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FindingJane
Dec 08, 2015FindingJane rated this title 3 out of 5 stars
Tender, funny, sly and good natured by turns, “Mars Needs Moms!” is that kind of goofy book with a soft heart at its center. Like Milo, we often don’t appreciate our moms while they’re with us but we miss them when they’re gone. This slim book points out all the ways that mothers take care of their children—even if their children don’t get why such things as eating broccoli or carrots are important. The book has softly muted illustrations that vary between color and black and white. Sometimes there are little pictorial jokes that you have to read twice to see. The fun starts on the title page where an oblivious planet rover (much like the mechanical simp in “Planet 51”) gathers rocks while a Martian pops up behind him. The Martian is scrutinizing earth, hoping to get that special something that’s been missing from Martian life. Another illustration shows a man carrying milk around the corner from a woman carrying cereal. She in turn is standing next to a mural that reads about bringing a little mother home with you. Ha! This is a darling entry from the guy who brought the Bloom County strip to newspapers and shows that adult cunning and childish humor do work in a children’s story.