From the Publisher
"Lauded by fellow comedians Jerry Seinfeld and Jim Gaffigan, Papa will send readers into peals of laughter... At times poignant, always tickling the funny bone, Papa's first book will brighten the most challenging days of toddler- and teenagerhood." —Library Journal (starred review)
"Your Dad Stole My Rake: And Other Family Dilemmas is a collection of essays with laughs on every page." —Bookpage
"A hilarious book about family, from crazy aunts and uncles, loud grandparents, parenting exploits and more. You might not have Tom Papa’s relatives, but you’ll probably recognize them." —The New York Post
"This book will have your father laughing louder than he does at his own dad jokes." —Bustle
“I have been a close friend of Tom Papa for 17 years. His lack of ability to perceive even the most basic principles of human functioning have made him an invaluable asset to me as a friend and colleague. Because he sees nothing, knows nothing and understands nothing, I always seek his advice for the most complex matters. Furthermore, I would definitely recommend whatever the name of this book is, because I know it comes from a place of pure nonsense without any knowledge of anything. He is really one of my favorite people.” – Jerry Seinfeld, author of SeinLanguage
“Finally a funny book about parenting. Great observations. Great writing. Actually funny. I’ve always known Tom was hysterical, now I know he is a great writer and a fantastic storyteller. Can Tom Papa write all books?” - Jim Gaffigan, author of Dad is Fat
"After reading Tom Papa’s book, I have come to these conclusions: No one is more put-upon than Tom Papa. Nobody constructs a story and builds a joke better than Tom Papa. Also, Tom Papa is exhausted. I’m very happy he found the energy to write this hilarious book." – Jane Lynch, author of Happy Accidents
"This book is a miracle of alchemy; with his gift for observation and unique perspective, Tom Papa has spun his meaningless life into comic gold. Ours is not to wonder whyor howhe does this, but instead to rejoice, laugh, and keep paying him in American dollars." - Steven Soderbergh
AUGUST 2018 - AudioFile
This audiobook is the brainchild of “Live From Here’s” performer and head writer. In it, he tells funny stories about families—from overprotective mothers to bizarre uncles—and in the process shows that he has a warm side to go along with the funny parts. Tom Papa narrates his audiobook, and he does a marvelous job. His delivery is sharp, and he uses a slightly sarcastic tone to set up jokes and supply great punch lines. Papa’s warm tone and varied timing will draw listeners into the book and enable them to see that, as is the case with most good comedy, there’s truth that supports the jokes. R.I.G. © AudioFile 2018, Portland, Maine
Kirkus Reviews
2018-04-11
Family-oriented, family-directed humor from the longtime Prairie Home Companion head writer.What's a terrible place to take your family on vacation? Why, for one, "Vladimir Putin's House of Fun." And, for another, "Walmart." Papa kids; he jokes; he japes, always within a G- (or, in daring moments, PG-) rated milieu. The formula is pure post-Keillor-ian Midwestern, Mort Sahl toned way down: Start with an observation ("men are ruthless and aggressive and powerful"), joke it away ("that's how we kept wild animals from eating the children"), and then carry it over to a secondary observation ("this is why putting this animal instinct aside and acting like a ‘great guy' is a fraud") And again: "Fish are great. You always know where they are, you're never going to find a fish eating out of your garbage, and they don't jump up on the kitchen table and start licking plates." It's shtick, but within its own narrow confines, it works just fine. It's not too challenging or too topical, and it draws people in with an in-on-the-joke "oh, yeah." If you're a parent, you're already in on a big swath of Papa's humor; it makes eminent good business sense, on that front, to buy into his idea of a restaurant for kids called Plain Pasta: "Anyone with a child would be making reservations months in advance, planning their birthday parties and ordering take-out." No doubt. And no one with a child will contest the author's position that of all the categories of relatives one might have, the aunt is the coolest. In small doses the groaners are great, but in larger ones—well, it's like being around someone much older and forcing a smile to keep the peace.If Lawrence Welk had been a comedian, this is the book he might have written—pleasing for a certain demographic.