Who Is Your Favorite Monster, Mama?
by Barbara Shook Hazen; illustrated by Maryann Kovalski
On some levels, being a mom of very young children is a little like being a rock star. I’m the center of my children’s universe, both girls thrilling to play with me, show off for me, follow me around or simply cuddle. Their looks of naked adulation I memorize for recall in later years when my star inevitably falls. And then there’s all the screaming, the sleepless nights, the empty bottles strewn about.
Harry is a little monster who loves his mama, and his mama loves him “as much as a mountain, as wide as outside, and deeper every day.” He’s happy when he is the center of Mama’s attention. But when Mama can’t come running because she is tending to baby sister Bronwen or big brother Bruxley, the green-eyed monster takes over our little green guy, leading him to believe Mama has more time for his siblings than for him.
Proving that monster children take the same logical leaps as human kids, Harry decides Mama must love Bronwen and Bruxley more than she loves him. But Mama is clever, and helps Harry figure out for himself that she loves all of her furry, warty children the most. Little Harry is happy again.
Mama’s response makes perfect sense to me, now that I’m a mom and I love both of my kids the same – with every particle of my being and with an intensity that would be frightening if it weren’t so natural. No rock star ever loved her fans as much.
Note: reviewed by Deb Clark
Rating: *\*\
We must have some weird psychic (or monstrous) connection - I just reviewed My Monster Mama Loves Me So by Laura Leuck!
This one looks very cute, too. Thanks!
Posted by: Catherine | March 30, 2006 at 12:15 PM
Yes, I love the monster books. Something about all the monster-related stuff like green fur, fangs, spider webs and bug eating not only appeals to kids but also seems to keep all the lovey-dovey stuff between the monster moms and kids from being too mushy.
Posted by: Deb Clark | March 30, 2006 at 05:44 PM