100 Diverse Voices on Parenthood: Ideas, Advice, and Anecdotes for New Parents

Parents from a variety of backgrounds share their perspectives on caring for infants in this soulful collection. There are a few entries from experts—scientist Malia Jones emphasizes the importance of vaccinating children and dentist Vanessa Coupet recommends cleaning newborns’ gums with a moist washcloth—but most contributors are ordinary parents. Many selections focus on navigating the day-to-day challenges of raising babies; for instance, one mother encourages readers to try out different diapers to test which their newborn prefers, and a father illustrates how to fold “the perfect swaddle.” Other entries focus on building character, as when Tabitha St. Bernard-Jacobs, a founding member of the Women’s March, weighs in on “raising an anti-racist baby” by buying them books with protagonists of color. Highlighting challenges unique to fatherhood, single dad Brett Moore laments that men’s restrooms often lack changing tables. Elsewhere, two mothers discuss how they gently push back against probing questions about raising kids as a queer couple, and a writer describes overcoming the guilt she felt after failing to produce breast milk. The bite-size wisdom makes up in breadth what it lacks in depth. It’s a valuable resource. (May)