How mamas love their babies by J. Fitzgerald & E. Peterson

Abstract

Fitzgerald, Juniper, and Elise Peterson. How mamas love their babies. The Feminist Press at the City University of New York, 2018.
 The first children’s book from sociology PhD Juniper Fitzgerald and artist-activist Elise Peterson, How Mamas Love Their Babies gently approaches an intersectional understanding of motherhood, while also connecting the many shared experiences of becoming and being a mother.
 Peterson creates a beautifully layered environment to accompany Fitzgerald’s bold, yet simple text. By overlaying colourful multimedia collage techniques with black and white retro photographs, the illustrations are dynamic and textured. The bright, engaging page design is inviting and makes this a wonderful selection for art educators looking for literacy tie-ins.
 This book is notable for its acknowledgment and celebration of the many ways mothers work, love and care for their babies. Fitzgerald draws upon her personal experiences labouring in the sex industry to bring forward a unique space within the text by including parents whose work may be stigmatized. In doing so, she underlines the importance of ensuring children can find themselves, their caregivers and communities represented respectfully within the pages of a book.
 A powerful, inclusive and decisively feminist addition to any children’s collection or storytime, Fizgerald and Peterson encourage readers to welcome, value and honour the presence of all mothers in the lives of their children and communities.
 Highly Recommended: 4 out of 4 stars Reviewed by: Alexandra Adams
 Alex is a busy mom, student and public library assistant, with a passion for Early Childhood Education and the Arts. She is currently working on her MLIS at the University of Alberta.