How Mamas Love Their Babies

K-Gr 4—This picture book explores the countless ways mothers provide for their children—the domestic labor that is done directly caring for kid's wants and the ways in which moms work in order to financially meet needs. The artfully composed photo collages depict a diverse group of women from pregnancy onward. The setting of each page utilizes a number of media, mostly photographs and drawings, to depict homes, places of employment, and other areas of community. The pictures have a retro feel and will remind adults of the 1970s and previous decades. Careers held by women are explored, including house cleaners, pilots, scuba divers, doctors, and sex workers. This book is revolutionary in its representation of sex workers and its acknowledgment that though some professions look different, they do not determine the level of parenting skills. "Some mamas stay home with their babies all day long. It's hard work…Some mamas dance all night long in special shoes. It's hard work!" This book requires adult/child conversation to address the questions that may arise and would be something that would easily fit into a parenting collection. There are not many books that challenge the idea of stigmatized professions or give a voice to those parents for healthy discussions with children. This book does just that.