Rating 5 out of 5]

5/5 went to watch Harry perform many peons from this book so when I was reading them it took me right back. Great insight into what it’s really like having a newborn especially all of the little bits that you forget.

[P · Rating 4 out of 5]

I saw him perform at Whelan’s last night because a friend of mine got tickets last minute. He has such good energy — like in a golden retriever kind of way. These poems about parenthood are so heartfelt and funny (even better performed live).

[Sonia Mainstone-Cotton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book; it's a total joy to read. Harry captures those intense feelings of being a new parent, the joy and excitement, along with the fear and the exhaustion. It's a beautiful read

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Made me cry in the bookshop so had to get it!

[Sally · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful collection of heat- felt and sometimes humorous poems. Harry Baker writes with a raw accuracy about the first 100 days of his son's life.

[Lucy Wain · Rating 5 out of 5]

I honestly wish I could give this higher than 5 stars-possibly the most feel good book I’ve ever read. Will be re-reading in future and I already look forward to it

[Bushra Kassouma · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful, open, magical book about the first days of parenthood. It really helped me appreciate the dad's perspective of those early day.

[Hannah Fogg · Rating 4 out of 5]

read in one sitting so I could tab it before giving it to my (pregnant) sister who otherwise is unlikely to ever open it

[Carly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful

[Bth Sndersn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this so fast, the poems are beautiful and funny and real.

[Bethany Sullivan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I laughed a bit but mostly cried throughout this beautiful collection of poems ❤️❤️❤️

[Summer (Summer winterr) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Listening to this on my second week back at work after maternity leave, sorely missing my baby and this made me laugh out loud and sob. 11

[Sahar]

Loved it.

[Siobhan Moriarty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful, poignant, heartbreaking, hilarious….Harry Baker is amazing. Saw him in person in Camus Farm, Cork. An incredible afternoon. Just fabulous.