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E. M. and K. M. Walker's book On Being A Father (Cape, 5s.) fills a hitherto empty space in parental literature. Accord- ing to the preface " the germ from which this book grew fell at a spot in the Gray's Inn Road where a coffee stall may be seen every night. Two prospective fathers confided their troubles to the proprietoi of the stall, and complained about not being told exactly where they stood, since there were books written by the hundred for , expectant and actual mothers. From this conversation arose the idea of a book for fathers—" a plain matter-of-fact guide to the difficult job of being a father." The authors, one of whom is a dis- tinguished surgeon, have done their work thoroughly. The first section of the book, which is devoted to the expectant father, contains chapters on Animal Fathers, Fertilization, Heredity, the Fruitful Vine, Pregnancy, and Childbirth, all very clearly and amusingly written. The short chapter on Birth Control, which is neither technical nor controversial, is particularly well balanced. The second half of the book deals with all the important questions on the upbringing of children, and its two chapters on " The Growth of Fear " and " Storytelling and Books," are undoubtedly the best. This very original book, which is introduced by Mr. Delisle Burns, fulfils its purpose admirably, and a word of praise is due to Miss V. M. Guy for her clever illustrations.
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