You Be Mommy

by Karla Clark, Zoe Persico (Illustrator)

A tired mommy lets her daughter have a turn being the parent at bedtime in You Be Mommy, a humorously charming debut picture book from writer Karla Clark and illustrator Zoe Persico.

Mommy's too tired to be Mommy tonight.
Can you be Mommy and hold me tight?

In this clever, rhyming picture book, a mother tells her child that she's simply too tired to be Mommy tonight and asks her daughter to take over for her.

An utterly relatable theme told with humor and heart provides a story parents and children will delight in reading together at bedtime.

Genres: Picture Books, Family, Childrens, Fiction, Storytime

32 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2020

About the author

Karla Clark wanted to be an author when she was a child...then she wanted to be an artist. She feels very blessed to be both. Her passion for writing comes from her father who was a consummate storyteller. She is the author of six books—three novels, a book of short stories, and two children’s picture books. She has made over 100 visits to local women’s book clubs from 2003-2018, is a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustartors, Rockford Arts Council, and Chicago Writer’s Association.

Karla lives in Rockford, Illinois, with her husband and adult autistic son. She has a degree in journalism from Northern Illinois University. When she's not writing, she's creating decoupage paper collages that she sells at an annual art show which she hosts each year in her hometown. Email her at Karla.clark@comcast.net or visit her website at karlaclark author.com.

Reviews

[Marjorie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finally, a book I actually want to read at bedtime!

The illustrations are very pretty (their home is so stylish!), and feature a little dog and stuffed bunny in them, which my baby loves to point at on all the pages.

The rhyme and meter are fun to read aloud, without the filler lines in a lot of other baby books. Bonus, there's actually a logical plot to the story! It has an adorable ending, and an extra page of dog illustrations for the baby.

[Emily✨ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Aww, the ending is perfect! <3

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Absolutely adored this book, totally captures how busy a mama can be

[Baby Bookworm · Rating 4 out of 5]

This review was originally written for The Baby Bookworm. Visit us for new picture books reviews daily!

Hello, friends! Our book today is You Be Mommy, written by Karla Clark and illustrated by Zoe Persico, a sweet tribute to everything moms do for their loved ones… and what makes it all worth it.

“Can you be mommy?” an exhausted mother jokingly asks her youngest child at bedtime. After all, Mommy has had a big day. She worked a full shift at her retail job, then came home to a messy house. She helped with homework, bathed the dog, drove the older siblings to their practices, did laundry, mended clothes, cooked; and so on and so on (context clues would indicate she is a single parent as well). Mommy is just feeling a little… pooped! Gamely, her little girl plays along, wiping Mommy’s nose, tucking her in under her favorite blanket, and giving goodnight kisses and cuddles. Yet when the little girl begins to drift off herself, Mommy smiles, and does what mommies always do – takes care of her baby.

Adorable. In subdued yet amusing rhyme, the story follows a harried – yet never quite flustered – mom through her busy day, bookended by the charming and relatable exchange with her youngest child. It’s a subtle balance of celebrating hard-working moms and reminding younger readers of not only everything moms do for their families, but also why they do these things; simply, because they care. The cartoonish illustration is lush and vibrant with color; the family’s home has a fantastic visual theme of growing green plants and cozy textures. One thing I loved especially was that the super-mom was depicted as a more average-sized, curvy woman; moms in picture books are not often shown as anything other than skinny and/or hourglass-shaped. In addition to being a woman of color, it’s a nice bit of representation for super-moms. The length was perfect, and JJ and I really enjoyed it. A warm and worthy celebration of often-unsung heroes, and it’s Baby Bookworm approved!

(Note: A copy of this book was provided to The Baby Bookworm by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.)

Be sure to check out The Baby Bookworm for more reviews!

[Naomi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely ADORED this book ❤️❤️ My daughter, who is 6, also loved the book. She had me read this to her three times in a row while she just snuggled up with me.

This book is about a working mother who ends up being too exhausted due to the days escapades and ask her daughter jokingly to take her role as Mommy. Her daughter eventually succumbs to the exhaustion and Mommy takes her role back, because that’s what Mommy’s do! We are super woman.

