Mother’s Day is around the corner. The following two books are a fun combination as gifts for the parent/mom but also something that can be read to the child with any parent. One is modern in its approach, while the other has a more stereotypical format. Both, however, are interesting additions to the world of “Mom Books” in the children’s section of your local store.
One child’s voice is telling the story of them and their moms in My Two Moms and Me. However, you see via the images, Michael Joosten is writing about different moms and babies. The illustrations by Izak Zenou are an interesting combination of realistic and slightly cartoon and unrealistic. This is just a straight forward story about all the things these babies do with their moms or in other words, the normal routine of any baby, regardless of their family dynamic. And though it is a board book, it would make for a fun Mother’s Day gift, especially for the new mom. Though, I would think that same sex-couples would appreciate it slightly more than an opposite sex parenting situation. However, I could see it being adapted for a biological and step-mother combination. Or even, if you are close to the biological parent in an adoption situation. Or we could even go as far as a segregate parent and the parent raising the child. In its modern story (two moms), one could adapt it to their own personal needs.
A young child and mother spend time together in Mom and Me, Me and Mom by Miguel Tanco. In the format of the stories that tell the child the things the parent wants for the child/does with the child this time it is told in the voice of the child. The text and illustrations are simple with not a lot of flashy details. There is a calm feeling to it overall. There is little to no tension in what is happening. And like the other title in this review, you could adapt this to a couple of situations. It could be given to a single mother or used as a gift from the father or child to the mother. There is a classical feel (the mother is the caregiver in this book) but also modern (as the father or other parent is not mentioned). The small size to the book makes it less of a “main gift” for the mother, but as an add-on to the gift already given. Or why, it works as a gift from a child: that “little something” they can give.