FICTION

Take Your Mama to Work Today

by Amy REICHERT
illus. by Alexandra Boiger. unpaged. S & S/Atheneum. Mar. 2012. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-1-4169-7095-8. LC number unavailable.
COPY ISBN
PreS-Gr 2—A young girl presents a primer on how to be a "professional Mama's office helper." In an accomplished, matter-of-fact tone, Violet offers tips on helping the boss with a presentation ("that's like show-and-tell for grown-ups"), preparing needed supplies ("Sharpen your pencils and put them in your desk, or in a pencil cup, or line them up, or spell your name with them"), and answering the phone ("DO NOT HANG UP THE PHONE BEFORE YOU PUSH THE HOLD BUTTON"). Boiger's whimsical watercolor illustrations show the charismatic little helper playing chair tag to "liven things up" in a meeting and teaching an adult how to add a "snazzy personal touch" by lying face down on the copy machine. Lots of cheeky fun that's sure to elicit giggles.—Linda Ludke, London Public Library, Ontario, Canada
A little girl dramatizes the advantages of bringing one's child to work (e.g., "Grown-ups love it when kids push elevator buttons for them"). While most of the winking humor is aimed at adults, kids will appreciate narrator Violet's self-assured presence. The mixed-media art sticks with a subdued palette, except for irrepressible Violet whose bright colors play up her unbusinesslike boisterousness.
Reviewed by Linda Ludke , Feb 01, 2012

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