MAMA OUTSIDE, MAMA INSIDE

A pretty book with a pretty conceit: A young pregnant mother prepares for her baby as the bluebird outside her window builds a nest and hatches her eggs. Mama knits a sunlit yellow blanket, while Daddy paints a sky-blue room; the mother bird makes the nest with stuff gathered by the father bluebird. Eventually, the eggshells crack and the baby birds cheep; the human baby is born, shown delicately and tastefully on a blanket. The bird parents bring their babies insects and berries; Daddy helps settle a blanket near Mama as she discreetly nurses her babe. The acrylic paintings are lovely and textured, and soft touches of blue connect the bird to the room, the baby and its parents in varying spots or full- and double-page spreads. A gentle reminder of nature’s parallels. (Picture book. 4-7)