Reviews -

Express Yourself.

A ‘Mamoir’

by Jo Bowis

A brilliantly written, lively and light-hearted account of the trials of early motherhood that leaves the reader at once highly amused and completely in awe of the resilience, resourcefulness and warrior hearts of women. With picture and print, Jo Bowis shares with us the colourful escapades that result while dutifully providing breast milk for a new born baby boy who refuses to feed from the breast. This book should be required reading for all men. We do the easy bit. We produce a spoonful of sperm, deliver it to a woman or sometimes to a test tube and that’s it, job done. It is women who must host a parasite that takes root inside them, grows to gargantuan proportions, then demands to be released. But a baby does not step out into the world meekly and gently with a polite bow. No, no, a baby thanks its gracious host by stretching and tearing her delicate innards as it fights to break loose. Thanks, kid. And then for Jo Bowis comes the many challenges of mastering a breast pump to feed her new born child, all the while fulfilling her duties as actor, singer, performer and woman for all seasons. Amidst this exuberant mayhem, however, rests a gentle, unspoken message. We all owe women the greatest debt of gratitude. Without women and their strength, endurance, love and total motherly devotion, none of us would exist. Readers! Buy this book! Laugh, learn and laud! It is a wonderfully funny and inspirational creation.

Colin B.

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5.0 out of 5 stars Witty, honest and extremely important and supportive messages about new motherhood.

Alison Y.

This book made me laugh, cry and feel full of admiration for a woman whom has clearly depicted how amazing, resourceful, powerful and most importantly vulnerable new mothers are and can be.

Jo outlines the trials and tribulations she faced as a new mum with the added complication of a baby who couldn’t breastfeed. She does this with great humour, empathy and heartbreaking honesty.

I work as a counsellor and I have used this book with new mum’s who were struggling as many do and feel they cannot talk about it. My clients came back with comments like: “I feel I can now talk to people about how I feel”; “Someone actually get’s me” and “It’s not just me”.

This book is fun, it’s witty, it’s heartbreaking and it’s brutally honest about new motherhood. Most importantly I believe it is very important to get these messages out there in a world where there is too much sugar-coating which can have the effect of silencing women when they probably most need to talk.

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So excellent, horrific and important! We are all gonna be the best parents we can be in whatever circumstances - mamma power!

Chas G. About to give birth.

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The book arrived yesterday and I read the whole thing last night. I loved it! I love Jo’s writing style. Natural, original, hilarious! So many memorable phrases and images. Moments of sheer comic genius. So heartfelt and wise without being self helpy. Jo is an absolute titan.

Sophie R.

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5.0 out of 5 stars Funny and Entertaining and really honest

Kate H

I loved this book. I read it cover to cover in one sitting. It is funny and honest and made me cry even. A warts and all account of being a new parent in a really difficult and life threatening situation. highly recommended

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5.0 out of 5 stars A must-read for those crazy early days!

This is a fantastic, uplifting book - essential for any first time mums. I bought my copy just before my due date and am so glad I did - Jo’s experiences were so useful and her humour is spot-on, making night feeds/ pumping sessions feel slightly less lonely and challenging. Reminds you how many other mums are out there, making the best choices for their baby, dressed as medieval wenches.

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5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant , funny , yet therapeutic and helpful.

Dawn A

This book is quite brilliant .
Any one struggling with any aspect giving birth and especially feeding has to read it