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What Moms Can't Do
There are lots of things that regular people can do but moms can't. Moms can't wait to wake up kids in the morning. And they have trouble keeping things cleaned up. They feel much better with someone on their lap. Moms also can't let go of a hug without a kiss. Or two. Or nine. No wonder they need someone to look after them. I mean, after all, they're just moms!
24 pages, Hardcover
First published April 1, 2002
About the author
Douglas Wood
95 books89 followersComposer, recording artist, wilderness guide, and self-taught naturalist-Douglas Wood is perhaps most widely known as the highly acclaimed author of OLD TURTLE, a 1993 ABBY Award winner and an International Reading Association Book of the Year. Author of several books for readers of all ages, Douglas says he is always seeking themes that are universally significant to both children and adults. His first book for Candlewick Press, GRANDAD'S PRAYERS OF THE EARTH-winner of the Christopher Medal for "affirming the highest value of the human spirit"-quietly explores the theme of grief and healing while celebrating a human connection to the natural world and the enduring spirit of love. Douglas Wood kept in mind someone very special to his own life when writing GRANDAD'S PRAYERS OF THE EARTH. "I feel I've been getting ready to write this book all my life, for it is about my wise and gentle hero, my Grandad. It's a prayer and a thank you, a walk in the woods, and a remembering smile; and it is for anyone who has ever had a woods to walk, a prayer to whisper, a hero to love."
Douglas Wood lives with his family in a log cabin on the banks of the Mississippi River in Minnesota.
Douglas Wood lives with his family in a log cabin on the banks of the Mississippi River in Minnesota.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews
May 10, 2010
This is a humorous but also surprisingly thoughtful little read, ostensibly about all the things moms CAN'T do. Really, it is more about the ways the little dinosaur projects his fears/insecurities/interests onto his mom--for example, if it's something he doesn't like doing alone, then it's something mom can't do so he must help out! Even though it sounds like a negative book, there is definitely a sense of love throughout and obviously it's meant to be an homage to moms, not anything bashing them :-)
May 13, 2016
4 STARS
Nunca me había identificado tanto con un personaje, como lo hice con mamá dinosaurio.
Si quieren saber algo de mi, lean este libro y me conocerán ya que somos igualitas, enserio solo me falta la bata rosita.
Un libro muy lindo y tierno. Aunque para los niños no es fácil entender el verdadero significado.
"There are lots of things moms can't do.
More than you can count.
But there's one thing they do better
than almost anyone...
and that's
LOVE YOU"
Nunca me había identificado tanto con un personaje, como lo hice con mamá dinosaurio.
Si quieren saber algo de mi, lean este libro y me conocerán ya que somos igualitas, enserio solo me falta la bata rosita.
Un libro muy lindo y tierno. Aunque para los niños no es fácil entender el verdadero significado.
April 3, 2020
A young dinosaur lists the many things that "moms can't do" in this amusing picture-book from Douglas Wood and Doug Cushman, which pairs a fairly straightforward text, highlighting the many ways that mom "falls short," with illustrations that depict a slightly different reality. Moms "need a little advice when they're packing lunches," our narrator informs us, while the artwork shows Mom packing a wholesome meal, while her son holds out every sugary snack he can find, hoping to have it included. Moms "can't make a basket on their own," we learn, while looking at an image of Mom lifting her son high, to allow him to make a basket. In the end, however, Moms can to one very important thing, we are told: they can love us!
This sweet picture-book was chosen as one of our May selections, over in The Picture-Book Club to which I belong, where our theme this month is "mothers," and it certainly fits the bill! I appreciated the humor, which arises from the contrast between words and image, and think that the use of dinosaurs - always a popular theme with the picture-book crowd - was a smart move, on Cushman's part. All in all, an engaging book, one I would recommend to young children who enjoy humorous family stories.
