- Kate Long, author of The Bad Mother’s Handbook “There is the yummy mummy and the sleep-deprived and hysterical mummy, and now, thanks to this book, there can be some sassy mummies who can strap into their stilettos as well as the stroller with a smile. When any of my friends are next with child, this is the book I will thrust at them - I wish I had written it myself” - Camilla Morton, author of How to Walk in High Heels
Have you ever wondered about the origin of the word ‘tired’ or the most popular girl’s name in 1700? How to push a buggy in the snow or what time of day Prince William was born? The maternity leave provisions in Costa Rica or the complete lyrics of ‘Twinkle Twinkle Little Star’? Mothers today are widely expected to be able to crack an egg with one hand, quote Nabokov on prams and perform the Heimlich manoeuvre – ideally, all at the same time.How to Crack an Egg with One Hand is a book about motherhood that is like no other.Historian Francesca Beauman has collected everything you will need to know (and a few things you won’t) as you embark on the mindboggling journey that is modern motherhood. Included in the book is humorous yet pertinent advice on everything from the etiquette of the playgroup and how to maintain your relationships with friends who do not have babies, to what a new mother ought to wear on the red carpet. The first woman to use chloroform during childbirth named her baby Anaesthesia, 36% of British women opt for an epidural, and Benazir Bhutto was the first leader of a modern state to give birth while in office: all these facts and many, many more are featured here. There is also writing from the likes of Elizabeth Gaskell, William Blake and Mark Twain with their take on the subject of babies. From the totally frivolous to the deeply serious and from the cultural to the historical, this is an intelligent, classy and eclectic guide for every twenty-first-century mother or mother-to-be. It is a book to give to friends, daughters and sisters – and to cherish for yourself.
Francesca Beauman is a historian, journalist and television presenter. Since beginning her career (alongside her comedy partner Ania) as the creator, writer and host of Channel 5’s Ania, Fran and a Kettle of Fish in 2001, she has gone on to host numerous British TV shows, including Show Me The Funny (Channel 4, 2002), Bring It On (BBC1, 2003-4) and Heroes of History (Channel 5, 2005). Having graduated from Cambridge University with a first class degree in History, Francesca’s expert knowledge has been in demand for a further variety of documentaries and panel shows, including My Famous Family (UKTV History), Britain’s Best (UKTV History), Quote Unquote (BBC Radio 4) and The Museum of Curiosity (BBC Radio 4) to name but a few. Francesca’s first book, a history of the pineapple entitled The Pineapple: King of Fruits (Chatto & Windus), was released to critical acclaim in 2005. This was followed by the equally successful The Woman’s Book: Everything but the Kitchen Sink (Weidenfeld & Nicholson) in 2007. In February 2011, Francesca’s book Shapely Ankle Preferr’d: AHistory of the Lonely Hearts Ad, is published by Chatto & Windus. She has two children aged three and one and divides her time between London and Los Angeles.
Newmother.co.uk Book review of How to Crack an Egg With One Hand
A pocket book for the new mother, is how this book is described. Well after having the privilege of reading Francesca Beauman's new book, "Yes the privilege." I felt that this is the must have book for mums. A perfect gift for a new mother, which is not only full of amazing facts and information, but also full of laughs, quotations, real life situations, plus some great tips and advice.
I found Francesca's book, very addictive, and one that I keep permanently on my desk, to pick up at will. There are areas that I love to look back on, and pieces that I love to Quote. (An exert of Francesca Beauman's book can be found below.)
"I can't help raving about Francesca Beauman's, How to Crack an Egg With One Hand. I keep a copy of This Handbook for the New Mother on my desk!" Janine Moore www.newmother.co.uk
How to Take a Photo of a Newborn Baby
BABY photos are an eminently tricky proposition, given the generally unco-operative nature of the subject matter. Add to this the problem of a newborn's strange physical quirks (weird skin issues, an odd-shaped head, the expression of a drunk old man and so on) and it really becomes imperative to know all the tricks. So . . .
Pick the moment carefully: directly after a feed is ideal, as is nap time - most babies tend to be rather more compliant when they are actually asleep.
Ensure the background is plain, without anything extraneous that might distract the viewer's attention from the little cherub. Whenever Possible, use natural light. Make sure it is a shaded area, rather than direct sunlight. A cloudy day is perfect. If there is no choice but to be indoors, try increasing the camera's ISO setting as well as the aperture setting in order to keep flash to a minimum, not least for the baby's sake(unless he is a celebrity baby, of course in which he needs to be trained for the paparazzi from the earliest age).
Get down to the baby's level. If necessary, lie on the ground.Close-ups always work well. Ideally, though, use a long focal lens instead of continually shoving the camera in the baby's face.
Find a way to give some sense of proportion in the photo - that is, of how very tiny the baby's hand / foot / nose is compared to the rest of the world. Also take some photos these appendages alone, to make a change from just 'another day, another outfit.
Make use of the camera's burst mode ( also called continuous mode) to take lots of shots in quick succession, and hence increase the chances of hitting upon the one perfect one.
Always keep the camera handy. Consider buying more than one, even a few disposables, to have in each room.
All photos look more elegant in black and white. It also helps smooth out any blemishes, thereby avoiding having to resort to photoshopping the baby. Who are you, Anna Wintour?
How to Crack an Egg with One Hand: A Pocketbook for the New Mother, by Francesca Beauman, is published by Bloomsbury (£12.99)Available to buy from Amazon.co.uk
