Mama Outside, Mama Inside

by Dianna Hutts Aston, Susan Gaber (Illustrator)

The perfect book for Mother's Day!

A mother has lots of preparation to do when expecting a baby--whether she's a bird weaving a nest in the tree outside, or a woman setting up a nursery inside her home. In this heartwarming picture book, two mothers share a common love of their babies, until one day it's time for Mama Outside to follow her babies into the sky and fly away.

Dianna Hutts Aston details the experience of motherhood in lyrical prose, and Susan Gaber's illustrations beautifully render the inside and outside lives of two new mothers.

Genres: Picture Books, Family, Birds, Childrens

32 pages, Hardcover

First published April 4, 2006

About the author

Dianna Hutts Aston was born in Houston, Texas, attended the University of Houston, and worked as a journalist for several years. LOONY LITTLE is her first picture book with Candlewick Press. She says, "It was one of the hottest summer days on record. My mind, of its own accord, kept wandering northward, to a wilderness of snow and ice, the Arctic. While listening to the news one evening, I heard Peter Jennings say, ‘The polar icecap is melting - or is it?’ In my mind, I heard, ‘The sky is falling!’ The whole concept for LOONY LITTLE literally fell from the sky and into my mind." Dianna Hutts Aston lives in central Texas with her husband and two children.

Reviews

[Jo Oehrlein · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mama Outside is a pregnant bird. Mama Inside is a pregnant human. They prepare their nest/nursery, wait, have a baby (babies for the bird), and the babies grow.

[Sara Bland · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very sweet, sweet book about what mothers go through before they have babies and some of the things that happen after a baby is born. What is so wonderful about this book is that it puts it into the perspective of a bird mother and a human mother. The illustrations are beautiful and paint a lovely picture of what is happening, it really brings it all together. I would recommend this book to read to or with any child who is going to have a new baby brother or sister in the house. It is a great way to introduce what will happen in the coming months and relates it all to something that they might be familiar with, such as a bird or an animal.

[Salsabrarian]

A human mother-to-be (Mama Inside) and a bird (Mama Outside) simultaneously prepare for their babies to come. Mama Inside selects the room to be the nursery and paints it; Mama Outside selects the tree for her nest and constructs it. Mama Outside lines the nest with soft moss and leaves; Mama Inside lays the cradle with a pillow, blanket and stuffed lamb. After a long wait, the birds and baby are born and both Mamas are busy feeding, singing and caring for them. The day comes when Mama Outside prepares to lead her birds away in flight. An exchanged glance with Mama Inside acknowledges the efforts both have put into bringing life into the world.

[Lizzette Armendariz · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a good story. It display how two separate species can go through similar events when creating life. The Illustration are beautiful. The only thing that some might consider before allowing your child to read it is that their is an illustration of the mother breastfeeding the baby. Not that this is disgusting but some parents may not want their children to be exposed to that quiet yet. It is story that represents the process of childbearing and I find that very beautiful and good for children to be aware of course done in a very tasteful manner.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

We loved this book while I was pregnant with my third child. And, it portrays breastfeeding, instead of bottle-feeding, which is unfortunately difficult to find. This is a very cute, touching story, and both my son and my daughter enjoy it very much.

[Philitsa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Recommended to me by a fellow super-mom to help introduce the idea of a new baby to my toddler. My daughter loves this book and requests it often. I have a feeling she'd enjoy it even if there was no baby on the way!

[Pepa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book would work well in any early childhood classroom. It sends a lesson of similarities between the development of animals and people.

[Terrah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been looking for more 'baby coming' books for the girls. I thought this one was especially sweet.

[Myra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful book! I read it aloud to my daughter and she just snuggled up on my lap as I read. It was so meaningful to both of us. This is on my "To Own Someday" list.

[Claire · Rating 5 out of 5]

My daughter picked this one up randomly from the library and I'm very happy she did! Cute story and it even depicts breastfeeding! I wish more children's books were like this.