Reviewed by Makai Kellogg
Review Source: Teaching for Change
Book Author: Sinnah Bangura, Marilyn Ramirez, Chae Eun Jung
This beautiful book is an anthem for mamas and their children. Part of the Shout Mouse Mini Mirrors series for toddlers, it is appropriate for children from infancy to full fledged readers. This playful and joyful book provides readers with a repetitive pattern that is easy to follow along.
The illustrations are inclusive of body types, racial identity, vocations, and leisure activities.
Sinnah Bangura, Chae Eun Jung, and Marilyn Ramirez share a brief love letter to the reader, including the affirmation: “There’s no right way to be a mom.” The authors intentionally make mamas visible, whether a musician, hairdresser, or personal trainer.
Each page highlights a mama who inspires their child(ren) to engage in similar activities in their own context. For example, while Tattoo Mama is designing, her child is drawing just like her. This book can be included in early childhood programs and homes to center the Black Lives Matter guiding principles of Black women, diversity, Black families, intergenerational, and loving engagement.
Makai Kellogg is an anti-bias early childhood educator and Equity and Diversity Coordinator at School for Friends in Washington, D.C. She creates age-appropriate curriculum on social justice for her students to explore equity issues such as race, homelessness, gender stereotypes, etc. Makai leads the Parents of Multiracial Children group, Equity and Diversity Parent Book Club, as well as other programming throughout the year that allow parents to address their biases to be proactive as their children learn about the world around them. Makai facilitates training and opportunities for her colleagues to engage in identity work and discussions on equity and anti-bias education in the classroom. Through her work with young children and their families, she is creating an inclusive community of critical thinkers and change makers. Makai works closely with Teaching for Change and its initiative, the D.C. Area Educators for Social Justice as an advisory board member. She is also part of the leadership team for the Anti-Bias Early Childhood Educator Working Group. Read more on Makai’s Early Childhood Equity Endeavors.
Mamas Just Like You! by Sinnah Bangura, Marilyn Ramirez, Chae Eun Jung
on November 15, 2022
Genres: Read Alouds, Shout Mouse Press booklist
Pages: 32
Reading Level: Early Childhood
ISBN: 9781950807499
Review Source: Teaching for Change
Publisher's Synopsis: Showing love for all the different mamas being their unique selves!
If we know one thing for sure, there are many sorts of mamas, and they are all worth celebrating! This inclusive toddler book champions mothers of all kinds, doing their jobs and pursuing their passions, alongside their admiring kiddos. Written by three student parents, this book especially highlights mothers who might not normally appear in the pages of a book. From construction mamas to student mamas to tattooed mamas, there's no one way to look like a mom!
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