
At a Glance
Hardcover
RRP $19.99
$18.75
ISBN: 9781761636912
ISBN-10: 176163691X
Published: 17th March 2026
Format: Hardcover
Language: English
For Ages: 4 - 8 years old
Publisher: Affirm Press
Country of Publication: GB
Dimensions (cm): 22.0 x 22.0
What makes this book different from typical parenting guides?
This book cleverly flips the traditional parenting manual concept on its head by presenting the story from a child's perspective, treating mum-training as if it were an instruction manual for a complex gadget or video game. Rather than adults learning how to raise children, young readers are given humorous guidance on how to navigate their relationship with their mums, complete with features to unlock, glitches to troubleshoot, and various modes to activate. This playful reversal creates an entertaining reading experience that celebrates the parent-child bond through gentle comedy.
Is Sally Barns an established children's author or is this among her earlier works?
Based on the available information, Sally Barns appears to be a relatively newer voice in children's literature, writing from her home in northern Tasmania where she balances her creative work with raising two children. Her writing style focuses on creating giggle-filled, fun stories for young readers, and her personal experience as a mum clearly informs the authentic and humorous perspective found in this book. Her approach suggests she writes from genuine lived experience rather than as a long-established author with an extensive backlist.
What can readers expect from Noemie's illustration style in this book?
Noemie brings a unique dual perspective to her illustrations, working both as a practising rheumatologist and children's book illustrator from her Canadian home studio. Her artistic approach combines both digital and traditional techniques, and she's known for creating engaging artwork with humorous twists that complement comedic narratives. Given her background of creating art whilst her three children play nearby, she likely brings an authentic understanding of family dynamics and childhood perspectives to the visual storytelling in this manual-style book.
What age group would find this book most appealing?
Whilst the existing content doesn't specify an exact age range, the manual format and humorous premise about training mums suggests this book is ideally suited for early to middle primary school readers who are developing their independence and beginning to see family relationships with more awareness and humour. The playful concept of mums having different modes and features to unlock would particularly resonate with children familiar with technology, gaming concepts, or instruction manuals, making it especially relevant for contemporary young readers who understand these references.
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You Can Find This Book In
This product is categorised by
- Kids & Children's BooksPicture Books & Early LearningPicture Books in GeneralPicture Storybooks
- Kids & Children's BooksChildren, Teenagers & Young Adults (YA) FictionFamily & Home Stories for Children & Teenagers
- Kids & Children's BooksChildren, Teenagers & Young Adults (YA) FictionHumorous Stories for Children & Teenagers
- Kids & Children's BooksChildren, Teenagers & Young Adults (YA) FictionGeneral, Modern & Contemporary Fiction for Children & Teenagers
























