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How It Works: The Mum
From bestselling authors Jason Hazeley and Joel Morris - a nugget of wisdom in the phenomenal Ladybirds for Grown Ups series.
This delightful book is the latest in the series of Ladybird books which have been specially planned to help grown-ups with the world about them.
The large clear script, the careful choice of words, the frequent repetition and the thoughtful matching of text with pictures all enable grown-ups to think they have taught themselves to cope. Featuring original Ladybird artwork alongside brilliantly funny, brand new text.
Also available:
How it Works: The Husband
How it Works: The Wife
How it Works: The Mum
The Ladybird Book of the Mid-Life Crisis
The Ladybird Book of the Hangover
The Ladybird Book of Mindfulness
The Ladybird Book of the Shed
The Ladybird Book of Dating
The Ladybird Book of the Hipster
51 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 11, 2016
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 109 reviews
August 9, 2016
Oh my God!!! This was absolutely hilarious! I was laughing out loud the whole time :D
p.s Saw my mom in so many of these cartoons and explanations :D
p.s Saw my mom in so many of these cartoons and explanations :D
September 23, 2016
Not quite as amusing as I assumed it would be, but still relatable to most exhausted Mums.
December 26, 2016
Yet another hilarious Ladybird book – a few pages had me crying from laughter.
June 18, 2024
This is pretty damn funny.
It wouldn't be nearly as funny if I wasn't a mom. But I am so HA. HAHA. HAHAHA.
This is packed with "Whew! I'm not alone" moments. The illustrations are amazing and worth taking the time to admire. It's a quick read that I'll pick up more than once. What's not to love?
It's hard to pick a favorite, but here is one of the many that really rang true:
Louise's Natalie's cup of coffee is going cold.
There are six other cold cups of coffee on surfaces around the house.
When the vacuuming is done,Louise Natalie hopes she will be able to find the time to throw them away.
4 Stars
It wouldn't be nearly as funny if I wasn't a mom. But I am so HA. HAHA. HAHAHA.
This is packed with "Whew! I'm not alone" moments. The illustrations are amazing and worth taking the time to admire. It's a quick read that I'll pick up more than once. What's not to love?
It's hard to pick a favorite, but here is one of the many that really rang true:
There are six other cold cups of coffee on surfaces around the house.
When the vacuuming is done,
4 Stars
May 27, 2018
Should be read by anyone who has a child, has ever had a child, or ever was a child.
October 18, 2016
'The Fireside Grown-Up Guide to the Mom' by Jason Hazeley and Joel Morris is a parody series with vintage illustrations. It's not bad for what it is.
The mom has two very important jobs, according to the book: to look after her children and to do everything else well. This book of large type and easy to read information will give hints and tips at excelling at this job. I learned about children moving laundry baskets and how the mom sounds like her own mother. I learned how the mom made a nice cork doll out of all the Pinot Grigio bottles in the house.
You get the picture. The vintage drawings were fun to see. The humor worked sometimes for me and sometimes it fell flat. I feel like sometimes the pictures were mismatched a bit with the captions. But your mileage may vary, and if you need a humorous book for the mom in your life, this might be something she'd like.
I received a review copy of this ebook from Touchstone and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this ebook.
The mom has two very important jobs, according to the book: to look after her children and to do everything else well. This book of large type and easy to read information will give hints and tips at excelling at this job. I learned about children moving laundry baskets and how the mom sounds like her own mother. I learned how the mom made a nice cork doll out of all the Pinot Grigio bottles in the house.
You get the picture. The vintage drawings were fun to see. The humor worked sometimes for me and sometimes it fell flat. I feel like sometimes the pictures were mismatched a bit with the captions. But your mileage may vary, and if you need a humorous book for the mom in your life, this might be something she'd like.
I received a review copy of this ebook from Touchstone and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this ebook.
January 17, 2017
While I don’t usually review such short books, I like this so much that I wanted to add my recommendation to the many other reviews.
