Mars Needs Moms! by Berkeley Breathed Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of Mars Needs Moms!
Book Review: Wonderful story, whimsical artwork, great for all earthlings!
Summary: 5 Stars
In "Mars Needs Moms", Berkeley Breathed combines fanciful artwork, simple text, abundant humor and a heaping serving of pathos to create a delightful book for both young readers and the adults who read with them.
Best known for the satire of his iconic 1980s comic strip, "Bloom County", Breathed has since freed select Bloom Countians from the constraints of the newspaper in children's books he has written and illustrated since 1991. "Mars Needs Moms" features a boy named Milo, the only named character in a read that is quick yet deeply textured.
Breathed's artwork catches each sneer and eye-roll of the suffering Milo with accuracy that parents will immediately recognize. The digitally rendered acrylic drawings are wonderfully three dimensional. Superb highlights emerge as he captures events unfolding in both terrestrial and Martian lighting. Many of the pictures include depth of field effects borrowed from photography, and the backgrounds offer extra laughs for the attentive. Although the accompanying text is short and simple, it is not without substance, as Breathed acknowledges the influences H.G. Wells and Harper Lee.
The agitated Milo, perhaps ten years old, is weary of the relentless demands of his mom. Eat your vegetables. Take out the trash. Mind your manners. Don't dip your sister in dye. Breathed unapologetically uses a temper tantrum followed by a "go-to-your-room-young-man" dream sequence to set up the book's fundamental lesson. While this borders on hackneyed, his winking invitation for us to play along succeeds.
Milo's epiphany comes on Mars, surrounded by goofy Martians seeking the nurturing moms provide (including transport via minivans). The reality of the harsh Martian atmosphere offers Milo a clarifying glimpse into the enduring willingness to sacrifice that is a staple of motherhood. If you cried when Ol' Yeller died: then keep the hankies nearby for the final frames of this book --even as it remains ultimately kid-friendly.
Book Review: Wow! What a moving and fantastic book!
Summary: 5 Stars
My wife and I bought this book while on vacation (without the children). She read it on the way home and began to tear up. This is a wonderfully illustrated and extremely poignant story about a boy who is unsure what's so darn special about Moms. Well, through the course of about 25-pages he discovers what's so special.
A fantastic book that should be part of every children's library!
Book Review: Yet another wonderful Berkeley Breathed book
Summary: 5 Stars
If you are a Berkeley Breathed fan, you will enjoy this.
Its a wonderful children's picture book, full of colorful, zany paintings. Readers of any age will be enchanted by the illustrations.
Its about a mother's sacrifice for her child. Very Heartwarming
*SPOILER ALERT* There is a dark situation in this adventure. The mother could die. She doesnt. Everything ends fine, but some may feel that the tension may be too much for their little ones.
I think it brings up a difficult subject for discussion with your children.
Book Review: for the new mom...
Summary: 5 Stars
This beautiful book should be in every nursery. As important as it is that children grasp the importance of motherhood, I would argue it is a lesson for mothers as well. This book is witness to the importance of being in a largely thankless, certainly unappreciated and often VERY unpopular job. Particularly when my children were very young, before they were able to convey their feelings, this book always reminded me of the greater good of motherhood.
And for a new overwhelmed mom, it is always nice to thank them, offer a hand of support and remind them, the job won't win you friends, but you are building towards something much much more.
Book Review: great mothers day present
Summary: 5 Stars
This is a beautifully illustrated touching story that brought a tear to my daughters eye and held her first grade son riveted on the first read. I think this book has the potential to be a classic.