LSSL 5360 Book Review #3- Are You My Mother? by P.D. Eastman

BOOK REVIEW #3- MODULE #1

1.      BIBLIOGRAPHY

Eastman, P. D. (1960). Are You My Mother? New York, NY: Random House, Inc.
ISBN: 0679890475
-Starred review in CHILDREN’S BOOKS AND REVIEWS: “the picture book’s portrayal of a delightful warm connection between mother and baby bird gently affirms a young reader’s most valuable and primary relationship.”

2.  PLOT SUMMARY

Are You My Mother? is a sweet, short story of an innocent baby bird who takes his first adventure into the world, inspired by a quest to find his mother. Once he hatches from his egg, he springs from the safe confines of his nest to the ground below to go find his mother. The encounters that follow are humorous, entertaining, and delightfully innocent as he asks several animals and objects if they are his mother. The end finds mother bird and baby bird in a sweet reunion back at the nest where the story began.

3.      CRITICAL ANALYSIS

P.D. Eastman connects a childlike innocence with the child in all of us as this baby bird teaches us courage and makes us all want to follow along as he bravely searches for his mother in a world he has never known. One of the sweetest and most appealing aspects of this book to its audience of young readers is simply that it’s humorous: “How could I be your mother?” said the cow. “I am a cow.”

Eastman also leaves the young reader wondering when and how the bird will find his mother, which keeps us guessing and following along. As a child, I can certainly see how the large Snort machine would be a little scary, and the author keeps us anxious as the sweet baby bird approaches it, determined to find his mother.

Lastly, while the drawings are not particularly detailed or elaborate, I think they lend themselves perfectly to the appropriate age group as their young eyes learn to interpret sizes, shapes, and colors. The simple lines and expressive facial drawings are easy to read and great for young developing minds, while also sending a clear message that matches the story.

Are You My Mother? is a perfect book to share with our youngest readers and a classic that will continue to be shared for generations to come because of its simplicity, innocence, bravery, and sweet ending.

4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

-Penguin Random House- Scholastic Parent & Child 100 Greatest Books for Kids- winner 2012

-Penguin Random House- TimeOutNewYorkKids.com 50 Best Books for Kids- winner 2012

5. CONNECTIONS-Perfect for young children learning to read; predictable book encourages the kids to join in with reading the “pattern” of “Are you my mother?” repetition

-light hearted humor will bring in a young audience of readers; simple pictures tell a story

-P.D. Eastman was a protégé of Dr. Seuss

-Similar books, also by Eastman, that are relatable to this audience are:

Eastman, P.D. (1961) Go, Dog. Go! New York, NY: Beginner Books. ISBN: 9780394900209

Eastman, P. D. (1968). The best nest. New York, NY: Beginner Books. ISBN: 9780394017235