ALL IN

It is time for a book exploring the real state of fatherhood -- and what it means for moms, kids, corporate culture, and public policy. Smart, funny and well researched, STRETCH OUT is a book for every parent in America. And Levs is just the man to write it.

When today’s dads were kids, there was a popular toy called Stretch Armstrong. You could pull his arms, and they’d stretch out, wider and wider. Somehow, Stretch still smiled and never lost his buff physique. “He bends, he stretches, even ties in knots!” the commercials said, as kids tugged on his arms until they spanned several feet. That’s what’s expected of today’s dads. They’re reaching out like never before, with their hands on countless piles as they try to “do it all” at work and home. And they’re expected to look great doing it.

Josh Levs knows this better than anyone else. An award-winning journalist who spent years on NPR before moving to CNN, he’s brought together groups of men for the most frank discussions of fatherhood ever on television. He’s CNN.com’s dad columnist and has served as resident dad for HLN’s TV program “Raising America.” As a public speaker listed with three of the nation’s most prestigious bureaus, Levs talks to audiences about fatherhood and the new meaning of “manliness.” But even Josh was surprised by the response when he filed an EEOC charge against Time Warner for refusing him and other biological fathers the same benefit given to women and men who adopt or have children through surrogacy when they’re needed for primary caregiving.

Levs’ impassioned online essay announcing his decision went viral. The story was covered by major news outlets including NBC’s Today show, the Huffington Post and ABC.com, and was on the cover page of the New York Times business section. His move has drawn widespread support, including from such groups as Lean In, founded by Sheryl Sandberg, which called his recent post “a must-read,“ and The Shriver Report, founded by Maria Shriver, which thanked him for “standing up for the new American family.” The National Fatherhood Initiative issued a lengthy statement praising Levs for “leading the charge.” Redbook called him “an inspiration.” On Facebook, Twitter, and other sites, he’s been called a “hero.”