I absolutely loved that we have a children’s book that portrays a working mother who juggles multiple task. Eventually after a long day, Mom, gets tired. Same as I and most of the other mothers I know. So it felt nice to be represented: I felt like this book portrayed all the hard work that Mommy’s do In a way that will get a child thinking about your role and everything you do for them. It can definitely be an eye opener.

Not only did this book represent a working mother... but it also represented a curvier woman and a woman of ethnic background.

All in all, my daughter and I enjoyed it and will continue to re read. I definitely recommend this !

[Pine Reads Review]

“Mommy’s too tired to be Mommy tonight. Can you be Mommy and hold me tight?”

With Mommy exhausted from a long day’s work, she asks her daughter to be Mommy instead. Follow this mother-daughter duo as they switch roles for the night in this heartfelt rhyming picture book.

You Be Mommy is a timeless ode to hard-working mothers (and parents) everywhere. With each clever rhyming couplet, Clark imbues the page with love and laughter as a mother and her daughter unpack the day together. Perfectly paired with Persico’s adorable illustrations and colorful palette, this charming story explores all the small yet important details of what it means to be a mom. From feeding the family dog to helping with homework, You Be Mommy celebrates every messy, exhausting, beautiful part of parenthood.

Follow us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @pinereadsreview and check out our website at www.pinereadsreview.com for reviews, interviews, blogs, podcast episodes, and more!

[Micaylah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ordered this book for my sister and my two-year old niece. They absolutely loved it! This book has brilliant watercolor (I believe) illustrations by Zoe Persico. My niece absolutely adored that the family had a dog just like her. My sister, a working mother, really appreciated how the story depicted working moms with care. She really felt seen and heard - which is everything I hope for when picking out a book for them.

I also want to add, that as a Black Biracial Woman, I loved see brown-skinned mother and daughter on the cover. Representation is so important, and I would have loved seeing an illustration like this as a little girl.

This book is amazing! Buy it for your loved ones and friends. It is sure to be a hit!

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have mixed feelings about this book. It’s a great book, but I think it could be seen two different ways. It’s a sweet story about a tired mommy who just wants help. Mommy does all the works around the house and caring for her kids. And just wants a bit of a night off. That’s totally understandable. And I think this side of the story can teach empathy and understanding and perspective for a child. But i think it might also be seen as guilty. A child might feel guilty or burdensome for making her mother so tired and worn out. Of course, mommy takes her “baby” to bed in the end. I really enjoyed it but I think I’d have to be aware of how my child responds and see if a conversation doesn’t open up.

[Erin Buhr · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cute, rhyming goodnight story about a very tired mommy. The mommy playfully asks if her little girl will play mommy tonight. Every tired parent (that's all of us, right?!) will identify with this exhausted mom and her laundry list of completed tasks. Kids will delight in the game and maybe even want to play themselves. The vibrant pictures and adorably illustrated characters add delight and charm to an already sweet book.

[Kris Dersch · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh, I could relate to this so much. It was so sweet that I forgive it for rhyming. Probably one of those written more for the adult than the child books, but sweet and cute and uplifting for tired parents for sure.

[Molly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this illustration style- beautiful! And the story itself is very sweet. It's nice to see some great representation, and it's also nice to have a book that could possibly foster empathy for kiddos about how hard their moms work.

[Karina Blackburn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Extremely cute, love the story, love the illustrations.

[Sara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very cute - great rhyming - lovely illustrations
Loved that it subtly reinforced empathy for others by pretending to put yourself in someone else's shoes.

[Pinky · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mommy is tired so, her daughter steps in, until mommy is tired no more.

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not sure what I think about this book. There is a list of all the things the mother did, then things she is too tired to do, which essentially seems to be going to bed. But not the brushing teeth or putting on PJ's, Mommy wants to be tucked in, kissed goodnight and the light turned out. Then, the child is tired and says they don't want to be a mommy. The story ends with the mommy saying she will always be mommy, and the child tucked into bed.
So, there is a long list of what the mother does for her family, and her request for someone else to step up, in what seems to be a small way. But the process is too much for the child, and the mother says it is all right, she will be the mother, because "you'll always be my little treasure. And I'll be Mommy forever and ever."
I like the illustrations, the cool color scheme is gorgeous. But I'm just left a little confused by the text. Also the back and forth of 'mommy' and 'she' at first is a bit confusing with the illustrations. You have to realize every illustration is referencing the mother, not the child, though the illustrations are on the height level of the child.

