Mama Bird Papa Bird

by Wanda Obermeier

Mama Bird Papa Bird is destined to be a classic children's book about the miraculous process of hatching and parenting a baby bird. Gentle, descriptive prose is matched and graced by delicately retro water color illustrations that portray the expressive features of Mama Bird and Papa Bird. This exciting new series in a clam, traditional yet fresh format will be a favorite of parents and children alike. (Midwest Book Review) Mama Bird Papa Bird is the recipient of two awards: Ben Franklin, Silver, and Mom's Choice, Gold.

Genres: Childrens, Animals, Fantasy

34 pages, Hardcover

First published September 2, 2014

Reviews

[Carla · Rating 2 out of 5]

I am not sure about this book. It is about the arrival of baby bird to make a family with mama bird and papa bird, but it is just a little naive. Mama and Papa build a nest, Papa gets food while Mama sits in the nest, Mama gets fat, suddenly, surprise, there is an egg. When the egg hatches Baby appears, gets fed and looked after and when Baby gets big, Mama teaches him/her to fly so he/she can leave the nest.

Really? My grandson knew that his baby sister was growing inside his mommy when he was two. Mommy was going to go to the hospital and the doctor would help her get the baby out. They sang to her tummy, rubbed it and talked to it. I do not think in today's society that we should let our children believe that babies or eggs appear by surprise. Not a book I am able to recommend. The publisher provided me with a copy of this book via Netgalley.

[Elaine Mullane || Elaine and the Books · Rating 2 out of 5]

Mama Bird Papa Bird is the story of the arrival of a new little baby bird in a robin's nest. When I say "the arrival", maybe I should say "the surprise arrival", given how neither Mama nor Papa seems to have a clue how this little baby bird materialised, other than the fact that he came from an egg!

This is a sweet little story but a little naïve. I didn't like how the story of the new bird's arrival was glossed over or how the only indication of his imminent arrival was Mama Bird "growing fat". Let's give our littles some credit! This is a simple story about family that has been told many, many times, often in a better manner. It gets an extra star for its very traditional but cute illustrations, and because I like robins.

Disclaimer: I received a free digital copy of this book from NetGalley in return for an honest review. The material above consists entirely of my own opinion.

[Anusha Narasimhan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the art and the story was good. I'm not sure if I like the whole "I don't know what an egg is and how it got there but I'll look after it, coz why not" stance. However, I would still recommend it.

Note - I received a free copy of the book from the publisher. This has not influenced my review in any way.

[Tara · Rating 1 out of 5]

I received this ARC from Netgalley for an honest review.
As a person who loves birds, I am always excited to see a book about them. This book however left me feeling frustrated. A Mama bird and a Papa bird build a nest together. Papa bird provides for Mama bird while she sits on the nest.....and then she "grows fat". "then one day it happened Papa bird and Mama bird were very surprised! In their nest was a very small round egg". This book is for a young child and at this age they are sponges. What they hear and "learn" could very well stick with them for their lives. Teaching a child that the mother "grows fat" for no reason and that an egg magically appears is not what they should learn. Eggs don't magically appear, they are laid. The ending also says "Surprised by a mysterious gift". I do understand the "mysteries" of birth, but eggs and babies don't magically appear, and you can tell the story differently without sharing how reproduction works.

[Penny lurkykitty · Rating 2 out of 5]

I received an electronic copy of this book from NetGalley in return for an honest review.
The story is sweet and the illustrations were great, but I found it disconcerting that the whole topic of how the birds reproduced was completely glossed over. Eggs don't just magically appear. The gender role stereotyping and the bible quote at the end made me wonder if someone had an agenda in writing this book that had nothing to do with robins and the babies. Mother robins don't just "stay at home". Both parents find food for the baby robins.

[Lily · Rating 2 out of 5]

I would give this 1 star but the illustrations are nice. The story on the other hand, is horrific. First, the birds would know they're about to lay an egg. Second, they'd know where it comes from. Third, no one, ever, talks like that. I have no idea why ANYONE would give this book an award. I was totally disappointed.

Received for review

[Richelle Zirkle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This adorable book tells the story of mama and papa bird as they are surprised by having their first baby bird. Sure to delight, children can follow the story from egg to baby bird's flight. It's wonderfully illustrated and a great book to add to the library's picture book or home collection.

I received an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Roberta_topsyahoo.Com · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book to be enjoyable. While I loved the message, which teaches children about bringing life into the world, the art work was warm and pleasing. I feel like any child would enjoy the message of growing more independent.

[Terry]

Read. Not reviewed.

[Paul Franco · Rating 2 out of 5]

In full page drawings with few words, the story of how a pair of birds suddenly find an egg in their nest is told. They have no idea how it got there. Mama got fat and then she wasn’t. (What exactly is the attempted lesson here?)
At some point it occurred to me there was rhyming going on, but it didn’t hit me at the beginning, which is unusual.
Ends with the parents squabbling over baby’s career path, so to speak. But after that there’s a bible bit that seems to imply the whole book was about keeping to old-fashioned gender roles. What was a simple and almost-boring story becomes rather chilling.
As usually happens, the artwork is the best part, though the birds smile way too smugly.

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delicious, enchanting, wonderfully illustrated, Mama Bird Papa Bird by Wanda Obermeier published by Adnaw Publishing is the story completely illustrated of the arrival of a little new baby bird in the nest of this colored couple of robin birds. This children's book is for sure a gem in the panorama of children's books.

At first the belly of mama bird grows and then a little egg appears on the horizon, ops, well yes, in the nest.

Considering that the egg is frail mama bird will keep it warm while papa bird, her husband will go here and there for discovering new food for feeding himself and of course his lady bird.

Later the discovery: with great surprise a new little baby robin bird is borning.

The new bird will learn slowly slowly thanks to its wise parents to grow up, to fly, to become independent and once he will leave his old nest.

This children's book is surely cute, sweet. I loved to read it, I fell in love for all the illustrations, very colored and I think that each child should read it as well because it is very nice and instructive.

The book is for children from 0 to 8 years and received also the Mom's Choice Gold Award.

[Gabriela · Rating 4 out of 5]

This little book has magical illustrations and can teach kids a lot, especially sprout discussions on birthing and family. I took out a star because of the wording in the story, mama bird "growing fat" and the egg mysteriously appearing. Perhaps it would have been more appropriate to tell the story of "wanted baby", as it looks like a surprise, a good surprise for the bird parents but still strange.
What I loved most about this little books was the drawing, it is done so candidly and it is so vividly portraying life of the little bird family. I am thinking of getting the paper copy for my son as this littlr book seems good for explaining where babies come from. Naturally I would focus more on the "wanted" babies.
Thank you so much to Netgalley and the publisher for this free copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Krystal · Rating 5 out of 5]

This heartwarming story delved into such themes as birth, independence, and cooperation, with insightful charm!

[Ryan · Rating 2 out of 5]

I understand that this is a preview sample, but that blue ribbon in the middle of the pages covers not only the illustrations, but also the words. Current thoughts. I like the illustrations and that is about the best thing in this book. The story is typical and done better by other authors. Plus, the bible quote at the end seems really out of place.

[Cat · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute story for little ones (they won't ask too many questions.). Illustrations were sweet.

[Andréa]

Note: I received a digital review copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.

[Poongothai · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice illustrations. A story about a mama and papa bird and their surprise egg

[Katherine Philbrick · Rating 2 out of 5]

I received a free copy of the book from Adnaw Publishing via Netgalley in exchange for my honest review. Make sure to read more reviews at Katherine's Book Reviews.

Mama Bird Papa Bird is a children’s book by Wanda Obermeier. It is about a family of birds and how they have come to be. One day, Mama bird realizes there is a baby in her belly. Both Mama and Papa bird are thrilled as they prepare for their baby to be born. Once the Baby is born, Mama and Papa must take the time to teach the Baby how to live and fly as he grows older. Baby struggles to fly at first but eventually he understands that with practice, he will someday be able to fly on his own. This book conveys a message that promotes life and teaches young kids how important birth actually is.

Mama Bird Papa Bird is a cozy and fun picture book that kids will enjoy. There are some great components to this book. I think kids will be drawn to the illustrations which are created and colored beautifully. There is a great, informative lesson that comes from this book and teaches kids about life and how important it is. It attempts to explain how people (or birds, in this case) are born and how growing up is just apart of life.

That being said, although there are good qualities to this book, there are a lot of downfalls with this book as well. I did not like the fact that Mama bird one day surprisingly noticed there was a baby in her stomach. She acted as if her child appeared their randomly, which was odd, since I believe most children have more of a sense of how babies are made these days. Although I appreciated the bible quote at the end, I thought it was oddly placed. Maybe if it were put right in the beginning, it would give the reader more of a sense of what the book is about.

The writing in general is only subpar; it is written in a way that kids will easily understand but I also think it feels a little too dry at certain points. There is a lot of rhyming which I feel is just unnecessary. I do think kids would like this book if they were given a chance to read it, but I myself have read a lot more thought-out and well written children’s books. I recommend this book to any parent who wants to teach their kids about life. This book shows them that growing up is a process and although it can feel difficult at times, you can get through it.