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Reviewed by Jennifer Senick for Readers' Favorite
In Mommy Mayor by Janneke House, a young girl named Mary takes on the important role of Special Playground Assistant for her neighborhood. As she explores all her favorite areas of the playground, she discovers it’s in pretty bad shape, with issues like a broken swing, a rusty teeter totter, and a cracked bike path, among others. She decides she needs to lend a hand and writes down and draws what needs fixing before heading over to City Hall to meet with the mayor, who happens to be her mom. Will she be able to convince Mommy Mayor to fix all the issues at the park? As Mary learns more about her community, she realizes that even small voices can inspire big changes. The story is a sweet reminder that our voices matter.
What I loved about Mommy Mayor is how warmly it highlights the way even kids can make a difference when they become involved in their own town, which evokes the phrase “Small, but mighty” to me. Janneke House’s writing is easy to understand and inviting, filled with genuine little moments—like when the slide isn’t slippery enough—and relatable, since children always want to help when they can. Sisca Kumara's brightly colored, cheerful illustrations really bring the story to life, perfectly capturing the book’s spirit and Mary’s determination. As an educator, I believe it can spark great conversations related to teamwork, problem-solving, and helping others. Teachers could create their own “Mayor for a Day” in their classrooms, or have students identify a project at school or home that they could help fix. It’s a fun, positive read that encourages young learners to be active, caring members of their neighborhoods.
