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Are You My Mother?
The must-have, heartwarming and hilarious classic about a baby bird in search of his mother! A baby bird goes in search of his mother in this hilarious Beginner Book edited by Dr. Seuss. When a mother bird's egg starts to jump, she hurries off to make sure she has something for her little one to eat. But as soon as she's gone, out pops the baby bird. He immediately sets off to find his mother, but not knowing what she looks like makes it a challenge. The little hatchling is determined to find his mother, even after meeting a kitten, a hen, a dog, and a Snort. The timeless message of the bond between mother and child make P. D. Eastman's Are You My Mother? a treasured classic. Beginner Books are fun, funny, and easy to read! Launched by Dr. Seuss in 1957 with the publication of The Cat in the Hat, this beloved early reader series motivates children to read on their own by using simple words with illustrations that give clues to their meaning. Featuring a combination of kid appeal, supportive vocabulary, and bright, cheerful art, Beginner Books will encourage a love of reading in children ages 3–7.
72 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 12, 1960
1344 people are currently reading
100473 people want to read
About the author
P.D. Eastman
69 books791 followersPhilip Dey "Phil" Eastman was an American screenwriter, children's author, and illustrator. As an author, he is known primarily as P. D. Eastman. A protégé of Theodor Geisel (Dr. Seuss), Eastman wrote many books for children, in his own distinct style under the Dr. Seuss brand of Random House, many of which were in the Beginner Books series.
From 1936 to 1941, Eastman worked at the story department of Walt Disney Productions. From 1941 to 1943 he worked at the story department of Warner Bros. Cartoons. From 1945 to 1952 he worked in the story department of United Productions of America. He contributed to the "Private Snafu" World War II training films, wrote for the animation Mr. Magoo, and the Gerald McBoing-Boing series for UPA.
From 1936 to 1941, Eastman worked at the story department of Walt Disney Productions. From 1941 to 1943 he worked at the story department of Warner Bros. Cartoons. From 1945 to 1952 he worked in the story department of United Productions of America. He contributed to the "Private Snafu" World War II training films, wrote for the animation Mr. Magoo, and the Gerald McBoing-Boing series for UPA.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 2,939 reviews
September 29, 2011
Grades: pre-k to 2nd
When I was in first grade, my sister and I found out we were adopted. I instantly sought comfort in this book. We were told we were adopted because in class we had to write down where we inherited our facial features and hair from. I couldn't say where I got my curly hair from and when my teacher told me I had to get curly hair from someone in my family, I came home from school on a mission to discover where it came from knowing that I was the only one with curls. The idea that I didn't look like the rest of my family, was difficult but this book helped me deal with my differences. Its been a long time since I read it, and although I believe the little lost bird ends up with a mother who looks just like him, I have this memory of my mom using this book to explain that a mother is more of a emotional connection, a caring relationship, not always a physical connection.
When I was in first grade, my sister and I found out we were adopted. I instantly sought comfort in this book. We were told we were adopted because in class we had to write down where we inherited our facial features and hair from. I couldn't say where I got my curly hair from and when my teacher told me I had to get curly hair from someone in my family, I came home from school on a mission to discover where it came from knowing that I was the only one with curls. The idea that I didn't look like the rest of my family, was difficult but this book helped me deal with my differences. Its been a long time since I read it, and although I believe the little lost bird ends up with a mother who looks just like him, I have this memory of my mom using this book to explain that a mother is more of a emotional connection, a caring relationship, not always a physical connection.
August 6, 2025
In a Nutshell: A cute little picture book about a little birdie looking for his mother. Lovely story, many funny interactions, okay illustrations. (Perhaps they haven’t aged well?) I can see why this is a classic.
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Plot Preview:
Just a few days ago, I read a picture book about a mother bird who lost her babies. Thanks to my GR friend Shelley’s comment on its review, here I am, reading a picture book about a baby bird who lost his mother. 😅
This classic picture book, first published in 1960, was an offering from Dr. Seuss’ publishing house, Beginner Books.
The story is quite sweet. Quite a few animals make an appearance in the book, and it is hilarious to see Baby Bird constantly ask them if they were his mother. I found it amusing that Baby Bird was sure he had a mother, but he didn’t wonder even once if he had a father. 😆
The flow of the story is quite good, though I do wish the identity of the person behind “Snort” had been revealed, at least in the graphics.
The book uses a nice combination of simple words, repetition, conversations, and humour. This textual smorgasbord, along with the animals interacting with Baby Bird, makes this book a great read-aloud option, with many opportunities for enthusiastic adults to emote the text with funny sound effects.
