A Consumer Health Librarian Interviews David Javerbaum
David Javerbaum on What To Expect When You're Expected
By Barbara Bibel, Oakland P.L. -- Library Journal, 09/14/2009
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Why did it take so long for someone to realize that parenthood starts well before the birth of a child? Comedy writer David Javerbaum—former executive producer of The Daily Show and a key contributor to the best-selling America: The Book—noted there were no self-help books for the fetus and hurried to fill the gap.
His latest work, What To Expect When You’re Expected, out next month from Spiegel & Grau, gives the yet-to-be-born an edge by cluing them in to parental behavior. Parents should read it before passing it on to their unborn offspring so that they do not start out at a disadvantage.
1) Your very perceptive daughter suggested that you write this book. Did the idea come to her when she learned that a sibling was on the way? Did she also tell you how a fetus in utero would be able to read it? Or is a parent suppose
d to read it aloud instead of playing Mozart or Baby Einstein?Kate had the idea for the book when she was a few weeks old. She saw it as a natural cinematic spin-off of the diary she’d been keeping since the age of negative one-half. As for “how a fetus in utero would be able to read it,” I find your insinuation that all fetuses are illiterate offensive.
2) Where did you find the articulate fetuses that you interviewed? Did their parents need to sign releases?
I will not discuss any details of my research methods out of respect for my sources, all of whom requested anonymity. (Admittedly, this was not hard to grant, as none of them had names.)
3) Who is your favorite fetal blogger? How does s/he manage to post from the womb? Talk about Mom being wired!
As I mentioned in the book, my favorite fetal blogger is Peter (or Possibly Mark) McFadden. As for how he posts from the womb...well, not cordlessly, I can tell you that.
4) What does your family think of this book? Is it based on firsthand experience?
People are always surprised when I tell them I used to be an embryo. I know it’s something my parents were uncomfortable with me discussing. But luckily we have a lot of childhood issues.
5) Are there movie rights in your future?
I am in discussion with a major studio to adapt the book, but I am unhappy with its insistence that Vin Diesel play the role of “Fetus.” If my unhappiness persists, I will take it to Bollywood.
6) Did any of your interview subjects express preferences? Breast or bottle? Vaginal birth or C-section?
Not surprisingly, breast and vaginal were the big favorites. They were split, however, on the question of aisle vs. window.
7) On a personal note, do you enjoy parenthood?
I do. (Note that “I do” is, literally, a personal note.)
8) Do you have any more advice for new parents and their children, either born or in utero?
My advice for parents is to teach their children well. My advice for children is to teach their parents well. I should point out, however, that I get all my advice from Crosby, Stills, Nash, and/or Young.
