Missing Momma
Missing Momma
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Publisher's Hardcover ©2024--
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Harry N Abrams, Inc.
Annotation: A tender picture book about a veteran’s PTSD and a family’s love for each other—on good days and hard days—from award-wi... more
 
Reviews: 2
Catalog Number: #392523
Format: Publisher's Hardcover
Copyright Date: 2024
Edition Date: 2024 Release Date: 10/29/24
Illustrator: Jomepour Bell, Rahele,
Pages: 1 volume (unpaged)
ISBN: 1-419-76155-2
ISBN 13: 978-1-419-76155-3
Dewey: E
LCCN: 2023042104
Dimensions: 29 cm
Language: English
Reviews:
Starred Review for Kirkus Reviews (Fri Oct 04 00:00:00 CDT 2024)

Momma hasn't been the same since returning from her deployments to Iraq, Afghanistan, and AfricaThe Momma who twirled to Beyoncé and loved gardening is gone, and in her place is a Momma who can't always manage to get out of bed, who has explosive outbursts, and who's lost "the sunlight spotlight smile" her child once found so much comfort and joy in. The attentive young protagonist tries to help, dragging a bucket of dirt into the house and opening the curtains to remind Momma of who she was. Momma's quiet, but she digs her fingers into the dirt, and things slowly begin looking up. Momma makes it clear that none of this is the child's fault, and the next day, the two smile as the wildflowers bloom and Beyoncé plays in the background. Bell's masterfully rendered, digitally edited ink and charcoal illustrations depict a Black mother and child whose love for each other is palpable even during moments of anguish. Scenes of them in the garden on Momma's good days are bright and lively. In contrast, the hard days are illustrated with a surrealistic quality that demonstrates the impact of Momma's pain on the whole family. Bingham's text is honest yet child-friendly; laudably, she makes it clear that the burden of resolving a parent's PTSD shouldn't fall upon a child and that grappling with mental-health issues takes time.A thoughtful, empathetic, and stirring child's-eye view of an all-too-common struggle. (author's note)(Picture book. 4-9)

Kirkus Reviews

Momma hasn't been the same since returning from her deployments to Iraq, Afghanistan, and AfricaThe Momma who twirled to Beyoncé and loved gardening is gone, and in her place is a Momma who can't always manage to get out of bed, who has explosive outbursts, and who's lost "the sunlight spotlight smile" her child once found so much comfort and joy in. The attentive young protagonist tries to help, dragging a bucket of dirt into the house and opening the curtains to remind Momma of who she was. Momma's quiet, but she digs her fingers into the dirt, and things slowly begin looking up. Momma makes it clear that none of this is the child's fault, and the next day, the two smile as the wildflowers bloom and Beyoncé plays in the background. Bell's masterfully rendered, digitally edited ink and charcoal illustrations depict a Black mother and child whose love for each other is palpable even during moments of anguish. Scenes of them in the garden on Momma's good days are bright and lively. In contrast, the hard days are illustrated with a surrealistic quality that demonstrates the impact of Momma's pain on the whole family. Bingham's text is honest yet child-friendly; laudably, she makes it clear that the burden of resolving a parent's PTSD shouldn't fall upon a child and that grappling with mental-health issues takes time.A thoughtful, empathetic, and stirring child's-eye view of an all-too-common struggle. (author's note)(Picture book. 4-9)

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Starred Review for Kirkus Reviews (Fri Oct 04 00:00:00 CDT 2024)
Kirkus Reviews
Reading Level: 3.0
Interest Level: 1-4

A tender picture book about a veteran’s PTSD and a family’s love for each other—on good days and hard days—from award-winning creators Winsome Bingham and Rahele Jomepour Bell

Momma wears combat boots, a camouflage jacket, and a U.S. ARMY tag on her chest. She is a fighter for her country’s freedom, but she is also a fighter for her family. When Momma comes home from a long deployment, however, something has changed. Our narrator, Momma’s “Baby," misses the big hugs, uniform fashion shows, and music mornings they used to share. And she really misses planting vegetables together. Now her Momma won’t even come out to the garden. But maybe, just maybe, she can bring the garden to Momma.

Missing Momma is the poignant and ultimately hopeful, comforting story of a child with a parent affected by PTSD. Sensitively written by Winsome Bingham and movingly illustrated by Rahele Jomepour Bell, Missing Momma beautifully reminds kids that a family’s love endures even on days that aren’t picture perfect.


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