Mom’s Busy Work

Covering an eight-day period, this playful read—written by former prime minister of New Zealand Ardern (b. 1980) and based around her daughter’s perspective during her premiership—depicts a young child’s take on a mother’s work week. Realizing it’s Monday, the youth grumps about heading to daycare, eliciting an empathetic response from their mother: “Mom said that she didn’t always feel like going to work either.” On Wednesday, Mom asks “if I knew what she did for a job.” (The answer? Eating chocolate—“There is always chocolate hiding in her desk.”) As the week progresses, the child gleans a simplified explanation of Mom’s position: “Looking after everyone.” Jones’s fine-lined illustrations offer a straightforward view of the household goings-on, building to a warmly kid-centric interpretation of their parent’s pursuits: “I know what Mom’s job really is.... It’s loving me.” A brief author’s note concludes. Background characters are portrayed with various skin tones. Ages 3–7. (Sept.)