School Library Journal Review
PreS-This appealing oversize book has a rhyming text and a huggable-looking toddler who clutches a purple toy duck. He lists some of the reasons he loves his mother: "She helps me wipe my grubby nose,/And tickles me between my toes!" The bright illustrations are set against pastel backgrounds with close-ups of the child and Mom outlined in black. With a little searching, children can even find the purple duck in each spread. This is a tale oft told, but with its cheerful, familiar scenarios, it will be a hit at storytimes.-Judith Constantinides, formerly at East Baton Rouge Parish Main Library, LA (c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Publisher's Weekly Review
Mommy is, in a word, awesome. "She's great to cuddle, soft to touch," writes Andreae (Giraffes Can't Dance), doesn't recoil from a "grubby nose" (a phrase that hints at this book's original publication in Great Britain), is a huge help when toilet training ("She's really very kind to me,/ She even helps me learn to pee!"), and offers plenty of positive reinforcement. Adorned with hearts, bubbles, and music notes, Dodd's (I Don't Want a Cool Cat!) nursery-hued, generously scaled cartoonlike drawings joyfully convey the many sides of Mommy-from silly ("I like to watch her brush her hair/ And dance around in her underwear!") to comforting (when a building block disaster strikes at playtime)-but only one mood: upbeat and unconditionally loving, even when Mommy is asking her little one "not to scream and shout" when they go out to eat. It may not be a true 360-degree portrait of the parent-child dynamic, but it could be just the ticket on those days when both sides need reminding of just how much they enjoy being with each other. Ages 1-5. (Feb.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
Horn Book Review
A little protagonist loves Mom and thinks readers should, too. Andreae's rhyming text, highlighting the importance of the mother-child bond, supposedly from a toddler's perspective, is warm and humorous but not always convincing. Dodd's illustrations, big and bold and outlined with thick black lines, fill the pages, making this a cuddly lap-read. (c) Copyright 2011. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Kirkus Review
Andreae and Dodd team up to create a winning read-aloud for the very young. As it is for most babies and toddlers, mommy is the center of this towheaded tot's universe. Andreae uses lilting verse as the young narrator takes readers through a typical day with mommy. The title begins with pure adoration: "I love my mommy very much, / She's great to cuddle, soft to touch." Soon mother and child are engaged in wiping a nose and tickling toes, singing songs in the car, holding hands, learning to pee, splashing in the tub, reading stories and ending the day with hugs and kisses. Dodd employs her signature style, using thick black lines and saturated bright colors. Her characters and objects fill the page, giving the reader a sense of intimacy. A judicious use of what appears to be red sponge paint adds playful texture in the scene showing the child eating "yummy" but messy spaghetti. In addition, readers can enjoy some interactive fun spotting the child's purple toy, which is cleverly included on every spread. The large format and warm tone make this truly perfect for little ones.(Picture book. 0-3)]] Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
