To celebrate Father’s Day, I’m giving away a signed copy of THE BABY BONDING BOOK FOR DADS, by authors and husband-wife team James di Properzio and Jennifer Margulis and featuring gorgeous black-and-white photography like this:

To enter, simply leave a comment below telling me a little about the special dad or dad-to-be in your life. Winners will be chosen at random after 5 PM on Wednesday, June 11–THAT’S TODAY!–and be sure to include a way I can reach you (e-mail is fine). We may even be able to arrange delivery in time for Father’s Day.

Read on for my interview with Jennifer and James, to find out more about their thoughts on dads, babies, and bonding.

So much parenting literature focuses on the mom’s experience—pregnancy, birth, the transition to motherhood—and it’s easy for dads to feel left out of the whole process. And when you do find a book for dads, often the tone seems to suggest that all men are beer-swilling, NFL-obsessed, strip-club-regular idiots. As a pre-Father’s Day treat, I spoke to James diProperzio and Jennifer Margulis, husband and wife and co-authors of The Baby Bonding Book For Dads, an informative, practical, and never condescending guide to bonding with your baby that includes gorgeous black and white photography by Christopher Briscoe. Here’s what Jennifer and James had to say about fatherhood, bonding, and co-parenting:

Q: It seems pretty common for moms to want to jump in and “help” dads parent at every turn. Should mothers give fathers room to figure parenthood out for themselves?

Jennifer: There will be times when the mom simply can’t be there. Both parents need to learn how to care for their baby and it’s really important—albeit not always easy—for the mom to relinquish control.

We say in our book that dads do things differently. You can’t get upset about whether the overalls are on backwards or forwards. Everyone makes mistakes and your husband will too, but that early newborn bonding sets the stage for a close, bonded relationship between father and child that will continue into babyhood, kidhood, and adulthood. Plus, moms, especially new moms, need breaks and dads who are active caregivers are there to give them.

Q: There are a few other parenting books aimed at dads on the shelves. What do you think makes The Baby Bonding Book for Dads different?

James: It’s written to be inviting and enjoyable–any entry can be read in a minute or two, and Christopher Briscoe’s photos are an argument for fatherhood in themselves. New dads today are more willing than ever to be engaged parents, but most of us feel apprehensive and could use something to point us in the right direction so we can get over that initial hump of wondering what to do with a newborn. We hit upon dozens of different ways to pick up your baby and connect, and put them together into a picture of what an engaged father looks like. Men can see for themselves if that’s what they want to be.

Q: Does a bonded father make a better husband or partner?

Jennifer: There’s no question that having an engaged partner makes for easier parenting for both the mom and the dad. I’d argue that equal, bonded co-parenting also raises children’s self-esteem, sets an example for future generations, and is an all round good thing. In fact, a recent scientific study in Sweden, that included an extensive literature review, revealed that boys who have actively engaged fathers have fewer behavior problems and girls have fewer psychological problems.

Parenting should involve both parents and should be a shared task. I hope that we are ready to move past the idea that it is the woman’s role to be the caregiver and the man’s role to be the provider. In our family James and I are both caregivers (though I tend to be the stricter one!) and we are both providers.

Q: I think a lot of expecting dads are afraid that having a baby is going to negatively affect their lives (loss of freedom, strained relationship with their wives, etc). We often hear about the negative side, but what are some really cool things about being a father?

James: You know, the coolest thing is that the side of you that never grows up (which is closely related to that self-indulgent side that worries you won’t be living for your own enjoyment like a bachelor) can indulge in all the fun things from childhood all over again, except this time it’s on your terms. Not only is this fun with the things you really loved as a kid and can do just the same way or better, but also with the ones that your parents messed up: you can now do them in your own way, and get the chance to finally have them just the way you want, which is healing, plus you know you’re way cooler than your parents ever were.