This sweet picture-book was chosen as one of our May selections, over in The Picture-Book Club to which I belong, where our theme this month is "mothers," and it certainly fits the bill! I appreciated the humor, which arises from the contrast between words and image, and think that the use of dinosaurs - always a popular theme with the picture-book crowd - was a smart move, on Cushman's part. All in all, an engaging book, one I would recommend to young children who enjoy humorous family stories.
March 24, 2026
My mom kept saying “aww.” I thought it was ok.
January 22, 2013
This is one of those books that is really more for the adult reading it than for the child. The few adults at story time today had a chuckle, but it went right over the kids' heads.
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October 23, 2009Summary:Are there really things that moms can't do? Apparently, actually, quite a few. At least as far as dinosaur moms are concerned. Then again, human kids and moms might find some interspecies similarities in this playful picture book authored and illustrated by the same team that brought us--what else?--What Dads Can't Do (which writer Douglas Wood called "a much easier book to write than Moms"). The list of maternal "failings"--energetically demonstrated by a cute mom-and-son team of Dinosauria suburbis--covers an entire day, from wake-up to tuck-in: Moms are limited in their breakfast choices (they can't have "Yummos with purple marshmallows... Only coffee, or tea, or yogurt, or bran flakes. Yuck."), moms can't push grocery carts fast enough, and "Moms don't know how to keep salamanders in their shirts." To top it off, "Sometimes moms can't hear themselves think (whatever that means)."
But there's one thing that moms can do "better than almost anyone... and that's love you." Sweetly drawn and written, What Moms Can't Do should make for fun snuggled-up reading, because, of course, moms "feel much better with someone on their lap." (Ages 4 to 8) --Paul Hughes
Audience:
- Reading level-Early- Text is located in different locations on the pages, some HFWs, somewhat large font
- Genre- Fantasy Fiction
- Topic- Moms, dinosaurs, love
Curricular uses: Independent reading- Could be used for kids to realize how important their mom is, many kids will relate to, and laugh at the what Wood calls things that mom can't do.
Social Issues: Sarcastically lists the things mom cannot do which may be taken offensively. Ex- "Sometimes moms can't hear themselves think"
Literary elements: No dialogue, foreshadowing, or conflicts. The plot of the story goes from waking up in the morning "Moms can't wait to wake up kids in the morning", to bedtime, "But there's one thing they do better than almost anyone..and that's love you."
Interactions and counteractions of text and image: Images allow the reader to understand that moms actually do all of these things well but a child sees it differently. Ex- "Moms are not good at saying goodbye", and in the picture the little boy dinosaur is hanging on to his mothers leg because it is him who does not want to say bye. Another good example is, "Moms really don't like to watch movies by themselves. And sometimes they need protection during the scary parts." All this time, the picture shows us that the little by is scared to be watching the scary movie alone, and clings to the mother when he is scared.
But there's one thing that moms can do "better than almost anyone... and that's love you." Sweetly drawn and written, What Moms Can't Do should make for fun snuggled-up reading, because, of course, moms "feel much better with someone on their lap." (Ages 4 to 8) --Paul Hughes
Audience:
- Reading level-Early- Text is located in different locations on the pages, some HFWs, somewhat large font
- Genre- Fantasy Fiction
- Topic- Moms, dinosaurs, love
Curricular uses: Independent reading- Could be used for kids to realize how important their mom is, many kids will relate to, and laugh at the what Wood calls things that mom can't do.
Social Issues: Sarcastically lists the things mom cannot do which may be taken offensively. Ex- "Sometimes moms can't hear themselves think"
Literary elements: No dialogue, foreshadowing, or conflicts. The plot of the story goes from waking up in the morning "Moms can't wait to wake up kids in the morning", to bedtime, "But there's one thing they do better than almost anyone..and that's love you."
Interactions and counteractions of text and image: Images allow the reader to understand that moms actually do all of these things well but a child sees it differently. Ex- "Moms are not good at saying goodbye", and in the picture the little boy dinosaur is hanging on to his mothers leg because it is him who does not want to say bye. Another good example is, "Moms really don't like to watch movies by themselves. And sometimes they need protection during the scary parts." All this time, the picture shows us that the little by is scared to be watching the scary movie alone, and clings to the mother when he is scared.
