Pop-up books, such as Mommy?, illustrated by Maurice Sendak, can be a treat for the whole family. Mommy? is the first pop-up book that the extraordinary Maurice Sendak has illustrated. The humorous story, the artwork, and the intricate paper engineering are all delightful.
Mommy? – The Story
While Mommy? may give little ones delightful shivers, it will give older children and adults laugh-out-loud fun. Mommy? is an almost wordless book that tells the story of a toddler searching for his mommy among monsters and mummies in a haunted mansion. Despite the scary surroundings and characters, the little boy isn't a bit scared. In fact, he is a mischievous little fellow, who delights in playing tricks on every strange character he meets, including removing the bolt holding Frankenstein's monster's head on. When he finally finds his mother, it becomes clear why he feels so comfortable with these familiar monsters.Mommy? – The Pop-ups
Each time you turn the page, you will see what looks like a stage set, complete with a backdrop, furniture and scary props. The actors are the characters in the book who pop-up and move and sway as you open each page. The illustrations include plenty of details, such as the elaborate lab equipment used by Dr. Frankenstein. In addition to the main pop-up scene, there is an additional pop-up scene to unfold in each spread, illustrating one of the little boy's amusing tricks or activities.Mommy? – The Pop-up Book's Creators
Maurice Sendak is known for his influence, as an author and illustrator, on the field of children's literature. His award winning books include Where the Wild Things Are, for which he received the prestigious Caldecott Medal. Mommy? was developed in collaboration with author Arthur Yorinks and paper engineer Matthew Reinhart. It is a humorous and beautifully engineered book, with a great many clever pop-ups and details.Mommy? – My Recommendation
I would "read" Mommy? to young children rather than give it to them, for fear of the book being ripped apart by enthusiastic little hands. Older children and adults will enjoy the humor and be amazed by the exacting paper engineering. If you are looking for a gift for a family with children between the ages of three and eight, I think Mommy? would be a good choice. (Michael di Capua Books / Scholastic, 2006. ISBN: 9780439880503)
