My Mama Needs Me

I love going to the library. Taking my kids for storytime is an excuse for me to find new treasures and to re-read old favorites. Last week, I discovered something amazing.

I was browsing the shelves and saw the children's book, My Mama Needs Me (Lothrop, Lee & Shepard, 1983) by Mildred Pitts Walter, illustrated by Pat Cummings. I flipped through the pages and was drawn in by the story of a big brother wanting to help his mama care for his brand-new baby sister. But I didn't really read it until I came home.

As I explored the story with my daughter, I knew this book was special. There's a wonderful picture of Daddy watching in pride as Mama snuggles their little girl and big bro Jason puts a finger to his lips and tells friends to shhh. Then, Daddy goes back to work and it's just Jason, Mama and baby at home. Jason wants to help and turns down going outside to play and a taste of cookies from a neighbor just in case he's needed. Just when he feels he'll never get a chance to pitch in, he hears his sister crying and rushes inside. But Mommy is already taking care of the feeding too. That's when I saw a picture that really touched me.

Cummings has an illustration of a black mom breast-feeding her baby girl. This is the first time I've seen a picture book illustration of a mom of any race breast-feeding. In the picture, Jason looks on in wonder and delight. When she falls asleep at Mommy's breast, Jason gently rubs her ear and she starts nursing again.

I won't share much more because I hope you'll check out this wonderful book. But I'll just say Jason learns that he's needed and discovers what he needs too.

A quick Internet search revealed that Cummings won the Coretta Scott King Award for illustration for My Mama Needs Me. I understand why. Simply beautiful.