Friday, June 17, 2011

Go the F---K to Sleep: A Bedtime Book for Parents

No matter what side of the discussion you fall on, this children's book for parents is a sensation and has caused a stir!  Unless one is under a literary rock, s/he knows of it by now.

If you are not familiar with Go the F--K to Sleep by Adam Mansbach,  permit me to fill you in a bit on it.  The controversial book will be published in October, 2011 by Akashaic Books. 

The well-know author wrote the book for frustrated parents of young children after a friend suggested he do it.  The rest, of course, is history.

Amazon's teaser says:  "a bedtime book for parents who live in the real world, where a few snoozing kitties and cutesy rhymes don’t always send a toddler sailing off to dreamland. Honest, profane, and affectionate, Adam Mansbach’s verses and Ricardo Cortés’ illustrations perfectly capture the familiar—and unspoken—tribulations of putting your little angel down for the night, and open up a conversation about parenting in the process.”

Here is a sample of one of the stanzas:

The cats nestle close to their kittens now.
The lambs have laid down with the sheep.
You're cozy and warm in your bed, my dear
Please go the f--k to sleep.


Please make up your own mind on this one.  I think Mr. Mansbach has found a one-off niche, and it will be bountiful for him.  And maybe fun and stress-relieving for the rest of us!




7 comments:

  1. Perhaps I have a dirty mind, but I'm hoping there is a word to go with those letters that is not the one I'm thinking. Something perfectly innocent.
    Is this a joke?

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  2. It makes me sad. First, that this book is being marketed as a 'picture book' for parents. You don't think more than a few kids will pick this up and wonder what the word is?

    Secondly, that this author will make money off of a book that is basically him swearing at his child. I'm sure his child will be thrilled to learn that his parent got fame and maybe fortune for it.

    Donna
    Topsy Turvy Land

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  3. An FYI: I've been suprised by the response. Many people (as I would have expected) hate the idea of the book and feels it exploits children.

    The other group, though, feels it's a spoof and remember when their kids were at that age and feeling like thant--even though they love them very much. Jury's still out...

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  4. Oh, I certainly understand the aggravation. lol! What I don't understand is swearing at your child - and then writing a book about it. :(

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  5. Hi Nancy:

    It saddens me this type of book is going to be published. Children author's work hard at their craft and this is a slap in the face.

    Best wishes,
    Donna
    Children’s Author
    Write What Inspires You Blog
    The Golden Pathway Story book Blog

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  6. I am one of the parents who remembers the child who would not sleep and I love this book. Can't wait to order it. (of course I will NOT be reading it to my grandchildren. It's for me.)

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  7. Every mention and comment will help the book sell better, so anyone who doesn't like it should ignore it.

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