The Pocket Mommy by Rachel Eugster

The Pocket Mommy Reviews

• 
  Renee

  My daughter and I read and reviewed this book for Mother Daughter Book Reviews. These are excerpts from our reviews. You can visit our website for the full reviews.
  
  DAUGHTER SAYS:
  
  This book is about a little boy named Samuel who is going to start kindergarten and he is worried that he is going to miss his mommy. So his mom gives him a pocket mommy to keep him company during school. But the pocket mommy ends up making big messes. So in the end Samuel decides his mom can keep him company at home instead. I really liked the cover and the pictures in this book, I thought that they were really cute. My favorite part in this book was when Samuel first discovered the pocket mommy. It would be super cool to have a pocket mommy. Overall I thought the book was cute and I really liked the story. I think boys and girls 5 to 8 years old would like this book.
  
  MOM SAYS:
  
  The Pocket Mommy is a silly and whimsy-filled picture book that lends itself well to being read aloud. I’m sure many children can relate to the fear and anxiety Samuel experiences as he attends school for the first time. The separation anxiety experienced by children of this age is typical in this context and as parents we do all that we can to ease that transition. The book is inspired by the author’s experience with dropping off her son at kindergarten for the first time. It was her son who initially expressed his desire to have a tiny mommy he wished he could keep in his pocket. I think this is a sweet concept and I can see that it would provide some comfort to a child.
  
  The Pocket Mommy in the story is absolutely hilarious! She does all the things mommies typically do as mentioned above and her interference results in many comical situations. For example, she falls into a a can of flour and gets completely coated. Even as she speaks, only a tiny white puff of flour escapes her mouth. All of the antics of the Pocket Mommy would really hold the attention of a classroom or library circle. A group of children read this book by a teacher or librarian would think it is quite a riot.
  
  The illustrations by Tom Goldsmith appear to be done in watercolor and they beautifully complement the text. The perspectives of the large child and tiny pocket mommy are very well done. Children will enjoy flipping through the book. The book itself features a hard cover and sturdy pages – great quality. Of note, when unfolded completely, the inside of the jacket flap becomes a poster featuring a few images and lines from the book. I highly recommend this lovely picture book to kindergarten or early elementary classrooms or library reading circles. Ages 3 to 6.
  
  * We received a copy of this book free-of-charge from the publisher in exchange for our honest opinion. All opinions expressed are our own.
• 
  Ishta Mercurio

  In this beautifully illustrated picture book, a little boy is so nervous about his first day of school that his mother puts a pretend mini-mommy in his pocket to look after him all day...and she turns out to be more of a hindrance than a help! Little ones embarking upon their first day of school are sure to relate to this story about the power of learning to do things all by yourself.
• 
  Gwen

  Good book for a child who might be starting off to school or daycare for the first time.
• 
  Allison

  My almost-in-kindergarten little one selected this book at the library. The story is about Samuel who, after sharing his worries about being in kindergarten without Mommy, takes along a pretend pocket-sized Mommy to help him get through the day. While I appreciate the themes of both independence as well as powering through separation anxiety, the disruptive, disobedient, obsessed-with-cleaning Pocket Mommy did not enhance the overall message for me or for my little one. Cute story, but I don't think I'd lean on this one to help prepare families for transition in to kindergarten.
• 
  Gary

  Used this book for Mother's Day Special this afternoon! Pretty cute concept. And I guess it taught Moms something too! Only misgiving I have is the higher level vocabulary used. The younger ones would not understand and I had to switch to something simpler for some of the words.
• 
  Jennifer

  A little too long to read aloud to a group, this one is great lap read for a child with separation anxiety of any sort. It's sweet and the humor will definitely appeal to a 5-7 year old.
• 
  Kim

  When Samuel is worried about his mommy leaving him at kindergarten, his mom leaves him with a pretend pocket mommy. Samuel is thrilled until the pocket mommy causes so much trouble that she needs a time-out.
  
  Mini-Me giggled like crazy at the role-reversal in this one - a super-fun read.