"A lyrical, spirited picture book that takes the old 'yo’ mama' joke and cracks, snaps, and pops it into an ode to motherhood. Using a vibrant tattoo motif, colorful, joy-infused artwork, and playful, melodic words, Ramos and Alcántara’s winning picture book celebrates motherhood at its most inspirational.... Ramos conjures jubilant scene after scene with deft language and sprinkles of Spanish, and this tale’s more sublime moments simply shine. Similarly, Alcántara’s art represents motherhood as a model of ideals and mind spun for modern times...Overall, it’s a celebration that’s invaluable and needed." — Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
“This snappy tribute celebrates the fierce awesomeness of sweet, strong, funny, woke, brainiac mamas. Using rhythmic stanzas that swing...the bright, vibrant illustrations, with text in a playful retro-tattoo style, pop off the pages....This joyous celebration makes a perfect read-aloud for Mother's Day—and every day.” — Booklist (starred review)
"Ramos reconfigures a well-known joke format into an uplifting, rhythmic exultation of motherhood in this bouncy debut....Parents and children alike will appreciate this thoroughly contemporary portrait of familial love." — Publishers Weekly
"A dynamic picture book affirmation of love, adoration and acknowledgement for mothers as both caretakers and individuals....Alcántara's vibrant, tattoo-inspired illustrations boldly complement Ramos's text. The collaboration is an energetic display of admiration for the hard work, love and dedication of mothers." — Shelf Awareness
Perfectly dazzling. — Kirkus Most Joyful Picture Books of 2021
"A dynamic picture book affirmation of love, adoration and acknowledgement for mothers as both caretakers and individuals....Alcántara's vibrant, tattoo-inspired illustrations boldly complement Ramos's text. The collaboration is an energetic display of admiration for the hard work, love and dedication of mothers."
★ 2021-03-17
A lyrical, spirited picture book that takes the old “yo’ mama” joke and cracks, snaps, and pops it into an ode to motherhood.
Using a vibrant tattoo motif, colorful, joy-infused artwork, and playful, melodic words, Ramos and Alcántara’s winning picture book celebrates motherhood at its most inspirational. A child and a mother—both with brown skin, long, wavy black hair, and long, bold limbs—spend their days baking and playing, picnicking and protesting, going to the library and taking road trips. It starts with a honeyed bang: “Your Mama So Sweet, She Could Be a Bakery,” spelled out on a ribbon that could adorn a sailor’s arm as narration in regular type expands on this. Each subsequent double-page spread echoes these words (“Your Mama…”), highlighting how this mom’s “so strong,” “so forgiving,” and “so woke.” Notably, readers see a mom that stands alone, strong and defiant, as she walks into her child’s Parent Night at school and strolls through a neighborhood full of friends and passersby. Ramos conjures jubilant scene after scene with deft language and sprinkles of Spanish, and this tale’s more sublime moments (“Your Mama a Brainiac—mo’ betta than any app”) simply shine. Similarly, Alcántara’s art represents motherhood as a model of ideals and mind spun for modern times, both indebted to and limited by the specific type of mother of color depicted here. Overall, it’s a celebration that’s invaluable and needed. (This book was reviewed digitally with 10-by-20-inch double-page spreads viewed at 74% of actual size.)
Perfectly dazzling. (Picture book. 4-10)
