Mommy's Love

January 15, 2022
A board book highlights the special, expansive nature of motherly love. Written using second-person narration, this declaration of unconditional maternal love features a blue-haired mother with olive-tinged skin and four children in her care; no parenting partner is pictured. The family is shown playing, doing domestic chores, engaging in extracurricular activities, and relaxing. But we also see struggle: siblings arguing; a child attempting to overcome a moment of shyness; another behaving selfishly, which leads to tears; and more. The rhyming text reassures readers that "no matter what you do or say, / Mommy loves you anyway." The emotions are big: The toddlers at whom this board book is aimed will immediately recognize the anguish of having toys snatched away or the tugging match over an octopus toy in a shared bath. The cartoony digital illustrations are brightly colored with lime green, blue (the same cerulean tint as the mother's hair), and shades of pink used as color motifs. The final spread flashes forward in time; we see a wall of framed photos of the children, now adults, posing with Mommy, now an elderly woman but with the same defiantly blue hair. A sweet celebration of unconditional love and single parenting. (Board book. 2-4)

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March 1, 2022

Toddler-PreS-With simple rhyming sentences and bright happy illustrations, this book lends itself to repeated readings in the comfort of a caregiver's lap. A warm, blue-haired mom supports and loves her children no matter how they behave or struggle or feel: "If you're strong or if you're not, you're the dearest one she's got." All characters have brown skin. Unlike many other mother-centric books, this story shows a mother of three unique children, all of whom have a turn to bond with their Mom; she rides scooters with her son and comforts one of her daughters who gets in a fight with other children over toys. The last spread shows several family photos throughout the years, with Mom in them all. VERDICT Recommended for purchase in all public libraries where board books are popular.-Kristy Pasquariello

Copyright 2022 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

May 2, 2022
With flowing blue hair and light brown skin, a mother is always there for the four children who star in this board book, a rhythmic ode to unconditional affection. Greeting-card prose drives the page turns as patterned digital illustrations portray the family in various everyday situations—washing dishes, bathing, picnicking, and scooting at the park. Throughout, Mommy is quick to comfort and encourage with an embrace when things don’t go right: “When you struggle, trying hard,/ Mommy feels it in her heart.// Mommy knows you’ll reach the top./ Her love for you will never stop.” Underlining day-to-day moments and emotional reactions, Ladatko and Galkina’s earnestly uncomplicated celebration of maternal love uplifts. Ages up to 4.