A springtime crop of new books and old favorites has arrived
just in time for Mother’s Day! Whether you are Mom or Dad, make time to snuggle
with your child(ren) and share some of these delightful titles. As you
establish and maintain family traditions don’t hesitate to take advantage of these
wonderful picture books. They will supply an opportunity to read and talk with
your child(ren) about what’s important in your family. Enjoy!!
Mama Miti: Wangari
Maathai and the Trees of Kenya
by Donna Jo Napoli
illustrated by Kadir
Nelson
Wangari
grew up in Mount Kenya’s shadow, hearing stories about the importance of trees
for water and for making peace. Her wisdom grew, like the trees, from the
traditions in her family, village, country and continent.
She
planted trees herself. And when women came to her, asking for help with their
families, Wangari gave them seeds. She taught them to plant trees, too.
The extraordinary collage artwork
in this book uses both oil paints and fabric to capture Kenyan culture. In
the same way, Wangari’s life models the Kenyan spirit of working together for
the common good.
The rhythm of a repetitive
storyline can be hypnotic for young listeners. A refrain from the Kikuyu
language and its English translation separates each short narrative, “Thayu nyumba – Peace, my people.” Repeated
text builds power as Wangari’s work continues. The strength of a group
effort is reproduced in a double page spread near the end: glorious fabrics and
many faces represent the Kenyan people.
This beautiful picture book is an
unusual biography of a Kenyan woman who has helped to create a new future. Not
only for herself and other women, but also a hopeful future for her
country.
Simon & Schuster,
$17.99
Interest Level: Kindergarten – Grade 3
(This book is available to purchase from local and
online booksellers.)
Heather Has Two
Mommies
by Leslea Newman
illustrated by Laura Cornell
A
new edition of Newman’s story, first published in 1989 (by Alyson
Publications), is a simple yet powerful story about Heather whose favorite
number is two. She has two legs, two hands, two eyes, two pets and two
mommies.
When
Heather goes to school for the first time, the children are asked to draw
pictures of their families. She wonders if she’s the only one without a daddy.
But as the teacher observes, “The most important thing about a family is that
all the people in it love each other.”
Young
readers see different kinds of families: Joshua’s family picture includes his “mommy
and stepfather dropping him off at his daddy’s house.” Emily’s picture features
her grandma and their two dogs. David’s mommy and daddy just brought home a new
baby sister.
Watercolor
and gouache paintings are cheerful, bright and childlike. Full page spreads
show family life in Heather’s home and great diversity in wide views of the
classroom. Smaller images show elements of a child’s day, giving glimpses of
great diversity among the children and adults in the classroom setting.
Candlewick, $16.99
Interest Level: Pre-Kindergarten – Grade 2
Interest Level: Pre-Kindergarten – Grade 2
(This book is available to purchase from local and online booksellers.)
Because Your Mommy Loves You
by Andrew Clements
illustrated by R. W. Alley
This
book for young children, who want to be independent, is also for moms who
sometimes flicker between heavy supervision and allowing offspring to meet
their own challenges. Off to camp in the woods, a boy and his mom begin by
getting supplies. When he gets lost and calls out, “mommy could say, It’s all
right, I’m coming to find you! But she doesn’t.” In following situations mom could step in to rescue. Together they
climb steep paths, wearing heavy backpacks, cross a wobbly bridge, set up a
tent, and roast marshmallows. However, what mommy does is explain or show by
her example how to solve the situation. She then watches as the child completes
the task himself.
Following
a repeating pattern, reassuring language engages youngsters. Mommy is untiring in her cheerful
guidance. Child listeners and beginning readers will recognize growing
self-confidence as the story continues.
Lively text matches with active
ink, watercolor and acrylic illustrations to capture both the boy’s beginning uneasiness
and his pride as his attempts result in success. This tender book happily
follows a jaunty day of hiking adventures with sleeping in a tent.
Clarion, $16.99
(hardcover), $6.99 (paperback)
Interest Level: Junior Kindergarten – Grade 1
(This book is available to purchase from local and online
booksellers.)
More Marvelous
Mothers:
Pecan Pie Baby
by
Jacqueline Woodson
illustrated by Sophie Blackwell
Penguin, $7.99
(paperback)
Interest Level: Junior Kindergarten – Grade 2
(This book is
available to purchase from local and online booksellers.)
Where’s My Mom?
by Julia Donaldson
illustrated by Axel Scheffler
Dial, $17.99 Interest
Level: Pre-Kindergarten – Grade 1
(This book is
available to purchase from local
and online booksellers.)
Knit Together by
Angela Dominguez
Dial, $16.99 Interest
Level: Pre-Kindergarten – Grade 1
(This book may be
purchased from local and online booksellers.)
I Love Mom
by
Joanna Walsh
illustrated by Judi Abbot
Simon & Schuster,
$16.99
Interest Level: Pre-Kindergarten – Grade 1
(This book may be
purchased from local and online booksellers.
Little Baby Buttercup
by Linda Ashman
illustrated by Yyou Byun
Penguin, $16.99
Interest Level: Pre-Kindergarten – Kindergarten
(This book may be purchased
from local and online booksellers.)
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