A present-tense narrative in the voice of a young Black girl is pulsing with love from the very first moment of the story. "Good morning to you," the little girl hears her mother sing. "Papa and Luca are still sleeping, but I want to be everywhere Mama is." The two get ready to go outside, where it's raining. "Mama and I both have silver dresses. I wear mine with silver shoes. They're my favorite. Today is not our silver dress day, Mama tells me. I put my silver dress back on the hanger and pick up the plaid pants instead." The details are marvelous, the little girl's keen, child-like observations a delight. ("The sidewalk is longer than it is wide. I love the grass that grows in the in-between." "Our day is done earlier than Mama and Papa's. It's just that way when you're growing.") The marvelous full-page acrylic illustrations range from scenes of the girl or the two of them together to enlarged images of items the little girl makes note of (e.g., hers and Mama's contrasting drinking cups, toothbrushes, breakfast bowls). Playful visual details extend to the endpapers, which feature spot illustrations of items referenced and seen throughout the story. (Ages 4-8)

A Caldecott and Coretta Scott King Honor Book

Mama’s love is brighter than the sun, even on the rainiest of days. This celebration of a mother-daughter relationship is perfect for sharing with little ones!

On a rainy day when the house smells like cinnamon and Papa and Luca are still asleep, when the clouds are wearing shadows and the wind paints the window with beads of water, I want to be everywhere Mama is.

With lyrical prose and a tender touch, the Caldecott and Coretta Scott King Honor Book Mama and Me is an ode to the strength of the bond between a mother and a daughter as they spend a rainy day together.