Are You My Mother? (Hardcover)

~ P.D. Eastman (Author) "A mother bird sat on her egg..." (more)
Key Phrases: baby bird

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

This is the classic from which many of our staff first learned to read, starting us on a path of unremitting bibliophilia. Are You My Mother? follows a confused baby bird who's been denied the experience of imprinting as he asks cows, planes, and steam shovels the Big Question. In the end he is happily reunited with his maternal parent in a glorious moment of recognition.

Product Description

Illus. in color. A baby bird is hatched while his mother is away. Fallen from his nest, he sets out to look for her and asks everyone he meets -- including a dog, a cow, and a plane -- "Are you my mother?"

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4-8
  
• Hardcover: 72 pages
• Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers; 1 edition (June 12, 1960)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0394800184
• ISBN-13: 978-0394800189
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 6.1 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (109 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #11,465 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #2 in	Books > Children's Books > Animals > Birds > Nonfiction
  #4 in	Books > Children's Books > Authors & Illustrators, A-Z > ( E ) > Eastman, P.D.
  #10 in	Books > Children's Books > Literature > Classics by Age > Ages 4-8

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect for the smallest child!, August 1, 2000

By	Quaker Annie "reader" - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)

Are you looking for a good book to introduce a small child to the joys of reading? Then this one is a great one!

Long before I realized that babies are little sponges, someone gave me this book for my then first-born one year old (1968! ) Since then, this book has been a staple for all my children, the youngest now 8.

I have read to each child, before they were one - only one isn't as fond of reading as the others, but even he enjoys a good book now and again.

This book is the perfect book to introduce little ones to the joys of reading. The words are few and small, and the question is one of interest to little ones who are still trying to sort out what is going on in this new-to-them world.

The little bird falls from her nest while mother bird is out getting worms. She (or he) goes to every animal she sees and asks, "Are you my mommy?"

This simple story keeps the child's interest, because the little ones are concerned about what happens if they separate from a parent or caregiver.

In the end, of course (I doubt that this is giving away the story!) the bird finds the mother and all is right.

If you want your children or grandchildren to enjoy reading, this book is an excellent start. Expect to have to read it over and over, so well that you both will have it memorized!

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars my baby loves this cloth book, March 26, 2005

By	K. WESTRATE "wordsmith" (Grand Rapids, MI) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Are You My Mother? (cloth book) (Rag Book)

My six-month-old son loves this book. It is a wonderful stroller toy because it keeps him occupied for a long time. The cover is soft and snuggly; plus, the baby bird can be put in different little pockets throughout the book--so my two-year-old daughter loves to "read" this book to the baby.

One caveat: because it's so plush we let our son play with it in his crib and he got the string loosely wrapped around his neck. He's fine, and he still loves the book, but I certainly wouldn't let him play with it unsupervised again.

21 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Beloved Part of Our Family, November 24, 2001

By	W. Carol "dog lover" - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

My son is a big, hulking, almost-16-year-old, but to this day, when he sees construction equipment, he says, "Look, Mom! It's a Snort!"

"Are You My Mother" was the book my son never tired of. All through his early toddler years, it was his bedtime favorite, his naptime favorite, a comfort when he was tearful, and his best friend. How many times did he curl up on my lap with his blankie and his thumb while I rocked him and read this book?

The "plot" concerns a baby bird who hatches while the mother bird is out of the nest. Baby sets out to find his mother, and asks everything and everyone he sees, "Are You My Mother?" The "Snort" reference comes when the baby bird asks a huge piece of digging equipment, and..."The big thing just said SNORT!" This is what my son waited for throughout the book...he laughed every single time. And still does.

In the end, the birdie finds his mommy. The perfect, secure ending for a small child who wants reassurance before bed, or any time. This book is a classic. My son still has it, and I know he will read it to his own children some day. I hope I am there to see it.