Baby Brains and Robomom: The Smartest Baby in the Whole World
by Simon James
Candlewick
I was going to save this one for Mother's Day, but, heck, shouldn't we get a tribute every day?
This is no treacly tribute to a gauzy, pastel-hued, idealized Mom. Mrs. Brains eats fish and nuts while pregnant and gives birth to a mercury-addled, cholesterol-padded freak. No, wait, that's wrong! Bad Anne.
She gives birth to a super-smart inventor type, in a wry nod to all of us overeager parents of would-be wunderkinds.
But Baby Brains' also blessed with extraordinary empathy in how he notices the fatigue he causes his folks for looking after their budding brainiac. Wish my kids had some of that DNA.
A night of serious tinkering and voila! Introducing Robomom, who looks like an oversized can opener on caterpillar tracks and who does all the things parents do, but better, and without complaint. That's okay, it's not exactly up to the rigors of Mommyhood, which is what gives this book it's unexpected hilarity.
This is actually the third Baby Brains book, but Simon smartly doesn't assume we've met the characters before. His cartoon illustrations keep the tone light to match the story, which rips along to its witty and ironic ending. Parents will like how they're portrayed (especially Mom) and four-to-eight year olds should find its silliness perfectly pitched.
Rating: *\*\*\
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