When photographer Phillip Toledano (Days with My Father) became a father at age 40, he expected to be overwhelmed by "a tsunami of love." But instead of being captivated by his daughter, Loulou, Toledano was initially baffled by the small, alien creature suddenly demanding most of his wife's attention and affection.
The Reluctant Father is a series of photos accompanied by brief commentary, chronicling the first year and a half of Loulou's life and Toledano's frustration with the cultural "script" for new fathers, which was limited to a dewy-eyed joy he didn't feel. His candor can be jarring at times, but he gradually comes to accept, even to adore, his daughter--especially when she grows old enough to be teased and to tease him back. Readers will notice the shift from early photos of a screaming Loulou to latter portraits of her in calmer, happier moments. Just as importantly, the back half of the book is suffused with Toledano's newfound love for his child. A poignant afterword by Toledano's wife, Carla Serrano, gives balance to the story and offers a glimpse into the couple's marriage.
A perfect gift for sleep-deprived new parents with an offbeat sense of humor, The Reluctant Father is moving, challenging and ultimately charming. --Katie Noah Gibson, blogger at Cakes, Tea and Dreams