This is part of the new series of Ladybird book ‘for grown-ups’. With illustrations reminiscent of the 1960s style, it's an amusing look, in the style of the children's classic books, into the life of a young mother. Having said that, if you didn't come across the books as a child, or if you don’t get satire or British humour, then this probably isn’t for you.
It’s also probably not for you if you’re not a mother, or indeed if you’re a new mother who is in the middle of struggling with broken nights, and explosive nappies, and all the other stressful features of having a baby or an exhausting toddler.
But for those of us with older or adult children, and who ‘get’ this style, it’s really very funny in places. Not every page will apply to every mother, but most of the principles hold true, and there’s a great deal left unsaid which makes it all the more amusing.
This is part of the new series of Ladybird book ‘for grown-ups’. With illustrations reminiscent of the 1960s style, it's an amusing look, in the style of the children's classic books, into the life of a young mother. Having said that, if you didn't come across the books as a child, or if you don’t get satire or British humour, then this probably isn’t for you.
It’s also probably not for you if you’re not a mother, or indeed if you’re a new mother who is in the middle of struggling with broken nights, and explosive nappies, and all the other stressful features of having a baby or an exhausting toddler.
But for those of us with older or adult children, and who ‘get’ this style, it’s really very funny in places. Not every page will apply to every mother, but most of the principles hold true, and there’s a great deal left unsaid which makes it all the more amusing.
March 6, 2016
My Mum died this week and she used to buy me Ladybird books. I guess I want to immerse myself in nostalgia from when I was little.
The Mum is written in large print and uses artwork from the original Ladybird books. It uses repetitive language like the originals but with funny comments about how hard being a mum is.
The Mum is written in large print and uses artwork from the original Ladybird books. It uses repetitive language like the originals but with funny comments about how hard being a mum is.
January 24, 2022
Very easy read which I was gifted for Christmas after becoming a mum. There’s not a story here, it’s just punny/funny facts/thoughts/observations about what being a mum is like. Very witty at times, some eye rolls, and finished in less than 10mins (besides checking out the pictures to accompany it). Definitely a novelty present but a fun one all the same :) 3*s
August 2, 2016
Got this out of the library. Enjoyed looking at the beautiful illustrations from the original ladybird books. The original illustrations have been given new text aimed at adults who read them the first time round. Mildly amusing. Original books well worth revisiting.
September 15, 2016
Such a hilarious mash up of images from the mid 1900s, paired with the sharp witty humor today. As frequently seen in Internet pictures.
A must read. I'm not a mother but I still really enjoyed this.
Thank you to the publisher for the free copy of this book in exchange for this honest review.
A must read. I'm not a mother but I still really enjoyed this.
Thank you to the publisher for the free copy of this book in exchange for this honest review.
September 4, 2016
INITIAL THOUGHTS
I instantly liked the look of these little "comedy" style books with their homage to Ladybird's easy reader style Janet and John books. I was anticipating at the very least a wry smile or two.
REVIEW
I downloaded an e-arc copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.
So as I said in the "Initial Thought's" section above I really like the style of the cover as it really is so reminiscent of the old ladybird books I loved as a child. I know the picture are very "twee" and show the "cookie cutter" ideal of a perfect family. The cover of this book has the Mom and child within a beach setting. The Mom looks to be relaxing in the sun and the child is laid on a beach towel. Probably a more realistic version of the picture if the child has run riot all over the beach and has now been coerced probably by the promise of an ice-cream and the Mom is probably so tired she is more collapsed in a heap on the deckchair than relaxing in it!
Would the cover make me pick this one up in a book store? I think it would especially if it was displayed in the "humour" or "gift book" section. Before I start with my review I should address the whole "mom" vs "mum" wording. I know in America it is Mom whereas here in the UK we say Mum or Mam even. The book is sooo funny don't let the fact it says "Mom" put you off. If you are anything like me as you read the book you will auto correct it to your version of the word Mother.
So the books introduction says that these books are a way of cutting down our complicated lives and problems into easier bite size chunks. Making the scenario's or problems into easier to digest nuggets. The introduction sums up saying "It's as simple as look and remember" which was the primary thoughts behind the Ladybird Janet & John books.
