Mommy & Daddy Boxed set, by Anne Gutman and Georg Hallensleben
(includes Mommy Loves, Daddy Kisses, Mommy Hugs, and Daddy Cuddles)
There are, it seems, a gazillion books about mama and baby love, about the things a mom wishes as she gazes upon her newborn child, and about what it’s like to be a mom, (whether via picture books, fictitious momlit or true momoirs, not to mention the rise of the mommy blogger).
But what about the dads? You can’t very well give the above-mentioned to a dad or a pair of parents together, can you? And since this week’s gift guide is all about the papas, let’s look at a sweet set of board books perfect for moms and dads. If your baby – or someone else’s – is wee, these make a lovely tribute to family love that includes those oft-overlooked dads.
This set includes two books on mommies (Mommy Hugs, Mommy Loves), and two on daddies (Daddy Cuddles, Daddy Kisses), each of which show a nice variety of animals loving on their young ones. The last embrace of each book is a child with their parent. I love these for the vocabulary – I had no idea that baby koalas were joeys, and baby hedgehogs were hoglets! – and for the warm affection that is portrayed here without a trace of saccharine.
Equally attractive to me -- and contributing to the warm, cozy atmosphere of the books -- are the paintings. They are bold and richly ochre-toned, but more complex than they look at first glance, making for a gorgeous animal book as well as a quartet of little love stories. What a treat for a parent to share with their own kiddos.
BONUS: Love board books? Can never have too many? (Me, too.) Amy K Rosenthal’s terrific Little Pea, Little Hoot, and Little Oink books (review here) are now in board format – and we have a set to give away! Leave a comment with your family’s favourite board book to enter. (Click here for full contest rules. Contest closes December 2, 2009.)
