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.
I would love to read this to my daughter. Looks like a very cute book. Thanks for the chance.
This looks so sweet! thank you for the contest!
This is a really cute book. My little granddaugher would love to read it. Please enter me. Thanks!
My 3 year old would love this book!
My grandchildren would love this,they are so into books right now
vlbelk(at)Hotmail.com
Toni Buzzeo’s other book One Cool Friend was a fabulous book! How will this one compare!?
I have 4 little ones to cuddle up to this Mother’s Day… how did that happen??? 😉
This sounds like a wonderful story! I’d love to share it with my little one.
I have a feeling my daughter would love this book!
THIS WOULD BE A WONDERFUL GIFT FOR MY COUSIN, WHO IS EXPECTING. THANKS SO MUCH!
I would love to win this for my daughter!
This book looks so cute! Thank you for the chance to win! 🙂
I would love to read this with my boys!
My girls would love this book, thanks for the chance!
I would love to win this. My daughter loves giraffes.
This would be a great story for my grandchildren.
My kids would love this book! Thank you!
Margaret
singitm(at)hotmail(dot)com
The cover is adorable. Please enter me.
pbclark(at)netins(dot)net
my kiddies would like this book
My daughter would love this!
My kids would love this!
I would love this for my girls! Thanks!
Very sweet! I would love to share this with my daughter! Thanks for the chance.
would love to read to my four boys
I would love to win this to read to my 3 children 🙂
Sweet story and true.
This would make a great gift for my BFF who is expecting her first baby!
Looks like a sweet book!
Such a sweet title!
Awe my granddaughter would love this!
Thanks for the giveaway 🙂
how cute! pick me!
My son would LOVE this book!
Very nice book for us all.
What a beautiful little book! I would love to share it with my Grandson!
Our grandchildren would enjoy this book.
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
so adorable! my daughter loves giraffes too
I love Toni’s books–she’s an amazing author (and former librarian!) I’d love to win this one.
Sure to be a winner with the children at our house.
This sounds like a really awesome story! I’d love to share it with my little ones.
What a sweet story.
Will be read for bedtime story.
Great book for the little one’s.
I would love this book for my kids
This story book sounds so good.
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:)
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!
I really would love to win this book so that I can share it with my daughter!
Life is such a delicate balancing act. Stay Close to Mama sounds to be a gentle book of instruction on maintaining balance.
I would love to read this to my twins.
Would love to win this for my daughter!
My little ones love animals – and this sounds like a great story. Thanks for the chance to win!
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.
What a cute story, will share for sure.
I would love to share with my little guy.
Would love to read this to my grandchildren.