Momma's Going to March

by Jennifer Maruno, Vivian Rosas (Illustrator)

We're going to a peaceful protest because ... Momma's going to march! Momma's Going to March follows several children over time as they accompany their mothers to different peaceful protest marches, where they advocate for the environment, freedom, equality, peace and clean water. They help make signs and banners, decorate wagons, carry flags and beat drums. Momma shows them that advocacy can be fun ... and that they can do it, too! With accessible text and engaging artwork, Momma's Going to March will empower a generation of young activists. Includes an author's note, brief descriptions of a select number of historical marches, and further information on the use of signs, flags, banners, drums and more in peaceful protests.
Key Text Features illustrations author's note historical note historical context

Genres: Picture Books, Social Justice, Childrens

32 pages, Hardcover

Published August 6, 2024

Reviews

[Aneesa]

We marched. Child did not like the chanting.

[Stephanie Bange · Rating 4 out of 5]

NOTE: Reviewed from a copy sent by the publisher.

A fine example is set for young people to become activists of their favorite causes.

This fictionalized picture book shows several diverse mothers and their children getting ready to actively attend a rally/march supporting their cause. A Black mother and daughter make posters to use at a rally against discrimination based on race (freedom), a light-skinned mother and daughter attend a rally for women's rights (equality), a brown skinned mother and son attend an anti-war rally (peace), an indigenous woman and daughter attend a rally for clean water, and a mother and gender-fluid child attend a rally to protect the environment. Backmatter includes an explanation of what a "march" is, why signs are used, why they selected to wear certain clothes, wave a specific kind of flag, played music, and made a banner. The Author's Note includes information about a half dozen historical marches.

Maruno is straight and to the point in her text. While the child may ask why they march, the mothers all answer using language young children will understand and accept. Each situation follows a similar - yet not exactly the same - pattern. Obviously the mothers exhibit a passion for their cause and each child looks to their mother with great respect, buying into the cause themselves.

Illustrations by Vivian Rosas were rendered digitally. They show diverse people - women and men - at each rally. Space is well-used, simple with just enough detail to keep the reader entertained and engaged. There is a strong use of color to excite. It is interesting to see the sky in nearly every illustration colored a shade of mint green. Perhaps that choice was made to make white clothes and red/white/black signs pop.

Appropriate for very young readers to get an understanding about what a political rally/march is. It will help them to understand that this is how America often attend these and how they participate.

Pull out the next time an election rally or other political rally is being talked about in your neighborhood.

Recommended for grades PreS-2.

[YSBR · Rating 5 out of 5]

Momma’s Going to March is a beautifully illustrated picture book that shows diverse moms and kids marching for many different issues. Five different 4 - 6 page spreads show a mom and child preparing to march and assembling with others to advocate for various causes, such as racial equity, peace, women’s rights, clean water, and the environment. In each case, the child asks what kind of march it will be. For example, a kid asks “will there be ice cream and hot dogs?” The mother replies, “No, it’s not that kind of march.” Kids who read this book with caregivers and teachers will be gently introduced to the idea of marching to raise awareness and fight for a cause that matters to their family and community. Backmatter explains some of the symbolism and items used in marches like signs, flags, dressing in specific colors, etc. Additional information about historical marches is included, as well. The illustrations are brightly colored, simple, and inclusive. There is so much to discuss about this short, meaningful picture book. Highly recommended! Link to complete review https://ysbookreviews.wordpress.com/2...

[SamSamSam · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm so torn about this concept, and this book is not the only one that covers it but it's just the most recent example I've seen so it gets my rant. There's a big publishing trend encouraging activism in children that essentially amounts to "make signs and march, and you will change the world." None of these books indicate the potential impact of peaceful protest or what protesters can hope to accomplish by doing this. And the reality is, marching alone doesn't actually change anything. There's a LOT that goes into systemic shifts, and peaceful protest is just one part of it. Kids deserve to have these nuances explained to them, rather than having social activism inaccurately simplified like this.
As for the actual mechanics of the book, I appreciate the concise text and parallel structure. Aside from my philosophical complaints its very well done.

[Aolund · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was okay! I found it a little clunky, albeit well intentioned. My biggest quibble was with the repeated structure of having a kid ask their mom if there would be things commonly associated with parades at the march-- this just didn't make sense/work for me. If the kid didn't know what a march was, I feel like they would just ask rather than somehow knowing it's kind of like a parade? Anyway, not that big a deal, but just a little awkward or stiff.

Themes: Social Justice, March/Demonstration/Protest, Moms
Age range: Toddler-Elementary

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book to explain to very young children why people march. When young children see protests, they may not understand what is happening or why. This book through repetition gently explains how when people see an injustice, they can peacefully fight against it by carrying signs, wearing a special outfit, or beating a drum. The author is Canadian, so some of the examples here might not be the first ones that come to mind for an American audience, but I liked the variety of causes and the diversity of the marchers represented here.

[Sylvia McNicoll · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nothing quite like this for the younger reader, this picture book will open the discussion of the why behind protest and what we can do to affect positive change without violence. Although I wondered why Dad didn't get off his butt and join the march, I like that it's Momma driving the march. A comment on strong women.

[Kay · Rating 3 out of 5]

Appreciate that this book was available at my public library as the theme would probably be cause for it to be banned from school & some public libraries in some states/areas of the country. Great illustrations, added information & author's note.

[Melanie Gaum · Rating 3 out of 5]

ARC from Edelweiss.

[Jill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Please visit my website to see my review of Momma's Going to March.

https://www.jillbryant.ca/blog-2/book...

[Ms. Madalyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Too long for storytime.