Puddle Splashing: A Memoir of Resilience and Ridiculousness, and Possibly Some Good Advice on Parenting

by Jessie Loeb

With grace and humor, Jessie Loeb’s short stories focus on the loss of her torch-song belting mother, the heart-melting bond between her and her father, and how she puts to use as a parent now all that she learned from each of them. Like a life raft on the sobering waters of adulthood, Loeb gingerly transports you back to your childhood days with love, wit, and a sense that all the mistakes you may have made up to this point were worth it." - Jen Nails

Any time Jessie Loeb tells a story, I want to scooch closer and listen. Give yourself a break from modern parenting mania, and let Puddle Spashing take you away... to your 1980's childhood. Loeb's writing comforts like a soft hand on your Dorothy Hamil cut forehead, and buzzes like the bubbles from a stolen sip of your babysitter's Tab. Jessie Loeb's voice jumps from the page like a juicy secret in your ear, a peel of laughter from your BFF, and a dose of calm to your soul." Ann Imig

The purpose of my poetry and storytelling in the book is to share universal experiences and bring readers to the vulnerable table that is parenthood. Jessie Loeb

242 pages, Hardcover

Published June 29, 2022

Reviews

[Sasha Domnitz · Rating 5 out of 5]

By sharing pieces of her own life story as a daughter and a mother, Jessie Loeb offers one possible guiding principle for parenting. I say possible because she never implies that her way is THE way to parent, but it’s hard to take issue with what lies at the core of her stories and poems. As her life illustrates, the most magical, comforting parents will not be able to keep tragedy and heartache at bay. So how does she suggest parents navigate this mine field with their children? Love. Plain and simple. Love and messes. Let them bake cookies, jump in puddles, and make concoctions that turn the shampoo green. Just love them as best you can.

If you’re a parent or maybe you’re missing your own parent, climb into a big comfy chair with this book. You’ll feel like you’re in the crook of someone’s arms who loves you and will do their damndest to protect you from life’s mess.