ALA Booklist (Sat Jan 01 00:00:00 CST 2000)

Almost no author/illustrator over the past 30 years has played a more prominent role in the literary lives of preschoolers than Eric Carle. His large, inviting graphic animals have consistently delighted and taught children during early stages of development. This latest effort is no exception. The structure is appropriately simple. First, the question, Does a Kangaroo have a mother, too? followed on the next page by the answer, Yes! A Kangaroo does have a mother! Just like me and you, along with a charming illustration of mother and offspring. The question is then repeated using a new animal--a giraffe, a swan, an elephant, etc.--12 animals in all. But in addition to simply introducing children to wildlife, Carle emphasizes the connection between humans and animals through portrayals of the mother-child bond of love; he also shows how humans bond to the natural world. The names of parents, young, and groups of each species are listed on the final page. (Reviewed January 1 & 15, 2000)

Horn Book

While readers will be drawn to Carle's illustrations of animal mothers and their children, brightly and lovingly executed as usual, the redundant text lacks any variation or interest. If some of the colorful animal names listed in the final note had been included (i.e., a baby kangaroo is a joey, its mother is a flyer, and its father is a boomer), it would have made for a more interesting read.

Publishers Weekly (Fri Oct 06 00:00:00 CDT 2023)

Nearly a dozen animals are introduced, substituted into the titular question. "Carle's innovative textures, quirky perspectives and glowing, jewel tones mark these stylized images of affectionate animal mothers and their endearing young," said <EMPHASIS TYPE=""ITALIC"">PW. Ages 3-6. <EMPHASIS TYPE=""ITALIC"">(Mar.)

School Library Journal

PreS-A feast of color from the cutout letters of the title to the endpapers. The repetitious text is perfect for the toddler set. "Does a lion have a mother, too? Yes! A LION has a mother. Just like me and you." The text is repeated on every spread as the author showcases a dozen different animal mothers and their babies. The question, "And do animal mothers love their babies?" is answered on the last page: "YES! YES! Of course they do. Animal mothers love their babies, just as yours loves you." The vibrant artwork is classic Carle and should delight its audience. A concluding page lists terms for each animal baby, mother, father, and group. This book could be combined with Deborah Guarino's Is Your Mama a Llama? (Scholastic, 1989) for a great Mother's Day storyhour.-Janet M. Bair, Trumbull Library, CT Copyright 2000 Cahners Business Information.