The book begins by explaining that a Mom has just two very important jobs. . . .I was thinking just two important jobs? Where am I going wrong? Then you read what the two important jobs are. Which are 1. To look after her children . . . and 2. to do everything else as well! That had me both sniggering and chuckling.
The book goes on to inform us that Moms like making toys from corks!? (The corks being left over from all those empty wine bottle Mom has emptied by drinking all that wine!
I think the dislike is really funny as it is kind of true (if all us Moms are being honest that is) so What do Moms dislike? Moms hates the sound of her own voice! (especially as it sounds more and more like her own Moms every day!)
Then the book goes onto the individual scenario's, for example "a new Mom" which was amusing and I'm sure every newbie Mom has wondered exactly the same. So I guess I should share it with you. The picture accompanying the words is a smiling young woman who is feeding her baby . . .the words with this idyllic picture are "Sally wonders if her left shoulder will ever stop smelling of puke"
I really did enjoy reading this book, I literally flew through it and it left me wanting even more. I think this book would make a fun gift for a newly pregnant, or new Mom.
My absolute favourite that had my shedding tears of laughter and drifting back within my own mind was . . .
"When she was single, Debbie had nightmares about being left alone and unwanted.
For the last three years, someone has called for her every two minutes and watched her every time she has taken a bath or sat on the toilet.
Debbie now dreams of being left alone and unwanted, even for a few minutes"
I definitely identify with this one. Not only did my daughter as a toddler insist on accompanying me to the toilet, so did my German Sheppard! and it was only a small bathroom!!
I highly recommend this book for Moms new and old, a perfect stocking filler as a Christmas gift, or maybe for Mothers Day. Every Mom should have one!
FINAL THOUGHTS
A really amusing read. Some of the scenarios had me laughing, others had me reminiscing (mostly fondly reminiscing lol)
I instantly liked the look of these little "comedy" style books with their homage to Ladybird's easy reader style Janet and John books. I was anticipating at the very least a wry smile or two.
REVIEW
I downloaded an e-arc copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.
So as I said in the "Initial Thought's" section above I really like the style of the cover as it really is so reminiscent of the old ladybird books I loved as a child. I know the picture are very "twee" and show the "cookie cutter" ideal of a perfect family. The cover of this book has the Mom and child within a beach setting. The Mom looks to be relaxing in the sun and the child is laid on a beach towel. Probably a more realistic version of the picture if the child has run riot all over the beach and has now been coerced probably by the promise of an ice-cream and the Mom is probably so tired she is more collapsed in a heap on the deckchair than relaxing in it!
Would the cover make me pick this one up in a book store? I think it would especially if it was displayed in the "humour" or "gift book" section. Before I start with my review I should address the whole "mom" vs "mum" wording. I know in America it is Mom whereas here in the UK we say Mum or Mam even. The book is sooo funny don't let the fact it says "Mom" put you off. If you are anything like me as you read the book you will auto correct it to your version of the word Mother.
So the books introduction says that these books are a way of cutting down our complicated lives and problems into easier bite size chunks. Making the scenario's or problems into easier to digest nuggets. The introduction sums up saying "It's as simple as look and remember" which was the primary thoughts behind the Ladybird Janet & John books.
The book begins by explaining that a Mom has just two very important jobs. . . .I was thinking just two important jobs? Where am I going wrong? Then you read what the two important jobs are. Which are 1. To look after her children . . . and 2. to do everything else as well! That had me both sniggering and chuckling.
The book goes on to inform us that Moms like making toys from corks!? (The corks being left over from all those empty wine bottle Mom has emptied by drinking all that wine!
I think the dislike is really funny as it is kind of true (if all us Moms are being honest that is) so What do Moms dislike? Moms hates the sound of her own voice! (especially as it sounds more and more like her own Moms every day!)
