Mary Mary Quite: On Raising Children: (And Other Mind-Altering Substances)

With family-friendly, award-winning comedy and premium color layout, this hardbound book is perfect for the coffee table. Winner of 7 international awards for Humor, Illustration, and Design, MARY MARY QUITE delivers full-page, detailed, delightful illustrations with each of its 22 chapters. These are the stories of Mary and hubby, Old Hunk -- who raised five kids, assorted grandkids, three dogs, two cats, rodents galore, a bevy of reptiles, a boatload of fish, and a Mexican tarantula named Mad Max. It was crazy. But their drug of choice has always been laughter.

A freelance Christian writer and former AP English teacher, Mary holds an MFA in Screenwriting from UCLA and has worked as a script doctor for projects at Sony, Disney, Lifetime and Hallmark. Mary met artist David Condry in 2011 and their collaboration led to MMQ, Mary's first book. David is a graduate of the Massachusetts College of Art and Design. A husband, a father, and a lover of people, his favorite subjects have always been human beings - as seen in his funny and award-winning illustrations. More at www.marymaryquite.com

5.0 STARS OUT OF 5. LIKE ERMA BOMBECK, MARY HUCKSTEP WILL KEEP YOU LAUGHING ABOUT THE TRIALS OF BEING A PARENT. REVIEWED BY *TERRY LYNN ROLLINS. If you like Erma Bombeck, then this book will be right up your alley. Mary Huckstep delights us with tales of child raising and the dangers involved for the victims in this life play... the parents. As any parent knows, raising children is a never-ending job and you're just as likely to end up "tail end over tea kettle" as you are skiing along, and waving to your adoring children on the boat, who are laughing themselves silly as you attempt to get the hang of something new. Fear not though, because Mary helps us take a look at the crazy life of a parent through the lens of humor and laughing about it all makes everything a little easier. If nothing else, it reminds you that you are not alone on this journey called parenthood. Besides the author's deft humor, what will also keep you turning the pages are the larger-than-life illustrations by David Condry. They hit the mark every time. I can't imagine the time it took to draw the picture of the young boy's dirty bedroom on page 52... the details are spot on and had me thinking that there was no way to get through that room without a breathing apparatus and a very large shovel. Mary Huckstep and David Condry are obviously in step here and the results are a feast for the eyes and even more laughs. So if you are a parent who wants to take a walk down memory lane, or you're a new parent who wants to see what may be waiting for you, this book will keep you smiling and looking on the lighter side of life. *I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest and unbiased review which I have given. I do not know Mary Huckstep and no form of compensation took place. 5.0 STARS OUT OF 5. "HE HAD A BANK ACCOUNT, AND I HAD CHILDREN IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL. (IT SEEMED LIKE A GOOD MATCH.)" REVIEWED BY GRADY HARP, AMAZON HALL OF FAME TOP 100 REVIEWER. Mary Huckstep has written one of the cleverest and most insightful books on parenting (or is it children rearing their parents?) and embellishes this tome with terrific illustrations by David Condry. We first meet Mary Quite Quite courting Hunk in their fascinating though brief courtship, then marriage. Then we dive into the hilarity of child raising with a laugh a page (or more), with phrases such as "Children who require leashes travel faster than a speeding Nerf dart," and "Want a guilt trip? Try being a parent!" From page one (interrupted - or graced by - Condry's illustrations), right up to the end, it is full of uproarious, at times embarrassing, but always entertaining insights into parenting and child raising. Told in her inimitable style, Mary Huckstep has a hit. 5.0 STARS OUT OF 5. YOU WILL FIND YOURSELF GIGGLING THROUGH SOME OF LIFE'S MOST PRECARIOUS MOMENTS. REVIEWED BY CHERYL E. RODRIGUEZ FOR READERS' FAVORITE This inspirational book is beyond cute and packed full of silly descriptions which accurately, yet comically, describe real-life situations and laugh-out-loud anecdotes. Laughter is good medicine, so do yourself a favor and take a big dose of joy and hilarity with this light-hearted, fun-loving look at life's ups and downs. It is amusingly insightful. Mary Huckstep tackles many of life's touchy subjects such as parenting, family living, finding yourself, and the difference between girls and boys. She portrays these subjects with truth and twisted humor and delivers her stories with style and finesse. The underlying theme is to laugh at life's mishaps and enjoy life. Every chapter is filled with comedy and each chapter has a comic illustration that captures the essence of the author's words. As a mom, wife and grandmother, I found myself relating to every chapter. This book is full of humor and ageless wisdom that comes from life experience. Can't wait to read what she writes next.