Sh*t My Kids Ruined: An A-Z Celebration of Kid-Destruction    by Julie Haas Brophy Order:  USA  Can Villard, 2010 (2010) Paperback, e-Book     Reviewed by Hilary Williamson Julie Haas Brophy's Sh*t My Kids Ruined: An A-Z Celebration of Kid-Destruction is a book that evolved from a blog, that in turn was the result of a toddler's encounter with a bucket of black paint. It's filled with color pictures that will make any parent wince (we're told it's 'touted by some as a powerful visual birth control') and will bring back dark memories of their own household kid-crises. In her Introduction, Brophy recalls how she initiated the blog, shitmykidsruined.com, 'as a lark', and how its popularity soared and garnered media attention. She tells us that her blog 'SMKR, like child-rearing itself, oscillates from the funny to the disgusting to the heart-warming to the maddening, with stops at embarrassing, scary, and joyous ... It embodies the out-of-control nature of parenting.' Parents, come to SMKR for 'empathy and laughter', but the 'child-free set' also show up to be amused and horrified. All these emotions arise while leafing through the images, captions, and other funny commentary (including useful tips on how to avoid disasters) in Sh*t My Kids Ruined. In her Epilogue, Brophy reminds us that over time, our reactions to these incidents turn from frustration to affection and they 'become the stories we remember and retell.' If you're looking for a funny gift for parents - or grandparents - of small children (or for friends contemplating large families), they'd probably be amused (not to mention forewarned) by Sh*t My Kids Ruined. Note: Opinions expressed in reviews and articles on this site are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of BookLoons. Find more NonFiction books on our Shelves or in our book Reviews