Mommy time /

Enhanced descriptions from Syndetics:

This intimate picture book debut captures the joys--and occasional struggles--of being a stay-at-home parent.

Rollicking rhyme and playful illustrations record a day in the life of two rambunctious children and their stay-at-home mother. As fun as it is being a kid, it can be hard work being a mom . When Dad heads to his job, the joyful chaos of getting ready for the day begins. To the children, that day is a happy blur of school and playdates, singing and dancing, supermarket walks and library stops, bath time, story time, bedtime. But Mommy's time is filled with a whole lot more-- sweeping, laundry, stinky diapers--tiring work achieved with love in her eyes and care in her smiles. An authentic catalog of precious moments in the life of an ordinary family, this warm, revealing story builds a bridge of empathy between parent and child and celebrates the value of "Mommy time."

Reviews provided by Syndetics

Publishers Weekly Review

"We just love our Mommy time," two siblings exclaim in this rhythmically rendered account of the daylong caregiving they receive from their seemingly tireless mother. After waving goodbye to a bearded figure, the heroine gets the day going for an older narrating child: "She drags me out of bed time,/ then it's comb my bushy hair time/ dressing time/ breakfast time," James-Duncan writes. With the elder at school, prose shifts to the younger's perspective, which describes a jam-packed day of "sing-along time," "market time," "cleanup time," and more. The juggle continues after school with extracurriculars and the dentist, and the returning bearded adult stays in the background as the bedtime routine unfolds. Employing pastel hues and shapely forms, Glenn's digital art depicts the Black-presenting family's day as full of "tender, precious/ moments time" that Mommy is pictured as relishing with an (almost) unwavering smile. Ages 4--8. (Mar.)

School Library Journal Review

PreS-Gr 1--An adorable story that is simple and full of love. A little boy enjoys his mommy time and all the other activities he does with his mother and family, from "morning time" to "sing-along time" to "go home time." The vocabulary is simple, clear against the page, and uses the word time as both a pattern and minimal rhyme scheme. Glenn's beautiful illustrations help readers figure out who is speaking and what action takes place when. Delightful expressions light everyone's faces throughout. The illustrations and text work wonderfully together to make readers feel as if they are this child, in love with the mom (who loves them back) and enjoying all the cool things they do together. This is a timely and relatable tale about love, daily life, and family. VERDICT An adorable story that encourages students to share what they do during the day and how much they love their family--especially their mom.--Margaret Kennelly

Kirkus Book Review

Two young children show appreciation for their mother throughout a routine day. As the morning begins, so does our young protagonists' day. After Mom has gotten everyone out of bed, she begins their morning routine of combing "bushy hair," dressing the children, and preparing breakfast. As Mom sends one child to school, she takes the other to a parent-and-child program, where they socialize and play their conga drums. Though it's difficult to leave such a "gleeful time," Mom and child make their way to the market, where it's tempting to touch the brightly colored produce. A stop at the playground is just what's needed before a midday nap while Mom handles household chores. Soon after, it's time to pick up the older sibling from school, and on the way to after-school activities, the child fills Mom in on all their thoughts. As the day comes to a close, this tightknit Black family--the children's other parent now home--can be seen spending time in the kitchen, completing homework and eating dinner before bed. Soft, energetic digital illustrations portray a day in the life of a loving mother as she spends time with her young children. The mother's love and care for her children is clear, and the little ones' appreciation shines through the joyfully rhythmic narration. (This book was reviewed digitally.) A beautiful display of how mothers show up for their children in myriad ways. (Picture book. 3-7) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

Author notes provided by Syndetics

Monique James-Duncan is the author of Mommy Time , her publishing debut. Born in Britain and raised on the tiny island of the Commonwealth of Dominica, she is passionate about writing literature with mirrors so all children can feel seen. About the book, she says, " Mommy Time is an ode to mothers--particularly the largely unseen African American stay-at-home mother. Thus, through the eyes of her adorable toddler, we see that her 'unpaid' work is, to him, precious, appreciated, and undoubtedly one of the most challenging jobs in the world." A busy stay-at-home mother herself, she lives in Brooklyn, New York.

Ebony Glenn is the illustrator of numerous books for young readers, including Red Shoes by Karen English, Speak Up by Miranda Paul, and Brave Ballerina: The Story of Janet Collins by Michelle Meadows. She lives in Atlanta, Georgia.