A children’s book for grown-ups
Let’s not kid; sleep deprivation is hellish. One of the sacrifices demanded by parenthood is the pleasure of a good night’s sleep. Whether it’s midnight feedings, distressed cries or the worry of late night escapades, our children plan on keeping us awake for a good 18 years, and probably long after.
With this in mind, California Book Award-winning author Adam Mansbach has written a foul-mouthed, tongue-in-cheek bedtime book for parents who live in the real world. Go the Fuck to Sleep tells it like it is; that a few snoozing kitties and cutesy rhymes don’t always send a toddler sailing blissfully off to dreamland. Here’s an excerpt:
The eagles who soar through the sky are at rest
And the creatures who crawl, run and creep.
I know you’re not thirsty. That’s bullshit. Stop lying.
Lie the fuck down, my darling, and sleep.
The cubs and the lions are snoring,
Wrapped in a big snuggly heap.
How come you can do all this other great shit
But you can’t lie the fuck down and sleep?
The book has been describes as “profane, affectionate, and radically honest… Adam Mansbach’s verses perfectly capture the familiar – and unspoken – tribulations of putting your little angel down for the night. In the process, they open up a conversation about parenting, granting us permission to admit our frustrations, and laugh at their absurdity.”
I’m all about keepin’ it real: on more occasions than I care to admit I have mouthed the title of Adam’s book, as a drag myself up and out of bed to tend to my screeching child. I love her dearly… and I love sleep. At times the two seem to be mutually exclusive.
Go the Fuck to Sleep has topped Amazon’s bestseller chart a month ahead of publication. CLICK HERE to pre-order your copy.
Source: The Guardian - Foul-mouthed bedtime book is hit with parents
