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Twisteddoodles – The Newborn Identity
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Meeting a baby is like meeting someone from the you got used to calling them by a weird nickname and now you need to call them by their real name; they look nothing like their photo; it's hard to believe they're real until they are actually there ...
The hilarious and poignant cartoons of illustrator Twisteddoodles bring a smile to the faces of parents every single day. Her drawings brilliantly capture the unique experience of motherhood and the huge range of emotions that it brings.
In this warm and witty book, Maria writes candidly about what becoming a mother has meant for her. Interspersing her words with brilliant cartoons, she delivers a marvellously entertaining snapshot of life as a modern-day parent. Her sharp observations cover everything from the sleep-deprived early days of having newborn twins, to the reality of being a working mum; from just getting out of the house to slowly getting your social life back.
Upbeat and humorous, this is a wonderful book for parents and parents-to-be.
'It’s hilarious … captures the reality of motherhood and the huge range of emotions that it brings' Ireland AM
'Part comic, part how-to guide and part memoir, with no end of warmth and charm … For all its companionable joviality, the book is a delicate balance of lightness, ticklish candidness and forthright honesty; something that’s sure to appeal to a readership of parents and nonparents alike' Irish Times Magazine
'A very honest look at pregnancy and the early days of parenting … I think it’s wonderful' Alison Curtis, Today FM
'Filled with hilarious cartoons and sharp conversations, it is an excellent snapshot of modern parenthood' Irish Country Magazine
Meeting a baby is like meeting someone from the you got used to calling them by a weird nickname and now you need to call them by their real name; they look nothing like their photo; it's hard to believe they're real until they are actually there ...
The hilarious and poignant cartoons of illustrator Twisteddoodles bring a smile to the faces of parents every single day. Her drawings brilliantly capture the unique experience of motherhood and the huge range of emotions that it brings.
In this warm and witty book, Maria writes candidly about what becoming a mother has meant for her. Interspersing her words with brilliant cartoons, she delivers a marvellously entertaining snapshot of life as a modern-day parent. Her sharp observations cover everything from the sleep-deprived early days of having newborn twins, to the reality of being a working mum; from just getting out of the house to slowly getting your social life back.
Upbeat and humorous, this is a wonderful book for parents and parents-to-be.
'It’s hilarious … captures the reality of motherhood and the huge range of emotions that it brings' Ireland AM
'Part comic, part how-to guide and part memoir, with no end of warmth and charm … For all its companionable joviality, the book is a delicate balance of lightness, ticklish candidness and forthright honesty; something that’s sure to appeal to a readership of parents and nonparents alike' Irish Times Magazine
'A very honest look at pregnancy and the early days of parenting … I think it’s wonderful' Alison Curtis, Today FM
'Filled with hilarious cartoons and sharp conversations, it is an excellent snapshot of modern parenthood' Irish Country Magazine
259 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 7, 2019
10 people are currently reading
60 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
March 21, 2019
I have been following TwistedDoodles on Twitter for some time, so I was very very excited when she posted about her new book coming out. Instant pre-order. And I had to read it as soon as I got it in my hands. This was such a fun and interesting book. Talking about pregnancy (how it is when pregnant with two babies), about the first year of the kids (adorable twins), but also talking about depression and how she eventually found help. We get diary entries (some very short, but others long), but also illustrations (which made me laugh), at each new month we get a list of what the kids were going to be discovering in this month. And of course there is more. Be sure to get this honest, funny, but also at times sad book.
November 11, 2019
As someone who only had one baby to deal with I'm massively impressed that Maria was able to find the energy to write in a diary with twins! Great book, very honest and sprinkled with humour and great cartoons.
May 9, 2019
There are plenty of twisteddoodles cartoons in this book, but it's not a book of cartoons. There are plenty of funny moments in this book, but it's not a book of jokes. What it is, is the most honest account of an experience of early parenthood I've encountered. You'll laugh, but you'll also share moments of sadness.
For me it reflected my own experience of the highs and lows of being a parent, and most poignantly reflected some of my wife's experience as a new mum.
If you've kids of your own, you'll enjoy this book - even if your kids are well past nappies and bottles. If your heading into pregnancy, you'll also enjoy it, but may start secretly looking to adoption :) If you have no intention of having kids, it will confirm your sanity in this choice. Basically, unless your a baby yourself*, you'll enjoy this book.
* And that's just because being a baby is no craic :D
For me it reflected my own experience of the highs and lows of being a parent, and most poignantly reflected some of my wife's experience as a new mum.
If you've kids of your own, you'll enjoy this book - even if your kids are well past nappies and bottles. If your heading into pregnancy, you'll also enjoy it, but may start secretly looking to adoption :) If you have no intention of having kids, it will confirm your sanity in this choice. Basically, unless your a baby yourself*, you'll enjoy this book.
* And that's just because being a baby is no craic :D
February 4, 2021
It has been ages since I read a book where I found myself shoving it under my husband’s nose to get him to read certain bits, or sending my friends messages about parts of the text. I loved how honest she was about her pregnancy/newborn experience, and how I could find myself laughing while also really really wishing I could be friends. She addresses issues like postpartum depression so well - could not recommend this book any more highly for new moms
April 18, 2019
Brilliantly written & Illustrated. A frank, honest & hilarious account of navigating parenting without a Kardashian lifestyle.
