Mama Mama

by Jean Marzollo, Laura Regan (Illustrator)

MAMA MAMA
For babies just entering the world,
this comforting poem affirms the
special bond between mothers
and babies everywhere.

Genres: Childrens, Picture Books, Animals, Poetry, Family

16 pages, Board Book

First published September 8, 1999

About the author

Jean Marzollo was an American children's author and illustrator best known for the I Spy series, a best-selling and award-winning collection written entirely in rhythm and rhyme and illustrated by Walter Wick. Over her career, she wrote more than 100 books for children, parents, and educators, including Help Me Learn Numbers 0-20, The Little Plant Doctor, and Happy Birthday, Martin Luther King. Born and raised in Connecticut, she graduated from the University of Connecticut and earned a master’s degree from the Harvard Graduate School of Education. She taught high school English and later worked in educational publishing, serving for 20 years as editor of Scholastic’s Let’s Find Out Magazine. Later in life, she began illustrating her own books.

Reviews

[Mort's Kids · Rating 2 out of 5]

When people say "I could write a kid's book" I generally roll my eyes. But then I read something like this and I sigh. They're probably right. (Now, it's unlikely that they could write a good children's book. That's another matter.)

Find some public domain pictures (or generic illustrations) of charismatic megafauna. Throw some basic rhymes in a mediocre font (in this case, Goudy Old Style, perhaps?) and voilà!

There's nothing offensive about this book. It's fine. Readable. Your kid will probably like it. But that doesn't mean we shouldn't have standards.

[Beyondthebookends · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet rhyming book about a mother’s love (or fathers if you get that version too.) Featuring mama and baby pairings from the animal kingdom this book allows you to point out new species to your little one.

Read more of our reviews at www.beyondthebookends.com

[Teri · Rating 4 out of 5]

This board book is a sweet, rhythmic poem about the special bond that exists between mothers and babies. The illustrations are colorful depictions of mama and baby animals interacting from around the world.

Audience/Age Level: 0-2

Instructional Ideas:
ELA: Introduction to poetry and terminology; explore rhyming
Writing: Write about aspects of mom/caregiver
Art: Drawings to reflect writing

[Silvia Cachia]

This is a dear book to us. My husband and me used to read it to the girls when they were very little, and 2 and 3, and it is so musical my husband made up a nice melody we both used to read it to them.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a cute book that showed the relationship between mother and child. I liked the artwork and the rhyming makes it a fun book for children to read along. If you read this you should also read the companion, Papa Papa.

[Alicia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this sweet book about mother love taking care of her babies. I like that all these things are things that I do for my baby as well.

[K. · Rating 5 out of 5]

My babies have always LOVED this book. It's so sweet.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved it, I almost teared up when I first read it. I think motherhood makes you a sap! Lillian seemed to like it as well.

[Erin Lynn · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's cute.

[jacky · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nothing new here, but well executed. Animal parents with their babies and text that highlights the bond of parent and child. Realistic, detailed artwork.

[Laurie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sing it as a lullaby: LA SOL LA SOL MI SOL MI {rest}, MI SOL MI RE DO RE DO.

[Meagan · Rating 4 out of 5]

My son really enjoys the rhyme and the illustrations of baby animals with their mamas.

[Saske · Rating 4 out of 5]

The illustrations are amazingly realistic. This book portrays seven beautiful mammals, and their babies. The rhymes are simple but cute, all depicting things that the child can relate to as things they also do with their mammas like drinking milk, getting clean, and being carried so they can see what is going on around them. Saske was very interested in the illustrations, and sat through the whole without struggling, which at 9 months old is a becoming a little rare since he wants to move around and jump from one thing to the next. After we read it I found him playing with the book a couple hours later which I always take as a good sign that he likes it.