The Book
$12.95 Paperback/$4.99 Kindle
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Do you have a child you just don’t understand? Ferdinand’s mama did, too.
Do you ever feel like you’re too hard or too soft with your kids? Goldilocks is your girl.
Have a picky eater and at your wits’ end with the wasted broccoli in your trash can? Green Eggs and Ham has news for you.
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From helping you discern between childishness and naughtiness (Curious George) to helping traverse the road to the empty nest (The Three Pigs), Humpty Dumpty Just Needed a Nap offers the kind of in-the-trenches encouragement I wish I’d had when I was a newbie mama. Like how to survive the early years. And how to keep going when the going gets rough. And what to do if you’re taken hostage.
See? Helpful, helpful stuff.
Check out the book on Amazon for a sneak preview of the first couple of chapters, then buy or download yourself a copy. Each short vignette can be read during even the shortest bathroom break. What’s more, the cover is remarkably spit-up-proof.
Here’s what some readers had to say about Humpty (copied and pasted from Amazon.com):
Five Stars… Hilarious, heartwarming, and a breath of fresh air! September 24, 2012
“I’m not a mom. But I have one, I’m married to one, and pretty much all my friends have one, too. This book was obviously written for mothers, but I can honestly say that the wisdom and stories inside are something any parent can appreciate and relate to. It’s full of brief commentaries on being a mother, and it addresses the challenges and joys of motherhood from the perspective of a mom who’s seen it all. It’s funny, insightful, and authentic.What I especially enjoyed about Humpty Dumpty Just Needed a Nap is how it uses children’s stories as metaphors for different aspects of motherhood. It includes dozens of different stories, from classic Mother Goose fables to modern favorites like Olivia and The Giving Tree. If you love those stories, you’ll thoroughly enjoy reading Henry’s take on how those stories offer a wealth of wisdom for parents.If you’re looking for some encouragement on your parenting journey, you won’t regret buying this book. It’s very well written, sharp, and will likely become one of your favorites, too.”
Devoured Like a Very Hungry Caterpillar, February 26, 2013
I have labored through hundreds of parenting books. Many have been helpful. Never have I been entertained and laughed aloud as I did while enjoying “Humpty Dumpty Just Needed a Nap.” This was a book I couldn’t wait to grab again for a snatch of joy and encouragement, so thus took me three days to read instead of the usual three months. Amy Ruth Henry writes with wittiness, wisdom and humility. She inspires and encourages without making me feel like a complete failure as a mother, as she generously reveals her own weaknesses. Amy creatively utilizes our favorite children’s literature to reveal mothering gems. “Where the Wild Things Are”, “Curious George” and “The Runaway Bunny”, spoke to me as never before. Be prepared to share copies with all your mother friends. It is now my favorite, “new mother gift.” I wish I had this book as a companion 18 years ago when I began “the mothering adventure.
Grab a quart of ice cream and settle in for a great read!, February 18, 2013By B. Smith -
I was so excited to get my copy of this book. The insights from Amy Henry are so easy to digest and make practical in my life with two semi-grown kids. She never made me feel like I had blown it with any given aspect of the parenting journey, as can be the case with other parenting authors. She offers practical bits of advice, tried and true ideas to get through tougher times, and alawys made me laugh with her as she recalled some of her blunders. She reminds the reader through belly-busting humor, gentle tugs of the heart, and in-your-face honesty that this parenting job is not for the faint of heart, but has the potential to be the most amazing and rewarding job ever undertaken. Easy chapters to read make it a great book to steal away with for a moment of sanity!
Just Right for Busy Moms! February 10, 2013What a great find! Amy Henry writes with clever wit and incredible insight into the art of mothering. Her approach is practical and comes from her own experience raising her children, writing honestly about her victories and missteps along the way. The format is brilliant – each vignette just a few pages so that a busy woman doesn’t need to carve out hours to read, but just a few minutes at a time to digest each delightfully written pearl of mothering wisdom. Amy doesn’t pretend to have every answer, but her advice is sound, leading the reader to think and see in new ways throughout the book. A fun and wonderful ride!
Mothering with Wit, February 4, 2013By Annie
I knew that this would be one of my favorite books about mothering when I found myself going back and re-reading my favorite chapters before I’d even finished the book! Henry has a remarkable gift of communicating hard truths with wit and flair, like Emily Dickinson, who counseled to “Tell all the truth, but tell it slant,” but in prose. With a knack for telling on herself just the right amount (and always hilariously funny) and loads of motherwit, Henry has come up with a book on mothering that’s lighthearted enough to not leave you in the depths of despair and guilt, yet so shrewd that you wonder how it got past all your defenses and went straight to your heart.
Chapters are short, easily digestible, and always unforgettable. Buy the book just for the laugh-out-loud fun of reading the chapter “Those Darned Joneses” out lout to anyone who will listen! Actually, I heartily recommend the whole book as a read-aloud to the whole family. And then you’ll be forced to sneak off with it simply so you can peruse it at your leisure in private!
This Humpty Dumpty just needed a laugh, January 30, 2013By Jennifer P Sebits -
I love the wit and humor of Amy Henry in this book. As a mother of three children, I cannot read my children these books without thinking of the funny lines and words of wisdom that Amy imparts with the reader. Her parenting experience is invaluable and practical – whether you are a first-time mom or a well-seasoned one. This is the perfect book to keep on your baby’s nightstand to read as you rock that baby. It is light hearted, but packs a punch of wisdom. Well done.
Best book about mothering!!!!, January 5, 2013By MarthaI enjoyed reading Amy’s thoughts about the different books and all the great mothering advice we can learn from children’s stories. I have read most of the books that were referenced in this book, but I plan on rereading them and actually reading the others when I can. This is my choice of gifts for new moms from here on out. Thank you, Amy Ruth Henry, for inspiration and encouragement.
Great book! Love her humor., January 1, 2013By AliciaHands down the best parenting type book I’ve read! No guilt trips, stories about her perfect kids, or theories and methods. Just good common sense advice and empathy. I think I might need get a copy to pass along to my mommy friends.
…a most amazing writer!!!, November 3, 2012I’ll have more to add once I have completely read the book, but wow, Amy is an amazing, witty, and hit-the-nail-on-the-head kind of writer!!!!
Fun to read!, November 1, 2012By Diane R. -Whether you sit down and read it the whole way through in one sitting or simply read one chapter a day, this book is so much fun to read! I plan to purchase more for gifts as this is the best book on mothering that I have ever read. I loved reading books to my eight children as they were growing up and never even realized the lessons I could have learned from all those wonderful stories. On the other hand, maybe I gleaned those lessons subconsciously. Even though I did so many things very wrong (by my imagined standards) my children (by the grace of God) have grown into fantastic responsible adults who are good citizens. Love your children and before you know it you will receive an even greater reward by way of adorable grandchildren in who’s eyes you can do no wrong. Your advice is right on the mark, Amy!
