Member Reviews
In 'Parenting Is Weird', Chesca Hause takes readers on a humorous and heartfelt journey through the ups and downs of modern parenting. With her trademark wit and relatable anecdotes, Hause captures the chaos and beauty that come with raising kids in today’s world.
One of the book’s standout features is its candidness. Hause doesn’t shy away from the challenges - be it sleepless nights, toddler tantrums, or the ever-present guilt that many parents face. Her honesty resonates deeply, making readers feel seen and understood. Each chapter is peppered with laugh-out-loud moments, ensuring that while the struggles are real, they can also be hilariously absurd.
Hause’s writing style is conversational and approachable, inviting readers into her world as if they’re chatting with a close friend. She masterfully balances humor with heartfelt reflections, making it easy to laugh while also contemplating the deeper aspects of parenting.
However, the book isn’t just about the funny moments; it also offers valuable insights and advice that many parents will find helpful. Hause’s perspectives on self-care, communication, and embracing imperfection are particularly poignant, reminding us that it’s okay to not have all the answers.
While some may find certain anecdotes a bit specific or niche, the overall themes of love, resilience, and the unique quirks of parenting make it relatable to a broad audience. Whether you’re a seasoned parent or just starting out, 'Parenting Is Weird' is a delightful read that celebrates the chaos of family life.
In conclusion, Chesca Hause delivers a refreshing take on parenting that’s both entertaining and enlightening. It’s a book that will leave you laughing, nodding in agreement, and perhaps even feeling a little less alone in your parenting journey. Highly recommended for anyone looking to find humor in the delightful madness of raising kids.
*Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for providing me with an ARC of this title. All thoughts and opinions are my own and were in no way influenced by receiving this copy.
Funny and entertaining, yet super endearing. Jokes about the reality of motherhood while throwing in animal humor as well (the lizard tail and bird feeding was HILARIOUS). This was a great read and a perfect gift to give all moms to remind them that they're not alone and other moms have been there too. Plus it'll give them something to chuckle about on those sleepless nights. I loved this.
super fun read with sarcastic comics about parenting even as cats! I really enjoyed and giggled throughout the whole book.
Parenting – as seen in these selections from a webcomic where a family of cats show us all the human motherhood foibles. Here, the mom can tell every different scream and what it means – it's the silence you have to worry about, mind. Here, the Internet is on hand to calmly, gently, bite your freakin' head off if you raise the debate about formula vs natural. Here, adults having a clandestine ice cream without juniors noticing is a task and a half.
The characters are clearly cyphers for the humans in the creator's family, including herself, while several friends turn up as different species (and beware the sharks in the supermarket…). Later on there are breaks from the parental treadmill – with quips about n*tfl*x-and-chillin', and sometimes the actual subject of the gag need not really be juvenile behaviour or the adult response to it (McFlurry machines especially).
Almost everything is a one-pager, of varying length – and it's the sign of a competent gag-writer that the two-panel pieces are so strong (that ill-timed group hug…). It's not hilarious, but as a straight non-breeder I still found this pretty decent. I guess it has the benefit of being a best-of to pick the better material, but it has a good hit-rate, the characterisation is strong, and it doesn't always go for the routine subjects or the most obvious yucks. As I say I found it more than worthwhile, and I dare say most of the 'why need I read it when I've lived it?!' brigade will fall into appreciating its knowing outlook. A strong four stars.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for granting me free access to the advanced digital copy of this book.
Oh, man, this book is painfully and hilariously relatable.
Seriously.
SERIOUSLY.
This is so freaking funny, and adorable, and the right amount of not at all heart warming because PARENTING IS WEIRD, INDEED.
I am so glad I read this after both of my siblings had their newborns. The title is accurate. Parenting IS weird, and it's amazing how one's life changes after people have a baby. Your schedule turns upside down with your sleep, and priorities have to change.
What do you do when your kid fusses all the time, takes their time to walk their first steps, and hears your intermittent swearing? You lie on social media that everything is great, find ways to laugh during rough days, and correct the difference between Ultron and Voltron. (Very important differences, for the record, especially if you read comic books.)
In this world of cats, anthropomorphic felines have it as hard as their human counterparts do. The kids grow up, which means they earn about swear words and minecraft. Also, they have legs! Nighttime zoomies will abound.
I couldn't stop reading, and laughing. Cannot wait for the next volume.
