Supermum

WONDERWISE

by Brita Granstrom

Wonderwise is a well-written, beautifully illustrated series designed to introduce children to key topics and concepts in an entertaining and unusual way. Supermum is a wonderful celebration of mums. Drawing comparisons between both human and animal mums, the humorous text and affectionate illustrations show how important mums are and what they do to keep their offspring safe and happy.

Genres: Picture Books

32 pages, Paperback

First published September 30, 1999

Reviews

[Poppy Thorpe · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very cute book about all the different kinds of mums. I feel very affirmed and part of creation after reading it! And Sophia loved the picture of the baby whale inside its Mummy's tummy. She drew it at nursery!

[Mina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Supermum is a book about all the different kinds of mothers that are out there; human ones and animal ones! There is no plot as such, but instead the book talks about the many different ways mothers look after their children as well as the things she does to nurture and protect her babies, e.g. "Supermum will do anything for her little ones! She'll go out in a storm to get her baby food." The pictures nicely correspond with the narrative. For example, with the previous extract, there is a picture of a penguin mum in a snowstorm and a human mum carrying shopping bags in a not so dissimilar storm!

I think this book is fantastic as it not only explores mother and child relationships, but children are also taught about different animals, their babies and their behaviours ("Waspsgrubs eat caterpillars. Osprey chicks eat fish.") There is also a great multi-cultural images of people around the world, which teaches children about human diversity and yet how we are all similar in a way. The book includes fun and practical activities at the back for great follow up sessions with the children.

I would estimate for this book to be aimed at those aged between 4 to 7 years old and would not only work well as a class reading with the activities to follow up but also for those who want to read it independently.

[Lindsay · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this story for this year's Mother's Day-themed Spanish and bilingual story time programs. What I liked about it is that it celebrates all types of moms, including animal moms. One of my favorite parts was a comparison between an animal mom (not sure which animal was featured) braving all kinds of dangers to get her babies food and a human mom going out in a storm to get groceries.

(It also shows a picture of a mom breast-feeding which would be a great story to use at a program for WIC. For story time, I clipped that picture back because it may upset some parents.)

[Kit · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked that it had breastfeeding and babywearing pictures, but what's up with describing the punk mama as scary?

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

Margaret picked this one up randomly. Yay for guest appearances by babywearing and breastfeeding. "All moms are supermoms."

[Inga-MamaRaka · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another mommies good read.
I'm a superwoman and need guidance to be a supermom.