The Mommy Book

by Todd Parr

Some mommies sing you songs.

Some mommies read you stories.

All mommies want you to be who you are!




With his trademark childlike art, Todd Parr celebrates all different kinds of mothers. Whether mommies work far away or at home, cook or order pizza, they are all lots of fun and filled with love.




This is the perfect book for celebrating mommies on Mother's Day, and all year round.

Genres: Picture Books, Family, Childrens, Storytime, Pre K, Kids, Fiction

32 pages, Hardcover

Published April 1, 2002

About the author

Todd Parr is a three-time New York Times-bestselling author and illustrator of more than fifty books for children. He has inspired and empowered children around the world with simple, hopeful, and powerful messages such as “be kind”, “love yourself” and “be who you are,” all set with vibrant images in eye-catching primary colors. His books have received numerous awards and are available in nearly twenty languages. He also is the co-creator of the popular three-time Daytime Emmy©-nominated animated TV series, "ToddWorld" with Gerry Renert of SupperTime Entertainment. Several short films for Sesame Street have also been based on Parr’s work.

Parr devotes time to numerous philanthropic causes supporting pet adoption, children’s hunger, health, and literacy. He is a frequent reader and fundraiser for The Ronald McDonald House and serves on the board of directors for the Virginia Children’s Book Festival. His corporate collaborations include Best Buy, Stouffer’s, and the San Francisco–Marin Food Bank, among others.

A native of Wyoming, Parr currently lives in Berkeley, California.

Reviews

[Andréa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm really not a fan of Todd Parr's art (I say this every time!), but his books do work well for storytimes.

[Philip · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read The Daddy Book by Todd Parr a week or so ago. Today my kids were dying for me to read this to them.

I love these books.

And yes, all of you wondering if I, too got a friendly reminder from goodreads that I'm not going to get my badge for the 2011 challenge if I don't buck up by the end of the year... Yes... I got one... Yes, it's probably cheap that I'm reviewing a baker's dozen children's books in December - but I DID READ THEM! SO BACK OFF!!!

(My favorite part of this spot-on review is the end.)

[Elizabeth Gonzalez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yes, I do like the book. I like the way the author created the book to represent different mothers. Each mother in the book is different. The storyline of the book is how mommies have different duties but that doesn’t matter what they do they are still their mommies and they lobe their children. The author is teaching the readers and listeners that not all mommies look the same, work in the same places, and don’t do the same family activities. There can be mommies that work at home and there are mommies that work outside of home in a big building like offices. The book is perpetuating female gender there are mommies that can drive motorcycles and have short hair. In a few cultures, there are mothers that can’t work or aren’t allow to drive motorcycles because that is more masculine for “male” only children should know there are mommies and girls that can do “male” activities. I love how the author is allowing children to know that is fine to have mommies that don’t do the “normal mommy” role. I think children would respond by asking why the mom has short hair I can emphasize that there are few moms that can have short hair. There can also be mothers or teachers that have short hair. Allowing children to be open to change and that not every mommy is the same.

[Tawanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

The mommy book is a picture book for the primary reader ages 5-8 yrs old. This book discusses the diversity among mommies. It sends a powerful message that despite how different our moms may be they all have the same purpose which is to provide and take care of our children. The illistrations in this book a very coloful and bold. They show all the differnces moms have in the clothes, in the type of vehicle they drive, they type of job they have, even their own personal interest. It teaches that it's ok to be different and be who you are and look how you look. My daughter enjoyed this book because she looks up to me as a mom. It is also a very easy read and the pictures help the reader to figure out what is going on. This is the first time my daughter has been exposed to books by Todd Parr and she loves them.

[Kris · Rating 5 out of 5]

My son’s current favorite books are all the Todd Parr ones, and I couldn’t be happier. They are inclusive and cheerful and fun. My son pointed out that I am far more like the mommy who likes to order pizza than the one who likes to cook. He’s right. 😂

[Vellanorah · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am hoping that I will like it more after reading again but my toddler was uninterested in finishing the book the first time around.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book makes a great read aloud for preschoolers if you ask them lots of questions about how the mommies they know are the same or different from the mommies in the book. It could also be used effectively and enjoyably with toddlers if you paperclip a few pages together to shorten it just a little.

My only complaint is a minor one: I've never been a big fan of the way Parr gives his people green and purple faces (why can't we just stick to real skin tone colors?), but I do love that his books are so diverse!

To me the best part of his books is that he shows young children that there is beauty in diversity and that the overarching theme in families, no matter how they look or what they do, is love. This shines through this book as well as his Daddy Book and it's just beautiful. Definitely recommended!

