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Fowl Language #1

Fowl Language: Welcome to Parenting

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Fowl Language: Welcome to Parenting by Brian Gordon brings the popular webcomic, featured on HuffPost, Buzzfeed, and Upworthy, into book form. Perfect for baby showers or seasoned parents, this hilarious collection of cartoons offers an honest, unfiltered look at the challenges of parenting—highlighting the mess, chaos, and occasional absurdity of it all.

With a blunt and comical perspective, Gordon takes readers on a journey through the less glamorous side of parenting, where tantrums, sleepless nights, and piles of laundry are the norm. But amidst the gripes and frustrations, the heartwarming truth remains: we put up with the chaos because we love our kids more than anything.

As a father of two himself, Gordon infuses Fowl Language with authenticity, creating a relatable experience for anyone navigating the wild ride of raising children. With his years of experience in humorous illustration and writing, Gordon's cartoons are instantly recognizable and resonate with parents everywhere, reminding them they're not alone in their struggles.

Launched in 2013, Fowl Language quickly gained popularity across various social media platforms, with over 200,000 fans on Facebook, Tumblr, and Instagram. Whether you're in the thick of parenting or just preparing for the rollercoaster ride ahead, Fowl Language provides much-needed laughter and camaraderie. If you enjoyed Toddlers Are A**holes, this book is sure to hit home.

128 pages, Paperback

First published March 25, 2016

About the author

Brian Gordon

4 books74 followers
Hi. I’m Brian Gordon. Thanks for dropping by.

I decided in kindergarten that I wanted to be a cartoonist. My classmates had equally unrealistic life goals, like becoming superheroes or princesses, but I was more tenacious.

So far, things are working out okay. Secret to my success? I suck worse at everything else. You get a lot of drawing done when Plan B is Starve To Death.

My comics are largely inspired by my struggles as a parent, my fascination with technology, science and all things geeky. Oh, and a constant, crushing wave of self-doubt and anxiety. That’s a big source of inspiration, too.

It’s good work if you can get it.

-Brian

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5 stars
1,026 (48%)
4 stars
681 (32%)
3 stars
308 (14%)
2 stars
62 (2%)
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35 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 275 reviews
Profile Image for Shelby *trains flying monkeys*.
1,709 reviews6,423 followers
January 26, 2016
Everyone that decides to have children is at one point and time a new parent. This book should probably be handed out from the hospital as you leave.
Palm Springs commercial photography

This guy knows the real truth about the little ones that those other baby books never tell you.
Palm Springs commercial photography

Palm Springs commercial photography

Palm Springs commercial photography

and then:
Palm Springs commercial photography

Sometimes they are worth it.

Most of this book can be found online. But so what? These comics are cute as crap and it would make a great gift. Totally four stars.

Booksource: Netgalley in exchange for review.
January 9, 2020
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I loved, loved this short comic book about parenting. It was so, so funny and I could relate with so many of the situations presented in this little book. It is a welcome way to laugh a bit about the difficult/wonderful job of being a parent of a small child or two.

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Profile Image for Anne.
4,429 reviews70.3k followers
March 20, 2022
An updated somewhat racier version of Family Circus.
So, if that sounds good, then you'll like this.

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Ok. When we first start out on the journey of parenthood, most of us lose our adult sense of humor and start to think stupid things are hilarious. Maybe it's because we're forced to watch garbage children's programming on the regular, maybe it's because we're exhausted from the incessant chatter and mess, maybe it's because we tend to think we're legally required to bolster our childrens' confidence by laughing at their knock-knock jokes.
Whatever the reason, when you see something like this, written by another parent in the trenches struggling to hold on to sanity, you tend to think it's funny.
Even though it's not.

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Much like the Family Circus strip, I did not laugh out loud even once at any of the jokes.
There were several panels that made me smile, though. And I even showed the page below to my daughter who was sitting beside me when I was reading this.
Remember how I used to get frustrated with you guys when we were playing LEGO Batman because I wanted all the bricks? lolz
She laughed at the memory and started reading over my shoulder. Her reactions (or lack thereof) to the jokes, quickly confirmed my feelings of this being a somewhat niche read for parents, grandparents, or guardians of young children.