Then the book goes onto the individual scenario's, for example "a new Mom" which was amusing and I'm sure every newbie Mom has wondered exactly the same. So I guess I should share it with you. The picture accompanying the words is a smiling young woman who is feeding her baby . . .the words with this idyllic picture are "Sally wonders if her left shoulder will ever stop smelling of puke"
I really did enjoy reading this book, I literally flew through it and it left me wanting even more. I think this book would make a fun gift for a newly pregnant, or new Mom.
My absolute favourite that had my shedding tears of laughter and drifting back within my own mind was . . .
"When she was single, Debbie had nightmares about being left alone and unwanted.
For the last three years, someone has called for her every two minutes and watched her every time she has taken a bath or sat on the toilet.
Debbie now dreams of being left alone and unwanted, even for a few minutes"
I definitely identify with this one. Not only did my daughter as a toddler insist on accompanying me to the toilet, so did my German Sheppard! and it was only a small bathroom!!
I highly recommend this book for Moms new and old, a perfect stocking filler as a Christmas gift, or maybe for Mothers Day. Every Mom should have one!
FINAL THOUGHTS
A really amusing read. Some of the scenarios had me laughing, others had me reminiscing (mostly fondly reminiscing lol)
January 7, 2018
The Mum, part of the Ladybird books for adults series had me laughing out loud from the get go. This book is perfect for those Mums or Mum figures out there who don't take like too seriously and like a good giggle. Tongue in cheek humour, amusing and eye rolling - this book had it all. My favourite page is still the one with regards to Thomas the Tank Engine. I could relate. KUWTK, Big Brother, Loose Women? Nope I never watched any of them, but yes I could tell you exactly what happened in Thomas and the dirty bloody diesels!
I love the Ladybird books for adults and am collecting them at present. This is my no2 favourite in the set and one I enjoyed reading. Yes they are super short (10 minute reads) but they are also nice to have as a set, like that nostalgic feeling of childhood for those who may have read them. Great for stocking fillers or small presents, don't hurt the pocket and good funny reads too. 4 stars.
I love the Ladybird books for adults and am collecting them at present. This is my no2 favourite in the set and one I enjoyed reading. Yes they are super short (10 minute reads) but they are also nice to have as a set, like that nostalgic feeling of childhood for those who may have read them. Great for stocking fillers or small presents, don't hurt the pocket and good funny reads too. 4 stars.
February 14, 2016
This book is the perfect blend of nostalgia, humour and modernity. The re-purposing of familiar images (if like me you’re over forty and learnt to read with Ladybird books) with amusing comments on the peculiar trials of being a Mum. I am not a Mum but many of my friends are and this is close to word for word some of their moans and concerns. The never getting to go to the loo alone is covered, as is never drinking a whole cup of tea and having the Octonauts theme tune going round in your head. A friend of mine once had her son insist that she formally introduce him to Captain Barnacle. I’m going to buy copies of this for all my Mum friends.
February 24, 2016
Ladybird Books, something that instantly reminds to those years long gone, are back. Though these book are actually made for grown-ups.
Everything is as we remember from the past – known logo, original artwork and fonts, yet their subject are different. This for the Mum is the first one I read, yet I quickly browsed through several others such as “The Book Of The Hangover”, “Book Of Dating”, „Book of the Mid-Life Crisis” - well you get the point.
A great tribute to the originals, full of nostalgia and humor, the new LadyBird Books are something great for grey days that will surely make you laugh. As I am doing right now while writing this, planning to go through it once again.
Everything is as we remember from the past – known logo, original artwork and fonts, yet their subject are different. This for the Mum is the first one I read, yet I quickly browsed through several others such as “The Book Of The Hangover”, “Book Of Dating”, „Book of the Mid-Life Crisis” - well you get the point.
A great tribute to the originals, full of nostalgia and humor, the new LadyBird Books are something great for grey days that will surely make you laugh. As I am doing right now while writing this, planning to go through it once again.
June 12, 2018
Another parody of the Little Golden Books/Ladybird books we remember as children, and this one is funnier than the guide to the husband.