January 20, 2019
I am probably taking this book way too seriously but it did bother me a bit. The book to me is a bag of worms as it is a bit of everything.
The book has a rather abrupt start by throwing the reader into the start of a day routine for a little dinosaur. From there the whole book is about what he doesn't think his mother can do when most of the examples are what he desires for himself or his way of explaining off his own actions. At times there were parts of the book that didn't even follow the author's formula "Moms can't...."
Although mothers can relate to the reason why Mother Dino isn't doing some of the things since of safety and perception there is no idea the little dino ever gets any of it. There is maybe only one actual point in the whole telling besides the end where he acknowledges that his mother can outdo him on something so it sounds like the reader if she is a mother is being talked down to.
The best way I can relate this book is if it was a Wives Can't book from the point of her husband. Wives can't enjoy a good sports game, wives can't make the right type of food for dinner and wives can't do the laundry right when she is perfectly able to do all this. Although she may not be able to do some of it it sounds snobby and full of oneself but we seem to overlook it since it is just a little dino who is going through this thought process.
And with the illustrations the reader is given an insight into why moms can't do some of these things since she is helping her little one to become better. As a result that is why I find this book one that I don't like.
It may be a good starting point and a cute tale to help teach children not to overlook someone's actions or judge them on what they can or can't do. But as for me I can't see myself wanting to share this with a kid even if they may believe along the same lines as little dino.
The book has a rather abrupt start by throwing the reader into the start of a day routine for a little dinosaur. From there the whole book is about what he doesn't think his mother can do when most of the examples are what he desires for himself or his way of explaining off his own actions. At times there were parts of the book that didn't even follow the author's formula "Moms can't...."
Although mothers can relate to the reason why Mother Dino isn't doing some of the things since of safety and perception there is no idea the little dino ever gets any of it. There is maybe only one actual point in the whole telling besides the end where he acknowledges that his mother can outdo him on something so it sounds like the reader if she is a mother is being talked down to.
The best way I can relate this book is if it was a Wives Can't book from the point of her husband. Wives can't enjoy a good sports game, wives can't make the right type of food for dinner and wives can't do the laundry right when she is perfectly able to do all this. Although she may not be able to do some of it it sounds snobby and full of oneself but we seem to overlook it since it is just a little dino who is going through this thought process.
And with the illustrations the reader is given an insight into why moms can't do some of these things since she is helping her little one to become better. As a result that is why I find this book one that I don't like.
It may be a good starting point and a cute tale to help teach children not to overlook someone's actions or judge them on what they can or can't do. But as for me I can't see myself wanting to share this with a kid even if they may believe along the same lines as little dino.
August 14, 2009
Cute enough story, but I have a quibble with a depiction of Mom dropping her kid off at daycare, as if that is the most natural thing in the world (which it is not for a lot of folks). Why could it not be school...everyone goes to school, and it doesn't engender the same type of controversy. Additionally, there is no depiction of a job outside the home (thus IMO no reason for daycare), and when depicting tradition family routines - especially in the evening - there is no trace of a Daddy. The idea of the story is cute & sweet, but it really annoyed me for the above reasons. I personally don't want my preschooler to even subliminally start absorbing these ideas as equal to what he has, which IMO it is not. I'm probably being too sensitive, but it seems like a lot of children's books promote controversial things these days when it is not necessary to do so.
April 12, 2012
A young dinosaur explains all the things that moms can’t do. For example, moms have trouble keeping things cleaned up and sometimes they can’t hear themselves think. The humor in these statements is the corresponding illustrations in which the young dinosaur is throwing his clothes, making a mess, and blasting his radio in the car. While many of the statements are humorous, some are very sweet and there is an overall message that moms love their children and do many things to care for them throughout the day.
The book is very touching, the only criticism I have is that the book might be more meaningful for children if the illustrations depicted an actual family instead of dinosaur characters.
The book is very touching, the only criticism I have is that the book might be more meaningful for children if the illustrations depicted an actual family instead of dinosaur characters.
May 27, 2012
4.5 stars.
This delightful story is told from the perspective of a child who says that mommy can't do a lot of things but the pictures tell a different tale: Moms can't bake, but the child has helped and made a horrific mess. Moms can't go shopping by themselves but the illustrations show the child putting things in the cart that the Mom takes out again.
But you may notice a trend here: there are a lot of traditional female things the child talks about like cooking and cleaning and shopping. But there are other things like playing sports (basketball I think) and games, etc., which saves it for me.
The illustrations are adorable and the idea is delightful. This is a picture book that would be enjoyable for both child and adult.
This delightful story is told from the perspective of a child who says that mommy can't do a lot of things but the pictures tell a different tale: Moms can't bake, but the child has helped and made a horrific mess. Moms can't go shopping by themselves but the illustrations show the child putting things in the cart that the Mom takes out again.
But you may notice a trend here: there are a lot of traditional female things the child talks about like cooking and cleaning and shopping. But there are other things like playing sports (basketball I think) and games, etc., which saves it for me.
The illustrations are adorable and the idea is delightful. This is a picture book that would be enjoyable for both child and adult.
April 20, 2011
Think moms can do anything? You would be surprised at all the things moms can't do! They can't wait to wake their kids up in the mornings. They don't like to watch movies by themselves and sometimes need protection during the scary parts. They can't let go of a hug without a kiss. Despite all these things, there's one thing that moms can do very well, as this delightful picture book shows. The mom and little boy in the story are green dinosaurs. You can see happiness and love on the pages as they go through their day.
April 8, 2019
Cute concept, but the humor will go completely over a child's head unless the reader points it out (and what's the fun in that?). Without understanding the humor, a child may actually internalize all these ideas that mom is incapable. So, while this might be a fun one-on-one read with a kid who gets the humor, I won't be using it for story time. The parents may laugh, but I think the kids will be bored.
August 26, 2019
Once, is the number of times I read this book to my boys. Worst book I’ve read hands down. My husband was so disgusted he removed it from their room. No one found it empowering, funny or cute. Not to mention the mommy dinosaur looks haggard in 90% of the pictures. I will not be recommend this book to anyone!
December 4, 2008
My kids thought this book was pretty funny. David kept commenting on whether the phrase was a joke or not. That boy is just too smart.
March 30, 2009
Like the Dad-book, didn't really like that this made moms appear inept to kids and the ending was too cheesy-cute. So didn't love it.
July 7, 2026
This book did go where I thought it was going to go. The title intends to take you aback, and then, once you've opened the book, the actual examples of what "moms cant do" will subvert your expectation of what "can't" means, such as moms can't hug you without also kissing you. There's things moms "can't" do because the child disrupts her, things she "can't" do because she wants to include the child, things framed around childish expectation of the mother/world, etc. and then it turns the perspective at the end and is like, but moms can love you better than anyone! And that turn, too, was what I expected. However, both the initial collection of things and the eventual turn fell short for me. I actually think the examples were too subtle, and given the audience's age, their intended subtext wouldn't land at all.
One page spread says, "Moms can never pick out just the right clothes. And they have trouble keeping things cleaned up." The illustrations show the child being the one dissatisfied with the clothing options mom presents and the child making a mess as mom is trying to clean up, but I think the book is asking the reader (assumed child) to be way too self aware. And most of the things moms "cant do" ask that. Thus, because I think the audience of the book will not possess these insights, the book actually comes across as kind of rude and dismissive to mothers. It's in danger of encouraging brattiness, ungratefulness, and entitlement. It might have flipped this message if it had spent more time flipping to what moms "can" do, but it only gave one measly example of them loving you. Honestly, next to all the tasks and actions it says they can't do, being able to love their child doesn't even seem like something one "does." It's almost a non-example. Like, hey, mom's an incapable idiot but at least she can identify a feeling! Is that all moms are for? Loving their children? And also doing things for them even though their child thinks they do everything wrong? That's a bit dramatic, but my point is, unfortunately, this book does the opposite of what it set out to do.