[Suzanne Lorraine Kunz Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love that this book points out that all mommies are different - we can embrace our differences!

** Talking Points - how does your mom like to connect with you? How do you like to connect with her? What type of mom would you like to be? What did you like about your mom? What did you not like so much about your mom?

** Essential Oil Pairing Tips - Bergamot is the Oil of Self-Esteem. So I'd diffuse that to help you embrace who you are and to make the most of the gifts that you offer the world.

[Kerri · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a really cute book. Perfect for the family theme at my preschool. The kids enjoyed it. The overall message: mommies can be very different, but the things they have in common matter most; the depths of their love for their children.

[Gavin · Rating 3 out of 5]

More child-like art and simple messages, but good and inclusive of all types of mommies.

[Katherine Pak · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is about different moms all around the world. Its in favor of all the great moms out there whether they're working alone or with someone. It commends them. The pictures are very colorful and simple. The pictures are great and bright. The information given, is very simple to comprehend. There aren't too many words. The content is easy to follow and has a clear idea of what the book is suppose to be about. It uses appropriate language. It's also very diverse with the characters used.

[Kris Dersch · Rating 4 out of 5]

How much do I love Todd Parr? Here's another lovely and inspiring book about diverse families. Here, it's mommies on display...mommies with short hair or big (square) hair, mommies that fly airplanes, mommies that like ordering pizza. I LOVE how Todd Parr showcases diverse families without it being a huge pushy deal or making anyone feel left out. Families are just...families. The man is a treasure.

[Aimee Quan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book radiates happiness and inclusivity. I loved how simply it demonstrates that “Mommies” can be different in every family, but that "Mommies" all share one common trait: how much they love you! The book is bright, colourful, and heartwarming. I feel as much loved as I feel loving towards my littles when sharing this absolute gem of a book.

[Calista · Rating 3 out of 5]

Here is the mommy book by Todd Parr. He celebrates all the different types of mommies out there. I personally like the big haired mommy.

The artwork is Todd Parr. It's all the same strong primary colors mixed and matched that he does. You immediately know a Todd Parr book.

Great for beginning children. All mommies are different, like all people.

[Jo Oehrlein · Rating 3 out of 5]

Super bright, happy, simple illustrations of mothers who do or like different things, with periodic reminders that all mothers love their children and love spending time with them. If only that were true.....

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely board book honoring the mother - child bond for toddlers. This bright and colorful tribute points out that mothers can be different, for example some work at home while others work in building, but they all love their children. A sweet book to read on Mother's Day or everyday.

[Kitty · Rating 5 out of 5]

As an all-mommy family, I love this book. Great first exposure to differences.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love Todd Parr's books and his imagination and his way of explaining things to children and...and everything!

[Marcia Van Camp · Rating 5 out of 5]

my daughter says "we like it and we read it, and it's about a mommy book"

[Jane Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great book from Parr about mums and diversity

[Ame · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Some mommies like to order pizza."

Yes.

[Bailey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Simple and sweet. Vibrant pictures that interest little ones

[Jaime · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book to Julianna. One of our favorite new authors. She guvee it 5 stars. We both enjoyed thos short, colorful, sweet book.

[Jen · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 1/2 stars. I like the message that there are lots of different ways to be a great mom; the thing moms have in common is that they love their children.

[Madison · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked that this book showed me that Mommies can do different things and look different ways.

[Joel · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was the mommy driving and singing while the kid frowned in the backseat for me

[Jessica · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book irked me. I don't like the stereotyping of "all mommies _________." Some kids aren't fortunate enough to have a nice mom. The colors were kind of overwhelming as well.

[Emily Wiet · Rating 5 out of 5]

loved it

[Lynn Davidson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mommies are different from one another, and they might show their children love in different ways, but they all want their children to be they really are. Illustrations are fun and bright in this book.

[Mandy · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book is cute in a sense because it is colorfully illustrated and looks as if a child had drawn the pictures. I know this book was done with the best intentions, but I am unsure I want my son to have the impression that I am, or all mothers are one dimensional.I want him to see me, and all mothers as multifaceted. It just irks me because I read a mothers day questionnaire a teacher posed on her 2nd grade class room about mothers, as a special mothers day quirk. When the question was asked of a boy in her class, "What does your mother do?." He replied; "She mainly cleans mostly."
I don't know, maybe I am the only one who perceives it. It's late and I just wanted to throw a review in before heading off.