[Karla Clark]

Hello fellow Goodreads readers and writers! Thank you to those who have purchased, read, rated, and reviewed my books! It's a thrill for authors to interact with readers and other authors. I remember as a little girl wishing I could talk to Beverly Cleary about her wonderful books!

YOU BE MOMMY has hit a nerve with many tired moms and I am so honored! The book will be released as a board book on March 30, 2021, perfect for the real little ones! Then on April 27th, 2021, the companion book, YOU BE DADDY, will be released. So glad the dads and little boys get their book, too! It's already on Amazon for pre-order. Also, I will plan a giveaway as we get closer to launch. Stay tuned! Stay safe! Happy reading!

[Sue H · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mommy has had a really long day, so she asks her daughter if she can be “mommy” –taking care of her and putting her to bed –instead tonight. As we look at all of the things that the mother does during the day, we can understand why she is so tired (and may even feel the same way ourselves). The storyline is cute and heartfelt. It will definitely resonate with caregivers; they may even want to include some of their own activities and routines into the story. The book raises awareness of the unseen work that goes into raising a child –and can spark conversations about helping and sharing responsibilities at home.

[Lisa Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

The illustrations are beautiful. I love the plants! 😅 I read this to my daughter tonight and we both enjoyed it. So many moms out there are just so tired of being mommy but we wouldn’t change a thing. Being tired is part of our everyday lives. To all the moms out there, you are amazing 💛 You keep going even after putting everyone else first all day, every day. This book shows the busy life of a mom and her daughter asking many questions but the mom responds with how she can’t be mommy because she is tired.

[Julia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This could be a great pick for a “bedtime” theme storytime. The rhyming text is soothing and yet still fun and bouncy, the family is relatable and adorably illustrated, the message of “Mommy’s too tired to be Mommy tonight” is extremely relatable. From the illustrations, this appears to be an incidental single parent family, which is also good to know for readers advisory lists. Definitely highly recommend for librarians to have on their radar, it’s a gem.

[Jayla_Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was definitely a cute book for mommy and daughter and I plan to reread it to my daughter numerous times growing up. Although we did borrow this from the library I plan to purchase it for later reads with my little girl! Not to mention how amazing that artwork is! The illustrations are so vibrant and beautiful my daughter couldn’t keep her eyes off the pages while I read it to her a definite 5/5 stars

[Mama Bearian · Rating 5 out of 5]

When a mom’s long day is almost over, she is so tired that she asks her daughter “to be mommy” and tuck her into bed. This was a really sweet book with a great ending and rhyming text. I also really loved the bright and colorful illustrations.

[Set · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book is about a single black or indigenous mother that is too exhausted from working all day and then taking care of her children to move by the end of the day. The foliage is very nice, I tore it up for my scrap booking.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Beautiful pictures. Wish I could get as much stuff done every day and keep the house as clean as this mommy manages!

Don't get me started on its companion, "You Be Daddy," I can rage for half an hour about it (as poor Areg can attest).

[Raven Black · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute story about mommies are people and get tired too

[Reagan Kapasi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one is cute AF! Being a mom is tough and they portray the struggles and the joys in this (single mom?) family nicely

[Jena Gray · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful art! Contemporary and quick, a good bedtime read. This is like the new "I'll Love You Forever," book of my childhood that is frankly, damn creepy.

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Honestly, the adorable little frenchie would've gotten this book 5 stars anyway, but it's so cute and sweet!

[Lua · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is told in rhyme, and it’s not annoying. In fact it is super sweet, and ALL care givers will relate to the very tired mom in the book! Plus the illustrations are GoRGEoUS!

[Millie]

Cute little book

[Syntha Green · Rating 4 out of 5]

Absolutely adorable