March 14, 2025
As a fellow scientist, twin mom, doing driving classes and looking for an apartment in the city this books in large parts feels like soemthing written about my life. I guess we are all expericing motherhood in a largely similar fashion? :)
August 15, 2020
I can’t quite remember how I ended up with this book. I think a friend of the author solicited pre-sales on Twitter and as my niece was expecting her first child at the time I preordered a copy then never gave it to her. During lockdown I started making my way through the pile of books in my bedroom and eventually got to this.
The author, who is also a talented cartoonist, talks us through her experiences of being pregnant and raising twins through the first year of their life. As a 48 year old bloke with no kids I’m not sure I’m the target readership but the author has such a witty way of telling her story I found it really engaging. Her observations on the behaviour of herself and other parents, on online forums and in social interactions, are funny. And of course she brings her drawing skills to great use.
The author, who is also a talented cartoonist, talks us through her experiences of being pregnant and raising twins through the first year of their life. As a 48 year old bloke with no kids I’m not sure I’m the target readership but the author has such a witty way of telling her story I found it really engaging. Her observations on the behaviour of herself and other parents, on online forums and in social interactions, are funny. And of course she brings her drawing skills to great use.
December 17, 2020
Brilliant!
I bought the book because I have a newborn myself, but also because I love twisteddoodles’ sketches as they always hit the nail on the head.
I’ve been reading it on the kindle app while breastfeeding at night (to avoid scrolling aimlessly through social media) and I found it really funny, witty and relatable, and definitely a page turner. I just couldn’t wait to see what to expect next in the baby’s development.
I bought the book because I have a newborn myself, but also because I love twisteddoodles’ sketches as they always hit the nail on the head.
I’ve been reading it on the kindle app while breastfeeding at night (to avoid scrolling aimlessly through social media) and I found it really funny, witty and relatable, and definitely a page turner. I just couldn’t wait to see what to expect next in the baby’s development.
July 6, 2019
I picked up this book about three weeks after having my first baby and loved it the moment I opened it. I found it so relatable as a new mum and I was surprised with how personal it was. At first I was reading it month by month as my baby grew but I got impatient and finished it early because I didn't want to put it down.
December 16, 2019
I wanted an easy fun to read book for the long tired nights but was in for more. Maria's book surprised me with deep thoughts on how lonely parenting can be and how she struggled with cancer early in her life and later with postnatal depression. I could relate to many of the ups and downs in her beautiful book. The doodles are just the cherry on top.
January 8, 2023
As a new mom to 5 month old twins, this book was a gigantic hug with a big smile and all the comfort I craved!! I plan to reread, buy for my new mom friends and have my husband read it too! Parenting is so much more bearable when you can see the funny side to the madness!! So well written. Would love more books from Maria!
August 22, 2023
I think everyone should read this whether parenting, planning to parent, or not. It's just a really intimate, personal and candid recounting of Maria's experience, joys and challenges of pregnancy, birth, and the first year of raising identical twin girls. An honest and heartwarming memoir. Most of the text is straight out of her diary.
November 27, 2019
Hilarious and heartfelt. I don't have kids but I've been a long time fan from twitter and this book is everything I could have hoped for. It's incredible how constantly funny the entries are and the honesty is amazing. Those girls couldn't have asked for better parents.
March 24, 2020
Perfect blend of honesty and humor. A great read for any parent and a nice addition to the parenting narrative of multiples. Her wry humor is on-point and the illustrations are just what's I've come to expect from following @twisteddoodles on Instagram. Enjoyable and relatable!
October 28, 2022
To those who follow me on goodreads:
I am NOT pregnant. I am NOT planning to have a baby any time soon.
I like the artist (who is also a scientist) that wrote this book and it was on sale.
That's it.
Good book, nice comics, funny and more serious than I expected.
I am NOT pregnant. I am NOT planning to have a baby any time soon.
I like the artist (who is also a scientist) that wrote this book and it was on sale.
That's it.
Good book, nice comics, funny and more serious than I expected.
August 29, 2019
This book was wonderful! It was funny and poignant, full of witty cartoons and emotional narrative. I genuinely think everyone should read it, whether you have kids or not. Great book!
October 22, 2019
Funny and delightful. Even after 38 years, and thanks to to her humorous approach, I happily relived so much of what she recounts in the book.
December 13, 2019
Was so lovely to follow Maria on her journey to motherhood. A quick read for me, but loved the excellent writing, her humour, and obviously the illustrations.
February 14, 2020
I loved this book and Maria’s honestly and humour. She articulates well the rollercoaster headspace new mums face. Really great read.
March 21, 2020
Funny and honest!
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March 4, 2022Highly recommended to first time parents, or anyone wondering what they're missing
March 29, 2022
Light and very funny read! Shows real ups and downs that parents face… loved every page of it!
February 24, 2025
A really enjoyable and easy read. Perfect for reading while feeding or during naps!
March 7, 2024
I follow this writer on instagram because of her cartoons, so picked up the book for that reason.
I thought there would be more cartoons, but loved the ones that were there. It’s very readable, and very funny. A little bit boring at times, but hey, so is being a parent!
I thought there would be more cartoons, but loved the ones that were there. It’s very readable, and very funny. A little bit boring at times, but hey, so is being a parent!
January 20, 2020
This was a really entertaining read - funny while still being "real". I really appreciated how upfront and open the author was about her experience with postpartum depression. Fun and honest read for any new (or not so new) parent
April 19, 2020
Great book. Very relatable as a new parent. Fun residually the comics but also deals with the serious issue of post natal depression. I would recommend this for any new parent.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews