WHEN MOM'S AWAY

A young girl misses her mother, a physician who must quarantine during the Covid-19 pandemic so she can keep her family safe while caring for sick people.

Although Mom is just staying in the garage, her daughter still feels her absence. Whether she’s cooking, attending virtual school, or delivering groceries to Grandma and Grandpa (with physically distanced greetings), she misses her mother. Dad is fun, and video chats with Mom help, but it’s not the same. When Mom finally comes home, the young narrator rejoices even though she knows her mother will have to go back to work soon. Her mom is a superhero, and while she’s gone, the girl knows she can be a superhero too by helping take care of her dad and her community. This issue-focused story supports social-emotional learning and depicts many of the changes children are currently experiencing due to Covid-19. Throughout, the first-person, present-tense text models discussions between caregiver and child about pandemic-related topics. The characters discuss the importance of washing hands, keeping physically distanced, and wearing masks. Characters are shown wearing face masks when outside their home. As much as the girl misses her mother, she expresses only sadness and fear—never anger or resentment. This feels like an omission in a book that seeks to connect with children. Disappointingly, the book lacks any backmatter with additional supports for caregivers. The childlike cartoon illustrations adequately portray day-to-day life, although the technical aspects of the artwork are clunky and flat. The girl and Dad are depicted with black hair and brown skin while Mom has blonde hair and pale skin.

Though it is a bit emotionally aspirational, this issue-based story is a timely discussion prompt.