Reviews

Earth Mother by Leo Dillon, Diane Dillon, Ellen Jackson

megatsunami's review against another edition

4.0

Gorgeous illustrations for this sweet tale of Earth Mother as she hears from Man (sic)*, Frog, and Mosquito about how each likes and dislikes certain aspects of her creation. (Man likes Frog and doesn't like Mosquito; Frog likes Mosquito and doesn't like Man; Mosquito likes Man and doesn't like Frog.) I loved how the book portrayed the concept that even though we might feel dissatisfied individually ("Hey, that mosquito bit me!") the eco-system functions as a whole.

*I just have to say: Really? You refer to humans collectively as "Man"? (While reading it to my daughter, I flipped back to check what year it was published. 2005. No excuse.) I read it to my daughter as "Human" which I admit sounds kind of clunky. So I guess I can see where the author was coming from. But really.

beecheralyson's review against another edition

4.0

This is beautifully illustrated by Leo and Diane Dillon. And the text flows wonderfully.

eirenophile's review

5.0

This is a special book. The illustrations are really beautiful and the black earth mother with her changing African* clothes set in a non-Euro-based Earth (nevertheless, totally universalized in an awesome way) is great. It is short enough to work really well as a read-aloud bedtime book, but unlike many bedtime books it actually has a narrative to accompany Earth Mother's sojourn across the land (basically, what should she do to appease her children, who all want different things from her). I almost shelved this in books for feminist babies, because it certainly supports an eco-feminist agenda, but it has humanity represented as "Man" (both in visual representation and name), and so I decided to leave it off.

I want it.

* it totally might be some specific group's clothing style, but I wouldn't know ...

dandelionfluff's review

4.0

Beautiful illustrations and a humorous story.

pussreboots's review

5.0

Lovely story of Earth Mother talking to Man, Frog and Mosquito.

amandaquotidianbooks's review

4.0

I loved these illustrations, how Earth Mother’s clothes pattern changed fluidly and how the border foliage would extend past the illustration space. I really enjoyed the story, which at first had no plot it seemed, but developed into an ecological message.

beecheralyson's review

4.0

This is beautifully illustrated by Leo and Diane Dillon. And the text flows wonderfully.