A child's imagination can take him many places. He can be a pirate or a cowboy. He can be a superhero or king of the jungle. Judy Cooley, in her new children's picture book, "Mom Says I Can," takes us along on the creative play of a little boy named Max.
Cooley's watercolors evoke the soft dream-like qualities of imagination — where reality and fantasy blend. She captures well the glow of a sunset on the horizon and the speed of swinging apes. The child's exuberance pierces each page. You can almost hear him whoop and shout.The story, however, seems more like a collection of greeting cards than a progressing plot — but that is not necessarily so bad. Behind each adventure is the voice of a loving mother, supporting the child as he explores his world. This is not a mom who worries about her living room being messed up with boxes, stuffed bears or jump ropes.You can guess the end of the child's book-long hunt for "The World's Greatest Treasure" on the first page. Likewise, the child's flights of fancy are stereotypical — pirates, spacemen, superheros, tarzan, cowboy, fighter pilot — there is nothing new here. This is the book's biggest weakness. Had Cooley found new and unexpected imaginative outlets for Max it would have elevated the book beyond the norm.The defense, of course, is that these are just the sort of imaginative explorations a real boy might make.But even though the child's search for the treasure is not a surprise, you can't help but like this book. This is not feigned love that was painted into these pages. When the child realizes what the "World's Greatest Treasure" is, it isn't a surprise because we feel it all along.The book has a heart tugging twist at the end, taking what we thought the title meant and turning it in an unexpected direction that may make it hard for a parent to read through dry eyes.In a universe of books that try to be louder, ruder and more frenetic that the last, this is one that is sure to deliver a heartfelt hug at the end. It is warm and predictable — like a mother's love.
Kid's review of 'Mom Says I Can'
By Kate De Groote (age 6)I liked this book. It was very good. It reminded me of my mother. I like the pictures in it too.I really like when it says, "I'm the King of the Jungle." That page says, "I'm the King of the Jungle. Look at me swing — I'm not afraid of anything! Just like the real king of the jungle."And everytime, at the end of the pages, except for the last couple pages, it says, "The World's Greatest Treasure." I like that.I liked reading this book. I like how the pictures look and how they actually look like he is flying in the airplane — because he has airplanes around him — and it looks like he is flying.It's a good way to remind you of your mother. I really like the title. I would recommend this book to your family.