Book Review: There Are Dads Way Worse Than You by Glenn Boozan

Parenting guilt is a universal experience, but Emmy-nominated comedy writer Glenn Boozan offers a hilarious remedy in her New York Times best-selling humor book, There Are Dads Way Worse Than You: Unimpeachable Evidence of Your Excellence as a Father. Illustrated by Priscilla Witte, this 64-page gift book serves as a comforting, tongue-in-cheek reminder that even if you mess up a midday snack or burn a meal, you are still doing a fantastic job compared to history and pop culture’s most notorious fathers.

Book Metadata

• Title: There Are Dads Way Worse Than You: Unimpeachable Evidence of Your Excellence as a Father

• Author: Glenn Boozan

• Illustrator: Priscilla Witte

• Publisher: Workman Publishing Company

• Genre: Humor / Parenting / Pop Culture

• Page Count: 64 pages

Spoiler-Free Synopsis

As the highly anticipated companion to Boozan’s viral hit There Are Moms Way Worse Than You, this volume shifts its focus from the animal kingdom to human history, fiction, and popular culture. The core premise is designed to alleviate the modern father’s anxiety by providing extreme, comedic counterexamples of paternity. Through witty rhyming couplets, Boozan contrasts minor, relatable parenting slip-ups—like forgetting a bath time or struggling at the backyard grill—with the catastrophic failures of infamous dads.

Readers are treated to satirical nods toward fictional villains like Darth Vader (Star Wars), Walter White (Breaking Bad), and Tywin Lannister (Game of Thrones), alongside historical despots like Ivan the Terrible and Pharaoh Akhenaten. The narrative moves quickly from one terrible patriarch to the next, assuring the reader that their own parenting flaws are completely harmless by comparison. Additionally, the book features a clever, educational appendix that expands on the specific lore and historical facts of each featured father’s misdeeds.

Positive Points

• Brilliant Comedic Timing: Boozan’s background writing for Conan and The Onion shines through in her sharp, perfectly paced rhymed couplets.

• Charming Illustrations: Priscilla Witte’s vibrant, expressive art style adds an essential layer of visual storytelling, keeping dark historical or fictional elements delightfully lighthearted.

• High Reassurance Value: The book effectively leverages extreme juxtaposition to make everyday dads feel genuinely appreciated, validated, and relieved.

• Pop Culture Appeal: Nerd culture enthusiasts and history buffs will thoroughly enjoy the clever references scattered throughout the pages.

Negative Aspects

• Niche Knowledge Required: Because the humor relies heavily on specific pop culture and historical milestones, some jokes may fall flat for readers unfamiliar with franchises like The Shining or Breaking Bad.

• Brevity Over Substance: At just 64 pages, it is a very brief read meant primarily as a novelty coffee-table piece rather than a deep, substantive guide on fatherhood.

Final Verdict

There Are Dads Way Worse Than You is a stellar, laugh-out-loud gift book that perfectly balances dark comedy with genuine reassurance. It is the ultimate pick-me-up for any modern dad navigating the high-pressure world of parenting.

Star Rating: ★★★★☆ (4.5/5 Stars)

– The Moving Words Review