ARE YOU MY MOTHER? by P.D. Eastman

Bibliography

Eastman, P.D. 1960. ARE YOU MY MOTHER? New York, NY: Random House. ISBN: 0394800184

Plot Summary

A mother leaves her nest to find food for her egg that is soon to hatch. While she is gone the egg hatches, and the baby bird is expecting to meet his mother. Since he discovers he is alone, he leaves the nest and encounters a variety of animals and asks them if they are his mother. The kitten, hen, dog, and cow are not his mother, so he then asks an old car, a boat, a plane, and a Snort, but they too are not his mother. Just when he the baby bird is getting frustrated because he can't find his mother, the Snort puts the baby bird back in his nest. The mother then returns and the two happily meet. The baby bird then explains to his mother that she is not any of the things he encountered on his search for her, but she is a bird and she is his mother.

Critical Analysis

The illustrations primarily consist of the colors brown, red, and yellow, but are appropriate for the content. The illustrations help children follow the story even if they are not able to read the words. The facial expressions on the baby bird are great at indicating his emotions throughout the story. Many words and phrases are repeated throughout the book which is good for beginning readers. The book provides an example of onomatopoeia when one of the machines makes a "snort" sound and the baby bird proceeds to name the machine a Snort. Overall, this is a classic story which should maintain the interest of most children because of the humor and persistence of the baby bird in his journey to find his mother.

Review Excerpt(s)

Best Books For Children 6th Ed (1998)

Books For Growing Minds - September/October 1998

Publishers Weekly Children's Books Fall 1997 (And Ongoing)

Baker & Taylor Forecast - September 1998

Baker & Taylor Forecast - October 1998

PW Reviews 1998 September #4

School Library Journal Advertisements 1996 - August 1999

CLS Opening Day Collections Audit-June 2002 (And Ongoing)

CHILDREN'S LITERATURE review: "This is the 25th anniversary edition of a book countless preschoolers want to hear again and again and again; some authorities have been bewildered by the appeal of this easy-read book; some consider it downright silly. But the fact is Are You My Mother? opens up a question that many young children worry about. As the little bird goes from kitten to hen to a car to a boat, the young readers cheer him on. They appreciate that while the newly hatched little bird may not be sure what his mother looks like, his persistence in finding this important person is admirable. Furthermore, the book invites many opportunities for conversation as the children explain differences between the various candidates for motherhood and baby bird, or as they share experiences about times when they may have missed or lost their mother, only to be lovingly reunited." Reviewer: Mary Hynes-Berry

Connections

• Children can talk about their favorite animals.
• Could prompt a discussion about physical traits children receive from their parents as well as genealogy.
• Children can discuss times they have been lost from their mothers and what they did in those situations as well as discuss what steps to take to find their parents if they are ever lost in the future.

Related books:

• Eastman, P.D. 1961. GO, DOG. GO! New York, NY: Random House. ISBN: 9780394800202
• Dr. Seuss. 1957. THE CAT IN THE HAT. New York, NY: Random House. ISBN: 9780394800011