Mama is written and illustrated by Jeanette Winter. It was published in 206 by Harcourt Inc. It is basically a picture book and also an informational text about the tsunami disaster in 2004. It is the story of a baby hippopotamus who spends all of his time with his mama. One day they are swimming in the ocean when a huge tsunami comes and separates the mama and son. The baby is found by people from a zoo and is taken to live in the zoo with other animals because he cannot find his mama. The baby hippopotamus is sad at first, then he finds a stand-in mama in an old tortoise.
This story is beautifully illustrated. The colors are bold and beautiful and compliment each other very well. You wouldn’t think that basic lines would create good drawings, but this is the technique that Jeanette Winter uses. The lines just grab your attention because of the boldness and are so beautiful because they are so basic. The text is bold and a bit playful. The only words in the entire story are “mama” and “baby.” I love that though there are only two words in the book, there is an entire story in the pages. The story includes family bonds, separation, sadness, a struggle between holding onto the memory of the hippo’s mama and finding a new home and mother figure at the zoo. This is truly a heart breaking story, but it can be read almost by 2 year olds! The author’s note at the end gives a more detailed description of the tsunami and the facts behind this picture book. It explains that the baby hippo was really found and brought to the zoo and that one day they hope the hippo will form a bond with another mother hippo that is also living at the zoo. I was almost mad at first that they took the hippo to live at the zoo, but the author’s note helped me realize that the hippo was in need to protection and camaraderie that he may not have found by himself in the wild.I have really fallen in love with this story. It is so beautiful and easy to understand for younger kids. I think it has a great lesson to teach and include in any classroom.
This story is beautifully illustrated. The colors are bold and beautiful and compliment each other very well. You wouldn’t think that basic lines would create good drawings, but this is the technique that Jeanette Winter uses. The lines just grab your attention because of the boldness and are so beautiful because they are so basic. The text is bold and a bit playful. The only words in the entire story are “mama” and “baby.” I love that though there are only two words in the book, there is an entire story in the pages. The story includes family bonds, separation, sadness, a struggle between holding onto the memory of the hippo’s mama and finding a new home and mother figure at the zoo. This is truly a heart breaking story, but it can be read almost by 2 year olds! The author’s note at the end gives a more detailed description of the tsunami and the facts behind this picture book. It explains that the baby hippo was really found and brought to the zoo and that one day they hope the hippo will form a bond with another mother hippo that is also living at the zoo. I was almost mad at first that they took the hippo to live at the zoo, but the author’s note helped me realize that the hippo was in need to protection and camaraderie that he may not have found by himself in the wild.I have really fallen in love with this story. It is so beautiful and easy to understand for younger kids. I think it has a great lesson to teach and include in any classroom.
1 comment:
Katie, I need to bring you another book written on this topic: http://kerrysworldliteratureforchildrenblog.blogspot.com/2008/04/owen-mzee-language-of-friendship.html
I hope you will check out Kerry's blog; she read another informational text about this story and the authors even contributed to her blog!!! How amazing. I hope to read your thoughts soon!
Post a Comment