What Moms Can't Do

A young dinosaur lists the many things that "moms can't do" in this amusing picture-book from Douglas Wood and Doug Cushman, which pairs a fairly straightforward text, highlighting the many ways that mom "falls short," with illustrations that depict a slightly different reality. Moms "need a little advice when they're packing lunches," our narrator informs us, while the artwork shows Mom packing a wholesome meal, while her son holds out every sugary snack he can find, hoping to have it included. Moms "can't make a basket on their own," we learn, while looking at an image of Mom lifting her son high, to allows him to make a basket. In the end, however, Moms can to one very important thing, we are told: they can love us!

This sweet show more picture-book was chosen as one of our May selections, over in The Picture-Book Club to which I belong, where our theme this month is "mothers," and it certainly fits the bill! I appreciated the humor, which arises from the contrast between words and image, and think that the use of dinosaurs - always a popular theme with the picture-book crowd - was a smart move, on Cushman's part. All in all, an engaging book, one I would recommend to young children who enjoy humorous stories. show less

Cute enough. I think that I would have enjoyed it more with other illustrations - but then, I guess I'm glad they were dinosaurs, not overdone dogs or chickens or whatever. Reminds me an awful lot of the [b:Just a Little Critter Collection|386212|Just a Little Critter Collection|Mercer Mayer|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1320416371s/386212.jpg|375894] books, which are even better (imo) and more affordable.

ETA: I've now read the companion book about dads, and I've realized what bothers me the most is that the Mom was doing almost entirely dutiful things with the child. Grocery shopping, gardening, making beds, etc. The dad gets to play ball, go camping, eat cake and ice cream, etc. That makes the Dad book a bit more of joy to read. show more But neither is special enough to rate higher than 3*s. show less

4.5 stars.

This delightful story is told from the perspective of a child who says that mommy can't do a lot of things but the pictures tell a different tale: Moms can't bake, but the child has helped and made a horrific mess. Moms can't go shopping by themselves but the illustrations show the child putting things in the cart that the Mom takes out again.

But you may notice a trend here: there are a lot of traditional female things the child talks about like cooking and cleaning and shopping. But there are other things like playing sports (basketball I think) and games, etc., which saves it for me.

The illustrations are adorable and the idea is delightful. This is a picture book that would be enjoyable for both child and adult.

4.5 stars.

This delightful story is told from the perspective of a child who says that mommy can't do a lot of things but the pictures tell a different tale: Moms can't bake, but the child has helped and made a horrific mess. Moms can't go shopping by themselves but the illustrations show the child putting things in the cart that the Mom takes out again.

But you may notice a trend here: there are a lot of traditional female things the child talks about like cooking and cleaning and shopping. But there are other things like playing sports (basketball I think) and games, etc., which saves it for me.

The illustrations are adorable and the idea is delightful. This is a picture book that would be enjoyable for both child and adult.

Summary: This book is told from a child's point of view and he is saying all the things that his mommy can't do but the illustrations show a different picture. The child thinks that because he is not getting what he want's in is lunch that his mommy can't pack a lunch right. Then there are things like playing games and sports that the child thinks his mommy can't do but the pictures show a different story.

Personal Reaction: I liked this book mainly because I am a single mom at the moment while my husband is deployed and there are many things like mowing the lawn or changing the light bulb that is too tall for me to reach that my children think I can not do. I love to be able to show them that a girl can do anything a boy can do even if show more it has to be done a different way or takes a little longer.

Classroom Extensions: I would have the boys do things like learn to sew or sweep and mop the floor and have the girls do things like air up a flat tire or dig a big whole in the ground. Teaching them that gender roles are out of date and that boys and girls can do the exact same things just in different ways.

This would be my favorite thing to show my children. As a woman I am expected that I can not change the oil in my car or change a flat tire. I would love to take my kids out to my own car and show them that me as a woman can do exactly that. I would be able to go through each step with them teaching them at the same time. show less

This book is a very cute book written from a child's point of view about all the things a mom can't do. All of the things the child says the mom "can't do" are actually things that the child never sees the mom do, or things she just doesn't do, but to the child she can't do them. Cute read aloud book.

Summary: This is a cute book from a young dinosaur's point of view about things his mother can't do well. For example, moms can't wait to wake up kids in the morning. There is something on every page that moms can't do well, but the last thing the young dino mentions is something that moms can do well-love.

Personal Reaction: I thought this was a really cute book. I can relate to the mother dino because she can't let go of a hug without a kiss. Or two. Or nine. I would enjoy reading this book to my children to see their reactions.

Classroom Extension Ideas: I could read this book around Mother's Day and have the class 1) make their own books about things they are thankful for that their mother does for them or 2) make a collage dedicated show more to their mothers (or guardian). show less