Here Be Dragons: A Parent’s Guide to Rediscovering Purpose, Adventure, and the Unfathomable Joy of the Journey

“Life is an adventure” has been my mantra for many years. So, naturally, I was intrigued at the prospect of a parenting book that offers a guide to parents who want both adventure and family. Built around an extended metaphor of sailing past accepted boundaries into the deep seas where dragons be found, this book reads more as a memoir than parenting guide. Definitely don’t skip the introduction, or you’ll miss out on the parenting advice part entirely: a list of nine “nuns and cans,” or basic ideas that can help bring perspective and comfort.

Despite not technically being what it claims to be, this book is an engaging read. The authors convey their sense of humor and zest for life in their words. I have a few reservations regarding the message of the book, however, since repeated themes make it more a manual on how to let one parent have a meaningful, adventurous life, occasionally deigning to invite the rest of the family along, while the other supports, seeks for her own purpose, and then gives in when that becomes unfeasible. Despite my cynical interpretation, the intended message is sound and the narrative offers a glimpse into one family’s life adventures.