Official Review: OMG Baby by Sharon S Joag

Post by **bookowlie** » 06 Aug 2016, 00:09

[Following is the official OnlineBookClub.org review of "OMG Baby" by Sharon S Joag.]

3 out of 4 stars

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Calling all pregnant women and first-time mothers! Calling all mothers who have been there, done that and want to take a trip down memory lane! OMG Baby! by Dr. Sharon S. Joag is a short collection of true stories and observations from the author’s experiences with her young daughter Lara. It is an insider’s perspective of the lessons learned while raising a child during infancy and toddlerhood. The book is divided up into eight chapters with sub-chapters focused on a common topic such as food, bathing, and travelling. There is also a moral for each of the author’s reminiscences.

The author writes in an easygoing, chatty style. The stories are interesting and a few are downright hilarious. The author remembers hearing Lara talking over the baby monitor one night. Much of it was incoherent, but she could clearly hear her daughter say, “Poke Mama! Poke Mama in her eye!” There is also a vividly described scene of Lara sticking her hand down her diaper and throwing poop across the room. I was able to get a clear picture of the incident in my mind, although I immediately needed to shake the visual out of my brain.

The section about talking to strangers is particularly insightful. In today’s world, people often don’t know their neighbors due to an impersonal atmosphere and overuse of technology. The author stresses the importance of teaching children to use caution when talking to strangers rather than telling them not to talk to strangers at all. Also, the author offers helpful tips for staving off boredom and frustration while flying with very young kids.

I had expected more anecdotes related to a baby’s first year. Instead, most of the book focuses on toddlerhood when the author’s daughter is able to speak. I think the book would have been more useful to new mothers if there had been more attention paid to the first twelve months when mothers are encountering various issues for the first time and are trying to decipher their non-verbal baby’s needs.

The book feels a little sparse – there is one very quick story after another about particular subjects, each with a short and sweet lesson learned. In my experience, you can throw a topic or question out there and most mothers will invariably tell you an interesting story about their own child complete with tons of advice, such as a helpful product and where to buy it, detailed solutions, and what items are (or are not) must-have’s. I also noticed approximately five errors throughout the book. Although the errors were not too distracting, it seems that there should have been an extra round of editing for this short book.

OMG Baby! has earned a rating of 3 out of 4 stars. I enjoyed this quick, fun read, although I can’t say I learned anything new. Still, pregnant women and new mothers would find this an entertaining read.

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OMG Baby
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gali · Post by **gali** » 06 Aug 2016, 22:34

Sounds like a nice book for new moms. I am glad you found the stories interesting and even hilarious. It is great that the author shares observations from her own experiences with her young daughter, as I am sure new moms will find it helpful. Thank you for the excellent review!

Post by **bookowlie** » 06 Aug 2016, 22:53

Thanks Gali! The stories were realistic and often funny....well, except for the gross part about throwing the poop around the room.

gali · Post by **gali** » 06 Aug 2016, 23:13

bookowlie wrote:Thanks Gali! The stories were realistic and often funny....well, except for the gross part about throwing the poop around the room.

lol there are worst things than that. When my friend's kids were small, they once painted on the wall with it...

Post by **bookowlie** » 07 Aug 2016, 10:21

gali wrote:
bookowlie wrote:Thanks Gali! The stories were realistic and often funny....well, except for the gross part about throwing the poop around the room.
lol there are worst things than that. When my friend's kids were small, they once painted on the wall with it...

Double gross-out! On a tastier note, there is a cute anecdote in the book about the author's daughter putting pieces of cookie dough on her neck and calling it a necklace. Smart kid!

bluemel4 · Post by **bluemel4** » 08 Aug 2016, 22:06

I loved your review. The stories sound cute and funny! I can see how this book would be more useful to moms with toddlers than newborns.

Post by **bookowlie** » 09 Aug 2016, 09:06

Thanks Bluemel! There are definitely some laugh-out loud moments in the book.

Heidi M Simone · Post by **Heidi M Simone** » 09 Aug 2016, 09:49

Great review, bookowlie! I must say the cover and the title definitely peaked my interest.

It sounds like a great read for new mothers and those who would to be mothers. Thank you for the insightful review!

Post by **bookowlie** » 09 Aug 2016, 16:35

Thanks Hsimone! There are also sweet photos of the author's daughter at the end of each chapter.

Heidi M Simone · Post by **Heidi M Simone** » 10 Aug 2016, 01:41

You are quite welcome! I like when authors include personal pictures in their books. It makes it more personal, and in this case, super cute!

Post by **bookowlie** » 10 Aug 2016, 08:43

I agree that the photos added a personal touch. The book will be a nice keepsake (or embarrassment!) for the author's daughter when she gets older.

Heidi M Simone · Post by **Heidi M Simone** » 10 Aug 2016, 08:58

bookowlie wrote:I agree that the photos added a personal touch. The book will be a nice keepsake (or embarrassment!) for the author's daughter when she gets older.

It would be. What's life without a little embarrassment?!

Post by **bookowlie** » 10 Aug 2016, 09:43

hsimone wrote:
bookowlie wrote:I agree that the photos added a personal touch. The book will be a nice keepsake (or embarrassment!) for the author's daughter when she gets older.
It would be. What's life without a little embarrassment?!

I am not sure Lara, the author's daughter, will be happy that it is in print that she drew in her urine on the kitchen tile.

Maybe some people would consider this artistic?! - not me

Heidi M Simone · Post by **Heidi M Simone** » 10 Aug 2016, 12:11

bookowlie wrote:
hsimone wrote:
bookowlie wrote:I agree that the photos added a personal touch. The book will be a nice keepsake (or embarrassment!) for the author's daughter when she gets older.
It would be. What's life without a little embarrassment?!
I am not sure Lara, the author's daughter, will be happy that it is in print that she drew in her urine on the kitchen tile. Maybe some people would consider this artistic?! - not me

Well...when you put it that way, I must agree. That might a bit too embarrassing.