PAPERBACK

Over-the-top parenting guide

THE THREE-MARTINI PLAYDATE: A Practical Guide to Happy Parenting

By Christie Mellor. Chronicle Books. 143 pages. $12.95.

With tongue firmly planted in cheek (or is it?), Christie Mellor serves up a chuckle-filled read on having children. Encouraging old school parenting values, the mother of two “darling little angels” asks in the introduction: “Remember when we couldn’t wait to grow up so we could be in charge?” The wee book is packed with tips, opinions, recipes and retro illustrations all aimed at pointing out just how outrageous some parents can be. A sample of the chapters that will have nonperfect mommies and daddies shouting “Amen!” include: “The Childproof House: How to Know if You’ve Gone Too Far,” “Bedtime: Is 5:30 too Early?” and “Preschool: The Fast Track to Harvard.” — RACHEL SUTHERLAND, STAFF WRITER