Review by New York Times Review
Who needs Mother's Day as an excuse? There's no shortage of picture books about the great and glorious and ever-wise Mommy, or of beaming mothers ready to snap them up. But occasionally these odes to the maternal manage to stand out, as does Marino's richly illustrated tale of separation. Whereas Mom usually flies to Chicago on business, here Mama Elephant leaves Little One because, she says, "I must climb the highest mountain to ask the skies for rain." Marino's images are drenched in appropriate anthropomorphism and emotion, and end with a heart-melting reunion. ALL ABOUT GRANDMAS By Roni Schotter. Illustrated by Janice Nadeau. 32 pp. Dial. $16.99. (Picture book; ages 3 to 5) With Grandparents' Day still a marginal holiday, grandmothers tend to home in on Mother's Day as an occasion of their own, and there is plenty to celebrate in Schotter's all-inclusive multicultural vision. "There are jellying, jamming and pickling grannies,/ plus a surprising number of tickling grannies./ Some have a talent for fixing and mending,/ others are expert at pretending," she writes. Nadeau ("Cinnamon Baby") delightfully captures, the range, from apron-frocked grandmothers to kvetching Jewish grandmas to sporty baby boomers barely distinguishable from the children's mothers. TAKE YOUR MAMA TO WORK TODAY By Amy Reichert. Illustrated by Alexandra Boiger. 40 pp. Atheneum. $16.99. (Picture book; ages 4 to 8) In these overloaded days of work/life blur, few parents need Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day as an excuse to drag children in. "Snow days. Half days. Baby sitter's sick today? You never know when you might have to go to work at the office," this child-centric guide says. And what's not to like when you get there? The secret candy drawer, "all the fuss" of doting (or procrastinating) colleagues and snack time, otherwise known as coffee break. This "Eloise"-without-the-attitude (and let's face it,"the office is no Plaza) offers an amusing and semi-informative take on what Mom does all day. It may also come in handy. DOLPHIN BABY! By Nicola Davies. Illustrated by Brita Granstrom. 32 pp. Candlewick Press. $15.99. (Picture book; ages 5 to 8) Nestling nonfiction books about animals in the bosom of familial relations always makes the facts more homey. But dolphins hardly need the help, especially with the benefit of Granstrom's expressive acrylics. Each spread here tells the story of Dolphin's first six months, with age-appropriate facts about dolphins in a corner on every other page. Young children will love learning how little Dolphin suckles, whistles in baby talk, catches his first fish and rubs his tummy against Mom as sweetly animated paintings highlight each step. PETER AND THE MOON By Alice Brière-Haquet. Illustrated by Célia Chauffrey. 40 pp. Auzou. $14.95. (Picture book; ages 5 to 8) In Eric Carle's "Papa, Please Get the Moon for Me," Daddy dutifully does the job. In this new illustrated story, translated from the French, the child does all the work, with his father as mere helper and his mother as recipient of the reward. But in true everyone-must-work-together fashion, it takes more than just Peter, his father and a ladder to get there; neighbors and strangers also pitch in, and Peter must walk the ends of the earth in his effort. A somewhat awkward translation and slightly off-kilter rhymes do little to dull Chauffrey's exuberantly topsy-turvy landscapes. PAMELA PAUL ONLINE A slide show of this week's illustrated books at nytimes.com/books.
Copyright (c) The New York Times Company [May 13, 2012]
Review by School Library Journal Review
PreS-K-The honeycomb-patterned endpapers are a hint about the sweetness to come while an introductory explanation of how to say "grandma" around the world is a warm and inclusive touch. Grannies clad in "stylish heels" and some on "magic wheels" showcase the many adventures to be had with their playful grandchildren. The warm palette and the cheerful expressions are sure to appeal to readers. Older preschoolers, especially those with close relationships to their own nanas, may also find comfort in the familiar activities like reading, gardening, and snuggling. For the most part, the rhyme scheme reads like a cheerful tune, faltering only on the few treacly bits: "And when I need to know,/who she loves so,/I look in her eyes.." Shorter and more child-friendly variations of this theme abound, and readers may find titles like Todd Parr's The Grandma Book (Little, Brown, 2006) a more authentic representation of this exuberant and rewarding relationship. Still, as a read-aloud tradition for Grandparents Day, this one will appeal to youngsters who have a sweet spot for their grans.-Jenna Boles, Washington-Centerville Public Library, OH (c) Copyright 2012. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
A bouncy rhyme delivers a warm, light-hearted look at all kinds of grandmothers. Nadeau chooses cozy backgrounds in pale greens and peachy pinks to highlight the humorous antics, superior talents and loving gestures of these adoring ladies. Known as Savta or Abuela or Baba or Daa-dee-maa, these grandmas from all cultures gab on park benches, balance in yoga poses, ride bikes, knit, bake and go birding. Schotter also includes a flashback to what these wonderful women did when they were younger, whether it be dancing to rock and roll or marching for equal rights. There is also a touch of the stereotypical: "There are nagging grandmas and bragging grandmas, / some noisy, some purry. / But no matter the grandma, / they all seem to worry!" Yet "when I need to know, / who she loves so, / I look in her eyes" The ultimate message is that grandmas most enjoy spending time with their beloved grandchildren--and that "just like we do, they need to know, / who it is that loves them so." This book has obvious uses as a discussion starter about family members and the roles they play. A glossary of Grandma in different languages at the beginning of the book is particularly helpful but would be more so if pronunciations were included. Pickiness aside, this is a clever, buoyant look at many children's favorite relative. (Picture book. 3-5)]] Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
