MAMA LOVES
by Rebecca Kai Dotlich & illustrated by Kathryn Brown
Sweetly pretty tale of mother love in a pastoral setting reminiscent of rural New England. A loving mama pig enjoys days with her six children, bicycling, gardening, swinging, and swimming. Each two-page spread introduces a new list of Mama’s loves: “Mama loves / rain boots and rain hats. / Her face in the breeze. / Twirling umbrellas / and splashing / with me.” Though the text only refers to an unspecified “me” in each verse, the pictures depict Mama spending quality time with each of her piglets. In delicately colored full-page spreads and smaller illustrations framed like old-fashioned corner-mounted photographs, Mama is always available for playing, shopping, or bandaging her happy children. Comforting and gentle. (Picture book. 3-6)