Mamá and Me

A bilingual girl and her Mamá spend a day together in this sensitive story about autonomy and togetherness, a companion to Papá and Me. The spirited speaker insists on doing just about everything by herself ("Sola, sola," she tells Mamá). But Mamá is always close by as they make cookies, purchase paint, and then joyfully create a garden mural on the walls of their home. In bright oranges, yellows, and greens, Gutierrez's dynamic collages have a powerful sense of movement and incorporate batik, flora, and abstract designs, while auralike outlines surrounding the pair vibrate with energy and accentuate the vitality of their bond. Ages 4–8. (Mar.)