"Parenting is Weird: Tails from the Litterbox" is a blast to read. The comic strips take you on wild and unexpected adventures, cleverly spinning the challenges of parenting into hilarious scenarios that never fail to elicit a laugh. For parents, this collection is pure relatability, as it skillfully captures the ups and downs of raising kids through the antics of an anthropomorphic cat family. Chesca Hause's witty writing, vibrant artwork, and delightful pop culture references make it a joy to flip through. Whether you're a long-time follower of Litterbox Comics or new to the world of parenting, this graphic novel is a fantastic pick. The bonus details and flipbook elements add extra charm, making it a perfect gift, especially for fellow parents or cat enthusiasts. It's a colorful, funny, and heartwarming take on the chaotic journey of parenting, and I can't recommend it enough.
As a dad this was a very fun book to read. I definitely related on all the many small stories and details. Extra loved it cause of them also being a nerdy family like my own.
This was a really fun graphic novel to read. We saw these characters go on some wild adventures together, and many times they took an unexpected turn. Each comic put a clever spin on the trials and tribulations of parenting, and made found a way to make me laugh. I think most parents will have a great time reading this book.
I can’t imagine many parents haven’t seen Litterbox Comics on social media and therefore will know exactly what to expect from this collection already!
For those new to the Litterbox, Chesca Hause creates comic strips that take a humorous and very perceptive look at parenting via the medium of an anthropomorphic cat family: mum, dad and two young sons.
Her comics are aesthetically pleasing, with bright colours and distinctive, immediately recognisable characters and her writing is witty and utterly relatable. Funny pop culture references also abound, as the feline parents are proud nerdy geeks (or should that be geeky nerds?!).
As a follower of the comic on Facebook, I had already seen many of the comics included in this first paper-copy collection but I love them so much that I would buy this anyway just to have them to keep. And it’s nice to get the pages of explanation and bonus details from Chesca/Fran between the sections. Oh, and the flipbook aspect is super cute!
This makes the ideal gift for fans and/or new parents (seasoned parents are likely to already fall into that first category!), especially for the festive season… who wouldn’t want to fill their Christmas stockings with the contents of the Litterbox?!
Hause captures the ridiculous and the tender side of parenting in this collection of cartoons on family life.
So funny and relatable, and I love the colorful animal artwork (and all the pop culture references). I had already read all of these comics via the author's Facebook page, but I still enjoyed seeing them collected in the book. Plus, there are a few fun little extras, like the flipbook pages and the "scrapbook" comics.
Ebook receives for free through NetGalley
I already followed the creator on instagram so when I saw they came out with a book I jumped onto NetGalley to see if it was available. It was perfect (although I’d read the all before) and am so glad I got to read through them again.
If you haven’t come across them before you’re in for a perfect treat whether you’re a parent or not.
If you have ever dealt with poopy diapers, picky eaters, cranky toddlers, or any other mortifying moments that come with being a parent, you're sure to love this collection of toons known on the webs as Litterbox Comics. This family of four will charm you, and maybe even remind you a bit of your own experiences. I enjoyed these cartoons in a been-there-done-that-glad-it's-over-but-wouldn't-have-missed-it-for-the-world kind of way. A very funny collection, and highly recommended.
I have seen the author's work previously online. Although not a regular follower, I was familiar with the style of the comic panels and liked the sense of humour.
This book contained all the panels that I had not seen earlier, which is always a treat. The author begins with an introduction about herself and her husband. Their background puts some of the other events that occur within the pages in perspective.
These comics are about a family with two children and their own daily ups and downs. The anthropomorphic cat identities give rise to some jokes which lean more toward the animal side than the parenting side but are funny nonetheless.
The art and expressions of the cats are some of my favourite parts of this collection.
Given that it is a simple premise with equally simple execution, the review for it does not need to go into further details to confirm how entertaining it is and to recommend it to anyone who finds the concept interesting.
I received an ARC thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, but the review is entirely based on my own reading experience.
A big thanks to NetGalley and Andrews McMeel Publishing for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
The troubles of parenting combined with the cuteness of cats? What can possibly go wrong?
Parenting is Weird by Chesca Hause is a graphic novel that combines the calamities of parenting with the chaotic cuteness of kittens, Litterbox Tails from the Litterbox presents the family foibles we can all relate to. A hilariously honest comic collection that explores all things parenting, from stepping out of the hospital for the first time to losing a kid in the grocery store, except everyone is cats.
This was a fun read, and acted as a great buffer between the end of a chunky fantasy book, and the next. Give it a try, why don't you?
Parenting Is Weird is a hilarious and completely relatable graphic novel for parents with children of all ages. Filled with laugh out loud moments this book is the perfect addition to all adult graphic novel collections.
This was fun. It wasn't as disjointed as other comic collections because some of the stories had actual little plots. It might just be me but even if you're making a graphic novel/comic even if it's based on your previous work... why not build on it and create a story with a dedicated plot? It was an okay read, better than some others that follow a similar concept.
This was such a cute graphic novel! I really enjoyed reading about all the antics of the family. The art style is super cute too.