The Food of Love (Kate Evans, 2009)* is a breastfeeding book for the cartoon lover. It's a breastfeeding reference book with a touch of graphic novel. The author is a British mother and cartoonist. To learn how you can win a copy, see the instructions at the end of this post.
The book's subtitle is "a common sense guide for the rest of us," and while the book is thick with information, the tone is decidedly casual and non-judgemental. It's at times silly and serious, with breastfeeding information that covers the basics as well as postpartum depression, sleep, and other common concerns of new motherhood.
The illustrations make the book fun, accessible, comforting. They also normalize some of the common challenges and indignities (think cabbage leaves in the bra) of mothering. Check out this sequence of illustrations on Evans' website to see how entertaining they are.
There is a particularly moving set of drawings contrasting the author's mother and mother-in-law's breastfeeding experiences. I also appreciate how multicultural Evans made the cartoon moms depicted in the illustrations.
Here and there I had concerns about the accuracy of the information presented, topics such as anatomy (milk sinuses are now understood not to exist) and latch (advising mothers to make an airway for the baby by pushing down in front of the nose). Some comments about marijuana use are much more causal than I'd consider safe. A British expression here and there might leave you scratching your head for a moment. But the overall tone and entertaining delivery make this book one I'd recommend.
What's the difference between The Food of Love and a classic like The Nursing Mother's Companion? I'd say personality. While most breastfeeding book sound like (and are) written by health professionals, this one sounds like it might have been written by your funny best friend, who also happens to be a great illustrator. If that's the kind of delivery you prefer, this book is for you.
*Soft Skull Press sent me a complimentary review copy.
To win a copy, leave a comment below by Wedensday, December 23rd, 2009. U.S. addresses only, please. Winner will be notified by email and announced in the comments section. Winner will be randomly selected using random.org.
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