Skip content
Celebrate indie bookstores with our limited-time sale! Shop the sale
Things My Son Needs to Know About The World by Fredrik Backman
  Add to Wish List

Almost ready!

In order to save audiobooks to your Wish List you must be signed in to your account.

      Log in       Create account
IBD balloon logo

Shop the sale

In celebration of Independent Bookstore Day, shop our limited-time sale on bestselling audiobooks from April 22nd-28th. Don’t miss out—purchases support your local bookstore!

Shop now

Things My Son Needs to Know About The World

Due to publisher restrictions, this audiobook is unavailable for purchase in your selected country.
Narrator Santino Fontana

This audiobook uses AI narration.

We’re taking steps to make sure AI narration is transparent.

Learn more
Length 3 hours 9 minutes
Language English
  Add to Wish List

Almost ready!

In order to save audiobooks to your Wish List you must be signed in to your account.

      Log in       Create account

Penguin presents the audiobook edition of Things My Son Needs to Know by Fredrik Backman.

From the 13 million copy internationally bestselling author of A Man Called Ove.

'You can be whatever you want to be, but that's nowhere near as important as knowing that you can be exactly who you are'


Things My Son Needs To Know About The World is a tender and funny series of letters from a father to his son about one of life's most daunting experiences: parenthood.

In between the sleep-obsessed lows and oxytocin-fuelled highs, Backman takes a step back to share his own experience of fatherhood and how he navigates such unchartered territory.

Part memoir, part manual, part love letter to his son, this book relays the big and the small lessons in life. As he watches his son take his first steps into the world, he teaches him how to navigate both love and IKEA and tries to explain why, sometimes, his dad might hold his hand just a little bit too tightly.

This is an irresistible and insightful collection from one of the world's most beautiful storytellers.

Number 1 New York Times bestseller FREDRIK BACKMAN made his literary debut in 2012 with the global sensation A Man Called Ove - now a major motion picture starring Tom Hanks. Wickedly funny, touching and wise, Fredrik Backman's novels are odysseys of the ordinary man and woman, and stunningly moving tales of everyday courage. Up to now, Fredrik Backman has written seven highly acclaimed novels, two heartfelt novellas about life and love, and one non-fiction book about parenthood. His books have sold more than 18 million copies in 46 languages and the Swedish film adaption of A Man Called Ove was nominated for two Academy Awards. He lives in Stockholm, Sweden, with his wife and two children.

IBD balloon logo

Shop the sale

In celebration of Independent Bookstore Day, shop our limited-time sale on bestselling audiobooks from April 22nd-28th. Don’t miss out—purchases support your local bookstore!

Shop now

Reviews

Some snort-out-your-drink moments, a lot of the parenting advice/stories rings true. The audiobook highlights the hilarity of the author's compositions, the narrator bringing his work to life with gusto. I laughed aloud while walking and driving at times Praise for Fredrik Backman Evident in all [Backman] novels is an apparent ability to state a truth about humanity with breathtaking elegance Praise for Things My Son Needs To Know About The World A letter in book format, executed with humor and a nostalgic insight . . The perfect gift for all new parents, not only fathers - because even if Backman loves to do his "Dad was right, Mom wasn't"- dance in front of strangers, it's the mothers who will be amused by his efforts most of all. Excellent and touching, but most of all full of funny and silly comments and observations . . . Fredrik Backman has once again written something absolutely wonderful and remarkable. I have said it before, and I'll say it again: I don't know anyone who writes as beautifully and lucidly about love as Fredrik Backman. He writes so that I can understand what he means - what he feels. That's an accomplishment. He writes about football, God, the baggage claim at the airport, and other things that need a real walk-through. At times insightful, an unexpectedly humble and breathlessly funny book with spot-on reflections of family situations at IKEA, the changing table and other places. I laugh out loud at this laddish declaration of love that encourages play, the pursuit of one's passion, finding love, being kind when you can, and tough when you must . . . Wonderful! The prose is driven, catchy and flows easily. One can tell that Fredrik Backman is an experienced writer and I laugh out loud multiple times during the reading It's in the depictions of upbringing, social heritage and spending time together with loved ones that Fredrik Backman's prose turns clear and soulful What a book! Once again I'm totally in love with Fredrik Backman's writing. He employs words in such a wonderful way that makes me never want to stop reading. A truly fantastic book! Several times I laughed out loud while reading it. And many times I found myself with tears in my eyes and warmth in my heart The book contains everything I love about Fredrik Backman's authorship. [The book] has humor, warmth and is full of hilarious and silly nonsense. It's a complete bullseye Expand reviews
Celebrate indie bookstores with our limited-time sale! Shop the sale