Bobby Mercer's Books

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My Little Mad Scientist

 Published Book Reviews

Quarterback Dad
A Play-by-Play Guide to Tackling Your New Baby
(Trade Paperback, Adams Media 2008)

Radio Interview on WOXL

Reviewstream.com (August 08)
The minute my wife found out she was pregnant she made it her mission to go and buy me a book about how to be a dad. Ok I’m with it. She came home with a nice little book called “Quarterback Dad” by Bobby Mercer and Alison D. Schonwald MD. A light reader, this book captures all the steps to fatherhood with references and analogies to football. I found the book to be very enjoyable to read, it was both humorous and informative. It basically starts from early pregnancy and covers all the things a man needs to know in order to survive the next two years. Each section has a football (American) reference so if this isn’t your game, you may be lost with some of the analogies. However, the author does do a good job of explaining the correlations and even includes special tips used as call outs throughout the book labeled touchdowns, fumbles, and NFL’s (New Football Language). Since I love football this book was just for me. I especially liked how the author gave out advice instead of instructions for what to do. He didn’t feel the need to “instruct” you with his own agenda. Important subjects were kept lighthearted and funny, written in the form of a guidebook that can be used for reference over and over again. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book over the summer and will probably read it again before my wife gives birth.

Genesee valley Parent Magazine (June 08)
Quarterback dad is a hysterical and witty look at becoming a father. The book will take soon-to-be dads all the way from Training Camp to the Superbowl. Packed with tons of practical information (in a football-themed language that dads will love!) this book is a superbly unique guide to fatherhood. -- Jillian Melnyk

Parent to Parent (syndicated national column) (June 08)

Quarterback Dad: A Play-by-Play Guide to Tackling Your New Baby" is by Bobby Mercer, a high school football coach who is a stay-at-home father. His words of wisdom include: "If you are the quarterback, then mom becomes the head coach in baby decisions. She makes all of the big decisions about the baby." Be prepared to be overruled.
         For the first 24 hours, the baby's arrival will be just like a newly won Super Bowl trophy. Other tips from "Quarterback Dad":
--- Baby-sitting and sharing night-time duties will help lead to a better team.
--- Don't choose a baby name that can easily be rhymed with something demeaning. Cute names can wind up sounding silly later.
--- Take the good with the bad and remember these words: "Yes, dear." When Momma's happy, everybody's happy. --- Betsy Flagler
 

Fitpregnancy Magazine(June/July 08 Issue)
Quarterback Dad, by Bobby Mercer with Alison Schonwald, M.D. (Adams Media, 2008). Author/dad/coach Bobby Mercer tosses out tips on advice and parenting with a tight spiral. This pre-game pep talk is perfect for those due dads who prefer ESPN to HGTV. The extended sports metaphor that is the hallmark of the book makes the information approachable and dad-user-friendly.

Also Featured in

Life With Kids Magazine,Edmonton’s Child, Mahoning Valley Parent,Coulee Parenting Connection, Big Apple Parent,Queens Parent, Brooklyn Parent, Colorado Parent, MetroFamily Magazine,ParentMap Magazine,Central Penn Parent, Parenting OC, Columbus Parent,Parent To Parent nationally syndicated column and over 50 newspapers

Coulee Parenting Connection Magazine (Summer 08 Issue)
New dads can train for the biggest game if their life, fatherhood using Bobby Mercer's new book, Quarterback Dad. Help a new dad through training camp (pregnancy), game day (surviving the delivery room), the regular season (the first year), and the Super Bowl) (celebrating the successes of year one). Use dad's love of sports to help him gain valuable advice and insight in a humorous format. For example, Mercer asks dads to "think of all the wonderful people who are willing to pitch in and help as assistant coaches," or to remember that "a ton of free advice will come from armchair quarterbacks."

