Mama Baby

by Chris Raschka

From Caldecott Medalist Chris Raschka comes a sweet, simple picture book dialogue between a mother and baby, for the youngest of children.

Mama and Baby clap and play hide-and-seek and pat-a-cake. Mama and Baby . . . Mama? Where did Mama go? In a series of spreads, simple, bold illustrations show a mother on one side and a baby on the other, interacting in universally familiar ways -- until Mama dips out briefly, then returns to her crying child to offer comfort again. With his usual flair, the redoubtable Chris Raschka offers a reassuring moment that will resonate with mamas and babies everywhere.

Genres: Picture Books, Family, Juvenile, Childrens

32 pages, Hardcover

First published March 17, 2020

About the author

Chris Raschka is the illustrator of The Hello, Goodbye Window, which was awarded the Caldecott Medal. He is also the illustrator of the Caldecott Honor Book Yo! Yes?; Charlie Parker Played Be Bop; Mysterious Thelonious; John Coltrane’s Giant Steps; Can’t Sleep; and The Magic Flute. He lives with his wife and son in New York City.

Reviews

[The Book Squirrel · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book in one word is "Meh".
With Mama and Baby depicted facing each other on opposite pages, they play pat-a-cake and peek-a-boo. In a wordless section, Mama goes off the answer the phone, Baby cries, Mama comes back and gives Baby a hug.
Very underwhelming. Seems a bit pointless.

[Justine Ridder · Rating 3 out of 5]

So as I read the book to myself, I am totally not a fan of it. BUT I sit down to read it to my one year old daughter, and she is entranced! She was interacting with the book as it asks the babies to do certain things. She made me read it again right after we finished.

[Rose Rosetree · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simple enough to fascinate readers as their very first picture book, "Mama Baby" makes use of easy-to-understand illustrations; they're just evocative enough.

Because the mother and child play. They share. They trust each other. And there's plenty of love to go around. All that happens, and that's plenty!

Reading this book takes me back to those first few months with my son, the 32-year old who called up today and did "Guy talk" with his Dad on Father's Day.

Early on, through my new mother's haze of love and exhaustion and terror, the sharing with my new son was just this simple: Uniquely beautiful, tender, and so very simple.

FIVE STARS of gratitude to you, Chris Raschka. Creating a story with such simplicity, yet richness, and with perfect scope conveying exchanges between a mother and newborn baby -- you made creating all this look so easy. Whether it was that easy for you or not, this Goodreads reviewer is here to say, imo: This book is an absolutely brilliant success.

[Tasha · Rating 4 out of 5]

This very simple picture book is just right for infants and toddlers to share with their parents. It’s a story about a mother and baby who smile and then clap to each other. Eyes are then covered. Peek-a-boo and pat-a-cake games are played. But then a phone rings or alarm sounds, calling mama away. Now it is just baby on the page, looking surprised at the reader and then bursting into tears and asking to be picked up. Together again, held close, the two wave goodbye to the reader.

Told in only the barest of words, this picture book is much more about the illustrations which show a warm and loving relationship between mother and baby. The modern interruption of a musical sound happening off the page shows how the connection between mother and child stays strong. Done in watercolor, the illustrations are simple with emotions clear on the faces.

Bound to be a board book too, this is a great first picture book. Appropriate for ages 1-3.

[Debra · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a super cute story for a parent and young child or even my students who have little siblings at home. The baby imitates the actions of the mom until it appears the mom is gone which produces an expectedly large response. Super fun book!

[Amanda · Rating 1 out of 5]

Meh.

[Edward Sullivan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Intimate interaction between a mother and infant.

[Peacegal · Rating 2 out of 5]

A mother and baby make faces, play pat-a-cake, and other baby games. This will likely amuse the very small, but not much here for older kids.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Probably would work better as a board book. Could work for baby storytime.

[Syntha Green · Rating 3 out of 5]

Perfect for toddlers

[Miss Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

A mother and baby play some games through the day including peek a boo. Simple words and mom is on one page and baby on the other. Toddler and up

[Melanie Borski-Howard]

CLEL- play talk!!

LOVE THIS BOOK!!!

[Kelly · Rating 2 out of 5]

I usually love Raschka's books. This one just didn't impress me.

[Kelly]

I think the middle of the book (I forget what that's called) is supposed to act like a mirror? Baby wants to be like mama? That's my take on it anyway. Cute basic story.

[Pinky · Rating 2 out of 5]

Baby mirrors Mama's actions in this book.

[Maeve · Rating 2 out of 5]

Eh

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

All but wordless, this book has Mama and Baby facing each other interacting on each spread. I was underwhelmed, but I might try having my caregivers/babies act it out in baby story time.

[Hope · Rating 2 out of 5]

Checked out from PR Library in IL (section R of picture books; “Caring Families” type of book)