2024 Zibby Awards, Best Book for Parents selection
2024 Foreword INDIES Book of the Year Awards Finalist, Family & Relationship
2024 American Book Fest Best Book Award Finalist, Parenting
Gather your party, it鈥檚 time to level up your parenting game!
For years, millions of fans have looked to the beloved roleplaying game Dungeons & Dragons for fun, friendship, and entertainment. And now parents and parents-to-be can use D&D to gain inspiration and how-to when it comes to their most challenging and rewarding role yet. Dungeon Masters are not just expert storytellers and arbiters of the rules, they鈥檙e compassionate, creative, quick-thinking leaders who embody the same traits that make a great parent.
Where do you find an adventuring party who will have your back? What must-have starting equipment should you own before venturing into babyland? How does your gaming style reflect your parenting style? You don鈥檛 have to know how to be a Dungeon Master to master parenting鈥攋ust think like one. Kids may not come with rulebooks, but now their parents do.
鈥淲hile geared toward D&D fans, this rollicking playbook will delight even the least experienced wizards learning to safely install a car seat. By gamifying parenting and sharing her own pitfalls, Mazzanoble offers a fresh take on everything from defining discipline styles to making friends as an adult and classifying a child鈥檚 moral attitude (watch out for chaotic evil). Like the best kind of Dungeon Master, Mazzanoble will make any player in the hazardous game of parenthood feel more supported and less alone.鈥濃Booklist, starred review
鈥淩eaders of all styles of parenting book and gaming fans will find solid advice and humor in abundance in this wonderfully unique resource.鈥濃Library Journal, starred review
鈥淎 must-read for any Dungeons & Dragons fan ready to take on the most dangerous adventure of all: parenting. Equal parts funny and practical, How to Dungeon Master Parenting is like a core rulebook for raising kids. I wish I had this kind of advice before my wife and I started our own party of adventurers.鈥濃擩ames Breakwell, author, Only Dead on the Inside: A Parent鈥檚 Guide to Surviving the Zombie Apocalypse
鈥淚n this funny and relatable book, Shelly Mazzanoble proves that parenting is the ultimate adventure鈥攃hallenging your endurance, strength, and ability to deal with unexpected challenges. I鈥檓 just disappointed there aren鈥檛 more sleep spells to help out at bedtime. Funny, relatable, and easy to read in small spurts during naptime, this book is the perfect gift for the D&D-loving parent in your life.鈥濃擩ulie Vick, author, Babies Don鈥檛 Make Small Talk (So Why Should I?): The Introvert鈥檚 Guide to Surviving Parenthood
鈥淢azzanoble has created the ultimate manual for RPG-loving parents hoping to maneuver the magic and mayhem of raising little monsters of their own. A critical hit for any grown-up geek aspiring to conquer parenthood!鈥濃擜aron Reynolds, author, Fart Quest
鈥淎s a parent and D&D fanatic, everything about this book resonates with me. Shelly brings her humor, warmth, and infectious energy into every page, making this not only a useful parenting guide but a dang fun read! A must-buy for any D&D-inclined parent!鈥濃擬ichael Witwer, New York Times bestselling author
鈥淭he epic-level handbook of parenting is finally here! As a friend, fellow parent, and seasoned Dungeon Master, I can verify that this book is filled with laughter, sage advice, and practical tips that transform raising your kids into an epic quest. A must-read for all parent adventurers out there!鈥濃擝. Dave Walters, author, Dungeons & Dragons: A Darkened Wish
鈥淲ho knew a book on parenting would make me a better Dungeon Master . . . or wait . . . a book on Dungeon Mastering would make me a better parent? Whichever it is, Shelly鈥檚 book is an insightful, pithy guide filled to the brim with stories and gems on how to be the best parent/DM you can be. Your quest is to figure out if it goes on the game shelf or in the nursery. Enjoy!鈥濃擳odd Stashwick
鈥淪helly knows that storytelling and collaboration is the real magic behind D&D, and it comes through on every page. A vibrant new generation of DMs and players will find a lot to love here as they embark on new adventures together.鈥濃擩im Zub, author, Dungeons & Dragons Young Adventurer鈥檚 Guides Series
鈥淢ake no mistake about it, parenting is a quest. With barbarian meltdowns, monster naps, and mimic emotions, it can be tough to navigate that quest. Shelly鈥檚 book gives parents a new way to approach parenting. Now we are Dungeon Masters and adventurers. Told with a delightful and fun voice, the book contains actionable and specific advice that will help any parent dungeon crawl through the darkest odyssey.鈥濃擲hannon Carpenter
鈥淎 lighthearted and practical guide for parents who love tabletop roleplaying games. How to Dungeon Master Parenting is an engaging book that offers relatable advice for parents who enjoy tabletop roleplaying games. Shelly Mazzanoble鈥檚 friendly and nonjudgmental tone creates a welcoming atmosphere for new parents, making it a great read for those about to embark on their own parenting adventure. The book provides practical guidance and helpful tips, along with relatable anecdotes and humor to help parents navigate the challenges of parenting with a smile. You will even find the stat blocks and legendary actions for your small human! Shelly invites you to the adventure of parenting by showing you how to use your skills as a player and Dungeon Master to help you multi-class into parenting. This book does a good job of showing how one parenting style will not fit all and how to have a sense of humor as you adapt and learn how to best work with your own children. A must read for all soon-to-be parents!鈥濃擠r. Megan Connell
2024 Zibby Awards, Best Book for Parents selection
2024 Foreword INDIES Book of the Year Awards Finalist, Family & Relationship
2024 American Book Fest Best Book Award Finalist, Parenting