Providence Journal (4/08)

Baby Book Has a Funny Male Perspective
When this book arrived in our newsroom book pile, we (the females) thought, "How ridiculous is this? To get a guy to read a baby book, they have to call it Quarterback Dad?" But a quick perusal found that Quarterback Dad (Trade Paper Original, $12.95) comes from a peculiarly funny male perspective -- it's a rewarding shower gift for any prospective dad.
For example, when describing changing the diaper of a newborn, the book advises: "Your baby will at first secrete some type of sludge that looks like it came out of the transmission of a 1974 Volvo. Don't worry; this is normal. The first bowel movement will be a substance called meconium that looks like dark greenish-black tar. This is good because it means your baby's intestines are wide open. Wide open used to mean a receiver streaking down the sideline; now it means the poop is flowing."
Seems like the kind of thing you could sneak off and look up in this guide without having to ask the mother of your child everything.
And this was our favorite male perspective: When negotiating with your wife on what to name the baby, "If you are having a girl, you can get rid of names (you don't like) by playing the old girlfriend card." Bet Dr. Spock didn't think of writing that down.
-- Pam Thomas

Island Reviews(4/08)
I recently had the opportunity to read the book Quarterback Dad by Bobby Mercer and thoroughly enjoyed it.
The book is written using many football terms which Dads will find themselves relating to. The Dad is called The Quarterback, Mom is The Teammate, and the baby-to-be is Future Star or 1st Round Draft Pick. It's written in a very simple yet humorous tone that even Mommies will find entertaining.
From the book: "You've just signed a new star player to your home team - but are you really ready for kickoff? With Quarterback Dad, you can suit up and take the field with the cool competence of an All Star! From learning the plays to clinching the playoffs, you'll triumph every yard of the way."
But it's more than entertaining, it's informative. This book talks about everything from the moment you find out the exciting news, to shopping for the nursery, morning sickness, baby showers, dealing with mood swings, delivery, nursing, talking to the pediatrician, and everything else involved with a brand new baby. And it's all delivered (so to speak) in a way that guys can understand. How cool is that.
 

Midland Moms and Palmetto Parent Magazine (4/08)
Quarterback Dad is a new parenting book aimed at raising your kids like you were coaching a football team.
This approach may seem a bit odd, but it may just be the only way to bust through the clutter of men's daily lives. Bobby Mercer, author and veteran football coach of twenty years, has written a guidebook for new fathers that will communicate the necessities involved in raising a child.
The only difference between his book and others is Mercer speaks to men from a man's point of view in terms of their favorite topic, sports.
In America, football is almost like a religion that millions of people believe in and support. This book provides advice in a language men will relate to and understand. Parents, especially dads, are able to take their fanatical love of football and apply it to the needs of their child.
The book features great moments in how to navigate at a party while monitoring your child and discussing plays with the Head Coach, otherwise known as the mother.
After coaching America's favorite sport over the course of a generation, Mercer has learned the art of persuasion and cajoling others. He maintains the ability to plan and organize a team, which in a large part relates to the ultimate team, your family.
His outlook on parenting includes the single chance you get in raising your child and the underlying message to avoiding ruining it. The outline of the book features a similar format to that of a normal football season, to guide you from birth.
Mercer provides helpful tips on his website for handling newborns and toddlers. These include talking to your baby and sing songs to calm them. Quiet time is also recommended, where you can calmly sit with them and enjoy each other's company.
Fathers are also encouraged to help feed the baby, change diapers, and watch them while the mother gets much-needed alone time.
In regards to toddlers, some helpful tips for dealing with temper tantrums are available. A parent should stay calm, leave the audience, use sweet voices, and never give in. Most people understand that all children have temper tantrums and are more concerned with how you handle them.
 

