Talk about a stroke of genius. Using bare baby bottoms on the cover of a parenting book definitely gets it noticed. I discovered just how masterful a plan this was recently. I had grabbed Tim Bete’s book In the Beginning. . .There Were No Diapers, Laughing and Learning in the First Years of Fatherhood. I figured I’d read it while waiting between errands. I quickly realized, with Tim’s book in hand, I was getting more snickers than a trick-or-treater at a Mars factory.

The cover photo plus title are great foreshadowing techniques which accurately warn of the hilarity to be found inside the book as well. Caution: If you’re going to read this book in public, out-loud-guffaws just might erupt at any moment. It comes on unexpectedly. You’ll be reading along about parent-child-communication, for example, and softly chuckle to yourself thinking this is mildly entertaining. When, all of a sudden, a phrase strikes you that is so point-on comical that all you can do is release the exploding chortle. Of course, the "Parent-Child-Communication" chapter led me to immediately ask my teenage boys if they’d told their friends about their parents’ ability to do tricks with clothing accessories. Hmmm!

Chapter titles like “Ten Commandments Plus 672 Rules—If My Kids Obeyed it’d Be a Miracle,” and “Where’s Moses When You Need Him? Miracles to Rid Your House of Plagues” give you a sense of just how humorous Tim Bete can be. Perhaps being the director of the University of Dayton's Erma Bombeck Writers’ Workshop has helped Tim hone his craft. I know this workshop (this year's event sold out in twelve days) has helped many others learn humor writing.

My favorite chapter in Tim’s book, for fairly obvious reasons, is “My Wife has Miraculous Superpowers.” In fact, for about a week I left the book around the house hoping my husband would discover it mysteriously open to this chapter with the following quote highlighted:

“While mothers and wives have many miraculous powers, it is a good thing they don’t see their job description before they accept the position. Even with miraculous powers, It’s tough duty.”

It’s sweet that Tim realizes how hard Mom’s job is. Never-the-less, I can tell Mr. Bete takes his fatherhood seriously (just as my dear hubby does) even though Tim delivers the topic ala side-splitting anecdotes. This book would make a great gift for any parent and/or grandparent who is experiencing those “miracle-filled” years with their children.

Botta Bing, Botta Boom. This book's a winner you’ll want to consume.

Would you like to read an excerpt from In the Beginning. . .There Were No Diapers, Laughing and Learning in the First Years of Fatherhood?

Go to Family Funnies for more Christian humor.

Disclaimer: This book was provided free of charge from Mind and Media in exchange for my honest review. If you are interested in reviewing Christian products, please contact Stacy Harp at Mind and Media.

Until we meet in the teachers' lounge again,

Linda W. Kelley

www.Christian-Parenting-Source.com