Image: How to Dad by Len Lantz (CC BY-NC-ND)
Synopsis: Len's Star Rating: 9 out of 10. A fun and informative book for first-time fathers.
BY LEN LANTZ, MD, author of unJoy / 11.23.2023; No. 116
Disclaimer: Yes, I am a physician, but I’m not your doctor and this article does not create a doctor-patient relationship. This article is for educational purposes and should not be seen as medical advice. You should consult with your physician before you rely on this information. This post also contains affiliate links. Please click this LINK for the full disclaimer.
Star Rating – 9 out of 10
Rating guide: 1 = horrible, 5 = average and 10 = wow
Author
T.M. Detwiler
About the author
Todd Michael (T.M.) Detwiler is an American illustrator, designer, and visual artist based in Detroit. His uniquely styled illustrations have appeared in The New York Times, Rolling Stone, and Men’s Health as well as many other national publications.
General description
How to Dad is a book for new fathers on a variety of topics related to pregnancy, delivery, and infancy. The detailed illustrations and straightforward descriptions cover basic need-to-know issues as well as some unexpected advice to help engage and boost the confidence of new dads. T.M. Detwiler keeps the tone light and enjoyable in this informative and entertaining read. The content is arranged into three sections:
The Pregnancy
The Newborn
The Next Steps
Unique and most important aspects
In picking up How to Dad for the first time, I expected to find mostly cartoons and jokes for new fathers. Even though there is plenty of humorous material, I was pleasantly surprised to find lots of useful advice. While the book includes random “Dad Tips” such as “How to Ride a Motorcycle” and “How to Play Craps,” the majority of the information in the book is on-topic and useful. Author T.M. Detwiler delivers on the subtitle, An Illustrated Instruction Manual for First-time Fathers. The unique and amusing illustrations motivate the reader to read the informative descriptions. While there are plenty of joke books and coffee mugs given to new fathers, How to Dad would likely be appreciated and remembered far more.
Best quote
“Like a lot of people, I’m a visual learner. I’m also a visual communicator… so I set out to create the book I wished I’d had when I was eager-to-learn but not eager-to-read father.”
Who would enjoy this book?
Readers interested in an engaging book with information and ideas for new fathers are likely to enjoy How to Dad.
Who would not enjoy this book?
Readers who primarily desire a reference book for new parents that does not contain drawings or humor are unlikely to enjoy How to Dad.
Conclusion
How to Dad is a fun and informative book for first-time fathers.