MY MOTHER'S INVISIBLE SHIELD

“My mother has an invisible shield. I’ve tested it,” declares a floppy-haired child, who then proceeds to illustrate the many ways in which that hypothesis has been proven. This mom is ready for anything her child throws at her (sometimes literally), whether the youngster is attempting to filch some fruit or give her a scare. Throughout, a younger sibling looks on in curiosity. There’s no penetrating her force field, despite what appears to be extensive attempts and research. One thing, however, will always get through her defenses: A plaintive “Mama?” with outstretched arms removes barriers and results in a piggyback ride. Though the concept is cute and certainly relatable (parents having eyes in the back of their heads), this book misses the mark on several levels. It’s unclear what the child is hoping to achieve. Is the protagonist just playing or seeking deeper attention? The ending feels out of step with the other, more playful scenarios. The rhyme scheme is clunky both in tempo and in not-quite-there rhymes such as coming/something, resulting in an uneven read-aloud. The pictures are colorful and bright but don’t always match the words, causing confusion. Inconsistent details such as the family cat being both inside and outside the house within a single scene are distracting. Mama and the child have tan skin; the younger sibling has lighter skin.

Apr 2, 2025 - 07:49

“My mother has an invisible shield. I’ve tested it,” declares a floppy-haired child, who then proceeds to illustrate the many ways in which that hypothesis has been proven. This mom is ready for anything her child throws at her (sometimes literally), whether the youngster is attempting to filch some fruit or give her a scare. Throughout, a younger sibling looks on in curiosity. There’s no penetrating her force field, despite what appears to be extensive attempts and research. One thing, however, will always get through her defenses: A plaintive “Mama?” with outstretched arms removes barriers and results in a piggyback ride. Though the concept is cute and certainly relatable (parents having eyes in the back of their heads), this book misses the mark on several levels. It’s unclear what the child is hoping to achieve. Is the protagonist just playing or seeking deeper attention? The ending feels out of step with the other, more playful scenarios. The rhyme scheme is clunky both in tempo and in not-quite-there rhymes such as coming/something, resulting in an uneven read-aloud. The pictures are colorful and bright but don’t always match the words, causing confusion. Inconsistent details such as the family cat being both inside and outside the house within a single scene are distracting. Mama and the child have tan skin; the younger sibling has lighter skin.