The illustrations were a little disappointing. Though all the creatures are drawn in a cute way, most of the graphics use only brown, with very few exceptions in red and yellow. The overall feel was hence a little drab. For a story based in nature, I would have preferred a more vibrant palette.
Overall, this picture book, with its humorous interactions and heartwarming reunion would be an entertaining accompaniment to bedtime. I am not at all surprised that this is considered a children’s classic.
4 stars.
This was a library read.
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Plot Preview:
When a mother bird senses that her baby is about to hatch, she flies off to search food for him. Unfortunately, Baby Bird hatches when she is away. He knows that he has a mother but he can't see her anywhere nearby. Thus begins his adventurous quest to find his mother. A task made very difficult by the fact that he has no idea what she looks like!
Just a few days ago, I read a picture book about a mother bird who lost her babies. Thanks to my GR friend Shelley’s comment on its review, here I am, reading a picture book about a baby bird who lost his mother. 😅
This classic picture book, first published in 1960, was an offering from Dr. Seuss’ publishing house, Beginner Books.
The story is quite sweet. Quite a few animals make an appearance in the book, and it is hilarious to see Baby Bird constantly ask them if they were his mother. I found it amusing that Baby Bird was sure he had a mother, but he didn’t wonder even once if he had a father. 😆
The flow of the story is quite good, though I do wish the identity of the person behind “Snort” had been revealed, at least in the graphics.
The book uses a nice combination of simple words, repetition, conversations, and humour. This textual smorgasbord, along with the animals interacting with Baby Bird, makes this book a great read-aloud option, with many opportunities for enthusiastic adults to emote the text with funny sound effects.
The illustrations were a little disappointing. Though all the creatures are drawn in a cute way, most of the graphics use only brown, with very few exceptions in red and yellow. The overall feel was hence a little drab. For a story based in nature, I would have preferred a more vibrant palette.
Overall, this picture book, with its humorous interactions and heartwarming reunion would be an entertaining accompaniment to bedtime. I am not at all surprised that this is considered a children’s classic.
4 stars.
This was a library read.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Connect with me through:
|| My Blog || The StoryGraph || Instagram || Facebook ||
October 17, 2019
This is a wonderful story that I absolutely adored reading over and over again to my kids. It has great sonorities to the words and is lots of fun. It is a great way for especially small kids to learn that just because mommy disappears for a little while, she will always come back - and sometimes with a tasty treat - yummy worms!! :)
A must for kids!
A must for kids!
February 4, 2018
When a Mother Bird leaves the nest to find food for her yet-to-hatch egg, little does she know that the Baby Bird will be on a mission to find his mother right off the bat. With no one in the nest, Baby Bird begins a search around, seeking out his mother. Not a kitten, a hen, a cow or a dog... and on goes the search for his mother. Further explorations prove fruitless, but Baby Bird is soon reunited with his mother and finds all the happiness he could want. Neo chose this as his final bedtime book, having heard it before in a previous collection. He thought it funny to see all the different mother possibilities that Baby Bird had before locating his rightful mother.
August 8, 2017
A cute, little, tiny tiny bird is out and about to explore the world. What is she searching? Whom is she looking for?
Of course, it's her mother, whom she wants to find out!
Funny and innovative!
Of course, it's her mother, whom she wants to find out!
Funny and innovative!
November 13, 2018
3 Are You My Mother? ★'s
“You are not my mother. You are a scary Snort!”
I may not have loved this book but I can still appreciate it :) It's an okay book especially to introduce to young children to as it is a very easy read with very simple words. The illustrations in the remakes are very colorful which is good because it holds the eye. There's nothing worse than a good story with absolute boring pictures! It just kinda felt a bit long for what it was. But my little niece seemed to enjoy it well enough. Just NOT something I'd personally wanna read very often if ever again... The message I got out of it is this, It helps children learn we should be thankful for our mothers and also the friends around us. That's a pretty good message though that's for sure.
“You are not my mother. You are a scary Snort!”
I may not have loved this book but I can still appreciate it :) It's an okay book especially to introduce to young children to as it is a very easy read with very simple words. The illustrations in the remakes are very colorful which is good because it holds the eye. There's nothing worse than a good story with absolute boring pictures! It just kinda felt a bit long for what it was. But my little niece seemed to enjoy it well enough. Just NOT something I'd personally wanna read very often if ever again... The message I got out of it is this, It helps children learn we should be thankful for our mothers and also the friends around us. That's a pretty good message though that's for sure.
July 23, 2023
Latest Review:
I babysat my nephew last night and he couldn't find the book he was currently reading so he asked me to pick something out. We had a tongue twister battle with 'Oh Say can you Say' by Dr. Seuss and then he picked out 'Green Eggs and Ham'. He then begged for one more. So he went to the old bookshelf with the picture books on them and he picked out this book. He said he loved this book. So we were going down memory lane together.
I read this book often as a child and have fond memories of it. The nephew read to me this time. I have to say, I thought the artwork was terrible. All these browns and really just bad. I remember thinking it was great. Interesting. That crane scene at the end is still so memorable. I loved the Nephew's commentary about the artwork and the story. He did love it.
I miss those days. I'm so thankful I got one my night, at least, of sharing a book with my nephew. Good times.
earliest Review:
My niece wanted to have reading time this afternoon and this is the book she picked out. Another good one from my childhood. Sweet and cute. Still entertaining.
I babysat my nephew last night and he couldn't find the book he was currently reading so he asked me to pick something out. We had a tongue twister battle with 'Oh Say can you Say' by Dr. Seuss and then he picked out 'Green Eggs and Ham'. He then begged for one more. So he went to the old bookshelf with the picture books on them and he picked out this book. He said he loved this book. So we were going down memory lane together.
I read this book often as a child and have fond memories of it. The nephew read to me this time. I have to say, I thought the artwork was terrible. All these browns and really just bad. I remember thinking it was great. Interesting. That crane scene at the end is still so memorable. I loved the Nephew's commentary about the artwork and the story. He did love it.
I miss those days. I'm so thankful I got one my night, at least, of sharing a book with my nephew. Good times.
earliest Review:
My niece wanted to have reading time this afternoon and this is the book she picked out. Another good one from my childhood. Sweet and cute. Still entertaining.
June 6, 2024
I love the silly cases of mistaken identity and the way the words flow when read out loud. It was a pleasure to read this to my daughter when she was two and remains a pleasure to read aloud to myself today.
Rated "Good" in our old book database by Rod and Adelia
Rated "Good" in our old book database by Rod and Adelia
January 30, 2014
Mother Bird wears a kerchief on her head because of femininity.
January 17, 2008
I absolutely love this book!!!! This book never gets old and never stops being fun to read or hear. We LOVE this book!
For years Thea pretended to "pop!" from the egg. She still does sometimes. And this book is how she first learned that animals EAT other animals..
She knew birds caught worms. But it wasn't until I asked her what the baby bird was going to DO with the worm that I realized she didn't know. She said the worm was going to live in the nest with the baby bird. Like a pet.
So I, somewhat mischeiviously and after recovering myself, told her ... He's going to EAT it!
She was horrified. The look on her face was awesome. Because, really? Who'da thunk it? animals are food??? She thought they were all friends!
Yesterday, in her animal book, there was a picture of a lion in mid-air about to tackle a gazelle or some such animal. She said "Look! He's going to climb on his back! Like I climb on yours!" The truth is a little more reality than I want her to have... so I said "Yup! Just like you climb on mine!".
For years Thea pretended to "pop!" from the egg. She still does sometimes. And this book is how she first learned that animals EAT other animals..
She knew birds caught worms. But it wasn't until I asked her what the baby bird was going to DO with the worm that I realized she didn't know. She said the worm was going to live in the nest with the baby bird. Like a pet.
So I, somewhat mischeiviously and after recovering myself, told her ... He's going to EAT it!
She was horrified. The look on her face was awesome. Because, really? Who'da thunk it? animals are food??? She thought they were all friends!
Yesterday, in her animal book, there was a picture of a lion in mid-air about to tackle a gazelle or some such animal. She said "Look! He's going to climb on his back! Like I climb on yours!" The truth is a little more reality than I want her to have... so I said "Yup! Just like you climb on mine!".
December 26, 2011
Strange story, the main character was VERY dim which did not suit the story.
It at first seemed as though it would be a breath taking story started with the age old question. "Are you my mother?" But his repeated asking of this question (To other animals and inanimate objects that could not possibly be his mother.)I found slightly disturbing. It also contributed to my fear that this newly hatched bird, had mental retardation brought on by his fall from the nest.
This book also brings up another sad topic, chick abandonment. The process of an adult bird leaving a new born ALONE in the nest for hours at a time a risky and dangerous thing to do to say the least.
In short this story is not (despite popular belief) a children's story. There is far too much chick endangerment. Birdy social services should most certainly take a look into this mother's endangerment of her chick.
*Note if you took this review seriously...you missed the point*
It at first seemed as though it would be a breath taking story started with the age old question. "Are you my mother?" But his repeated asking of this question (To other animals and inanimate objects that could not possibly be his mother.)I found slightly disturbing. It also contributed to my fear that this newly hatched bird, had mental retardation brought on by his fall from the nest.
