Strong Mama

January 24, 2022
Inspired by the birth of her first child, Arzón, a head instructor at Peloton, pens this autobiographical picture book from the second-person perspective, interweaving Spanish throughout. A hyperspecific narrative and uncontextualized Peloton details feel geared toward a particular audience: “Week by week, our bond was growing, just like you were in Mommy’s belly. And just like the number of fans cheering us on the Peloton leaderboard.” Digital art by Sonda, rendered in an of-the-moment color palette, captures Arzón’s long braid and changing body across spreads, as she continues to lift weights, stretch, and lead Peloton classes throughout the pregnancy: “Welcome to the house of hustle, baby. Rent is due every day.” A personal celebrity narrative best suited to caregivers who are also Peloton enthusiasts. Ages 4–8.

January 28, 2022

PreS-Gr 3-An ode to pregnancy and the importance of exercise during that time. The Latinx mother-to-be is an athlete and knows the benefits of exercise, eating right, and taking care of herself. Addressing her baby, Mama describes the changes in her body, the joy of feeling her baby kick, and the love felt both by her and "your dad," who is brown-haired and green-eyed with lighter skin, as well as by the child's "abuela, abuelo, t�a, t�os, primos." The book does not go into depth about the developing baby or the birth; rather, it is an exploration of Mama's changing body and her feelings about becoming a mother. The vivid colors on the cover are muted in the book itself. When the narrator mentions listening to the baby's heartbeat on headphones at an ultrasound, no headphones are shown in the illustration. A scene in which the mother uses a Peloton bike feels too much like product placement. VERDICT If a library is looking for an introduction to the importance of exercise during pregnancy, this would fit. But despite a glowing endorsement of health and fitness, it is not an essential addition.-Joan Kindig

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