MOMMA LOVES HER LITTLE SON

As long as there are parents and grandparents, there will be a market for sweet, rhyming odes to the love of a mother for her son. Children, however, tend to be a much tougher audience. Appealing characters, clearly conveyed emotions and interesting activity all help, as does the quality of the writing and illustrations. In this case, neither story nor pictures seem likely to engage listeners. The curly-haired, fair-skinned boy and his slim, blond mom pose stiffly in idealized settings inspired by the author’s (unfortunately predictable) litany of love. Burckhardt’s illustrations have the appearance of paint on wood, giving them an Americana folk art feel that may further distance readers. Rhymes aren’t always successful (or even attempted), the rhythm is uneven and the text is often abstract and occasionally confusing. Mother’s love is “eager as a seed under snow” and “As far away as China,” though one suspects that Cash means it would reach that far. While the author’s memories of his mother are apparently heartfelt, his tribute is likely to have limited appeal. (Picture book. 3-6)