The Baby Corner (4/08)

Upon finding out that his partner is pregnant; a newly expectant father will have lots of questions. The sheer thought of having a baby for some new fathers can be unnerving and frightening, especially for the first time dad. What will his role be? The answer is easy – he will become his partner’s team mate during pregnancy and beyond. A new team is forming and he must have a game plan, and one that will guide him from the day he finds out he’s going to become a dad to the big “D” day and the first few years after that.
It’s not every day when a new dad can go to the book store and find a book explaining to him what he’s suppose to be do? From mood swings and cravings, to doctor appointments and bizarre pregnancy symptoms, most expectant fathers are amazed to find out all that goes with being pregnant. And he has a very important role to fill – That of Quarterback Dad.
In his newest book, Quarterback Dad - A Play-by-Play Guide to Tackling Your New Baby, Bobby Mercer takes a new approach to writing a parenting book and explains the role of the new father in a more fun, more humorous way.
What is a Quarterback Dad (QB) exactly? Mr. Mercer explains that a QB is a new breed of fathers, different from those fathers of 30+ years ago. Fathers today wish to be more involved in the pregnancy, childbirth and in raising the children.
The book begins with conception and takes newly expectant fathers on a play-by-play tour of what to expect during pregnancy, labor and childbirth, and the first years after the new “team owner” (the baby) is born. Each chapter begins with a diagram of the game plan and tips’ to score “extra points” in the game. From midnight runs to the grocery store for ice cream to being the perfect labor coach, every new father will be well prepared for lies ahead.

 

The Leaping, Sliding, Sprinting, Riding Science Book
50 Super Science Sports Activities
(Hardcover, Lark 1/07)

Jan/Feb 2008 Children's Digest

If you think science is a snore, you need to WAKE UP! Check out the Internet, your brighter buddies, the evening news - everywhere you look you'll see science, science, science.
That's especially true in books for kids, because writers have finally discovered that science doesn't have to be all formulas; it can be about fun, too.
For instance, these two books from Lark Publishing: The Leaping, Sliding, Sprinting, Riding Science Book and Cool Chemistry Concoctions. Both show that science is really just another word for doing cool stuff.
Try "Synchronized Skateboard-ing," from The Leaping, Sliding...etc. Science Book. You'll see how trying to push your buddy off a skateboard (in a safe way, of course) is a great way to learn about physics.
Or look at "Powder-Powered Projectile" from Cool Chemistry Concoctions, which shows you how to combine water, over-the-counter stomach medicine, and an ordinary film canister to pop the top (in a safe way, of course).
Both books are packed with these kinds of activities, and understandable explanations of how they work. But be careful - you might learn something.
Copyright Benjamin Franklin Literary & Medical Society Jan/Feb 2008
 

May 1 2007 Booklist Recommended Review
Gr. 4–7. Mercer puts his experience as a physics teacher and a sports coach to good use in this compendium of science activities. Readers can determine the best angle for throwing or hitting a ball far and test how more air pressure in a basketball, volleyball, or soccer ball affects its bounce. Each activity is presented on a single-page or a double-page spread, including a list of materials, step-by-step instructions, a discussion of the science behind it all, and an appealing ink-and-watercolor illustration. A lengthy glossary is appended. Aimed at a younger audience than Robert Gardner’s Science Projects about the Physics of Sports (2000), this will appeal to active kids looking for science fair ideas, and what they learn may also be helpful on the playing fields. —Carolyn Phelan 

Children's Literature
Anyone who ever thought that physics is a boring subject never thought about it in terms of sports. In this lively illustrated science book, Bobby Mercer takes a look at all the physics that go into everything from running to skateboarding to baseball. Each experiment includes a list of materials required, instructions, and a description the physics involved in each action. While some of the experiments require traveling to places like an athletic field or swimming pool, many can be done in the home or classroom. The book also includes a thorough glossary and a conversion chart for basic units of measurement. The uses for this book are endless: individual student projects, ideas for both science and physical education teachers, party games, warm-up activities for sports. A great way to get active children interested in science, or introduce more scientifically minded students into the fun of sports.
 