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Here's the thing, just because I really don't enjoy slice-of life-humor, doesn't make it any less funny to the people who do. Obviously, since this has a substantial online following and some really glowing reviews, there must be some attraction that I'm not seeing.
Profile Image for Alex ☣ Deranged KittyCat ☣.
651 reviews424 followers
February 8, 2017
My wife and I were beside ourselves with excitement in the weeks leading up to the birth of our first child. We had read all the parenting books, taken all the classes, and we were ready!

Or so we thought.


Never have I read truer words! Nothing can really prepare you for parenthood. And I find hard to understand and/or believe those perfect parents with perfect children.

Being a parent both sucks and is incredibly amazing. Your whole life changes dramatically, and there's nothing more beautiful or peaceful than having your child falling asleep beside you (or on top of you).

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Fowl Language: I Used to Be Cool and Do Cool Things is very funny, lighthearted and easy to read. It will make parents feel better for not being perfect and it will let them know they are not alone.

So hang in there!

*I thank Brian Gordon, Andrews McMeel Publishing, and Netgalley for this copy in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Sheziss.
1,364 reviews487 followers
July 27, 2016
No, I'm not a parent.

But I still laughed so hard!

It was in a day when I was feeling really down. I needed some laughs and this book made it for me. I'm not into comics exactly but when it's good, it's good.

And it's even better if it makes you smile for a while.





More:


I have the paperback version. I think I'm going to lend this one to certain someones ;) .
Profile Image for Carole (Carole's Random Life).
1,933 reviews570 followers
March 15, 2016
This review can also be found at Carole's Random Life.

I have seen these comics floating around the internet and have enjoyed them. When I saw that there was a whole book of this comic, I knew that I had to take a look. A lot of the comics featured in this book were the same ones that I had seen online but I thought that this was such a fun little book of comics.

The thing that I love about this comic is that not only are they funny, they are easy to relate to. I have kids and I could see myself on just about every single page in this book. My youngest is in high school so I am at the point in my life where I am not dealing with some of these issues anymore but I will never forget what it was like when they were younger. Don't get me wrong - My children are still frustrating but in different ways now that they are older.

I highly recommend this book to all parents or really anyone who has spent a lot of time with young kids. I think that this book would be a wonderful gift for parents of toddlers who probably need a good laugh. I will definitely be on the look out for future installments of this comic strip.

I received an advanced reader copy of this book from Andrews McMeel Publishing via NetGalley for the purpose of providing an honest review.

Initial Thoughts
I loved this little book of comics.
Profile Image for Exina.
1,264 reviews408 followers
January 26, 2020
Fowl Language: Welcome to Parenting is a collection of funny cartoons about parenting: it "takes an unvarnished look at the tedium and aggravation of parenting, while never forgetting that the reason we put up with those little jerks is that we love them so damn much. By poking fun at the daily struggles parents face, these cartoons help all of us feel less alone in our continual struggle to stay sane."

It’s always comforting to realize that I’m not alone in this madness, and to be reminded that my problems are universal.



The author, Brian Gordon, has two kids, but as a mother of three, I’m telling you, life is much more interesting when there are three of these little monsters…



Fowl Language is a witty, entertaining collection. I’d love to see another one featuring three or more kids. Trust me, it’s a whole different dimension…


Profile Image for Sandra.
203 reviews103 followers
April 22, 2016
Fun fun fun.
I don't even have kids, yet these hilarious comics are all too familiar when playing auntie with my niece and nephew.
I've seen a few of these before, it is the web after all, but to have a whole book filled with them is comedy hour!


Pro of being an aunt, I can tell them a whole lot more of crap than their parents can.


Also, I have given them (cheap) instruments as gifts, lots!, so they can mesmerize their parents with their talent. I know, I'm such a thoughtful person.


Brian Gordon nails being a parent (or aunt) with his deadpan humor. A book to have around the house when you are in need of a little pick-me-up after the kids have exhausted you.