One page spread says, "Moms can never pick out just the right clothes. And they have trouble keeping things cleaned up." The illustrations show the child being the one dissatisfied with the clothing options mom presents and the child making a mess as mom is trying to clean up, but I think the book is asking the reader (assumed child) to be way too self aware. And most of the things moms "cant do" ask that. Thus, because I think the audience of the book will not possess these insights, the book actually comes across as kind of rude and dismissive to mothers. It's in danger of encouraging brattiness, ungratefulness, and entitlement. It might have flipped this message if it had spent more time flipping to what moms "can" do, but it only gave one measly example of them loving you. Honestly, next to all the tasks and actions it says they can't do, being able to love their child doesn't even seem like something one "does." It's almost a non-example. Like, hey, mom's an incapable idiot but at least she can identify a feeling! Is that all moms are for? Loving their children? And also doing things for them even though their child thinks they do everything wrong? That's a bit dramatic, but my point is, unfortunately, this book does the opposite of what it set out to do.
February 9, 2019
This is a good book for little children because it can be relatable to what happens to them on most days. For example, the book says, that moms can't wait to wake up kids in the morning and this is relatable to many kids because, most of the time moms are the ones that are waking up kids for school or anything else. Also the fact that the illustrations are clear and the mother and son are more dinosaur looking, it makes it more interesting for children to read. This shows children things that their moms do for them and also shows them how much their moms love them. Children of all ages can read this book because it is easy to read and understand. This book is also a fun way for parents to interact with their children.
May 12, 2017
Warning: Don't read this book with a bunch of kids if you're not ready to hear some funny mom stories. Almost every page, someone said, "That's true! You know, my mom...." and they'd have something that related to each page. The story goes through a mom's day from a kid's perspective. Quite well done. Apparently, there's a What Dads Can't Do as well. We will have to find it.
June 10, 2021
Read 6/9/21
Genre: fiction
Grade: K-3
This is such a cute book. It would be great to read around mother's day to get students thinking about all the things their mothers do for them. I love how the book lists all these things moms can't do but ends with the fact that they are really good at loving you. Very cute book.
Genre: fiction
Grade: K-3
This is such a cute book. It would be great to read around mother's day to get students thinking about all the things their mothers do for them. I love how the book lists all these things moms can't do but ends with the fact that they are really good at loving you. Very cute book.
September 11, 2017
We read what dad's can't do earlier this year. i was suprised because mom's can't get on the bus either, and they didn't mention that. i still liked the book though. i liked the pictures of the alligators. i thought they were funny.
January 14, 2018
I chose this book because I always read this with my mom when I was little. I liked how in the book the little dinosaur talked about the things that he got to do with him mom because she couldn't do it alone.
December 1, 2018
A child shares all the things their mom "can't" do. Part of the series of Can't Do books.
Lots of humor and things to think about as a mom goes through her day.
Lots of humor and things to think about as a mom goes through her day.
February 7, 2020
Similar to Little Critter in that the pictures tell a very different story than the words, but even better because it's dinosaurs.
May 4, 2020
Cute book about the love of moms
December 26, 2020
Super cute and I know my niece will like it. It kind of makes it look like mom can't do a lot of things, like make a bad by herself. Super fun and imaginative.
April 13, 2021
It’s funny, light read. It’s sweet but somethings ain’t sitting right with me hence the lower ranking
January 2, 2023
My teenager and I gave it a 3.5 stars. We feel a younger kid (ages 3 to 6)would really enjoy it.
February 4, 2023
I like that the Mom said I can't let go of a hug with a kiss or two or nine
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 11, 2023
Amusing for the kids and me.
February 3, 2024
I think I like this one more than my son lol, but he loves the pictures
Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews