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Ma maman est en Amérique, elle a rencontré Buffalo Bill

C'est la rentrée des classes et Jean est intimidé car il ne connait personne. En plus, la maîtresse madame Moinot n'a pas l'air commode. Sitôt installés en classe, elle demande à chacun de se présenter et de donner la profession de ses parents. Lorsque Jean est interrogé, il bredouille et devient tout rouge. Album qui raconte le quotidien d'un petit garçon.

120 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2007

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Émile Bravo

76 books46 followers

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5 stars
133 (30%)
4 stars
179 (41%)
3 stars
104 (24%)
2 stars
12 (2%)
1 star
4 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 78 reviews
Profile Image for Patrick.
Author 75 books245k followers
January 24, 2017
This book falls in to the difficult category of, "Well-executed but I have no idea how to give it a star rating or if I ever want to read it again or recommend it to anyone."

That said, it *was* very well executed. And I suppose that's the heart of the matter.

So... yeah. Five stars if you want a sweet, well-rounded story that distantly circles the fact that the main character....




*Spoilers, by the way*





...is a five year old boy who doesn't realize that his mother isn't on a business trip. That's she's dead. First the reader, then the character comes to realize that.

So... yeah. If that's what you're looking for in a graphic novel. Then this one's for you. But honestly, I don't know what the target audience is for this. I'd never give it to my kids.

Maybe it's for the same group of people that like to read those Chicken Soup for the Soul books and cry all day?

So... yeah. Lot of good stuff here. But the core concept isn't really one that I'm looking for more of in my life. I cry too much these days anyway. I don't need any help...

P.S. It also outs Santa Claus. So even if you want your kids to read a book about parent-death, you might want to re-consider there, if you want to keep that particular piece of myth alive.

^^ Sorry. Spoilers about Santa.
Profile Image for El Convincente Gon.
340 reviews104 followers
June 24, 2025
Lo sé por experiencia propia. Díganle a un niño curioso repetidas veces que no pueden explicarle algo porque es demasiado pequeño para entenderlo y, pasado el tiempo, obtendrán como resultado un adulto con debilidad por el subgénero de ficción al que pertenece este cómic y que propongo llamar: soy un niño y los adultos me ocultan cosas.

En España tenemos ejemplos ilustres de este subgénero —El príncipe destronado, Secretos del corazón—, por aquello de la Guerra Civil no explicada a los niños.

En el caso de este cómic el problema no es la guerra sino la ausencia de la madre. Y aunque el dibujo y los gags parecen crear un cierto distanciamiento cómico, el tema está tratado con sensibilidad y emoción contenida. Alguna lagrimilla se puede escapar.

Si no recuerdo mal, en una entrevista Neil Gaiman dijo que muchas veces, cuando leía historias protagonizadas por niños, pensaba: este tío [el autor] ya no se acuerda de lo que era ser niño. Creo que Gaiman jamás pensaría eso leyendo Mi madre está en América y ha conocido a Buffalo Bill.
Profile Image for Urbon Adamsson.
2,387 reviews138 followers
June 21, 2024
A heartwarming read.

We experience daily life through the eyes of a child whose mother is absent.

I anticipated sadness at times, but it never really materialized. Instead, I found myself intrigued throughout, eagerly awaiting each turn of the page.

The illustrations are incredibly beautiful. It was a delightful experience from beginning to end.



A story I wholeheartedly recommend.
Profile Image for Carol.
217 reviews112 followers
June 18, 2024
já não surpreendo ninguém quando digo que gostei de um certo livro e que nele se aborda o luto. é um tema que me fascina. e que me emociona. e aqui está mais uma bd favorita. as ilustrações de émile bravo são belíssimas, temos narizes redondinhos e figuras fofinhas, tipicamente franco-belgas.

a estória de jean regnaud é contada a partir da perspetiva de uma criança e logo aí tiro-lhe o chapéu. são poucos os livros que o fazem e este consegue incorporar muitíssimo bem o pensamento, a linguagem e as atitudes tão próprias da idade.

a morte e o luto são sempre questões sensíveis, seja qual for o contexto, e existe um enorme tabu sobre como as crianças lidam ou se são capazes de lidar com a perda. o impacto do luto na infância pode originar algumas dificuldades psiquiátricas, especialmente se não houver uma comunicação aberta e clara. e isso não poderia estar mais claro nesta banda desenhada.

existe muitas vezes uma necessidade de proteger a criança, como se a omissão fosse mascarar algo ao ponto de reverter o sucedido. a partir da idade escolar as crianças começam a pensar na morte como algo definitivo, deixando o pensamento de que a morte é reversível e temporária e consequentemente, o pensamento mágico. aqui temos uma criança que acredita que a sua mãe se encontra em viagem, que, ao contrário dos seus colegas, não sabe o que a mãe faz.

embora tenha um pai minimamente presente, um irmão para brincar e uma ama que é vista como figura maternal, jean é uma criança confusa, desorientada, que ainda não compreendeu totalmente a sua perda.
se o final poderia ser menos abrupto? talvez. mas sinto que só intensifica toda esta necessidade de atirar as questões mais sensíveis para debaixo do tapete.

ao longo da leitura fui pensando na minha mãe. no que aconteceria se eu fosse jean ou passasse por uma situação semelhante. e apesar da nossa relação não ser a mais fácil, de chocarmos muitas vezes, não consigo pensar na ferida que ficaria.
Profile Image for Blue.
1,186 reviews57 followers
November 7, 2015
Brilliant and poignant, My Mommy Is In America and She Met Buffalo Bill is a must read. That said, it is rather sad, though there are no surprises for the adult reader here; it is rather obvious from the get go just what might be amiss in little Jean's life. And *that* said, Jean is still lucky in many ways: he has a fierce little brother who is always up for a good pillow fight, a nanny who loves him and he loves, a friend in school, a friend next door who cares about him, and a father who is at least present at some level, who provides some structure and essential financial means (he is not a particularly loving or warm person in Jean's eyes...) Like many engaging and successful childhood memoirs, My Mommy is subtle and focuses on the daily occurrences, school life, friendships, play fixations, and observations about "adults" that anyone who has ever been a child (i.e., everyone) can relate to. Jean Regnaud's memoir is perfectly matched in style, hue, and mood with Emile Bravo's drawing.

Recommended to fans of I Kill Giants, A Monster Calls and Arab of the Future, cowboys and indians, postcards, and chocolate treats.
Profile Image for VAle.
427 reviews15 followers
November 4, 2012
preso in biblioteca... e poi acquistato!

Faccio sempre fatica a commentare i libri che mi hanno particolarmente colpita. E questo lo ha fatto.
Non solo per la storia, che affronta un tema sempre delicato come la morte, ma soprattutto per lo stile e le scelte narrative.
Il punto di vista è quello di Jean, bambino di prima elementare alle prese con la vita quotidiana e un'assenza che lui e le persone che lo circondano faticano ad affrontare e spiegare.
Ho trovato eccezionale la scelta di sostituire le parole con delle immagini in alcune situazioni (una su tutte il litigio finale tra Jean e Michèle): soluzione che, oltre a sdrammatizzare e strappare un sorriso, rende bene l'immediatezza dei momenti.
Deliziosi anche gli Intermezzi, dolcissimi e divertenti.
Un libro dolce e commuovente, mai banale o retorico.
Profile Image for João Teixeira.
2,419 reviews53 followers
August 11, 2024
Ilustrações fantásticas, não tivessem estado elas a cargo do traço limpo de Bravo (quem já nos habituou a uma simplicidade gráfica nada simplista, mas sim brilhante). Quanto ao argumento, tem tantas coisas boas, que não se entende o porquê de a história terminsar tão abrupta e apressadamente. Que pena. O início e desenvolvimento do "conflito" estão excelentemente bem pensados e executados... Infelizmente o fim é demasiado rápido e insatisfatório.
Por isso, deveria levar 3 estrelas... Mas como não deixa de ser um livro tlvez melancólico mas bonito sobre, mais do que descobrir que o Pai Natal não existe, descobrir que a morte existe, subo para as 4.
Profile Image for Rosie Gonzie.
23 reviews17 followers
March 12, 2015
J'ai aimé ! J'ai aimé les déssins. J'ai aimé les couleurs. J'ai aimé le personnage principal, son petit frère, son père, sa gouvernante, sa maîtresse, son copain de classe, sa petite grande voisine, les parents de son copain de classe, ses autres camarades, le psychologue, j'ai aimé tous les personnages (hum, non, sauf les voisins, ils crient trop) ! J'ai aimé comment ils étaient croqués, justes, et touchants. J'ai aimé la manière de découper et de raconter l'histoire. J'ai aimé les émotions : joie, tendresse, tristesse. J'ai aimé !
Profile Image for Martina P.
495 reviews11 followers
September 30, 2022
Strip za djecu ili odrasle?
Voljela bih znati kad naletim na ovakve primjerke.
Naime, ilustracije su prigodne za djecu, čak i scenarij, tema je teška, ali prilagođena je djeci.
Prvi dan u prvom razredu, doživljaji tih prvih i novih susreta koje djeca prolaze i ostavljaju jak dojam na njih. Život u obitelji, s tatom, bratom, guvernantom, bakama i djedovima, starijim ljudima, susjedima, prijateljima, školskim kolegama.
Strip dočarava svakodnevni život kroz koji mali čitači uče o emocijama, zanimanjima, juhama i prokulicama, lijepom ponašanju, invaliditetu, ophođenju životinjama, lošim životnim navikama i to mi je baš dobro, no kako ovakav strip doživljavaju djeca, hm...
217 reviews6 followers
Read
July 14, 2022
Koliko je strip slatko ilustriran i koncipiran, toliko mi je tužan, iako mu to možda nije namjera i možda se lovim za sitnice i pridajem im preveliko značenje.
Dječaci koji su ostali bez majke, a iz nepoznatog razloga tog nisu svjesni, toliko su uskraćeni u ljubavi i pažnji onih koji su ostali da su me neki dijelovi stripa baš rastužili i stvorili mi knedlu u grlu. Otac kojeg uglavnom nema ni u jednom trenu nije prikazan kako se s dječacima igra ili s njima razgovara, a jedini normalan odnos nudi im njihova dadilja. Najdraža baka ustvari je prilično nezainteresirana, drugu baku i djeda ne vole i kod njih uočavaju samo loše osobine, a nemaju milosti ni prema starim obiteljskim prijateljima, koji se trude i pokazuju im svoje zečeve i patke, peku brdo palačinki, a dječaci, kod kojih su već uočljive posljedice hladnoće i distanciranosti, o njima izmišljaju grozne priče.
Kraj stripa, u kojem dolazi nova učiteljica, djeluje kao neki novi, bolji početak, iako se suštinski ništa ne mijenja, samo se postavlja još manje pitanja.
Profile Image for Jennifer.
495 reviews
July 30, 2010
Ok, I'll admit that the five stars probably comes from getting to see the author speak about the book on a panel at Comic Con. But I always love hearing about what the meaning of story is to an author and the ideas of what they want to translate to the audience. I think Bravo does it wonderfully as the artist in this book telling Regnaud's story. I was also captivated by Bravo's talk about how every culture has a code for how you read comics and narratives told in pictures and he sought to transcend those codes while coming from a tradition of European kids comics. The book is heartfelt and funny and beautifully rendered. Five stars!
Profile Image for Sophie.
319 reviews6 followers
February 27, 2014
The first book I've ever read in French! Six year-old Jean starts primary school and is asked in class the occupations of his parents. He knows what his father does, but his mother? He's not sure where she is or what she is doing, only that she is on holiday somewhere. Or is she?

Although the story is quite poignant, as an adult reader can quickly guess what has happened to his mother, the story is told so charmingly through the amusing anecdotes and very funny wordless interludes that it stops the story from being too sentimental. The art is appealing and expressive.
Profile Image for Emilia P.
1,726 reviews68 followers
June 29, 2015
Those French! They love their American Indian garb something fierce. I swear, I checked out three different French comics that involved feather headdresses on the cover. Ridic. That aside, this was a sweet book about a kid trying to understand and navigate a grief for his mother that he has not fully pieced together or processed, and trying to figure out why everyone is treating him with kid gloves...it's sad and sweet, but not too treacly. And also sadly, true.
Profile Image for StrictlySequential ArtNarrative.
4,303 reviews24 followers
August 22, 2022
Sure it was heart-felt and even endearing but I was bored throughout.

The art fits the material but isn't impressive by any means.

There was something that took enjoyment away from the entire book on a personal level but it won't for you:
->Wanna know something weird about me?:
When I hear a boy (who's old enough to speak in sentences) refer to their parents as "mommy"/"daddy" I get eeewed-out and when a man does so I get physically uncomfortable and view them differently as a person! I guess if he was effeminate I wouldn't look down on him but I can't recall an instance to verify that. It's like if you're a cis-gendered (thanks Shaafs!) male then it's weakness but it's part of normal femininity to me. How's that for social conditioning? I was told by my parents that I've never once used the words and coming from others it's been with me my entire life. It absolutely comes from the subconscious because I have NOTHING against penis owners acting "female" and never have on the surface but obviously there's some stuff lurking below. That said, don't you dare judge me as willfully intolerant, I'll have you know that...
Profile Image for Alice.
522 reviews44 followers
January 14, 2025
Beau roman graphique qui est à l'origine destiné aux enfants mais qui raisonne également chez les adultes.
L'histoire est douce et dure à la fois.
Si vous avez l'occasion de découvrir cette histoire, je vous la recommande.
Profile Image for Diana.
538 reviews74 followers
September 19, 2024
Um livro que através das suas ilustrações retrata bem os sentimentos das crianças quando passam pela perda/luto e principalmente o que acontece quando os adultos não sabem como explicar isso mesmo às crianças. Contado de uma forma muito simples, com imagens fofinhas e uma paleta de cores sublime.
115 reviews10 followers
March 9, 2010
I liked the art quite a bit. The story says and is obviously aimed at 8-13 year olds. It was predictable to me, probably cause I'm old as dirt, but over all I liked it. I had two minor quibbles, it outs Father Christmas, and also skirts over the issue of a major characters passing away, so it might make some little kid freak out a little...
Profile Image for Pierfrancesco.
16 reviews
September 17, 2016
Un libro delicatissimo che colpisce ancora di più se solo si pensa al fatto che sia l'infanzia dell'autore messa a nudo con l'innocenza... di un bambino. Una perla.
Profile Image for Lisenstein.
90 reviews1 follower
June 23, 2018
Französische Comic-Autoren machen einen Comic.
Er ist großartig.
Vielleicht liegt das daran, dass der Comic in Frankreich schon lange einen anderen kulturellen Stellenwert hat und das Selbstverständnis der Autoren ein anderes ist.
Egal, Regnaud und Bravo ist hier ein Kleinod gelungen.
Dem Strich sieht man die Orientierung am frankobelgischen Comic an und das ist wunderbar, da liebevoll und witzig zugleich.
Jean kommt in die Schule. Jean fragt sich, warum seine Lehrerin so hässlich ist. Jean hofft, dass die Lehrerin ihn nicht danach fragt, was seine Eltern machen.
Jeans Mutter ist nämlich auf Reisen, so glaubt er es wenigstens, denn das ist das, was das Nachbarskind Michéle ihm erzählt. Aber so genau weiß er das alles nicht, denn keiner spricht darüber.
Tatsächlich ist Jeans Mutter tot. Der Leser ahnt es, doch die Gewissheit kommt erst später. Die Handlung spielt in den 70ern, wo der Umgang mit Tod gegenüber Kindern freilich noch ein anderer war als jetzt, wobei ich stark bezweifeln möchte, dass sich in dieser Hinsicht extrem viel getan hätte.
Die Autoren greifen aber auch die kleinen und großen Probleme der Kindheit auf und erschaffen kein Werk, das in irgendeiner Hinsicht pädagogisch sein möchte, was ich stets begrüße.
Bild- und Textebene ergänzen sich wunderbar, manchmal übernimmt die Bildebene das erzählerische Ruder und diese Abwechslung ist wirklich ganz phantastisch.
Hier wechseln sich Tragik und Komik ab und das auf eine ganz liebevolle Weise, die nicht auf die Tränendrüse drückt oder den Humor mit dem Holzhammer kreiert. Ein Comic, der für Kinder und Ewachsene gleichermaßen geeignet ist.
Ganz großartig, mehr bleibt mir nicht zu sagen.
Profile Image for Soobie has fog in her brain.
7,483 reviews141 followers
September 3, 2019
É colpa mia: le storie di non mi piacciono per niente.

