Strong Mama

by Robin Arzón, Addy Rivera Sonda (Illustrator)

A New York Times bestseller! 

Mama and baby make one incredible team in this new picture book from New York Times bestselling author and Peloton instructor extraordinaire Robin Arzón.

Before I met you, I dreamed of you. This is the story of how we first met. 

Ultramarathons. Bike sprints. Squats and deadlifts. Naps. Kitchen dance parties! All of it is in preparation for meeting Pequeno, the “Little One” growing in this strong mama’s belly. From first heartbeats and fluttery kicks to grinning grandparents and that first loud cry -- pregnancy might just be the biggest workout yet! But there's nothing this mom and new baby can't tackle together as a team.

New York Times bestselling author and Peloton Head Instructor Robin Arzón takes readers on sweat-packed journey through motherhood in this affirming and heartwarming celebration of mothers and parents everywhere.

Genres: Picture Books, Family, Childrens

41 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 11, 2022

Reviews

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wanted to LOVE it because I really respect everything about Robin. We were pregnant at the same time and I worked out nearly every day in the ways she talks about in the book. It made me cry and felt so authentic.

However, as a children's book to read to my son, it really feels too personal for Robin and her family. I'm so happy for them and the book is beautiful but I would not recommend this to others to read to their children as a shared story to love.

Cheers to Robin for writing the book! The illustrations are terrific as well! Shout out to ALL the strong mamas of the world! I can relate to the story but it just felt a little weird reading it to my own child. Kind of like telling him about an entry from someone else's diary or details about another kid that he doesn't know.

I don't regret the purchase by any means but this will not end up being a story we visit time and time again like I had hoped.

[Alyssa Valdez · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was so excited! I preordered it and received it today. I read it and I was disappointed. It’s a beautiful story and the illustrations are too, but it’s a story to her daughter. I was thinking it was going to be a story about A strong mama that anyone could read to their little one. I love all things Robin and Peloton but this was 😑. She’s usually inclusive of everyone but this missed the mark. It’s awkward to read this to my son.

[Victoria Sanchez · Rating 1 out of 5]

My god. Celebrities, please. When your publicist says, "Writing kids books is hot right now, everyone's doing it. What do you think," I urge you to ask for some time to decide. And then? Go out and read A LOT of picture books. Contemporary books. Of all genres. Then ask yourself - do I have a good story to tell? Do kids need this book? Will they want it? Or does my brand need this book?

You may be a fantastic, wonderful person - successful in your field. Giving! A parent! But you are sharing your idea with growing minds that gobble up everything they read and see. Kids deserve quality, fun, novel ideas, confirmation, fantastic worlds, and more. So before you answer that publicist, consider if that's what you can provide.

[Zibby Owens · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was written by a Peleton instructor who was pregnant and working out. It's about how a pregnant mom exercises with her unborn baby. She works out on the Peleton, makes bike sprints, lifts weights, takes naps, and has dance parties! And they do it all together! All of it this movement is Mama's preparation in meeting her new baby, Pequeno.

This book is a love letter the author wrote to her baby girl before birth. The message in this book really says one thing: We can't take care of our babies if we don't take care of ourselves first.

To listen to my interview with the author, go to my podcast at:
https://zibbyowens.com/transcript/rob...

[Valerie Joy · Rating 1 out of 5]

I picked this up randomly while I was pulling library holds...and I hated it? I can't imagine anyone reading this book to their child. It was written specifically for the author first, then the author's child. The illustrations are great, but it reads (to me personally) like a "Ooo look how healthy and holistic I was during my pregnancy". The Peloton stuff was weird (I know that's the author's whole thing, but it was weird in a children's picture book) I'm guessing this was just a me thing, since so many other people loved it, and if you are a Peloton person maybe it would be a fun gift. But otherwise...gross.

[Kristine · Rating 2 out of 5]

I picked this up at the library, and simply wasn't drawn in. I echo other reviewers' sentiments that this book is too specific to the author's own family to relate to others. As a love letter to the author's own child, it's lovely - and I don't think I get a lot out of being able to peek into that as an outsider. (As in, it's not SO poetic and SO relatable that I can find myself within the story even though it's about someone else.) The illustrations are absolutely fantastic though.

[SamSamSam · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was enjoying the book until the whole Peleton leaderboard thing. It got way less fun and way more preachy from there. I wish this was a book about strong moms in general, and not this specific person's fitness focus.

[Jessi · Rating 2 out of 5]

There are lots of picture books by celebrities and semi celebrities, who write about their jobs and activities without naming the specific brands, networks, and companies they work for. I think that this can be a good thing- three years from now, if that company tanks, your book won't be embarrassing or silly sounding. If you have a falling out with your employer, if you change companies in some dramatic saga that unfolds on the news, whatever. It's good for posterity.

This is a cute book. It's bilingual. It has a multiracial family. It's good some pretty good messages about active moms. It's sweet. And it would have been good! But as I was reading it, about this fitness guru mom and her excitement about being pregnant and the wonder of having another person in her body and taking care of them, I was completely taken out of the experience when I read something about people cheering for "them" on the PELOTON LEADERBOARD. I audibly groaned. How relevant will this be a few years from now? How many parents are going to buy this thinking this will be a fun read for them to share with their kids, only to find out that it's, you know, an ad? It's annoying and silly. I am looking at this book on my desk right now and rolling my eyes as I type this. It feels tacky and it also feels like a missed opportunity.

[Sara · Rating 1 out of 5]

I love Robin!...So I was bummed when I tried to read this book to my baby. It was genuinely confusing because it seems like a personal letter to her child. Definitely an awkward reading experience due to how the story is framed. Beautiful but definitely not a book for an audience greater than 1. I'm surprised an editor didn't catch this.

