ARE YOU MY MOMMY?

A little pup pokes around the barnyard in search of its mother.

A series of double-page spreads illustrates a young dog's quest for its mom in this serviceable board book. Each interaction with an adult animal brings the puppy one step closer to finding its lost parent and educates little readers on words that describe baby animals. For example, when the adorable pup asks a cow, "Are you my mommy?" she replies, "No, I'm a cow. And…." With that prompt, readers lift the flap to reveal a calf and the accompanying text: "here's my calf." The narrative and corresponding guessing game are age-appropriate if not groundbreaking. The relatively sturdy flaps are contoured to suit the bit of barnyard habitat painted on them, such as a patch of flowers that conceals the lamb and a pigpen gate. The patch of cattails in the duck pond is even a little spiky. Murphy’s black-outlined illustrations are soft and friendly enough to keep little ones occupied, but the book occupies a crowded field, and with little textual flair, the flaps may not be enough to provoke repeat readings.

Solid but not a standout in the genre.