Review copy supplied by publisher through NetGalley in exchange for a rating and/or review.
Profile Image for Dana.
440 reviews300 followers
February 4, 2016

Cute little comic about the trials of parenting. Pretty short book that can be read in about 10 minutes. Had fun reading this, but I didn't find anything to be laugh out loud funny. Still a decent read though. Would make a cute baby shower gift. 3/5

Buy, Borrow or Bin Verdict: Borrow

Note: I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Matt.
4,262 reviews13k followers
March 18, 2018
Sometimes you have to take a break from the serious side of parenting and let out a laugh. This collection of cartoons depicts the fun (and harrowing side) of parenting. Told from the perspective of the parent, Gordon illustrates just how much fun it can be to be in charge, as well as the nutty things that kids will say to get their way. He touches on the lighter side of being a rule-maker, as well as the misinterpretations that children have to simple commands. When times get tough, it is nice to have something like this to read, if only to shake your head and let out a chuckle. Recommended for any parent (grandparent, babysitter) who might need an injection of humour before reaching for the wine bottle.

Now then, if only they had a book for stubborn gingers, I would finally crack the Neo code!
Profile Image for ☾ Dαɴιyα ☽.
457 reviews73 followers
March 23, 2016
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The first thing I did after finishing Fowl Language was go on Facebook and like the Fowl Language Comics page, so it's safe to say I very much liked it. Thanks to the FB page I could continue my fun going through the cartoons, some new and some I'd seen in the book. They were still funny... 'cause they were true.

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I came across this book by accident, and the first thing that came to mind was that it would be a cute gift for my cousin who just became a mom. So I hopped over to NetGalley, and got my copy. Now that I've read it, I still think it would be a fun present for new parents. But I don't think you have to be a parent to enjoy it. I'm not, and I found a lot of cartoons that made me laugh in it. How can you not when you see something like this:

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... or this:

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Or when you come across a cartoon that in the future could very likely be you and your child, if you ever had one. A cartoon like this:

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Or a cartoon that reminds you of how things were when you were a child...

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If you've ever played with a little kid, you'll appreciate this one, like I did:

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And the book has lots more.


In the end...

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***ARC provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.***
Profile Image for Chad.
9,246 reviews1,007 followers
March 11, 2022
These observations on fatherhood are hilarious. Brian Gordon knows just how to capture the insecurities and frustration of being a parent, along with the fact that children can be real assholes.



Profile Image for Rod Brown.
6,490 reviews238 followers
November 15, 2020
Parenting is always a rich vein for humor, and here Brian Gordon treats us to a cranky and exhausted father's insight via Dicky the duck dad. The single-page cartoons collected here can be coarse and make use of the foul language implied by the title. There are a few clunkers, but I had several laugh out loud moments and many grins.

An archive of the comic is available online: https://www.fowllanguagecomics.com/ar...
Profile Image for Rebecca.
3,941 reviews3,260 followers
March 15, 2020
For years I’ve been seeing friends share these comics on Facebook. Gordon started drawing them in 2013 after he was laid off from his job as a greeting card artist, and this collection was published in 2016. Even though I’m not a parent, I got a lot of laughs from his observations about kids’ stubbornness and illogical behavior, and the irony of being utterly exasperated with them at the same time as desperately loving them. I have (nieces and) nephews, so I get it! For some reason there are too many Halloween cartoons. On the one page that had me nearly in tears of laughter, it says “I used to dream that one day my kid might be president.” At the kitchen table, a small child and adult have bowls and spoons in front of them. The child screams, “You NO eat cereal! Only I eat cereal!” The punchline? “But now I think batshit-crazy dictator is more like it.”
Profile Image for Montzalee Wittmann.
4,892 reviews2,298 followers
January 27, 2016
Fowl Language by Brian Gordon is a very funny book that expresses what all of us parents feel at one time or another but won't say it out loud. It is zany, true, delightful, and needs to be in every home for stress relief. The cartoons have such wonderful expressions and the art tells it all without any words needed. I giggled many times through out this book This guy has a gift of hitting the issue and using his talent just right. Issues in the book include eating, bedtime, travel, gaming, dressing, shopping, and so much more. This would be perfect for the new parent or the grandparent. It is funny, period.
I received this book for a honest review from NetGalley and it in no way effected my rating or review content.
Profile Image for Courtney.
1,325 reviews39 followers
February 4, 2017
Ok, didn't read the book, read the webcomic. It was very good. I'm not a parent, but I do work with kids and I am a daughter myself. I shared some with my dad. He told me "You weren't that bad." There are a few plausibilities, his memory is going, he lied, or I'm an only child...
Profile Image for Alexandra.
1,309 reviews3 followers
January 28, 2016
While I have over my lifetime known many little humans, some related to me that grew up to then have little humans of their very own, and I even once (although hard for some to imagine) was a little human myself, I am not a parent.