This book also brings up another sad topic, chick abandonment. The process of an adult bird leaving a new born ALONE in the nest for hours at a time a risky and dangerous thing to do to say the least.
In short this story is not (despite popular belief) a children's story. There is far too much chick endangerment. Birdy social services should most certainly take a look into this mother's endangerment of her chick.
*Note if you took this review seriously...you missed the point*
January 9, 2015
A startling exposition on the morality of snorts.
February 23, 2018
un lindo libro para niños (o para aprender y mejorar el español:)
y de hecho la ilustración es adorable.
y de hecho la ilustración es adorable.
February 5, 2013
Are You My Mother, a simple, well-loved classic, opens with a mother bird sitting on her egg. When the egg begins to move, she leaves to find some food for her anticipated baby. In her absence, the egg hatches, and the hatchling sets out in search of his mother. He asks a kitten, a hen, a dog, and a cow if they are his mother, and each says "no." He sees a car, a boat, and an airplane, is disappointed that none of them are his mother either. Finally, he finds a construction digger, which he calls a Snort. The digger lifts him high in the air, frightening him terribly, then drops him back into his nest where he meets his mother returning home.
This is a great read-aloud for preschoolers, who will identify with the baby bird's fear at being separated from his parents. Its pacing is wonderfully predictable, with not-very-scary tension building to an exciting climax with the "Snort," and transitioning quickly to a deeply reassuring ending as the baby bird snuggles into the nest with his mother. It's also a good easy reader, although a student who has had the book read aloud in preschool may view it as babyish. I recommend the full paperback or hardback version rather than the abridged board book, which loses much in the abridging.
This is a great read-aloud for preschoolers, who will identify with the baby bird's fear at being separated from his parents. Its pacing is wonderfully predictable, with not-very-scary tension building to an exciting climax with the "Snort," and transitioning quickly to a deeply reassuring ending as the baby bird snuggles into the nest with his mother. It's also a good easy reader, although a student who has had the book read aloud in preschool may view it as babyish. I recommend the full paperback or hardback version rather than the abridged board book, which loses much in the abridging.
January 20, 2019
This wasn't a book that my sister and I had in own our collection as kids, but my grandmother had a copy. We read it plenty of times while visiting her house!
It's a silly story about a naive little bird who hatches from his egg while his mother is out collecting food. When he doesn't see her there, he goes off in search of her, asking various creatures and objects along the way the titular question. It's always funny when the bird moves on from asking animals to asking inanimate objects like airplanes and steam shovels if they're related; really, though, if you think about it, how would he know any better? (It's not like there was a mirror in that nest. He probably didn't even know what he was!)
The illustrations are simple but fun. I especially like the mama bird with her little red headscarf.
I hadn't read this in years (probably decades) but it's a classic that's held up pretty well. Today's kids are sure to get a giggle out of the baby bird's encounter with all his potential mothers... including the Snort!
Quotable moment:
It's a silly story about a naive little bird who hatches from his egg while his mother is out collecting food. When he doesn't see her there, he goes off in search of her, asking various creatures and objects along the way the titular question. It's always funny when the bird moves on from asking animals to asking inanimate objects like airplanes and steam shovels if they're related; really, though, if you think about it, how would he know any better? (It's not like there was a mirror in that nest. He probably didn't even know what he was!)
The illustrations are simple but fun. I especially like the mama bird with her little red headscarf.
I hadn't read this in years (probably decades) but it's a classic that's held up pretty well. Today's kids are sure to get a giggle out of the baby bird's encounter with all his potential mothers... including the Snort!
Quotable moment:
June 17, 2015
This was my nephews favorite book growing up. It had special meaning because I was raising him during his own mother's issues. At the time, they prevented her from being there. It broke my heart that maybe this little boy was confused about which of the women in his life was actually his mother. Maybe it is why this story meant so much to him. All I know is that he would crawl into my lap, with his battered copy of this book, and ask me to read it to him, over, and over again.
Imagine my surprise when over a decade later, this book is mentioned in
. It brought back so many sappy memories.
Imagine my surprise when over a decade later, this book is mentioned in
. It brought back so many sappy memories. 
September 19, 2020
This simple story has ultimate appeal for small children who can understand the birds wish to find its mother. The silly aspect of the animal is terrific. I still love the 'snort' who is really from such an age ago !
February 26, 2017
The second book I ever read to my daughter, and the first (and one of the only) non-rhyming books she enjoyed.
It's a book of traveling and education, meeting others that are different from you. Baby bird, as they're known to do, falls from the nest and wanders aimlessly for the mother it has yet to meet. Dog, cow, chicken, backhoe, baby bird can't find its mother until kismet allows the benevolent backhoe to replace it back into its nest and mother bird comes flying back in the nick of time! Wait, no, scratch that. She was horribly late. Tons of danger narrowly avoided.
