How To Make A Mom (Claressa Swensen)

January 1, 2020Leave a comment

Hello, friends! Our book today is How To Make A Mom, written by Claressa Swensen and illustrated by Alena Paklina, a sugary sweet tribute to what makes moms so special.

Written in the form of a recipe, the text takes the reader step-by-step through the making of a very special mom, using ingredients like sugar, chocolate chips, and vanilla to represent mom’s sweetness, fun, and patience. And if you already have an extra-special mom, don’t worry: the actual recipe also makes a yummy batch of chocolate chip cookies.

Deliciously cute. While some of the ingredient-personality parallels are a bit of a stretch – such as flour representing good organizational skills or butter for “buttery slick driving skills” – as well as the fact that some of the personality traits seem a trifle condescending (cleaning, baking, and being a “personal nurse” are included, but not things like intelligence, creativity, or courage), the earnest intention in this one carries it through to an affectionate ending. This is bolstered by the book’s warm and cozy art style, featuring illustrations of a little boy making the cookies as he watches his mom do all the things he’s showing appreciation for (though mom does assist with steps involving the oven, a wise choice and a safe example to set for young readers). The length of this one is great for a short storytime, and there’s a gentle earnestness that helps one look past its minor flaws. And we always love a book with a bonus recipe! JJ enjoyed this one, and so did I. Baby Bookworm approved!

(Note: A copy of this book was provided to The Baby Bookworm by the author in exchange for an honest review.)

My Mommy Medicine (Edwidge Danticat)

April 26, 2019Leave a comment

Hello, friends! Our book today is My Mommy Medicine, written by Edwidge Danticat and illustrated by Shannon Wright, a sweet tribute to the special healing powers that mommies possess.

When the unnamed protagonist – an adorable little girl with bright eyes and a high poof of natural hair – is feeling sick or sad, her Mommy always knows just the right medicine. Sometimes it’s a silly kiss as loud as Mardi Gras horns, or a cup of tea (or hot chocolate!) to soothe sore throats. Maybe it’s a song at bedtime, or a prayer at naptime, or a cuddle on the couch while watching movies. Maybe it’s playing a game of Uno, or a piggyback ride, or even just sitting quietly together and enjoying the stars on the ceiling. No matter what the remedy, Mommy always seems to know just what the little girl needs to feel better.

Warm and sweet. A celebration of that special touch that moms always seem to have with their babies, the text and illustrations focus on the specifics of this one pair, detailing all the little things that are their rituals of care and quality time. It’s a nice focus, as it gives the story a sense of personality and realism, yet remains relatable enough for everyone to connect with on some level, or in some activity. There’s not much in the way of rising or falling action, but, in a way, that adds to the soft, comforting tone. The character design is precious, especially in the similar hairstyles and subtle nods that the Mommy is, in fact, a real doctor. The length is fine, and JJ enjoyed it a lot. This is a lovely, gentle tribute to the magic of mommies, and it’s Baby Bookworm approved!

(Note: A copy of this book was provided to The Baby Bookworm by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.)

Heather Has Two Mommies (Lesléa Newman)

June 1, 2018Leave a comment

Hello friends, and a happy start to Pride Month! To celebrate, our book today is the classic Heather Has Two Mommies, written by Lesléa Newman and illustrated by Laura Cornell in the new edition (Diana Souza illustrated the original).

Heather’s very favorite number is two. Why? Well, there are two of all her very favorite things – she has two arms and two legs, two eyes and two ears, two pets (a dog and cat), and best of all, her two mommies. She has her Mama Jane and her Mama Kate, and she loves both of them the most, more than anyone else. On Heather’s very first day of school, it comes up in conversation that she doesn’t have a daddy, and for the first time, she feels insecure – is she the only one in class with no daddy? But when the teacher suggests that the children all draw their families, Heather and the reader quickly see that each family is made up differently, with blended families, single-parent families, other LGBTQ families and more. Her teacher reminds the children that what makes a family isn’t a set of rules about who is in it; what makes a family is simply the love they share.

This groundbreaking work, cited as the first lesbian-themed picture ever widely published, has been around since 1989, and there’s a reason the story has such staying power. The themes are simple and easy to grasp for young readers, but encourage the universal truth that families of every shape and size are made family by love – no other prerequisites required. The text is cheerful and positive, and Cornell’s colorful, lively illustrations capture the frenetic energy of childhood. The length is fine for bookworms of any age, and JJ loved the art, especially the detailed environments. A classic must-read, and it’s Baby Bookworm approved!

Everything Is Mama (Jimmy Fallon)

May 13, 2018May 13, 2018Leave a comment

Hello friends, and Happy Mother’s Day! In honor of the occasion, we have a special review today: Everything Is Mama, written by Jimmy Fallon and illustrated by Miguel Ordóñez, the follow-up to the massively popular Your Baby’s First Word Will Be Dada.

This time around, there’s a new wrinkle in teaching the book’s collection of baby animals to say their parents’ names. Namely, the baby animals don’t seem to have any issue saying “Mama”, it’s that they seem to think that everything – from the sun to a pair of shoes to a flower to a balloon and much more – is called “Mama.” Their patient mommies try their best to teach them the proper words, but to no avail – everything is “Mama”. It’s okay, though – one day the little babies will grow up to understand that not everything is Mama… but that “Mama is everything.”

I had to be one of the few people on the planet who wasn’t a fan of this book’s predecessor, but I went into this one having heard that a lot of my issues with Dada weren’t present here, and that proved to be absolutely true. Once again, the art is simple, clean, and full of basic shapes and familiar creatures, wonderful for little ones learning about animals and objects. And the gag here is really cute, and very relatable and funny for any parent who has tried to convince their little one that not every dog has the same name as their own, and not every dark-haired woman is Mama. The sentiment on the final page gives the story a nice, warm conclusion, the length is good, and JJ enjoyed it. This is a simple and sweet story with a touch of fun and a dash of learning opportunity – it’s a little bit of everything, and we liked it a lot. Baby Bookworm approved!

(Note: A copy of this book was provided to The Baby Bookworm by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.)

I Love You For Miles And Miles (Alison Goldberg)

February 21, 2018February 21, 2018Leave a comment

Hello, friends! Our book today is I Love You For Miles And Miles, written by Alison Goldberg and illustrated by Mike Yamada, a unique vehicle-themed ode to the love between a mother and child.

A mother bear and her cub (no gender is specified for the latter) have a bond like no other. Her love for her baby is longer than the longest train, whose cars can stretch for miles and miles. It’s faster than the fastest fire truck, rushing to the rescue whenever she’s needed. It’s bigger than the biggest truck, and higher than the highest airplane, and steadier than the steadiest tugboat. And just like the vehicles, it’s always up to the task of helping, protecting, and caring for her little one.

This was pretty darn cute. Motherly love is certainly a theme that has no shortage of picture books, but I liked the twist of using big vehicles to describe a mother’s love – rather than a father’s – to a child of no specific gender. Big vehicle books are often geared towards boys only, and it’s nice that there’s some flexibility here that allows for girls and moms to learn about vehicles while celebrating parental bonds. The illustrations are fine, highlighting the vehicles and the bears’ relationship in visually energetic ways and mostly bright colors. The length is good too, and JJ liked it, so this one is Baby Bookworm approved!

(Note: A copy of this book was provided to The Baby Bookworm by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.)