And while reading through this book I found so much truth and humor I laughed out loud with tears streaming down my face.

So imagine how much more new parents, parents, old and experienced parents, grandparents will enjoy this book.

I'm making a note to myself to give this book at any future baby shower to which I'm invited. And I can think of several people I may gift this one to.

There is no way I could write a review though as awesome as Shelby's, so check it out, Shelby's awesome review.

I received an expiring copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for consideration of an honest review.
Profile Image for Jim.
1,789 reviews65 followers
January 30, 2016
These comics range from humorously true, to frighteningly true, to disturbingly true.

If you’re a parent of kids of any age, you've lived through most of this.

I have to say, I laughed pretty loudly at several of these. There were many others that made me nod sagely.

I couldn't relate to every single panel - but when I could, it completely depicted something I had endured.

Worth reading. Especially if you’re a parent.

Thanks to NetGalley and Andrews McMeel Publishing for a copy in return for an honest review.
Profile Image for Farah.
767 reviews87 followers
December 6, 2019
I bought Tinsel by Kris Bryant today and downloaded it to my phone. Kid3 saw the cover, got all excited, chanted "Xmas Book with a Cat" called Kid4 and I spent the next ¼ hour telling them the kid version. My story must have been okay because they didn't ask about the missing pictures + they would like to listen to the Xmas Book with a Cat again tonight..🙄

Back to this book, everyone should read it. Doesn't matter if you're a confirmed self partnered / potential parent or I'm a kid myself. It's factual, entertaining and available on Scribd.
Profile Image for Becki .
353 reviews107 followers
February 25, 2016
So this collection of cartoons is going to be one thing too, two different type of people.

1) The best how to with dealing with children and that your are not fudging anything up. Or..

2) The best motivation for using contraceptives.

Doesn't matter which category you fall under. Anyone will find this collection of comics humorous and accurate. This will make a great gift for anyone.

ARC provided by Netgalley for review
592 reviews21 followers
February 10, 2017
For every parent who weathered and survived the toddler years! It is going to be my go to gift for parents who are in the trenches with young children.
Profile Image for Annegazetesi.
156 reviews18 followers
June 29, 2020
Kültür farklılığı çok da göze çarpmadan, anne-baba ayrımını da göz önüne almaksızın, çok benzer şeyler yaşadığımızı gösteren bir kitap. "Hah yalnız değilim!" "Evet aynen böyle oluyor!!" "Dimi yaa, bizde de böyle!" "Benim çocuk da bunu yapıyor!" nidalarıyla okuduğum bir kitap :) Her ebeveynin de kendinden çok şey bularak okuyacağını tahmin ediyorum. Ebeveynlikten yorulduğunuzda açıp okumak sizi gülümsetecektir. Tavsiye ederim.
Profile Image for Remo.
2,426 reviews161 followers
July 21, 2018
Divertidísimo libro (en español: yo molaba hasta que fui padre) sobre lo que supone convertirse en padre (y madre, obviamente). A lo largo de 126 páginas de viñetas el autor nos deja entrever partes de su vida que suenan familiares, muy familiares, y nos hacen sonreír a la vez que nos dejan saber que no estamos solos. Las hay (tristemente) clásicas:

y también están las que son clásicas pero no son tan tristes (a mí siempre me ha hecho mucha gracia el don de la oportunidad que exhiben mis hijos):

