Profanity-Laced Children’s Book is Unlikely Hit

It may be unorthodox, but it captures parents’ inner thoughts!

Adam Mansbach has  published four books, but it’s his fifth book, a children’s book laced with profanity, that’s poised to be his best seller, and make more money than all of his previous works combined.  The book, “Go the F— To Sleep” is in its fifth printing, with pre-sale orders topping 100,000.

The unlikely hit started as a Facebook post.  Mansbach told Reuters, “After a particularly difficult time putting my two-year-old daughter Vivien to bed, I posted on Facebook … ‘Be on the lookout for my forthcoming childrens book, Go the F— to Sleep,’” Mansbach recalls of the unlikely night which changed his professional life. “It was a joke. It was not a book I had any intention of writing at the time.”

What parent hasn’t been there?  I’m a stand-up guy, I attend church regularly and live a rather conservative life.  But let me tell you, I sure would have enjoyed this book 13 years ago when my twins were infants!  Mansbach said he combined the deep love a parent has for a child, with the inner frustrations experienced when a child simply refuses to sleep.

If you’ve ever been there, see if you think this passage hits the nail on the head:

“The eagles who soar though the sky are at rest

And the creatures who crawl, run, and creep.

I know you’re not thirsty. That’s bulls—. Stop lying.

Lie the f— down, my darling, and sleep.”

Will Mansbach regret penning this book when his daughter is old enough to read it?  He doesn’t think so:  “The book is written with a lot of tenderness and affection and love and I think that will come through to her,” he said, noting the book has a dual narrative — the tender, loving parent’s actions and the darker thoughts.

“Go The F— To Sleep” was officially released today, and is available at bookstores, as well as online retailers.