Does a Kangaroo Have a Mother, Too? 02/04/09

Does a Kangaroo Have a Mother, Too? by Eric Carle features twelve animals all illustrated in Carle's signature painted tissue paper style. The book teaches about animals and families through the repetition of a question: "Does a _____ have a mother, too?" The answer is of course, always yes.

For the parents who read the book aloud, it's thankfully short with the question only asked twelve times. It's a bit mind numbing to ask the same question again and again and it lacks the drama of the very similar Have You Seen My Cat? (also by Eric Carle).

Kids, though, seem to love the repetition in this book. My two will shout "Yes" at the appropriate time. When we have extra time before bed we will discuss the different types of animals in the book. As the book relies so heavily on repetition it's also easy for them to memorize. This allows Harriet to "read" the book to herself if I'm reading a chapter book to her brother.

Books by Eric Carle reviewed here: (Click on a title to read reviews).

• Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? (with Bill Martin Jr.)
• Do You Want to be My Friend?
  
• Does a Kangaroo Have a Mother, Too?
  
• Dragons, Dragons
  
• Eric Carle's Opposites
  
• From Head to Toe
  
• The Grouchy Ladybug
  
• Have You Seen My Cat?
  
• A House for Hermit Crab
  
• Little Cloud
  
• My Very First Book of Shapes
  
• Polar Bear, Polar Bear, What Do You Hear? (with Bill Martin Jr.)
  
• Slowly, Slowly, Slowly," Said the Sloth
  
• The Very Busy Spider
  
• The Very Hungry Caterpillar

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