The bond between mom and young child makes delightful fodder for picture books. As Mother’s Day approaches, Toni Buzzeo’s adorable new book Stay Close to Mama explores the theme with love and tenderness.
A young giraffe named Twiga (which actually means giraffe in Swahili), sees the big world from under the legs of his tall mama, and he longs to explore it. Mama is aware of some dangers and she wants to keep Twiga close. Twiga’s curiosity gets the best of him, so despite his mother’s warnings he ventures away from her a few times to see what he can see. As he goes, his mother keeps a watchful eye on him, but she doesn’t stop him outright from his investigations. When he gets too close to danger, Mama is there to rustle the grass to fend off a danger, and in the end, Twiga can always find comfort in his mother’s snuggles.
Young children know all about this experience, for their worlds are expanding just like Twiga’s, and we parents want to provide the reassurance to them that we’ll always be there when they’re ready to return from their adventures. The soft-toned illustrations by Mike Wohnoutka perfectly convey the warmth and love between Twiga and his mom. Cuddle up with your own little one this Mother’s Day for a shared reading of Stay Close to Mama!
We have one autographed copy of Stay Close to Mama to give away today. Please leave a comment here to be entered, U.S. and Canada addresses only. We will announce our winner in our May 14 column.
The winner of Girl Unmoored is #15 Lori.
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{ 56 comments… read them below or add one }
Would love to read this to my grandchildren.
I would love to share with my little guy.
What a cute story, will share for sure.
Sometime we just have to let go and let our kids make mistakes and learn for themselves. We will always be there to guide them.
Shaira recently posted..Hello world!
My little ones love animals – and this sounds like a great story. Thanks for the chance to win!
Would love to win this for my daughter!
I would love to read this to my twins.
Life is such a delicate balancing act. Stay Close to Mama sounds to be a gentle book of instruction on maintaining balance.
I really would love to win this book so that I can share it with my daughter!
I would love to win this…my daughter just loves books, especially one’s with animals (and how can you not resist that it’s about a mama’s love & protection for her child!) What a great mother’s day gift to get!
Mejia Mamma recently posted..Run in the Whitewash
This is my sisters first Mother’s Day (she is due mid-June) and I would LOVE to be able to give this to her:)
This story book sounds so good.
I would love this book for my kids
Great book for the little one’s.
Will be read for bedtime story.
What a sweet story.
This sounds like a really awesome story! I’d love to share it with my little ones.
Sure to be a winner with the children at our house.
I love Toni’s books–she’s an amazing author (and former librarian!) I’d love to win this one.
Kim recently posted..Frustrated, aggravated and disheartened
so adorable! my daughter loves giraffes too
The cover alone of this mother/child book is so sweet…
Our oldest son had separation anxiety, as a very young
child, for a few years! I like how this book shows that a mother
is letting her child explore beyond her, but is still there to
keep her child out of harm’s way!
Many thanks, Cindi
Our grandchildren would enjoy this book.
What a beautiful little book! I would love to share it with my Grandson!
Very nice book for us all.
My son would LOVE this book!
how cute! pick me!
Awe my granddaughter would love this!
Thanks for the giveaway
Joy recently posted..April 30th, Blue Monday
Such a sweet title!
Looks like a sweet book!
This would make a great gift for my BFF who is expecting her first baby!
Sweet story and true.
I would love to win this to read to my 3 children
would love to read to my four boys
Very sweet! I would love to share this with my daughter! Thanks for the chance.
I would love this for my girls! Thanks!
My kids would love this!
My daughter would love this!
Idaho Jill recently posted..I’ll be back soon!
my kiddies would like this book
The cover is adorable. Please enter me.
pbclark(at)netins(dot)net
My kids would love this book! Thank you!
Margaret
singitm(at)hotmail(dot)com
This would be a great story for my grandchildren.
I would love to win this. My daughter loves giraffes.
My girls would love this book, thanks for the chance!
I would love to read this with my boys!
This book looks so cute! Thank you for the chance to win!
I would love to win this for my daughter!
THIS WOULD BE A WONDERFUL GIFT FOR MY COUSIN, WHO IS EXPECTING. THANKS SO MUCH!
I have a feeling my daughter would love this book!
This sounds like a wonderful story! I’d love to share it with my little one.
I have 4 little ones to cuddle up to this Mother’s Day… how did that happen???
Krista recently posted..Wordless Wednesday: Nana Love
Toni Buzzeo’s other book One Cool Friend was a fabulous book! How will this one compare!?
Rebot recently posted..$10 Amazon Gift Code Giveaway
My grandchildren would love this,they are so into books right now
vlbelk(at)Hotmail.com
My 3 year old would love this book!
Hailey L recently posted..Voting day
This is a really cute book. My little granddaugher would love to read it. Please enter me. Thanks!
This looks so sweet! thank you for the contest!
Carrie at In the Hammock Blog recently posted.."Jackie After O" Review
I would love to read this to my daughter. Looks like a very cute book. Thanks for the chance.