Because I'm Your Mom

This picture book from the creators of Because I'm Your Dad follows up that volume's mischievous escapades with this portrait of a monster-styled mother who's equally game for good times. "Because I'm your mom, you can have nachos for breakfast, pancakes for dinner, and Popsicles in the shower," begins Zappa's fun-centric litany of activities. Other high-flying hijinks involve interactions with "cosmic-powered, smushy-faced puppicorns," skipping the child's piano lesson to skateboard at the beach, and jetting off to Switzerland and Egypt. In Santat's signature illustration style, chartreuse, magenta-haired Mom and her turquoise offspring dance, hug, and grin across the pages, alongside humans portrayed with various skin tones. And as the book winds down, Mom also promises to kiss owies, read books, and make wishes. Altogether, it's a lively accounting of a parent's promises that subverts typical sentiments around the titular phrase. Ages 4-8. (Mar.)

PreS-Gr 3--From the team that wrote Because I'm Your Dad, equal treatment is granted to Mom. The mothers in this book let their children pick out their own mismatched clothes, eat nachos for breakfast, and play with cosmic-powered smushy-faced puppycorns. They dig for treasure in the backyard with their children and skateboard with them on the beach while skipping piano lessons. "Because I'm your mom, we'll make wishes on shooting stars and always remember to say what we are grateful for at bedtime." Zappa's sentimental text is illuminated by the goofiness of Santat's bold, arresting monsters, which adds lots of fun without the mushiness. Each page shares a message of love juxtaposed with the playfulness of a two-pronged monster mom and her equally monstrous, but charming, youngster. Readers won't be frightened by these two as they colorfully parade among humans in their super stylish sunglasses or take selfies in front of the pyramids in Egypt. Be sure to look for Santat's nod to fellow artists and his witty details that bring an added layer to savvy readers. VERDICT Pure fun for readers with a lovable message that will appeal to all. A lovely addition to the library.--C.J Connor

A rowdy catalogue of Dad moments gets enacted by a creature who resembles a green '60s-era Nauga monster and his purple (gender-neutral) offspring, in this picture book from the son of the late Frank Zappa (and a father himself)....Throughout, Zappa and Santat maintain an entertaining balance between sweet and goofy, protective and raucous. —Publishers Weekly