Book Review: Are You My Mother?

1. Bibliography: 

Eastman, P.D. Are you my mother? New York: Random House, 1960. ISBN: 9780394800189

2. Plot Summary:

This is a very sweet story that is about a baby bird's journey to find his mother. After breaking through his egg, he finds that his mother is nowhere to be seen. The baby bird is eager to meet his mother so he sets out on a journey to find her. On his way, he comes across many different animals and objects and asks if they are his mother. In a surprising way, he ends up finding his mother and all is well in the world. 

3. Critical Analysis:

This heartwarming tale is a great story to share with young ones and even the “young at heart”. Eastman’s writing in Are you my Mother is very simply and heartfelt. You can’t help but emotionally jump in and join the baby bird in hopes that he finds his mother soon. The baby bird is so innocent and naïve that he becomes easy to love. His curious personality and determination is a true testament that you should never give up trying.

P.D. Eastman’s illustrations are very uncomplicated and ordinary. Throughout the book, Eastman uses only five colors and the pictures are simple and do not distract the reader from the text. These types of illustrations are very nostalgic and bring the reader back to a time of simplicity and peace. The last page of the story is a wordless page that contains a picture of baby bird and his mother resting peacefully in their nest. This is a great way to end this book, leaving the reader to wonder what happens next in their lives. The simplicity of Eastman’s writing and illustrations make this a great book for beginners, and is one that everyone will enjoy. 

4. Review Excerpts:

#45 in Top 100 Best Picture Books according to the School Library Journal

Positive Review from School Library Journal Blog: “I am such a big fan of the truly excellent easy reader. This is another one that blows you away with its perfect simplicity.”

Positive Review from CommonSenseMedia.org: “This classic tale is as appealing to modern-day children as it was to their parent’s decades ago.”

5. Connections:

*This is a great book to read with your little one and discuss the relationships between a mother and child. 

*Here are some related books about mother and child relationships:

Munsch, Robert. Love you Forever. ISBN: 0920668372

Chaconas, Dori. Momma, Will You? ISBN: 0670059072

*Other books by P.D. Eastman

 P.D. Eastman. Go, Dog. Go! ISBN: 0394800206

 P.D. Eastman. The Best Nest. ISBN: 0375825037