Go the Fk to Sleep by Adam Mansbach

Yikes, right? The first time I heard about this book, I giggled nervously, but boy was I intrigued. I heard about it on Facebook, but then forgot about it until I saw it on NetGalley. I, of course, requested to read/review it.

I think, for those of us as parents, remember or are living the frustration of trying to get our children to sleep. My son is 9 and still struggles at night sometimes.

This book is written in rhyme (I know!). I was surprised at that, but i don't really know why. What was I expecting with a title like that? I didn't realize how many words rhyme with "sleep" or how many ways you can use the "f" word in this context, but Mansbach does it swimmingly.

The illustrations were wonderful. They reminded me of the sleepytime books i used to read to Eddie, my son. So the rhyming and the pictures told one story, but the words told a completely different one.
The book is entertaining and real - I loved how the frustration built and you can almost FEEL the tiredness seeping from the author as the book continues. I was reminded of times when I would get Eddie to sleep, tiptoe out of his room, only to have him awakened by a household noise not 5 minutes later. We've all been there as parents, and Mansbach has taken what many parents have thought in their heads, but (hopefully) haven't uttered aloud. I think he has put it out there to let parents commiserate and laugh about something as simple (and mindblowingly hair tearing) as getting your children to sleep.
So I give it 4 stars, but here are some caveats. If you don't like swearing, steer clear. If you are one of those parents whose children brush their teeth, wash their faces, snuggle into their made up beds, read for 5 minutes and then obligingly obey at the "lights out" command, steer clear of normal parents. No one wants to hear it.