MacCarald, C. Rowen. How Mom Met Mama. Georgia Stylou, Illus. Reycraft, 05/2024. [32]pp. Picture Book. Trade $18.95. 978-1-4788-7927-5. Paper $9.95. 978-1-4788-7056-2. GRADES Baby/Toddler–Kindergarten. ADDITIONAL.
A young girl asks for a bedtime story of how Mom met Mama: “I mean a story with dragons and unicorns and trolls.” So begins a tale of magical castles and mermaids and pirate wizards (who have always wanted to be mermaids). So Mom and Mama help the pirate wizard realize he can become a mermaid and also make Mama a human, and a kiss later they all live happily ever after. As the story ends the daughter asks, “Mom, do you wish that really happened?” and a twinkling Mama answers, “How do you know it didn’t?” This is a sweet addition to the two mom story canon. The daughter and Mom are illustrated with pale skin and straight hair. Mama is illustrated with brown skin and natural hair. The author is genderqueer.
Rachael Reiley—Hillcrest Elementary K–8 / Oakland Unified School District