É qui si tratta proprio di un bambino e della della madre. Lui crede che sia in viaggio d'affari; tutti sanno la verità ma nessuno ha il coraggio di dirla. Perfino la vicina di casa gli legge delle cartoline che la madre avrebbe mandato a lei invece che a lui.

Scopre tante cose il ragazzino. Perfino che Babbo Natale non esiste.

Disegni molto semplici e colori saturi.

Non il mio genere.
Profile Image for Lily-Rose Beardshaw.
30 reviews11 followers
November 28, 2016
After a slow start, a deceptively simple story builds in confidence as the child's voice in which it is told develops, quietly winding up to a perfect emotional pitch. Captures the innocence, selfishness, confusion and vulnerability of early childhood in a understatedly funny and French way. The style of both the art and narration owe much to Sempe and Goscinny's French illustrated boyhood classic, Petit Nicolas - so, if you liked this, try that!
Profile Image for Regina Barata.
366 reviews6 followers
October 22, 2024
Ao contrário do que a capa pode deixar entender esta BD não é para um público infantil. Trata-se da história de Jean, que nos relata as suas peripécias que começam quando, aos 6 anos, entra na escola "dos grandes" e é confrontado com uma pergunta desconfortável.
Apesar do tema este é um livro cheio de humor e de ternura, com uma abordagem inocente e comovente. Foram vários os momentos com que me identifiquei, talvez pela época retratada, que me transportou para a minha infância.
Profile Image for kicia papieroska.
34 reviews
September 15, 2025
"ночью, лежа в постели, я вдруг понимаю, что моя мама - как дед мороз. я слишком взрослый, чтобы в них верить"💔💔💔 в этом комиксе, наверное, самое грустное - то, как резко обрывается концовка, как болезненно узнаёт мальчик о том, что мама мертва, и как читатель не получает никакой позитивной валидации через персонажа ни своему личному смежному опыту, ни опыту взаимодействия с этой историей. трогательная, но одновременно до странного жестокая и депрессивная подача
Profile Image for Inês Gomes.
Author 11 books11 followers
January 24, 2025
Não há maneira fácil de comunicar a uma criança a morte de alguém significativo.
E os adultos nem sempre sabem fazê-lo.
Não há um modo certo!
Mas o silêncio não inquietará mais?
O desaparecimento injustificado, o fantasma de abandono…

Um tema duro abordado aqui com alguma leveza.
Mas desta vez a “lição” é para os adultos. Não é um livro para ler às crianças.
Profile Image for Vittorio Rainone.
2,082 reviews33 followers
October 26, 2017
Il racconto di un bambino, orfano inconsapevole di madre, e del puzzle con cui compone il mondo. Raccontato molto bene, con un bel ritmo, tenero e divertente. Bellissimo anche il finale. Disegni di Bravo, carini, buffi come devono essere. Premiato ad Angouleme nel 2008.
Profile Image for Christina Zhang.
22 reviews
February 27, 2019
This book is quite sentimental in a way, the main character is longing for love from his mother. Though he doesn't really know what truly happened to his mother, it seems to him that hope exists. My Mommy is such a cute book and truly reflects a message in the end.
Profile Image for LuckyVV.
405 reviews11 followers
March 24, 2019
Superbe BD ! Le dessin d'Émile Bravo est incroyable, les couleurs aussi, et l'histoire est sublime. Entre joie et tristesse, nous suivons le petit Jean à travers l'école, son frère, son papa, ses grands-parents et ses amis.
Profile Image for Evelyn.
31 reviews
July 17, 2019
I typically don't appreciate ambiguity with endings, but I was okay with this one. (What, exactly, happened and when?) But I was good with this story, which was told with sweetness and innocence without being sappy or sentimental. The illustrations are also great.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 78 reviews