I got this slim UK-edition hardcover from Better World Books, for another release copy. It's from a series of humorous takes on books-of-advice, in the form of books for children. They pair snarky commentary with public-domain illustrations, often to hilarious effect. I even enjoyed the description in the front:

"As in the other books in this series, the large clear script, the careful choice of words, the frequent repetition and the thoughtful matching of text with pictures all enable grown-ups to think they have taught themselves to cope."

Sadly, some of the other titles referenced on the title page and back cover do not actually exist - I'd definitely pick up The Cupboard Under the Stairs!

The gist of this book is "the shed", as in the UK variety, "the man's natural hiding-place. It is just like the pub, except nearer to home." [Yes, some US folks have sheds with equivalent uses, though in my experience most of ours become repositories for junk and stray animals, with little room for actually settling in and pottering.]

One of my favorite entries used an illustration from an Antarctic-explorers book, showing Scott's famed hut - and the text acknowledges the Antarctic location, pointing out the advantages: "If anyone wants the men to come back in and run the Hoover round the front room, they have to give six months' notice."

There's also a high-tech shed, showing banks of computers in its underground location: "This is where the government will potter in the event of a nuclear attack."

OK, I'm seeing more dark humor here than when I began the book - perhaps not to all tastes. But I found it droll. (And it makes me want to tidy up my own long-neglected shed, so there's that!)

I'm adding this book to the Small Box of Small Books (see the rest of my selections and replacements in the bookbox journal here). Hope someone enjoys it!

From the box of small books.