My Mom
PreSchool-Grade 2–While Browne has paid homage to the art of motherhood in the past, his latest exploration offers unadulterated affection and adoration. Choosing not to contrast the main character with her mate in this setting allows the author to put aside the sophomoric and rough-hewn behavior of his typical father figures in favor of a gentle sweetness and good-natured humor. Mom is first pictured in a floral bathrobe, coffee cup in hand; readers glean that, "She's nice, my mom." Each ensuing page portrays her many talents and Browne's clever conceits. As a "fantastic cook," she oversees an array of cakes à la artist Wayne Thiebaud, one sporting a gorilla face. As the musical angel, her pose re-creates a Piero della Francesca painting. When viewers see what she could be, they are treated to a movie-star mom, dress billowing upward like Marilyn Monroe's. In each scene, the flowers-and-hearts fabric is part of her costume, as are the pink, fuzzy slippers, where possible. This loving tribute is sure to be a hit with parents and children at storytimes and for one-on-one sharing.–Wendy Lukehart, Washington DC Public LibraryCopyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.