ARE YOU MY MOTHER? by P.D. Eastman

Bibliography
Eastman, P. D. 1960. Are You My Mother?  New York: Random House. ISBN 0394800184

Plot Summary

A mother bird leaves her egg in search of some food. While she is gone, her egg hatches. Not seeing his mother, the baby bird goes in search of her. He encounters a kitten, hen, dog, cow, car, boat, plane, and bulldozer asking if each is his mother. Upon accidentally making his way back to his nest, he finally finds her.

Critical Analysis

This book is an easy reader, so the vocabulary is purposely limited. Despite the limited vocabulary, the story is interesting, and the illustrations reflect the baby bird's emotions well, his determination, frustration, fear, and finally contentment in finding his mother. The story is about having a sense of where you belong, and children can relate to the fear of being lost. When the baby bird finally sees his mother, he is certain of who she is and states with confidence "you are my mother."

Since the characters are the story's focus, the setting is a nondescript rural area. Even the inanimate objects, such as the plane and bulldozer, have almost human faces. For example, the plane looks like it has eyes and the baby bird looks like its caught in the bulldozer's mouth. The story focuses on the mother and child relationship. I can easily relate to this coming from a single parent household. Although this may not have been the author's intention, it is nice to see a nontraditional family portrayed.

Young children will find this story fun because of its predictable nature. There is repetition in the language, such as the question, "Are you my mother?" Also, there is the run through of who is not the bird's mother in several places throughout the story until one reaches the end where there is the final summary of all things that did not qualify.

Review Excerpt
Children's Literature: "The illustrations capture both the humor and poignancy of the quest, which speaks reassuringly to many children's worries about parental loss. As kids, my siblings and I wanted to hear this story again and again."

Connections

• Try other books from the Dr. Seuss Beginner Books series by Dr. Seuss himself. These are classics!

         One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish. ISBN 0394892240
         Green Eggs and Ham. ISBN 0394800168
         The Cat in the Hat. ISBN 0001711016

• Younger children like repetition in books. Try a second reading having them join in on the repeated phrase, "Are you my mother?" Also, have them try to recall all the animals and objects the little bird approaches throughout the story.

• The illustrations show inanimate objects with human features. Have children draw their favorite objects in a similar manner.