New Book Humorously Blends Wine Info and Parenting Tips
- Marla
- 1 day ago
- 3 min read
Let’s face it: there are a lot of books on wine. Some delve into history or a wine region; others focus on wine tasting guides or food and wine pairings. I have read quite a number of them, and they’re almost always informative and entertaining.
But they’re not necessarily funny.
That’s what caught my eye about A Wine Lover’s Guide to Parenting: The Fine Art of Wine and Whine Management, written by Danielle Frank. This new, fun, tongue-in-cheek survival guide looks like a children’s book and is written in a rhyming format, but contains helpful parenting advice broken into 11 “lessons” and uses clearly adult-only language. The book takes a clever and satirical look at parenting by blending parenting tips with wine information and terminology.
For instance, there are lessons on how to let children become independent (“much like a fine wine, a kid needs to breathe”), hygiene (“nose the wine to make sure it smells fine”), setting boundaries (“‘decant’ let them run you”) and resilience (“que Syrah, Syrah…what will be, will be!”).
I found the book captures much of the essence of parenting but with a lighter lens, enabling a parent, or anyone else, to keep things in perspective.
Frank works full time in the wine and spirits industry and is a “proud aunt” who notes, “I get the best seat in the house. I witness the triumphs and the tantrums, but with a glass in hand and no carpool duty.”
The hardcover book is available on both Amazon and Barnes & Noble.
Wine With Our Family recently had the opportunity to interview Danielle Frank to learn more about her debut book and how parents and others can get the most out of it.
Wine With Our Family: How did you come up with the concept of a humor book combining parenting advice and wine education?
Danielle Frank: I wrote it because raising kids and appreciating wine have a lot in common. There are parallels between tasting notes and kids’ personalities. There’s chaos, humor, and humanity. Writing it was a lot of fun.
WWOF: Of the 11 lessons in the book, do you have a favorite?
DF: That’s like asking who your favorite child is! But perhaps the most important lesson is the one against bullying: “Is your kid a mulled wine?” That lesson has a more serious tone. Bullying has become a major problem, especially with social media.
WWOF: Are there any lessons that you wish you had included?
DF: There are enough lessons for a second edition or another book. For instance, there can be a lesson on the aging process, like “you can’t rush a kid or a wine,” or a lesson that “sediment happens,” i.e., sometimes things get messy.
I have no regrets, but if I did a second edition, I’d also include more wine terminology.
WWOF: What are your goals for the book?
DF: The book brings a fresh perspective to parenting with empathy and humor. Parents should be allowed to laugh a little. It’s an homage to hard-working parents everywhere. I hope the book shows up at every baby shower with a onesie!
WWOF: Do you have any advice for readers?
DF: Wine is meant to be enjoyed. Wine should be accessible. Find what you like. There’s no right or wrong way to enjoy it. It’s subjective.
It’s the same with kids. Like wine faults, no one is perfect, and they’re meant to be enjoyed.
We hope you enjoyed this interview with Danielle Frank and take a look at her new book that humorously blends wine info and parenting tips. Mother’s and Father’s Day are just around the corner!
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
Photo of Danielle Frank courtesy of Danielle Frank
What books about wine (or parenting) have you found helpful and/or humorous? We’d love to hear about it. Send us a message at info@winewithourfamily.com.
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