The World Deserves My Children

August 22, 2022
In her irreverent debut, comedian and Chelsea Lately regular Leggero shares musings on motherhood in a series of wise-cracking essays. “I decided to become a mom when I was in my prime, but the world most certainly was not,” she quips about getting pregnant “no matter how bad” politics and climate change threatened to turn, at age 42 (using eggs frozen when she was 38). No topic is off-limits; Leggero bares all about “geriatric pregnancy,” breastfeeding, parental anxiety, and her conversion to “Jew-by-choice.” She
mocks her husband, joking she’d have to be drunk to parent like a father (“Don’t use Dawn on her! She’s a baby not a duck after an oil spill”), and resolutely defends having only one child. Her brand of humor includes crossing-the-line bits like referring to Woody Allen and Soon-Yi’s coupling as “the greatest love story of our time” and recalling that as a tween she “thought abortion was hilarious.” Parents without the luxury of a nanny may also raise eyebrows when yet another celebrity laments lack of leisure time. Still, behind the snark, Leggero conveys tender endearment for her four-year-old daughter. All in all, this will induce grins from stand-up fans who’ve been missing shows because they can’t get a babysitter. Agent: Cait Hoyt & Anthony Mattero, CAA.

Starred review from December 1, 2022

Comedian and actress Leggero (The Honeymoon Stand-Up Special, Netflix) makes her writing debut with an autobiographical collection of essays on politics, pandemics, pollution, and, primarily, procreating. Leggero brings her signature sardonic wit and wisdom to a wide range of topics; many are relatable, such as striving for social justice and being a steward of the planet, while others are uniquely Leggero, such as befriending Paris Hilton and planning a puppy baptism. Read by the author, this audio is an engaging and amusing listen. Only Leggero herself could do justice to her vibrant, vulnerable, and emotional journey to parenthood, from IVF and uncertainty to the very real fear of losing her "perfect Italian ass." Leggero's husband, comedian Moshe Kasher, also makes an appearance, offering his perspective on her anxieties and accomplishments as a mother. VERDICT This audio will appeal to listeners seeking an irreverent introspective on Leggero's life, from child actress to middle-aged motherhood, filled with moments that are both human and hilarious. Recommended for fans of candid and compelling humor writing, � la Mia Mercado and Kristina Kuzmic.--Lauren Hackert

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