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MY MAMA IS A MECHANIC

Name: MY MAMA IS A MECHANIC
Author: Doug Cenko
ISBN: 978-1-936669-71-4

by Doug Cenko ; illustrated by Doug Cenko ‧ RELEASE DATE: April 16, 2019

Sweet recognition of mothers’ myriad talents.

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In this follow-up to My Papa Is a Princess (2018), a young child lists the many roles their mama performs.

In paired digitally created images, usually double-page spreads, the child describes a series of occupations, some fanciful and some not. The first image depicts Mama engaged in some grand pursuit with text that reads “My mama is…,” while the second image concludes the statement and depicts reality. She drives a monster truck in an arena in one image, while the next depicts her holding a cardboard-box truck; in another pairing, she wears scrubs, suturing a patient while her child holds a tray of tools in the first image, while the second reveals her sewing up the abdomen of a ripped teddy bear. Other roles she pursues are: chemist (cooking), quarterback (tossing a football with her child), treasure hunter (discovering lost items under the sofa cushions), architect (playing with blocks), hot lava rescuer (playing make-believe), superhero (more make-believe), and mechanic (attaching training wheels to her child’s bike). While it’s a little too bad that readers don’t see any actual occupation this mama may pursue aside from motherhood (wouldn’t it be awesome if she really were a surgeon?), the depiction of a black mother and her child stands out among similar titles that depict either white humans or animals.

Sweet recognition of mothers’ myriad talents. (Picture book. 3-6)

Pub Date: April 16, 2019

ISBN: 978-1-936669-71-4

Page Count: 32

Publisher: blue manatee press

Review Posted Online: March 16, 2019

Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 1, 2019

Categories:

CHILDREN'S FAMILY

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WHO TOOK MY LOLLIPOP?
by Doug Cenko ; illustrated by Shauna Lynn Panczyszyn

- BOOK REVIEW
SOMEBODY NEEDS TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THAT MONSTER!
by Doug Cenko ; illustrated by Doug Cenko

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VIKING STRONG
by Doug Cenko ; illustrated by Doug Cenko

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THERE'S A ROCK CONCERT IN MY BEDROOM

by Kevin Jonas & Danielle Jonas ; illustrated by Courtney Dawson ‧ RELEASE DATE: March 29, 2022

Nice enough but not worth repeat reads.

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Emma deals with jitters before playing the guitar in the school talent show.

Pop musician Kevin Jonas and his wife, Danielle, put performance at the center of their picture-book debut. When Emma is intimidated by her very talented friends, the encouragement of her younger sister, Bella, and the support of her family help her to shine her own light. The story is straightforward and the moral familiar: Draw strength from your family and within to overcome your fears. Employing the performance-anxiety trope that’s been written many times over, the book plods along predictably—there’s nothing really new or surprising here. Dawson’s full-color digital illustrations center a White-presenting family along with Emma’s three friends of color: Jamila has tanned skin and wears a hijab; Wendy has dark brown skin and Afro puffs; and Luis has medium brown skin. Emma’s expressive eyes and face are the real draw of the artwork—from worry to embarrassment to joy, it’s clear what she’s feeling. A standout double-page spread depicts Emma’s talent show performance, with a rainbow swirl of music erupting from an amp and Emma rocking a glam outfit and electric guitar. Overall, the book reads pretty plainly, buoyed largely by the artwork. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

Nice enough but not worth repeat reads. (Picture book. 4-6)

Pub Date: March 29, 2022

ISBN: 978-0-593-35207-6

Page Count: 40

Publisher: Razorbill/Penguin

Review Posted Online: Feb. 8, 2022

Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 1, 2022

Categories:

CHILDREN'S FAMILY | CHILDREN'S ENTERTAINMENT & SPORTS

- BOOK REVIEW
THERE'S A BEACH IN MY BEDROOM
by Kevin Jonas & Danielle Jonas ; illustrated by Courtney Dawson

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HOW TO CATCH A MAMASAURUS

From the How To Catch… series

by Alice Walstead ; illustrated by Andy Elkerton ‧ RELEASE DATE: March 5, 2024

A syrupy tribute to mothers that may please fans of the series.

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Another creature is on the loose.

The long-running series continues its successful formula with this Hallmark card of a book, which features bright illustrations and catchy rhymes. This time, the mythical creature the racially diverse children set out to catch is an absent mom who does it all (lists of descriptors include the words banker, caregiver, nurse, doctor, driver, chef, housekeeper, teacher, entertainer, playmate, laundry service, problem solver, handywoman, cleaner, and alarm clock) but doesn’t seem to have a job outside the home and is inexplicably a dinosaur. As the children prepare gifts and a meal for her, the text becomes an ode to the skills the Mamasaurus possesses (“Day or night she’s always there. / She meets every wish and need”) and values she instills (“Sometimes life can mean hard work,” “kindness matters,” and “what counts is doing your best”). This well-intentioned selection veers into cliche generously sprinkled with saccharine but manages to redeem itself with its appreciation for mothers and all that they may do. Endpapers include a “to” and “from” page framed in a heart, as well as a page where young gift givers or recipients can draw a picture of their Mamasaurus.