Your Mama
by NoNieqa Ramos and illustrated by Jacqueline Alcántara
A sweet twist on the age-old “yo mama” joke, celebrating fierce moms everywhere with playful lyricism and gorgeous illustrations. Perfect for Mother’s Day.
Yo’ mama so sweet, she could be a bakery. She dresses so fine, she could have a clothing line. And, even when you mess up, she’s so forgiving, she lets you keep on living. Heartwarming and richly imagined, Your Mama twists an old joke into a point of pride that honors the love, hard work, and dedication of mamas everywhere.
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Praise for Your Mama
Kirkus Most Joyous Picture Book of 2021
School Library Journal Best Picture Books of 2021
The Bank Street Center for Children's Literature Best Book of 2021
2022 NCTE Notable Books in Poetry
Virginia Center for the Book Great Read 2021
2022 ALA Rise: Feminist Book Selection
★ "In a glowing tribute to mothers, here is one hip parent who spends quality time with her child. Illustrated banners throughout the tale begin with the words “Your Mama” and continue with a description which is pictured on the pages, such as, “Your Mama So Sweet,” “Your Mama So Strong,” and “Your Mama So Funny.” The rhythmic text is lively while vibrant, detailed illustrations reveal the many activities mother and daughter share, such as baking, road trips, birthday parties, and singing along with the car radio. “She got friends at work, at church, around the ‘hood. Life is good.” English text with a smattering of Spanish words fit with the illustrations of a brown-skinned Latinx mother and young daughter. This mama brings verve to everything she does, whether sewing costumes for her child, attending Parents’ Night at school dressed in a flowing orange dress, or taking her girl to the library. With long, wavy black hair; large gold hoop earrings; and heeled knee-high boots decorated with red roses; this mama has as much energy as her child. An essential purchase, this contemporary, high-spirited salute to motherhood is a warm and welcoming valentine to family and love." – School Library Journal, starred review
★ "A lyrical, spirited picture book that takes the old ‘yo’ mama’ joke and cracks, snaps, and pops it into an ode to motherhood. Using a vibrant tattoo motif, colorful, joy-infused artwork, and playful, melodic words, Ramos and Alcántara’s winning picture book celebrates motherhood at its most inspirational…. Ramos conjures jubilant scene after scene with deft language and sprinkles of Spanish, and this tale’s more sublime moments (‘Your Mama a Brainiac—mo’ betta than any app’) simply shine. Similarly, Alcántara’s art represents motherhood as a model of ideals and mind spun for modern times, both indebted to and limited by the specific type of mother of color depicted here. Overall, it’s a celebration that’s invaluable and needed." –Kirkus, starred review
★ "This snappy tribute celebrates the fierce awesomeness of sweet, strong, funny, woke, brainiac mamas. Using rhythmic stanzas that swing…the bright, vibrant illustrations, with text in a playful retro-tattoo style, pop off the pages….This joyous celebration makes a perfect read-aloud for Mother’s Day—and every day." – Booklist, starred review
"Your Mama is an exuberant ode to supermoms everywhere…Alcántara’s illustrations are as lively as Ramos’ text…Humor and happiness fill every page…Your Mama hits the perfect note of sweetness." – Book Page
"Ramos reconfigures a well-known joke format into an uplifting, rhythmic exultation of motherhood in this bouncy debut….Parents and children alike will appreciate this thoroughly contemporary portrait of familial love." – Publishers Weekly