Ma! There's Nothing To Do: a Review.....or...."Mommy. What's That?"

Article by Scott Tingley, January 20, 2008

Quote #1
My ambition is to interview Neil Armstrong without mentioning the moon landing and observe his reaction. - Ardal O’Hanlon

Quote #2
Every mother would love to get this book at her baby shower. – Comics in the Classroom Kid’s Book Blog contributor Nancy T.

Quote #3:
I wouldn’t read it to a three year old unless you want some questions – like about the chord. – Comics in the Classroom Kid’s Book Blog contributor Nancy T.

COMMENT:

Quote #1: You will either get it or you won’t (and I really don't mean for it to sound like an in-joke, because it isn't really)

Quote #2: I might as well stop there, because it can’t get any better than that.

Quote #3: Yikes!

“Ma! there’s nothing to do here!” complains the precocious protagonist of this rhyming tale set entirely in utero. It’s not exactly a scintillating experience spending nine months in your mother’s womb. You’re just stuck there at the end of that dumb bungee cord (a.k.a. the umbilical cord), with nothing whatsoever to do but slosh around. But, oh, the endless joys you have to look forward to as you listen to the tick-tock of ma’s happy heart clock and await that happy day when you finally come out to play. (from RandomHouse.com)

Yes, this is a book about a yet to be born baby stuck hanging a round a boring womb. It is not hard to understand the sentiments of my wife in that this is a book any mother would love to have right before the little bundle of joy is born. What expectant parents wouldn’t chuckle at the sight of a baby canoeing around the uterus, or attempting to play tag alone in such a confined space?

But the big question is: Will kids like it?

Well, I know that my daughter liked it. She is three and even though she watched her mother’s belly get bigger and bigger for nine months; and even though she can tell you that her baby brother came out of that tummy, she doesn’t get it. Of course she doesn’t. She’s three! But she knows what she likes, and she thought Ma! There’s Nothing To Do Here! was hilarious. BUT, please refer back to quote #3.

Also, this would be a fine book read to grades five or six, whichever grade is about to begin sex-ed (I know! Can you believe it? And not a moment too soon for some). Sort of deals with the whole baby issue in a silly, fun and real way.

Veteran children’s writer Barbra Park and illustrator Viviana Garofoli have done a very nice job on a special book that will likely be around for a long time and be given to new mothers as a companion to Munsch’s Love You Forever.

This will be available on January 22, 2008 - get it for the expectant moms and the confused preschoolers in your life.

Written by Barbara Park
Illustrated by Viviana Garofoli

• 40 pages
• On Sale: January 22, 2008
• Price: $18.99 (hardcover)
• ISBN: 978-0-375-93852-8 (0-375-93852-4)

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