The book's title is used as a refrain to show four mothers working in a variety of professional settings while also taking care of their families. Their kids are depicted in school together, mirroring their mothers' experiences and dreaming about their own future careers. Cheerful illustrations expand on the simple story and depict unspoken relationships among the multicultural cast of characters.

Various mothers and children have parallel experiences throughout their days. Skrypuch treads familiar ground—separation anxiety is a major aspect of childhood development. But this tale isn't full of tantrums or tears; instead, the kids in these families are shining examples of confidence and security. When one mother/child pair is separated, and a slight worry creeps in, the boy, bedecked in red-rimmed glasses, explains, "When Mama goes to work, / I know she misses me. / But she talks with friends / and thinks of me. / She knows that she'll be back." Likewise, he talks with his friends and thinks of his mother at the same time. Another girl hides a surprise in her mom's lunch; her mom does the same for her. At noon, they both think of each other. The repetitious nature and parallel storytelling structure of each mother and child's experiences can seem plodding, but it will likely be comforting to young worriers. Skrypuch follows only four families, but the variety of ethnicities and careers included is commendable, though it's a darn shame that in 2014, the narrative focus is still exclusively on mothers. Sunny, cartoonlike illustrations add to the cheer (disregard the slightly creepy toothy smiles of some). Spare in both text and art, earnest in heart, limited in scope. (Picture book. 2-6)

PreS Four young children comment in alternating scenarios on the workdays of their mothers and their own parallel activities. "When Mama goes to work,/she wears her working clothes./She packs my lunch./She combs her hair./She takes her special bag." On the facing pages, a mother in medical garb and a little girl slip a love note and a toy spider into each other's lunch container as midday surprises. On the following page a different family appears, and a little boy and his toddler sister go off to day care with a mother in business garb. The third mother drives a construction vehicle ("She works with tools and gets things done"). Mothers and children miss one another during the day, but all keep happily busy. At day's end, they go home or to do errands for pleasant times together. In a cozy finish, all four children are shown fast asleep in a quadrant view. The simple art features flat figures done in colored outlines. Awkward choices in the depictions of characters' mouths sometimes give them an odd appearance. While the overall tone is cheerful and inclusive, the alternating mother/child scheme can be confusing. The theme of loving relationships between young children and working mothers is likely a useful choice for nursery school classes. Margaret Bush, Simmons College, Boston