Like most Disney movies, the father figure is curiously absent here. I don't know how this particular bird species mates, if it's life-long or more of a no-strings-attached sort of thing, but daddy bird should of been watching baby bird. Or mother bird should have called her sister bird or babysitter bird. Because this whole situation definitely warrants a call to Child Protective Services and could have been avoided. Fortunately luck is on baby bird's side. Read this book to see just how lucky it is!
It's a book of traveling and education, meeting others that are different from you. Baby bird, as they're known to do, falls from the nest and wanders aimlessly for the mother it has yet to meet. Dog, cow, chicken, backhoe, baby bird can't find its mother until kismet allows the benevolent backhoe to replace it back into its nest and mother bird comes flying back in the nick of time! Wait, no, scratch that. She was horribly late. Tons of danger narrowly avoided.
Like most Disney movies, the father figure is curiously absent here. I don't know how this particular bird species mates, if it's life-long or more of a no-strings-attached sort of thing, but daddy bird should of been watching baby bird. Or mother bird should have called her sister bird or babysitter bird. Because this whole situation definitely warrants a call to Child Protective Services and could have been avoided. Fortunately luck is on baby bird's side. Read this book to see just how lucky it is!
May 13, 2018
A new baby bird is about to hatch. Knowing her baby will be hungry, the mother bird goes looking for food for him, but he hatches while she is gone. He immediately sets out to find his mother. Will he succeed?
This is a book my whole family remembers with fondness from when I was a kid. The pictures are fun, and the story is straightforward and funny with a heartwarming ending. Most of the words will be very easy for early readers, and a couple of the more unfamiliar words they should be able to sound out with a little adult help.
Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.
This is a book my whole family remembers with fondness from when I was a kid. The pictures are fun, and the story is straightforward and funny with a heartwarming ending. Most of the words will be very easy for early readers, and a couple of the more unfamiliar words they should be able to sound out with a little adult help.
Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.
May 29, 2018
This has become one of my daughter's favorite bedtime stories. At the moment she calls the book "Baby bird". She really enjoyed this book since the first time I read it to her. Throughout some parts of the books she laughs and gets sad when baby bid cannot find his mother. She loves it so much she will even attempt to try and read it to her baby doll. I would definitely recommend this book to toddlers and young children. I remember enjoying this book myself when I was younger. It's just an all around great little story.
January 21, 2023
Omg the memories this books gives me. I want to cry 😭
March 27, 2013
My grandson, Gauge, and I read this book together recently. He is only 4-years-old and I noticed that this book is a little hard for him to follow. It also doesn't engage him as well as other books in the same genre have in the past. I still like the book, but for the real young ones it might be a skip.
March 4, 2019
ARE YOU MY MOTHER?
Written and Illustrated bu P.D. Eastman
1960; Random House (64 pages)
(Review Not on Blog)
RATING: 5 STARS
I loved this book as a kid! First, my dad read it to me, and then I learned to read this by memorizing the story. I was that obnoxious kid that shouted out, "ARE YOU MY MOTHER?" every time I read it. I also remember reading this one way past my age level, as I found it comforting. In my opinion, this is one of those books all kids should be introduced to!
Written and Illustrated bu P.D. Eastman
1960; Random House (64 pages)
(Review Not on Blog)
RATING: 5 STARS
I loved this book as a kid! First, my dad read it to me, and then I learned to read this by memorizing the story. I was that obnoxious kid that shouted out, "ARE YOU MY MOTHER?" every time I read it. I also remember reading this one way past my age level, as I found it comforting. In my opinion, this is one of those books all kids should be introduced to!
January 8, 2015
How could the mother bird leave while the egg was hatching? T______T
May 24, 2022
Classic picture book of a baby bird searching for his mother questioning a kitten, hen, dog, cow, boat, and plane. Cute and sweet that has endured for decades.
June 30, 2020
Very cute, sweet, and funny.
January 30, 2024
Upon rereading this, I realized Bell Hammers is merely a glorified, extended retelling of this story starring men. So there's that, I guess. Apparently it was important to me growing up.
June 20, 2013
Apparently this is a popular theme, as we've seen it several times in many books. I thought it was a little long for the topic, or maybe I just wasn't that interested. But it looked like my kids felt differently. Both my preschool and school aged kids enjoyed it and were engaged throughout.
October 28, 2007
especially delicious when read by mark miller!
January 14, 2018
Loved by my children and grandchildren. Recommended.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 2,939 reviews