WHAT NOT TO GIVE YOUR MOM ON MOTHER'S DAY

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WHAT NOT TO GIVE YOUR MOM ON MOTHER'S DAY

Name: WHAT NOT TO GIVE YOUR MOM ON MOTHER'S DAY
Author: Martha Simpson
ISBN: 978-1-4778-1647-9

by Martha Simpson ; illustrated by Jana Christy ‧ RELEASE DATE: April 2, 2013

Certainly cute and good animal practice for little ones, but there’s just something off about this one.

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An adorable, rosy-cheeked blond boy decked out in overalls has some advice for readers about Mother’s Day gifts.

It’s really more nonadvice, as he freely tells readers what she won’t appreciate. “Do NOT give her a bucket of big, fat worms… / unless she is a bird.” Left-hand pages show the boy inappropriately gifting his mother, while right-hand pages show the appropriate animals enjoying the gifts: “Tweet, tweet! Plump, juicy worms!” A beat-up shoe is a poor gift choice…unless your mom is a dog. Save the dead flies for spider moms, the rotting log for a salamander and the block of salt for the deer. Cross sticks, a mound of termites, a mud puddle and mosquitoes off the shopping list. And as for what the pint-sized tyke does recommend? Well, a hug and a kiss, of course. Brilliant hues and patterns fill Christy’s spreads, which highlight just the right details for younger readers. But strangely, the mother comes off as a bit of a layabout and interacts very little with her child. Her activities include a bubble bath, reading in a comfy chair, coffee on the porch and lying in the hammock—in that order, which is also a bit odd—and culminate in a shared dessert with her little boy.

Certainly cute and good animal practice for little ones, but there’s just something off about this one. (Picture book. 3-6)

Pub Date: April 2, 2013

ISBN: 978-1-4778-1647-9

Page Count: 24

Publisher: Amazon Children's Publishing

Review Posted Online: March 12, 2013

Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 1, 2013

Categories:

CHILDREN'S ANIMALS | CHILDREN'S FAMILY | CHILDREN'S HOLIDAYS & CELEBRATIONS

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THERE'S A ROCK CONCERT IN MY BEDROOM

by Kevin Jonas & Danielle Jonas ; illustrated by Courtney Dawson ‧ RELEASE DATE: March 29, 2022

Nice enough but not worth repeat reads.

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Emma deals with jitters before playing the guitar in the school talent show.

Pop musician Kevin Jonas and his wife, Danielle, put performance at the center of their picture-book debut. When Emma is intimidated by her very talented friends, the encouragement of her younger sister, Bella, and the support of her family help her to shine her own light. The story is straightforward and the moral familiar: Draw strength from your family and within to overcome your fears. Employing the performance-anxiety trope that’s been written many times over, the book plods along predictably—there’s nothing really new or surprising here. Dawson’s full-color digital illustrations center a White-presenting family along with Emma’s three friends of color: Jamila has tanned skin and wears a hijab; Wendy has dark brown skin and Afro puffs; and Luis has medium brown skin. Emma’s expressive eyes and face are the real draw of the artwork—from worry to embarrassment to joy, it’s clear what she’s feeling. A standout double-page spread depicts Emma’s talent show performance, with a rainbow swirl of music erupting from an amp and Emma rocking a glam outfit and electric guitar. Overall, the book reads pretty plainly, buoyed largely by the artwork. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

Nice enough but not worth repeat reads. (Picture book. 4-6)

Pub Date: March 29, 2022

ISBN: 978-0-593-35207-6

Page Count: 40

Publisher: Razorbill/Penguin

Review Posted Online: Feb. 8, 2022

Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 1, 2022

Categories:

CHILDREN'S FAMILY | CHILDREN'S ENTERTAINMENT & SPORTS

- BOOK REVIEW
THERE'S A BEACH IN MY BEDROOM
by Kevin Jonas & Danielle Jonas ; illustrated by Courtney Dawson

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HOW TO CATCH A MAMASAURUS

From the How To Catch… series

by Alice Walstead ; illustrated by Andy Elkerton ‧ RELEASE DATE: March 5, 2024

A syrupy tribute to mothers that may please fans of the series.

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Another creature is on the loose.

The long-running series continues its successful formula with this Hallmark card of a book, which features bright illustrations and catchy rhymes. This time, the mythical creature the racially diverse children set out to catch is an absent mom who does it all (lists of descriptors include the words banker, caregiver, nurse, doctor, driver, chef, housekeeper, teacher, entertainer, playmate, laundry service, problem solver, handywoman, cleaner, and alarm clock) but doesn’t seem to have a job outside the home and is inexplicably a dinosaur. As the children prepare gifts and a meal for her, the text becomes an ode to the skills the Mamasaurus possesses (“Day or night she’s always there. / She meets every wish and need”) and values she instills (“Sometimes life can mean hard work,” “kindness matters,” and “what counts is doing your best”). This well-intentioned selection veers into cliche generously sprinkled with saccharine but manages to redeem itself with its appreciation for mothers and all that they may do. Endpapers include a “to” and “from” page framed in a heart, as well as a page where young gift givers or recipients can draw a picture of their Mamasaurus.