tracybabler's review
4.0
Thanks to the Kid Lit Exchange for the review copy of this book. As always, all opinions are my own.
LOVE, MAMA is author/illustrator Jeanette Bradley’s debut picture book, and she knocked it out of the park. Little Kipling the penguin waves goodbye to his mama as she floats away on an iceberg (which appears to be taking her to a really cool ship). Kipling expects Mama to come home soon, but she’s not back for dinner, bedtime, or even the next day. Kipling can’t have any fun without Mama. But one day he receives a package of all his favorite things and a special note that begins, “My love for you stretches across the wide ocean….” (Yes, mamas, it’s a bit of a tearjerker). Kipling learns that even when Mama is away from home, her love is great enough to bridge any physical divide. The book is filled with stunning, Arctic illustrations in calming, cool blues.
LOVE, MAMA is author/illustrator Jeanette Bradley’s debut picture book, and she knocked it out of the park. Little Kipling the penguin waves goodbye to his mama as she floats away on an iceberg (which appears to be taking her to a really cool ship). Kipling expects Mama to come home soon, but she’s not back for dinner, bedtime, or even the next day. Kipling can’t have any fun without Mama. But one day he receives a package of all his favorite things and a special note that begins, “My love for you stretches across the wide ocean….” (Yes, mamas, it’s a bit of a tearjerker). Kipling learns that even when Mama is away from home, her love is great enough to bridge any physical divide. The book is filled with stunning, Arctic illustrations in calming, cool blues.
alittleoverdue's review
4.0
It probably only deserves three stars, but it featured a penguin mommy and fuzzy baby. And when you couple that with a cute story that my toddler also enjoyed, well, you've got my penguin-loving librarian mom demographic nailed.
bamahnken's review
5.0
I sometimes travel for work and it breaks my heart to leave my son. I like to read him this book before a trip to show that even though “mama” has to leave her baby Kipling, she is still thinking about him all of the time just like he thinks about her. I appreciate this book for helping working mamas explain their traveling to their children. Often, if depicted at all, the traveling parent is the father, so I was thrilled when I found this one!
agudenburr's review
4.0
A very cute story about the love between a mother and a child told through penguins. Would be great for Valentine's day or Mother's day.
libraryjen's review
4.0
A beautiful story about the love between a mama and her baby. The story was realistic (I loved the pillow mama and picture mama!) and the pictures were gorgeous. My only complaint is that they never tell you who the penguin is who is looking after Kipling while his mama is away. Is it Dad? Grandpa? Grandma? A friend? It would have been comforting to the kids to know for sure that Kipling was with a safe person while his mama was gone.
letstalkaboutbooksbaybee's review
4.0
Didn’t expect this many emotions from a book about penguins and yet here we are
shayemiller's review
3.0
Sweet story about a young penguin named Kipling and his mama. Mama leaves for a trip across the ocean and Kipling misses her, dearly. Time passes as he creates pretend "mamas" who don't read to him, laugh with him, or cuddle with him. But never fear, Mama eventually returns. What a great book for facing separation anxiety and reassuring children that mom and dad will return.
For more children's literature, middle grade literature, and YA literature reviews, feel free to visit my personal blog at The Miller Memo!
For more children's literature, middle grade literature, and YA literature reviews, feel free to visit my personal blog at The Miller Memo!
debnanceatreaderbuzz's review against another edition
3.0
Kipling misses his mama so much when she heads out to sea. He is thrilled to get a box from her that reminds him of her love for him.
A nicely new take on an old theme of separation and loneliness, with vivid language and sweet pictures.
A nicely new take on an old theme of separation and loneliness, with vivid language and sweet pictures.