What people are saying. . .
A joyful celebration of the bond between a child and their mother. Each word and every illustration is crafted to invite the reader into the special moments shared. 
This latest deceptively simple title in the highly popular Zeki series is expertly crafted with effortless rhyming couplets and comforting rhythm... |
C’mon now, y’all. You can’t tell me that these aren’t some of the SWEETEST illustrations! 
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I finally managed to settle down & explore this joyful book. Warmth & love simply glows off the pages and, as with all Alanna Max's early books, there is always a welcome sense that exploratory, imaginative play is at the heart of it all. I congratulate Anna for those gentle, lulling rhyming couplets and Ruth for her wonderful, true observations and connectivity. There is such a close physicality here which I know and love very much. – Mat Tobin, Oxford Brookes
The loving devotion of both parents is tangible and genuine, sweet but not cloying. Simple two-line sentences with unobtrusive rhymes across spreads provide descriptions of the activities and add vocabulary. Each spread illustrates one event against a clear solid color background, free of distracting decoration. Together they complete a full picture of a busy toddler’s day and his loving relationship with each parent. |
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Longer and more indepth Reviews
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ImagineMeStories
Every now and then I come across a book that makes me feel warm and fuzzy inside, like a delicious mug of creamy hot chocolate after a long rainy day ☺️That’s how I felt when this book arrived in the post ❤️The illustrations are so detailed down to the little tufts of hair on Zeki’s head which reminds me of my own little boy. . Motherhood can be such an intimate experience and I think this book really captures that, most of all on a personal note, it really made me feel seen. Thanks @alannamaxbooks for this little treasure, I suspect it’s going to be a household classic. . Happy Mother’s Day everyone BookTrust We love the Zeki stories - following the everyday experiences of a little boy, they're perfect for sharing with children who are just beginning to discover the world! With Anna McQuinn's sweet text and Ruth Hearson's adorable illustrations, they're utterly lovely books to read together. And now Zeki Loves Mummy is here - perfect for Mother's Day, or just any time you want to snuggle up! We get to join Zeki and his mum as they have a lovely day, giggling together, trying out yoga, painting, cycling, building dens, reading and snacking. And after all that, they snuggle up to enjoy one of Mummy's comfy hugs. Anna McQuinn and Ruth Hearson's gorgeous book is a wonderfully warm tribute to the love between a mother and her son Cork Echo Though every scene represents a small and seemingly insignificant moment in an ordinary day, they combine to create a wonderfully warm celebration of the special bond between mother and child. Its short, rhyming text mirroring the simplicity of the parent-infant relationship, this board book encapsulates the joy of those few short years during which a parent is at the heart of everything in a child’s perception. For many mothers, mammies, mums, or mams, Zeki Loves Mummy will be redolent of the precious period of maternity leave when mothers can devote all their time and attention to their (probably first-born) child. This is a welcome addition to the Zeki series, which makes adventures out of topics such as a visit to the medical centre, swimming pool, and baby club, and which, fathers will be pleased to know, also includes Zeki Loves Daddy. Library Lady - Anne Thompson The text is in rhyming couplets making this a delight to read aloud and giving it a happy bounce. I think it would encourage actions as you read too. The illustrations by Ruth Hearson complement the text perfectly and depict the loving bond between parent and child. Their closeness in the pictures and the mirroring of actions and expressions is beautifully done. Zeki has a small cuddly toy that accompanies him everywhere, a concept familiar to both children and parents, and the little seahorse is visible on every page, sometimes peeping from a pocket, or behind a cushion. This gives the child listening to the story a chance to become involved by searching for the seahorse and identifying where it is. A lovely touch for teaching vocabulary. The book is made of sturdy card with rounded corners making it suitable for eager little hands who want to share the story fully. I love Zeki Loves Mummy, it made me smile and I think it will make parents and toddlers smile too. This would be a lovely present for a new baby or for Mothers’ Day and useful for early years settings too. |
Candid Cocoa
From wake-up time till bedtime, baby Zeki's days with Mummy are packed with fun and excitement. From peekaboo to den-building, baby yoga to cycling, snacking to messy play, there are so many special moments to share in this adorable inclusive picture book full of love. Written by accomplished author Anna McQuinn, this latest deceptively simple title in the highly popular Zeki series is expertly crafted with effortless rhyming couplets and comforting rhythm. And with its lightweight but durable thick-card format and rounded corners, it's perfectly pitched for children aged one or older, to share with an adult at home or nursery. Ruth Hearson's soft, colourful illustrations draw early readers into Zeki's highly relatable world where every activity, however small, is a huge adventure. Hearson's meticulous attention to detail when capturing each mother-son activity is superb, as is her clever use of shape motifs. Repeating heart patterns adorn various household objects: the green wallpaper in the endpapers, soft furnishings, and clothing — there's even a heart on the baby lotion bottle at bathtime. Love is in everything Zeki touches, cocooning him all day, every day — each page spread reinforcing the unconditional loving connection between mother and child. Meanwhile, sun and star shapes subtly signal the passing of time. Zeki's sunny morning babygrow and then starry sleepsuit and book at bedtime are thoughtful picture cues that adults can talk about with early readers (UW). I love how Zeki's transitional toy, a cuddly green seahorse, accompanies him everywhere. Sometimes the seahorse is slightly hidden to encourage Zeki's independence but it's never too far from reach if he needs it. Young readers will enjoy spotting the seahorse in the illustrations, which is a useful prompt for talk using positional language: ‘in', 'on', and 'behind' (CAL). Zeki Loves Mummy is a dual-purpose book speaking as much to new parents/carers as it does to children in the early years. The sheer physicality required to be a devoted parent/carer, something which is often taken for granted, is pointed up empathetically in the text. Newbie parents/carers are also gently informed about creative ideas to engage with and structure a toddler's daily routine in ways that are fulfilling for both adult and child. This well-conceived, heartwarming, and helpful picture book celebrates the essence of toddlerhood and motherhood all at once. Perfect for very young children, it's a must for early years settings and new parents and carers alike. |
I like to include Goodreads and Amazon reviews as these are people who've not been sent review copies and just post for the love of the books!
Yay a new Leo book! We have all the Leo and Lola books and love them all!
Tiseme Gabriella on Instagram
Tiseme Gabriella on Instagram