From the first page ("A mom has two very important jobs to do. One is to look after her children. The other is to do everything else as well.") there's truth presented in a new light, accompanied by old-fashioned illustrations.
A lot of fun!
Disclaimer: I received a free copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
From the first page ("A mom has two very important jobs to do. One is to look after her children. The other is to do everything else as well.") there's truth presented in a new light, accompanied by old-fashioned illustrations.
A lot of fun!
Disclaimer: I received a free copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
July 16, 2017
Every mom should have a copy of this book. It is a hilarious, sarcastic and satiric view of a mom's life and moments we go through on an every day basis. Every mother out there will relate to at least 90% of these moments, if not 100%. It is also a great gift if you run out of ideas!
June 30, 2017
My partner found this in the dollar bin, and it gave me what I considered an appropriate amount of laughs for the price :D The Ladybird books are short homour books combining snark and vintage images about mundane daily life. This one on mothering seemed sufficiently funny even to a non-parent!
August 31, 2017
Moms are superheroes, but even they have their vices. A brief and silly, yet realistic look, at the ups and downs of women who try to do it all... I bet this is even funnier and more relatable if you're a mom!
March 28, 2017
Absolutely fantastic!
March 13, 2018
I was given this by my son for mothers day. Funny cos it's true stuff here!
May 14, 2019
This would make a great mother’s day gift. It’s basically a fun little parody Ladybird book about what makes mums tick. Caffeine.
April 16, 2022
“When she was single, Debbie had nightmares about being left alone and unwanted.
For the last three years, someone has called for her every two minutes and watched her every time she has taken a bath or sat on the toilet.
Debbie now dreams of being left alone and unwanted, even for just a few minutes.”
For the last three years, someone has called for her every two minutes and watched her every time she has taken a bath or sat on the toilet.
Debbie now dreams of being left alone and unwanted, even for just a few minutes.”
November 12, 2021
Found this a bit dull in comparison to the other Ladybird spoofs, then again I have never had bairns nor ever hope to be a mum, being of the wrong gender. It does appear to be, going by reviews, popular with mums which is fair enough.
February 14, 2018
Good, Clever, Edgy Fun
This Americanized edition of the Ladybirds version is presented in what I think of as the Jack Handey, "Deep Thoughts" style. A bland or banal opening line is given an unexpected twist by a second follow-up line. The effect can be funny, edgy, illuminating, or vinegary depending on the author's intent. This is very hard stuff to write, and each word, the pacing, and the rhythm have to be just right or the lines fall flat.
Well, our authors have mastered this art of humor-haiku, and I thought this book was very good, very clever, (and just-right edgy), fun. The book would work just on the text, but the drawings add a second level of fun. On their own they look like any old illustrations from 50's era "women's" magazines. Coupled with the text each illustration takes on a new, cynical and sardonic tone that's funny and bracing at the same time.
So, if you like your funny with a touch of mockery and just a hint of grim, this is an amusing and satisfying choice. A nice find.
(Please note that I received a free advance will-self-destruct-in-x-days Adobe Digital copy of this book without a review requirement, or any influence regarding review content should I choose to post a review. Apart from that I have no connection at all to either the author or the publisher of this book.)
This Americanized edition of the Ladybirds version is presented in what I think of as the Jack Handey, "Deep Thoughts" style. A bland or banal opening line is given an unexpected twist by a second follow-up line. The effect can be funny, edgy, illuminating, or vinegary depending on the author's intent. This is very hard stuff to write, and each word, the pacing, and the rhythm have to be just right or the lines fall flat.
Well, our authors have mastered this art of humor-haiku, and I thought this book was very good, very clever, (and just-right edgy), fun. The book would work just on the text, but the drawings add a second level of fun. On their own they look like any old illustrations from 50's era "women's" magazines. Coupled with the text each illustration takes on a new, cynical and sardonic tone that's funny and bracing at the same time.
So, if you like your funny with a touch of mockery and just a hint of grim, this is an amusing and satisfying choice. A nice find.
