Baby's first Mother's Day by Cheryl Orsini

Butterfly kisses, breakfast in bed, giggles, an outing on the bicycle, a visit to grandma, picking wildflowers, picnicking on the grass, fresh baked cake, and home-made cards…these are the simple things that make Baby’s First Mother’s Day special.

Breakfast is a simple meal of toast, fresh fruit, juice and a cup of tea or coffee. None of the characters is elegantly dressed. Jeans, jumpers, overalls, sunhats and gum boots allude to everyday life. There is no extravagant meal for the family to share, instead the sandwiches on the plate look as though they are either filled with goodies from the market or fresh from grandma’s garden, with the cream filled sponge cake a special treat.

With joyous, pastel-coloured illustrations, this is a picture book showing that elaborate and expensive gifts aren’t necessary to celebrate Mother’s Day. The activities shared by this little family have minimal cost but demonstrate the joy and love between the three generations that are depicted within the pages.

The book concludes with the line, “Crayon hearts and messy marks. A simple offering of love.” Both the mother and grandmother are shown clutching their home-made cards, looking as though there could not possibly have been any better gift. Given the commercialisation of Mother’s Day, this is a most refreshing book, showing a different side to the celebration.

Themes: Mother's Day, Gifts.

Jo Schenkel