Mama Bird

by Clay McLeod Chapman

"Mama Bird" is the dark and unsettling tale of a young picky eater and the mother willing to do anything to feed her child.

This is the first issue of the Chapman Chapbooks series.

"Mama Bird" was originally published in Nothing Untoward: Stories from "The Pumpkin Pie Show" (Applause Books).

Genres: Horror

16 pages, Saddle-stitched

Published December 6, 2022

About the author

Books. Children's books. Comic books. Film.

Reviews

[Char · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quite the twist! 🤣🤣

*Read 6.18.25
Removed reading dates so this short story does not count towards my yearly reading goal

[Stay Fetters · Rating 5 out of 5]

"How far would you go to feed your little snowflakes? Would you catch their food in a non-lethal mousetrap? Would you head to the pet store and pick up whatever draws the least amount of attention your way? If you were really in a pinch and needed to whip something up quick, would you chew their food first and regurgitate it back into their mouth? What would you do, Moms?"

Short stories can make or break an author for me. It’s hard to squeeze a horror tale into just a few pages but I’ve seen authors do it. Clay jumped into the horror short story realm and came out a blood-soaked mess.

This story was so messed up and nothing I thought I would ever read. He shocked me, made me a tad bit queasy, and now I think I’m in love. It was a fantastic addition to the masterpieces this author puts out into the world. Now I’m excited for more to come into my life.

[Brutal Bookshelf · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clay McLeod Chapman's "Mama Bird" is a repulsive little chap book that I destroyed in a matter of minutes. What begins as an innocent story of a mom attempting to feed her 3 month old, quickly distorts into a tale perfectly tailored to those of us who love the dark, the wild, and the weird. In this tiny rendering, Clay truly demonstrates his mastery in the art of taking the reader by surprise; if you think you know where this plot is going, you're wrong, and delightfully so!

[LibraryMelancholia · Rating 5 out of 5]

What, the, fuck, Clay 🥚 🐦 🪱 🐁

[Amanda Esthelm · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting small horror story playing on a pretty intense instinct mothers have to feed their babies

[Alan · Rating 4 out of 5]

All I have to say is, eww. After reading Chapman's novels, this was not the type of story I was expecting from him. More of a gross-out kind of thing than I prefer. Not bad, just what I expected, though the title was apropos. That'll teach me to blind buy the book straight from the author.

[Alex | | findingmontauk1 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'll definitely never fully understand the relationship between mother and child. But I damn sure wouldn't be doing THIS lol --- babies and kids really will eat ANYTHING, huh? I could have done without the ophthalmic jelly ahhhh!!

[Matt M · Rating 5 out of 5]

WTF, Clay 😳

[Brooklyn Attic Books]

Clay has a very sick imagination and I am here for it.

[Allison Glasgow · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a nice, unsettling little read to break up an afternoon.
Now I want a frappé. 🐹 🤤

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Every parent knows the worry that comes from picky eating kids. Are they getting enough nutrients and protein? Are they going to be hungry? It plagues you.

And for this mother, whose daughter struggled to regain her birth weight and eschewed food, when she finally finds a solution, she grabs hold of it. Even if it isn't quite what you'd expect...

You're probably familiar with Clay through his novels, The Remaking, Whisper Down the Lane, Ghost Eaters, and the newly released What Kind of Mother. But this first of his chapbooks, published by Shortwave, came to my attention just before StokerCon.

It's a short tale. One that can definitely be read in one sitting. But it is a lot to chew on.

And as a mom, it hits on something I myself have had issues with since day one: providing nourishment for my child. Worrying about his development. And stressing about the importance of my own role in that regard.

Course I've never quite had to deal with the things this mom experiences!

[Elysa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wtf, Clay, wtf. The first in the Chapman Chapbooks series is a creepy story about how far a mother will go to feed her child.

If you don't like grotesque horror, do not pick this up. If you do like gross horror stories, you need to read this one. As weird as it was, I always found myself internally cheering, "hell yea, mothers!" at the end.

[Bee · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the most unsettling short stories I've read in a long time or, maybe, ever. That's really saying something- not much fazes me when it comes to books anymore. I cannot get the opening scene out of my head. This short story has scarred me for life and I love it. I cannot wait read more by Chapman.

[Haley Newlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mama Bird looms with the doubt, insecurity, and fierce determination of motherhood. Clay McLeod Chapman has conjured a mystifying and deeply unsettling read that unravels a seemingly harmless postpartum depressive episode and reveals a dark flight of votive offerings

[Aaron Lindsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Horrific and terribly sad, Clay McLeod Chapman hits another (very short) homerun.
Baby Shelly has a strange appetite, and her mom tells the story. Fast paced, and a finale you will not forget, find yourself a copy of this chapbook.

[Jeff Wait · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gut-wrenching look at motherhood. I’m impressed with how much emotion Clay squeezed into these 11 pages.

[Dana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short, but certainly not sweet. Delightfully disgusting.

[Summer Dawn Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

WTF Clay! Short and wonderfully disgusting! I can't wait to read the rest of the series when they come out!

[Emily Hicks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Disturbing in a very classic Clay Chapman way. Highly recommend if you enjoy going “hnnggg.”

[T · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this so much! I cannot wait to read every Chapman Chapbook!
I don't really want to divulge much because it's so short, but don't read this while eating anything... hahahhaa.

[David Swisher · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Whenever we do this, I like to pretend I'm a frozen yogurt machine ". That line will haunt me for the rest of my life... Absolutely disgusting little story. 5 stars, highly recommend.

[Ai Jiang · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shocking, gruesome, but also eerily realistic.

[Jacs Rodriguez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gross gross gross gross gross!!! Incredible, brilliant, amazing, horrifying, gross!!!

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

The quickest, nastiest little read. I loved it. One of those stories you know is going to be creepy and weird but it goes even further than I expected. I remember the feelings of new motherhood vividly and Clay really taps into the fears and worries and feeling that you will do anything for your kids. Really loved this story, and the chapbook is so nicely put together.