(Please note that I received a free advance will-self-destruct-in-x-days Adobe Digital copy of this book without a review requirement, or any influence regarding review content should I choose to post a review. Apart from that I have no connection at all to either the author or the publisher of this book.)
October 12, 2016
The Fireside Grown-Up Guide to the Mom takes vintage illustrations (from the 1960s maybe?), mostly featuring women with children, and gives them new text. For example, there is an illustration of a bathtub and the text reads "When she was single, Debbie had nightmares about being alone and unwanted. For the last three years, someone has called for her every two minutes and watched her every time she has taken a bath or sat on the toilet. Debbie now dreams of being alone and unwanted, even for just a few minutes." It's a pretty funny book and would make a nice light gift for a mom of young kids. The book is small and pretty short and is the kind of book I would expect to see in a quirky gift shop. There is a series of these "Fireside Grown-Up Guides" about all sorts of things.
I give 4 stars, maybe 4.5, because for what it is, the book is very amusing.
Full disclosure: I won a copy of this book in a Goodreads Giveaway. I am a mom, but my kids are passed the early childhood stage (this book would be better for moms of younger kids rather than moms of tweens and teens like me--that would be a whole other guidebook. I would buy that one...)
I give 4 stars, maybe 4.5, because for what it is, the book is very amusing.
Full disclosure: I won a copy of this book in a Goodreads Giveaway. I am a mom, but my kids are passed the early childhood stage (this book would be better for moms of younger kids rather than moms of tweens and teens like me--that would be a whole other guidebook. I would buy that one...)
October 15, 2016
Yes this is absolutely how motherhood works.
Another funny volume in the Ladybird for adults series. Also as thoroughly enjoyable as the others I have read in this series.
This book takes a look at motherhood 'explaining' it in nice simple language with large print and accompanying pictures. The most amusing thing is the way this series of books has the same style as childhood ladybird books, sometimes using the pictures from those childhood Ladybird stories to illustrate the adult series. The authors have done this incredibly well and it just makes this series even more amusing.
So this volume tells us all about motherhood. Great fun and very true!
Copy provided by publishers via Netgalley in exchange for a review.
Another funny volume in the Ladybird for adults series. Also as thoroughly enjoyable as the others I have read in this series.
This book takes a look at motherhood 'explaining' it in nice simple language with large print and accompanying pictures. The most amusing thing is the way this series of books has the same style as childhood ladybird books, sometimes using the pictures from those childhood Ladybird stories to illustrate the adult series. The authors have done this incredibly well and it just makes this series even more amusing.
So this volume tells us all about motherhood. Great fun and very true!
Copy provided by publishers via Netgalley in exchange for a review.
May 5, 2016
I'm intrigued by this book/series of books for two reasons. First, it's a picture book for grown ups, published by a well-known children's publisher. Secondly, it repurposes illustrations originally created for purposes non-ironic. I see both of these trends rising. But can anyone out there on the Internet help me - it reminds me of something that was circling our virtual circles not that long ago - a similar use of retro illustrations with an accompanying text about visiting a museum and analyzing art. Very fresh. Very funny. Name that tune.
August 6, 2019
As a child i used to love reading the classic ladybird books so I was very intrigued when I saw they brought out adult books aswell and I could resist buying a couple. The books are hardback and illustrated in the same style as the older books which is great and they are full of humour I found myself chuckling and agreeing with this book on every single page! I'd definitely recommend as a gift or a stocking filler I love this one
November 9, 2016
Received via Edelweiss in exchange for a fair and unbiased review
This is a hilarious and fun series of books about how dumb being a grown-up is.
That's a gross oversimplification, but it's still true. And they're still hilarious and fun. I'm curious if the pictures were found and the stories written around them, or if the pictures were made for the book. It's more fun if it's the former.
This is a hilarious and fun series of books about how dumb being a grown-up is.
That's a gross oversimplification, but it's still true. And they're still hilarious and fun. I'm curious if the pictures were found and the stories written around them, or if the pictures were made for the book. It's more fun if it's the former.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 109 reviews