Go The Fuck to Sleep by Adam Mansbach

The good news: if your child is young enough, you can actually read this to him. The bad news: if your child is young enough, you'll probably be too delirious from sleep deprivation to care.

I sit here writing this review after my 7 month old has cried himself to sleep for a nap. How long did he cry, you ask? You don't want to know. His baby book has a section for nicknames we have given him...there's "Bug" which his dad likes because of the way he lays on his back and wiggles his arms and legs...there's "Boo Boo" because, aren't all kids nicknamed that? But my real nickname for him, the one I use only in my head and behind his back, is Crappy Napper. Oh, excuse me. My son is awakening from his awesome 30 minute nap...(several hours later) aaaaaaand I'm back. NOW he is laying down to sleep for the night...crying in his crib.

Which brings me to Go the Fuck to Sleep. If you ever read Goodnight Moon, you'll appreciate this book in a nostalgic kind of way (among others). It's written as a lullaby, to be spoken softly and sweetly to a child on the verge of sleeping. Only, your child never quite crosses the threshold to sleep, and so rings true the text of this book...

"The tiger reclines in the simmering jungle.
The sparrow has silenced her cheep.
Fuck your stuffed bear, I’m not getting you shit.
Close your eyes. Cut the crap. Sleep."

This book is a definite recommend as a sort of vodka martini for parents who don't drink...(why????). Or for parents to enjoy with a drink. You'll appreciate it in a "it's funny because it's true" kind of way, because what's that saying? Oh yeah, whoever said someone sleeps like a baby, never had a baby.

For a real treat, check out Samuel L. Jackson's reading of this book here.