Picture Book Review: Are You My Mother? By P.D Eastman

Picture Book Review: Are You My Mother? By P.D Eastman

  1. Bibliography 

Eastman, P.D. (1960). ARE YOU MY MOTHER?. Ill. by P. D. Eastman. New York: Random House Books for Young Readers. ISBN 9780375875199


  1. Plot Summary

In Are You My Mother? a baby bird hatches while his mother is out looking for food for him. While she is away the baby bird sets out on a quest to find his mother. Along the way, he encounters multiple animals, vehicles and objects, asking each one, "Are you my mother?". None of whom are his mother. At one point, he begins to wonder, and has to reassure himself that, “I did have a mother…. I know I did. I have to find her. I will. I WILL!”. The baby bird continues his quest to find his mother, when something surprising happens and leads the baby bird back to his home and reunites with his mother. The mother bird then asks, “Do you know who I am?” and the two share a moment of joy and togetherness.


  1. Critical Analysis

Are You My Mother? Is an emotional quest for a little baby bird to find his mother who seems to be missing. The story allows for laughter as the baby bird is asking “Are you my mother?” to animals and things that are clearly not his mother, but once the baby bird continues to fall short of finding his mother, it leaves the reader feeling sad and hopeful that the baby bird will find his mother. Ultimately the baby bird is reunited with his mother and the storyline is completed with the two of them together again, leaving the reader feeling content and happy. 

The short sentences and familiar words encourage early readers to try to tackle the reading on their own, and it works equally well as a read-aloud for younger students.


The illustrations from Eastman appear simple and fun. Eastman uses a limited range of colors. He relies on browns, yellows, and reds and the pages never appear to look chaotic or cluttered, with majority white backgrounds. Eastman’s work shows simplicity and creativity in showing the emotion of the animals, which gains the engagement of the reader,I especially like the mama bird with her little red headscarf.


  1. Review Excerpts

School Library Journal: Top 100 Picture Books #45: Are You My Mother? by P.D. Eastman


WINNER | 2012 - Scholastic Parent & Child 100 Greatest Books for Kids


WINNER | 2012 - TimeOutNewYorkKids.com 50 Best Books for Kids


  1. Connections

-Are You My Mother? Can be used to model early literacy skills such as sequencing, prediction, and vocabulary development, making it an ideal choice for both home and classroom settings.

-P. D. Eastman was an author and illustrator who created many children’s books, including Are You My Mother?; Go, Dog. Go!; The Best Nest, and many others.

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