Rating: *** 3 stars

Henriette Barkow, illustrated by Derek Brazell,
That’s My Mum.
Mantra, 2001

An excellent book based on the personal experiences of the author and her daughter, who is of mixed heritage; because they have a different skin colour, people assume they are not mother and daughter. Mia has a friend who faces similar reactions and together they share their frustations: ‘People think my mum isn’t my mum.’ Together they come up with some ideas and finally hit upon a way of asserting who their mym is, clearly and positively – no question. A true story wonderfully enhanced by Brazell’s warm, realistic illustrations which both support the text and add to it. Available in 17 other dual languages editions.

Urmi Chana