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The Modern Dad
Kiwi comedian and personality Louis Davis offers his advice on modern fatherhood in his signature warm and witty style.
A love letter to modern fatherhood and being a stay-at-home dad by one of NZ's most popular story tellers.
Louis Davis (Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Whātua) is one of Aotearoa's most popular storytellers, with a combined global audience of three million people tuning in to see his heartfelt and funny videos about fatherhood, fishing and whānau life. But even with three young children, Louis says his life as a stay-at-home dad is far from a model of perfect like everyone else, he can often feel like he's making it up along the way.
The Modern Dad is the book for everyone who's either already in the parenting trenches or has just found out they're going to be a father. In his signature kind, funny and low-key tone, Louis walks you through the 'Am I ready?' panic response (and no, no-one is ever truly ready) and offers a practical and empathetic guide on how to be a loving partner and parent.
From how to be helpful throughout the pregnancy stage to the most important values for your children, through to how to look after you and your partner's mental health along the way, Louis tackles the big topics around both fatherhood and modern masculinity.
A love letter to modern fatherhood and being a stay-at-home dad by one of NZ's most popular story tellers.
Louis Davis (Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Whātua) is one of Aotearoa's most popular storytellers, with a combined global audience of three million people tuning in to see his heartfelt and funny videos about fatherhood, fishing and whānau life. But even with three young children, Louis says his life as a stay-at-home dad is far from a model of perfect like everyone else, he can often feel like he's making it up along the way.
The Modern Dad is the book for everyone who's either already in the parenting trenches or has just found out they're going to be a father. In his signature kind, funny and low-key tone, Louis walks you through the 'Am I ready?' panic response (and no, no-one is ever truly ready) and offers a practical and empathetic guide on how to be a loving partner and parent.
From how to be helpful throughout the pregnancy stage to the most important values for your children, through to how to look after you and your partner's mental health along the way, Louis tackles the big topics around both fatherhood and modern masculinity.
236 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 4, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
August 19, 2026
You could really feel the warmth and kindness radiating off the page throughout this book, in a world full of Andrew Tates, be more Louis Davis.
Also I appreciated the way he made an effort to explain studies in an accessible manner for a layperson in order to back up his points, alongside (some very vulnerable) autobiographical experiences.
You don't need to be a dad to get something from this book.
Also I appreciated the way he made an effort to explain studies in an accessible manner for a layperson in order to back up his points, alongside (some very vulnerable) autobiographical experiences.
You don't need to be a dad to get something from this book.
August 17, 2026
I found this to be a quick and easy read, with lots of practical advice. It was a nice mix of biography and parenting guidance, and I thought the balance between the two worked well.
I really liked the author's perspective on how to build a village/community, and how to manage technology and screentime as a parent. It feels difficult to navigate those areas in the world today, so I found it really useful to see how Louis has approached this. His perspective on screentime was particularly interesting given that his career is reliant on social media.
I really liked the author's perspective on how to build a village/community, and how to manage technology and screentime as a parent. It feels difficult to navigate those areas in the world today, so I found it really useful to see how Louis has approached this. His perspective on screentime was particularly interesting given that his career is reliant on social media.
August 25, 2026
read it bcos love his fishing videos - turned out to be a parenting book !! Lovely read though
August 21, 2026
No notes. The best book I've read in a long time.
September 3, 2026
Beautiful book! Even though I’m no way near being a parent I loved reading Louis’ kōrero about his life and whānau. E mihi ana for such a beautiful representation of our ahurea.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews