Me & Mama

PreS-Gr 2--A young Black girl enjoys a rainy day alone with her mother, savoring each ordinary moment for the joyful expression of love it represents. From combing their hair to a song-filled walk under cloudy skies, every part of the day is cherished because it is spent together. Mama is as bright as the sun and daughter orbits around her, basking in the glow of her kindness and understanding. Told from the daughter's perspective, the simple yet lyrical prose shines with trust and pride in the bond the two share. The muted color palette and painterly style of the art evoke a cozy sense of security. While realistically portrayed, each image has a soft, dreamlike quality that also highlights the timelessness of the story. VERDICT A strong portrait of familial connection, this title captures the essence of unconditional love between parent and child, and is recommended for all picture book collections.--Sophie Kenney, Aurora P.L., IL

Told from a first-person point of view, this quietly engaging picture book unfolds on a rainy morning, with a Black girl who "want to/ be everywhere Mama is." Waking up before Papa and younger sibling Luca, the girl narrates aspects of the mother and daughter's morning routine ("A shower is warm rain that gets you going"), comparing their respective cups and toothbrushes, oatmeal with toppings, and rain boots. Sensory details, fittingly tangential childlike observations, and familial dialogue make the narrative feel immediate and genuine ("I don't like the bumblebee barrette, I say..../ She knows I mean just today"). Cabrera's striking acrylic visuals recall painters such as Jordan Casteel and Maira Kalman. While a few of the girl's lines feel nebulously philosophical ("Some things don't let go. But for what?/ The stores are boxes filled with people"), the narrative offers an elegant testament to the love-filled bonds between child and parent. Ages 4-8. (Aug.)