I don’t know about you, but I definitely need a sweet and charming book to brighten up the days. This one beautifully hits the spot. A story about a little girl and her mama on a delightfully normal, but always special rainy day. Snuggle up with Me & Mama by Cozbi A. Cabrera, 2021.
It begins with a little girl sneaking down to join her mama. She talks of the rain on the windows and the routine of their usual day. She is matter-of-fact about the narration, even while you can’t help but smile at her opinionated responses and her mama’s constant patience.
Nothing big happens as they eat breakfast, comb hair and slip off into the rain with boots and their dog.
And nothing big happens as they do their day and sing to the sky and then come home to go to bed early as growing children must. But in the eyes of this sweet little narrator, nothing big needs to happen for everything to be just right in their home, their patterns, their joy of just being “me & Mama.”
Oh, this book. I want to disappear into its full, inviting pages. I read the words in my head and then often aloud as well – the poetic phrases and rhythm are so lovely on my lips and tongue. The story is simple and yet so deep. It makes me smile and pull my daughters in closer to read with me. It makes me long for adventures to come and smile at memories of adventures gone. I am quite in awe of how Cabrera created this.
The illustrations are so thick and painterly. They fill the pages with texture. This book feels heavy with layers of paint and story and words and heart. It is truly a delight.
I so often think the picture book world is too flooded, too full, nothing new to be shelved. But this book proves me wrong and brings me comfort and warmth. The genius of simplicity and achingly beautiful words in storytelling leave me satisfied at every read; and yet, I cannot wait to read it again.
Go find this one; you won’t regret it.
Three Books a Night 