What Could Go Wrong?

By Brett Grayson

Panman Press     2018

279 pages     Humor/Essays

Last summer I took two grandchildren to the Binder Park Zoo in Battle Creek Michigan. It was a beautiful day, and we were having a great time. We arrived in the African Safari area of the zoo. My 7-year-old granddaughter walked beside me while my 5-year-old grandson ran on down the walkway to the African animal exhibits. I hollered to him, “Stop at the giraffes, Davick!” Adela and I arrived at the giraffes, and no Davick. I told my granddaughter to run on to the next site, the antelope, and see if he was there. She arrived back—no Davick. We rushed on and found the education area where there were several attendants. I reported that my grandson had run on ahead, and we couldn’t find him. Panic ensued. People started rushing around, sending messages about a missing little boy; Adela collapsed in a heap on the ground sobbing her heart out. I really was quite sure that he wasn’t in the fields with the antelope and tigers—he was much too cautious; but he loved dogs—maybe he was in the wild dog den! After about 5 anxious minutes, Davick came running back to me shouting at the top of his voice, “Grandma! Adela! I found the lions! I found the lions!”

These type of heart-throbbing occurrences with children form the basis of What Could Go Wrong, a series of humorous essays about the pitfalls and foibles of parenting. The book is aptly named, because indeed, if anything can go wrong in parenting, it certainly can and will.

The first chapter is very funny about their little girl walking in on her parents during an intimate moment. Almost every set of parents can relate to that. I can, but that would be another whole story. The first chapter sets the tone for the entire book. Funny and relatable, but also poignant. Every marriage, every family has its marvelous moments, its horrific moments, its touching moments, its bizarre moments, and its loving moments. Grayson explores them all. You will laugh and cry all at the same time. As it says on the cover “My mostly comedic journey through marriage, parenting, and depression.” I am not sure that I would put the book in the hands of a couple exploring the possibilities of parenthood, but every new parent—and every old parent—can certainly relate and laugh until they cry!

Grayson is a new author. It will be interesting to look for more of his work. His publicist sent me the book. Here is his website.

As I was reading the book, I came across a cartoon website that deals with many of the same parenting issues that Grayson addresses in his book. Check out Lunarbaboon. They go together well.