Through the Looking Glass Children's Book Reviews
A Child is a Child
Illustrator: Eve Tharlet
Picture Book
For ages 4 and up
Penguin, 2004 ISBN: 978-0698400061
When Mama and Daddy Frog don’t come home, no one is quite sure what to do for there are two very lost and lonely little baby frogs to take care of now, two little babies who need a home and someone to love them. Mr. Mole, Mr. Hedgehog, and Mrs. Blackbird all feel that they are not suited to help the baby frogs. Then Mama Mouse with her five little children comes along and without a moment’s hesitation she announces that she will take in and take care of the little frog babies.
The Hedgehog, Mole and Blackbird wonder if Mama Mouse knows what she is getting herself into and then she asks for their help. In no time each of the animals is off, doing something to make the little frogs feel at home and comfortable. After all, as Mama Mouse puts it, it is not a matter of what kind of child it is for a "child is a child" and more than anything every child needs "a place to live and play, good food to eat and someone who loves them."
In this marvellous book Mama Mouse shows us that no matter what kind of a child it is and no matter what kind of a person you are, "a child is a child." Taking care of it and loving it may be complicated and may require the work of many but deciding to do it and to give of oneself is "just that simple." We seem different on the surface but underneath our needs when we are young are just the same.
With minimal text and the most wonderful illustrations created using innovative and unique techniques, the author and illustrator have created a book which has a universal message which is both powerful and full of hope.
