I Love Ewe: An Ode to Animal Moms

Zenz explores the names for mothers in the animal kingdom, using cuddly parent-child cartoons. It’s not always cut and dry: “My mom’s a hen,” says a perky chick. “But look again... Hens live underwater too!” reads the next spread, as friendly pairs of octopus, crabs, and lobsters smile at readers in a cozy ocean scene. Children should find the distinctive names intriguing (a mother opossum is a “jill”), though the puns (“There’s no pen pal like her! Doe... you love me? Oh, I love ewe”) may need explanation. Animal fathers get similar treatment in Hug a Bull: An Ode to Animal Dads, due in April. Ages 5–7. Agent: Shannon Associates. (Mar.)