Otras me tocan de lleno:

y otras son chistes independientes igualmente divertidos:
Profile Image for Scott.
Author 1 book5 followers
April 6, 2016
Brian Gordon's comics are as brilliant as they are sassy. He is able to convey the complicated feelings of parenthood with rapier-like wit although not always with subtlety. But I think that's his point. I've been a proud patreon supporter of his since he opened shop and will continue doing so until after he's made his millions on these adorable ducks.
Profile Image for Cale.
3,834 reviews25 followers
August 12, 2016
This was a quick read, but a lot of the comics are very true. I've seen several online, but some of these were new to me, and very much appreciated. You'll need a high tolerance for foul language (hey, it's right there in the title), but if you have that, you'll enjoy it. And a couple are even touching as well as/instead of funny.
Profile Image for Heather McC.
979 reviews8 followers
April 2, 2019
Fowl Language shows the comedic side of parenting through common interactions that many readers will find painstakingly (funny or otherwise) familiar. A quick read, there is some foul language strewn throughout the book.
Profile Image for Ray Flores.
1,503 reviews242 followers
January 30, 2020
First of all, I don’t have kids and I don’t plan to have them in my entire life, still, this artist work is one of those books that made me laugh out loud and it reminded me that some adults don’t know anything about parenting, and that they learn their way with their kids as time goes by.

What are the perks and struggles of being a parent? Certainty I don’t know much about it, but I’m sure his comics are relatable for folks who don’t know if they’re being good or not with their kids. Actually, even if you don’t plan on raising kids (like me), this one will make you crack a smile.

I’m planning to read his other books ASAP because honestly, this one made me had a great time.

I seriously encourage you to give this one a try! I fucking loved it!
Profile Image for Lexxi Kitty.
2,043 reviews470 followers
February 21, 2016
*I received this book from NetGalley in return for a fair review.*

My first book by this author. I was looking around Netgalley to see what they had available to be 'read now' and spotted this book here in the humor area. Glanced at a few reviews over on Goodreads - which included several pictures from the book - and found the pictures humorous. So I selected this book to read.

Like the last book I attempted to read through Netgalley, I ended up starring at the provided file with confusion. Well, took me a while, but I've finally figured how to open a acsm file. See, it kept trying to load in the Adobe PDF thingie already on my computer. But that specific one couldn't read acsm files. So . . . . eventually I found something that read acsm files, downloaded it. Then realized that I had downloaded the program to my phone. Which didn't help me any. Eventually I figured out how to download Adobe Digitial Editions to my PC so now I can actually read this here book. Yay me. So then, the book itself.

First off I'll note that I've read several parenting/family themed comics/books, which this book here falls within, but am not myself a parent. I do have a nephew, so . . ..

From the introduction: 'I remember thinking that this crap was WAY less magical than I had been promised.' - hmm, confusing that. Having an actual human 'suddenly' appear where no human existed before - that's magical. Parenting? Who said parenting was magical?

Huh. I see now. Apparently everyone but him in his social circle had 'easy babies' but he had a 'hard baby'. Then he found out his experience wasn't, in fact, the sole experience of having a 'hard baby' out there. I see now why he got confused, if his social circle had magical babies and he didn't. Hmms. Magical babies. Odd concept that. If I had something like that in my life, not that I would (as in, I know my own genetics, a magical baby ain't coming out of me), I'd think that my baby had been replaced by an alien - or someone else's kid. If, I mean, the baby was magically easy. (yeah, I know, he actually concludes that his social circle were lying, not that there were magical babies out there).

Heh. Well, that bodes well. I moved from the introduction to the first actual comic and burst out in laughter. Odd, I am, but still. I laughed. Yay, my brain thinks.

'Who hates naps?!' - hehehe

'stupid genetics' - hehehe

hmms. I might accidentally die by laughter.

hehehe - 'Why I don't get invited to baby showers anymore' - hehehe

ha-hahe - 'evidently I was friggin' Hitler in a former life.'

hmms. Okay, some just flew over my head. Like the Advent Calendar one.

hehehehehaha - 'not a single piece of your Halloween candy was poisoned...'

'Three'. heh

'I don't wanna be a tree stump!' hehehe

Okay, I need to stop randomly laughing at stuff in this review. Needless to say, there's a lot of very funny stuff going on in this here book. It's funny, it is.

'But we're outside!!!' hehehehe. oops, was supposed to stop doing that, I was.

hehehehe - 'Holy crap, I'm raising a politician.'

This is/was a really really funny little comic book. All should read. *nods* Don't have to be a parent, I know, because I'm not a parent and I laughed really loudly.

February 20 2016

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