May 2007 School Library Journal
Gr 5-8­ Mercer uses sports moves and activities to teach physics and other science concepts. He explains numerous complex terms, including density, biomechanics, the Magnus effect, friction, and laminar flow. Many of the activities require kids to be outside with bikes, Frisbees, hockey sticks, baseball bats, etc. Others require objects such as a bungee cord, a stopwatch, a protractor, or cans of soup. Some experiments are easily done at home. The range is from simple (freezing sneakers to compare traction) to complex (teaching oneself to do an ollie on a skateboard). Each activity has a list of equipment and instructions for performing it, followed by a section that explains the science behind it. The lively and colorful illustrations make the book seem as if it is for elementary school kids, but the activities and science concepts discussed are more appropriate for middle schoolers. Motivated readers will find a lot of fun projects to experiment with, but this book will probably get the most use from science educators, who will find a wealth of inspiration and ideas. ---   Marcia Kochel,Olson Middle School, Bloomington, MN

Book of the Month Club Selection for the following clubs
Children's Book of the Month Club
Book Planet Book of the Month Club
Crossings Christian Book of the Month Club

 

Smash It! Crash It! Launch It!:
50 Mind-Blowing, Eye Popping Science Experiments
(Hardcover, Lark 8/06)

 

Selected for Bank Street College of Education's The Best Children's Books of the Year 2006

 

Recommended Books by PBS Teachersource Website for Physical Science and General Science
Grade Level: 3-5, 6-8
After some preliminary guidance and safety tips, this collection of science activities tells you how to drop, catapult, and stack stuff as well as fling, swing, and zing things. Read the introduction carefully because many of these activities create a wonderful mess. Each activity tells you what you need, what to do, and what’s going on.  

Children's Literature Review
 This is a terrific book! It is funny, the illustrations are useful and engaging, most of the demonstrations will be new to almost any reader, and the science is well informed, clearly explained, and useful. It is also a lot of fun. My personal favorite was making a grape spark and flame in the microwave (it's entirely safe), but there is also launching a pair of cherry tomatoes, or knocking the bottom nickel out from under a stack of 15 others to demonstrate inertia. Equipment is minimal. Kids can make hot air balloons with a trash bag and a hair drier, and catapults with clothes pins and tongue depressors. Design details are, appropriately, left to the child, inviting creativity and even an element of competition. Perhaps the book's best feature is that it allows children to experiment on their own in order to answer the questions posed. For example, it explains how to build a super water balloon launcher, but asks the child to figure out which launch angle produces the biggest splash. There is no better way to teach science than this. Elementary and middle school science teachers are certain to find engaging, inexpensive, and effective classroom activities here, but this book's appeal extends well beyond school. It is hard to imagine a child who won't find something here to fill a rainy day or even several weeks of summer vacation. Reviewed by Michael Chabin.

Booklist Review.
Science experiments books seldom look like fun. This volume is the exception, with 43 great activities accompanied by appealing ink-and-watercolor illustrations. Readers will be hard-pressed to choose between options such as the "Exploding Marshmallows," Skateboard Science," and the "Water Balloon Launcher." Each single- or double-page presentation includes a short list of materials, step-by-step directions for completing the projects, and a discussion of what happened, in scientific terms. Students looking for clues to help in bridge-building or egg-dropping competitions will find those areas discussed as well. Though written and illustrated with considerably more zip than the typical science experiment book, this upbeat volume doesn’t neglect safety warnings or explanations of the physics behind the phenomena. The occasional mess is a given, as in "Banana Split," which demonstrates inertia and wedges by having children fling bananas at a knife held blade-outward by an "adult helper" five or six feet away. Offbeat, yes, but fun and scientifically grounded. — Carolyn Phelan

   

School Library Journal Review
Gr 4-8-Science teachers will find entertaining ways to impress their students with Newton 's laws if they're willing to break a few eggs as described in this engaging book. The study of physics becomes appealing when combined with marshmallow catapults, potato popguns, and water-balloon launchers. The authors provide a brief explanation of the physical principles involved and emphasize that cleanup is required on some of the messier projects. The overarching terms are emphasized in boldface in the short "What's Going On?" section included with each experiment. Humorous cartoon illustrations and sketchy templates supplement the descriptions of how to set up the projects. Typical household ingredients like straws, pop bottles, fruits, and lots of eggs are the materials required, and then the fun begins. While these experiments are more about their "wow" factor than their hard science, there are lessons to be learned by building fettuccine bridges and flipping water buckets.-Janet S. Thompson, Chicago Public Library Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Copyright 2008 by Bobby Mercer