The illustrations are lovely, however. I'll continue enjoying Robin's classes and her book for adults on running, instead!

[Amandasaved · Rating 5 out of 5]

So a little background, I’m pregnant with my 5 child, and my oldest son and my husband love to run races. My daughter and I were at the library looking for “Alma and how she got her name.” We couldn’t find it but this book caught my daughter’s eye.

This book is about a mother’s pregnancy and how she bonds with her baby through the 40 weeks. The sentiment of the storybook is beautiful.

The illustrations are lovely. Throughout the book we see a Latina mama and her mom and her fair haired husband. They were a beautiful representation of America: a fitness-focused-multicultural family.

5 out of 5 stars.

[Sue H · Rating 1 out of 5]

Perhaps some of the reasons that I did not like this book is because a) it seemed like it was written specifically for the author's child (it would be difficult to have this apply to most mamas) b) it felt a bit like a Peleton ad and c) I was expecting something else.

While I can appreciate the theme that runs throughout the book of being healthy, execising and eating well duing pregnancy (and acknowledging that there are many moms who continue to workout, run and lift during this time), I was hoping to see a variety of moms and the different ways that they are strong (based on the title alone).

The story itself was too personal for me --great as a love letter to her child, maybe even for parents who are also a part of the Peleton family. An amazing book for a child? Sadly, no. But, it isn't offensive to me.

The illustrations are nice--so that is a plus.

[Faith · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm a bit conflicted as to how to rate this story. As a love letter from Arzón to her child, it's perfect. Both the text and the illustrations wonderfully capture the joy she feels about her child. However, as a general story meant to be read from a mother to her child, I think it's too personal of a narrative to really succeed. Don't get me wrong: the story itself is beautiful, and you can genuinely feel the love Arzón has for her daughter. However, as other reviewers have commented, this may come across as a bit awkward for other parents to read about to their children.

[Vivienne Galasso · Rating 5 out of 5]

Robin Arzón is a force of nature and someone who is the epitome of Strong Woman and of course… Strong Mama! She is also my favorite Peloton instructor so… this review might be a wee bit biased but not much, because she’s that good!! This little book is packed with life lessons in strength, togetherness, and leading by example!! Highly recommended for all the Strong Mamas and Dadas out there! Your little ones will love it (and so will you)!

[Jared White · Rating 3 out of 5]

My sisters have a best friend who loves to run and continued running for most of the duration of her pregnancy with all of her children and this reminded me of her. I enjoyed the illustrations (good racial diversity and the lead is part of an inter-ethnic relationship) and I enjoyed the text as well...but I thought it was a little funny that they snuck in an ad for Peloton into a couple of places. :)

[Lauren · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn’t know who the author was when I picked this book and honestly. I’m happy for her and her family but this is almost a biography or something of her personal experience with pregnancy. It didn’t make for a good children’s book in my opinion and didn’t look anything like my pregnancy so I couldn’t relate either. I was hoping for an empowering story about strong moms in general cause all moms are strong.

[Megan Levy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfect new parent gift! My toddler and I love this book, he often pulls it from the shelf and requests we read “strong mama book!!” The story is sweet, colorful, and heart-warming. As a 2020 mom I feel it’s speaking directly to me and my family, and I love how it teaches my son the importance of prioritizing Mom’s self-care. It’s personal and beautiful! Thank you, Robin!

[Alexandra · Rating 2 out of 5]

I love Robin and everything she stands for with being a mom and prioritizing her health (it’s not selfish) but this book seems to be written specifically for her child and does not relate to other children. I wish she made this more about how children can be strong too but it was wishful thinking on my part. Very disappointed

[Mariana Woodward · Rating 5 out of 5]

Robin Arzón is so inspiring not just as one of the BEST fitness instructor, but also as a MAMÁ! This is such a beautiful book made with Athena and her heart put into lovely pictures and words. Robin thank you for inspiring Women, Mothers and Latinas in everything you do!

[Brooke · Rating 3 out of 5]

Book 33 of 2022
Great illustrations. Sweet story. Robin is a great role mdoel and motivator. This book is great for any parent's arsenal to start sending strong, positive messaging about family, connectedness, and healthy image and lifestyle from day one.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute story about a new mom staying active while anticipating the arrival of her first baby. Inspiring and adorable. Cute illustrations. Would be a cute gift for an active, expecting mom that is also a fan of Peloton.

[Carmen Angles · Rating 5 out of 5]

Strong mama inspires all the mamas and babies to get fit and keep reaching new heights it’s a wonderful book

[Truc 2JZGTE · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked it :) it was a positive book. I liked the artwork too. The authors had great pictures at the end of the book and cool descriptions as well.

[Sarah Amstadt-Schmidt · Rating 1 out of 5]

1.5 liked the art a lot and that it had Spanish mixed in. Wasn't a fan of the story though

[Amber Graham · Rating 1 out of 5]

1.5

[Pamela Sepulvado Sepulvado Deroche · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the illustrations. This is a positive message. But it doesn’t quite hit the mark for a children’s book. Too advanced for a very young reader that would read this.

[Assja Good · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this book from start to finish.

[Mandy Hazen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Huge fan of Robin Arzon. And a huge fan of this love letter to her daughter.

[Colleen · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is a positive story of baby's life in utero from mama's perspective. But it's written like a motivational speech for adults, rather than a story for children. I love the bilingualism, love, and encouragement put forth in a book but I don't think it would work for a storytime.